Have you ever wondered about the dearth of massive international DJs in town these days? Indeed, the Klang Valley’s clubbing experience is no longer what it was even in the ‘90s, when the world’s top-ranking DJs like ‘Sasha,’ and ‘Deep Dish’ livened up our dance music scene. Even outdoor raves were an event — held at exciting, and sometimes the least expected venues like ‘Glenmarie’s Shooting Valley’ film studio, warehouses, and one time, inside ‘Pudu Prison,’ before it was transformed into a tourist trap. But now, such highly-anticipated parties have died down, and the clubbers are tired, some even hanging up their dancing shoes altogether.

So what else can jaded party-goers do? Well, many of them are staking out watering holes, where less frantic pastimes can be had, such as enjoying old and new world wines, classic champagnes, and cocktails prepared in-house, and sometimes, international guest ‘mixologists’ — a more chic, respectful term, reflective of the importance of bartenders today. Drinkers, as well as clubbers seeking more novel experiences, are buying into the whole fancy beverage culture. Testament to this are the many trendy bars which have opened recently, such as the stretch along the Pavilion shopping centre’s annexe, and a cluster in Soho KL, among others.

With this in mind, we’ve got a guide to four of the quieter, cooler, and cosmpolitan bars where the old school ravers can grab a quiet drink or three.

Wabisabi
Besides sticking to its serving of skewered and charcoal-barbequed bite-sized meats and seafood, this yakitori bar attracts allsorts. It has a strong contemporary décor that includes a 20-ft, kimono motif adorned bar stocked with a decent range of sake, shochu and umeshu (plum wine).

Bar owner Colin Chung insists you be adventurous in your sake preferences. And the selections: ‘Kubota Senju’ (RM178++ per 720ml bottle) — a crisp and light dry sake served chilled, is easy on the palate, which of course means ordering more rounds. Hopefully, you can make it back home safely later. The high-grade ‘Banshu 50 Daiginjo’ (RM178++ per 720ml bottle), has a fruity nose, with a titillating impact on the palate. Best served chilled. Likewise the un-pastured ‘Tsukimizuno Ike Nama Cho’ (RM55++ per 300ml) with delicate flavour and smooth finish.

Sake makes you sickie? Well, you may consider the alcoholic Shochu, commonly distilled from barley, sweet potato or rice. Quite exotic to our palate but don’t let that put you off. The taste is usually less fruity but earthier in flavour and is best enjoyed on the rocks, with water or as a mixed drink with soda, lemon, grapefruit, fruit juices or, like any proud Japanese, oolong tea. Typically stronger than sake, at 25 per cent alcohol content, let’s see whether you can walk straight after four glasses.

Unit C-1-7, TTDI Plaza, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL. (03 7710 5209/wabisabi.com.my). Opens Mon-Sat, 5.30pm ‘tilL late.

Palate Palette
An art-concept bar may sound hoity-toity, but ‘Palate Palette’ is anything but. One of the coolest, least pretentious outlets around, they promote art by splashing it on their walls, floors and ceilings on two floors. The overall Alice in Wonderland-feeling may be strange to some, but others appreciate the quirkiness in their downtime experience and make ‘Palate Palette’ an extremely popular haunt among those who can find it tucked round the back of Changkat Bukit Bintang.

The artworks upstairs are from different artists, such as one with a giraffe’s (well, a stuffed toy’s) rear jutting out of the ceiling. Zany, but shouldn’t you be here for the drinks? Well, you should be as their homemade potions are top-drawer. Cocktails like ‘Oh Boi’ (RM21++) which uses calamansi limes and preserved plum (RM); and ‘Strawberry Mojito’ (RM18++) with a strawberry twist, are very worthy of your tastebuds.

21, Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari, KL (03 2142 2148/palatepalette.com). Opens Tue-Thurs, and Sun, 12noon-12midnight; Fri-Sat, 12noon-2am.

Fidels
Great. Another new Cuban bar in town, you might think. But still, ‘Fidels’ has its moments. Especially in terms of cigars and cocktails. Nothing new here, but this outlet’s recent opening demonstrates the evergreen craze for all things Cuban in KL.

Fidels is yet another new place to indulge in drinks — the marketing manager Aileen Lau recommends the ‘Santa Magherita’ (RM158 per bottle) and cocktails like the ‘Mango Swizzle’ (RM29) made of Matusalen Platino Rum, Ravifruit mango puree, Suntory Mohala mango, and fresh lime juice; and the interesting-flavour of ‘Atlantic’ (RM26.80) concocted using dark rum, amaretto, blue Curacao and sweet-sour pineapple juice.

To go with the drinks are a range of the obligatory cigars, and Fidels recommends gentlemen sample the ‘Romeo Julieta Churchill’ (RM60), with slightly bitter flavour and heightened by sweet and spicy notes. The overall medium to strong taste also has earthy nuances. Or the intense ‘Monte Cristo Petit Emundo’ (RM43), with a woody and slightly-dry flavour and bitter beginning.

Women may take to the ‘Monte Cristo Cigarritos Club’ (RM128) with a largely bitter flavour, punctuated with a slightly sweet taste, dry and spicy aroma and an acceptable draw and combustion, thus suitable for beginners. Another option for them is the ‘Patagas Chicos’ (RM18), with intense aromatic flavour, and a good draw.

E-1-4, TTDI Plaza, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, (03 7727 9695). Opens daily, 5pm-3am.

The Wine Bar@Denise the Wine Shop
At Denise, you’ll be faced with racks and racks of wine, with dimly-lit interior and lots of wood decor and outdoor seating, making for a quaint, cosy place for a drink. You can shop for wines by the bottles, or if you’re impatient, you can insist on having your selections by the glass at the bar. Old and New World wines are available, and if you’re clueless about where to start, there are wine advisors to help. Most likely they’ll recommend the ‘Denise Cellar Block “Special Release” Selection’ (RM69.80+), the bar’s own private labels in collaboration with premium boutique vineyard ‘Maxwell Wines’ of McLaren Vale, South Australia. It is full bodied and generous with depth of colour, and flavours of ripe plum and blackcurrant, combined with a light spice, and rounded out by smooth vanilla oak.

The advisors also insist upon the ‘Denise Cellar Block 8 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004’ (RM69.80+), also by McLaren Vale. Distinguished by snow pea aromas, red currant and delicate mint, the red also provides a velvety palate of blackberry, plum and cherry enveloped in subtle oak flavours. If you’re tired of Australia, go French, with the ‘Mischief & Mayhem Chablis Chardonnay 2005’ (RM158+), produced with Chardonnay grapes picked exclusively from the Premier Cru site Côte de Léchet. It has good weight and acidity, balanced well by lemon zest fruit and flinty minerals. Fresh, with a long fine finish. Salute.

The Wine Bar @ Denise the Wine Shop, 30, Persiaran Ampang, off Jalan Ampang, KL (03 4256 7313/denisewine.com). 12noon-11pm daily.