See & Do
Bangsar
A little over 30 years ago Bangsar was mostly a rubber plantation, but now the area known as Bangsar Baru has developed into one of mixed residential and low-rise commercial space. Most people call this central area of Bangsar Baru simply Bangsar, but the greater area also includes the neighbouring suburbs of Bukit Bandaraya, Taman Lucky, Taman Bukit Pantai, Taman Bandaraya, Taman Bangsar and Taman SA. Greater Bangsar is roughly bordered by Jalans Maarof and Bangsar, and the University Malaya.
Bukit Bandaraya has many excellent views of KL and it seems that every square inch of land has been given over to towering blocks of condominiums or large and exclusive homes. The older and flatter parts of Bangsar are dominated by terraced housing or free-standing bungalows.
Around 15 years ago the central part of Bangsar Baru was little more than an open area that was used as a parking lot for the newly emerging commercial activity and entertainment outlets. Now it is has been developed and is considered one of the trendiest parts of town, with a community mall called Bangsar Village being the focal point for designer shops, fashionable boutiques, contemporary restaurants and some slick bars.
Over the past few years, Bangsar has had its ups and downs, going from being the epicentre for partying, to experiencing a lull of subdued activity and now, to being an upmarket urban village again. In the early 1990s, KL city centre was where most people went to party and to be entertained. A short time later, Bangsar evolved as an entertainment area and this all happened very quickly with the granting of what seemed to be a disproportionate number of outlet licences for such a small area. Soon certain areas of Bangsar, in particular Jalan Telawi 2 and 3, were pumping with bars, restaurants and cafes that opened onto the streets, and the crowds flocked here to flit from bar to bar, to see and to be seen. Establishments came and went quickly and a popular activity at the time was to try and recall what outlet used to be where.
Ronnie Q’s is one of the early pubs that has survived, and very little has changed since its inception, although an open-fronted bar bench has been added in recent years. Many of the patrons haven’t changed either, and they probably still sit on the same stools that they have for years – it’s just that kind of place.
Bangsar was very much the public face of Malaysia’s booming economy in the early 1990s. Back then, the streets were lined with partygoers driving luxury cars which mostly double parked in total disregard for anyone else. The 1997 Asian economic crisis quickly curtailed a lot of these excesses. While Bangsar has clawed back, it has never regained the euphoria of these glory days. Today, there is still a buzz in Bangsar, but now other areas in the city have opened up. So although once it was the place – and the only place – to be, there are now so many other options for nightlifers.
Bangsar is now more a place for the local residents to wine, dine and shop and where a few ‘outsiders’ still come to have a good time. Much of the late night boozing has declined as Bangsar assumes the role of catering to residents on the way home from work seeking a glass of wine or a frothy cappuccino rather than a big night out in the bars.
The recently opened Bangsar Village II is what the developer calls a ‘community mall’. It’s there more for the convenience of local residents rather than as a destination mall that people would travel to see. It is connected via a covered overhead walkway to Bangsar Village I, where there is a supermarket selling most essential items (this and Cold Storage in Bangsar Shopping Centre cater to the many expats living in the area by selling imported items not found in many other parts of KL). Village II is home to a range of prestigious boutiques and some famous designer names relatively new to KL, and therefore it attracts a crowd of discerning shoppers who like the small scale and personal attention that it offers.
Bangsar Shopping Centre is located in Bukit Bandaraya at the top of the hill, overlooking much of the rest of Bangsar. Cold Storage supermarket is the main tenant, and perennially popular thanks to its range of premium and hard-to-get items. It is also the location for a KL institution: the Actors’ Studio (03 2094 0400,
www.actorsstudio.com.my), which is on the third floor of the west wing. Since 1989 the Actors’ Studio has raised the bar for live theatre by providing a venue for local writers and actors to have their work performed in a city that has yet to fully embrace the arts. It has regular performances of local plays, as well as popular overseas plays and acting classes for children. In the past it has also demonstrated a willingness to perform controversial theatre and political satire.
At the bottom of Bukit Bandaraya, off Jalan Maarof and facing Jalan Bangkung, you can find a small collection of restaurants, cafes and shops. This very quiet part of Bangsar is surrounded by residential properties. One of the great advantages of dining in this part of Bangsar is that there is plenty of free parking immediately in front of the restaurants.
Komplex Sukan Bangsar, or Bangsar Sports Complex (2284 6065), is on Jalan Terasek 3 in Bangsar Baru. This council-administered complex provides a facility for those who don’t live in condominiums (apartments) which are fully equipped with sporting facilities. There’s a swimming pool and tennis, squash and badminton facilities, and a canteen and children’s playground. The rates for court hire are very modest and the facility is open daily from 09:30 to 24:00.
A popular pasar malam (night market) is held on Sunday night from late afternoon to late in the evening. Like many held in other parts of the city, the markets create havoc with traffic but there is sufficient off-street parking in several covered carparks. Many locals love to shop here for fresh vegetables, fruit, seafood and a multitude of takeaway snacks.
Bangsar Station on the Putra LRT, located along Jalan Bangsar and KL Sentral, is within minutes of most places in Bangsar. This adds to the area’s appeal as a place to live as KLIA is just 28 minutes away by fast train and many inner city destinations can be accessed via train.
Bangsar is definitely one of KL’s best-known suburbs, with a reputation for entertainment and a good night out. While this has changed over recent years, as it embraces more of a village atmosphere, it remains an area that appeals to many.
Bukit Bandaraya has many excellent views of KL and it seems that every square inch of land has been given over to towering blocks of condominiums or large and exclusive homes. The older and flatter parts of Bangsar are dominated by terraced housing or free-standing bungalows.
Around 15 years ago the central part of Bangsar Baru was little more than an open area that was used as a parking lot for the newly emerging commercial activity and entertainment outlets. Now it is has been developed and is considered one of the trendiest parts of town, with a community mall called Bangsar Village being the focal point for designer shops, fashionable boutiques, contemporary restaurants and some slick bars.
Over the past few years, Bangsar has had its ups and downs, going from being the epicentre for partying, to experiencing a lull of subdued activity and now, to being an upmarket urban village again. In the early 1990s, KL city centre was where most people went to party and to be entertained. A short time later, Bangsar evolved as an entertainment area and this all happened very quickly with the granting of what seemed to be a disproportionate number of outlet licences for such a small area. Soon certain areas of Bangsar, in particular Jalan Telawi 2 and 3, were pumping with bars, restaurants and cafes that opened onto the streets, and the crowds flocked here to flit from bar to bar, to see and to be seen. Establishments came and went quickly and a popular activity at the time was to try and recall what outlet used to be where.
Ronnie Q’s is one of the early pubs that has survived, and very little has changed since its inception, although an open-fronted bar bench has been added in recent years. Many of the patrons haven’t changed either, and they probably still sit on the same stools that they have for years – it’s just that kind of place.
Bangsar was very much the public face of Malaysia’s booming economy in the early 1990s. Back then, the streets were lined with partygoers driving luxury cars which mostly double parked in total disregard for anyone else. The 1997 Asian economic crisis quickly curtailed a lot of these excesses. While Bangsar has clawed back, it has never regained the euphoria of these glory days. Today, there is still a buzz in Bangsar, but now other areas in the city have opened up. So although once it was the place – and the only place – to be, there are now so many other options for nightlifers.
Bangsar is now more a place for the local residents to wine, dine and shop and where a few ‘outsiders’ still come to have a good time. Much of the late night boozing has declined as Bangsar assumes the role of catering to residents on the way home from work seeking a glass of wine or a frothy cappuccino rather than a big night out in the bars.
The recently opened Bangsar Village II is what the developer calls a ‘community mall’. It’s there more for the convenience of local residents rather than as a destination mall that people would travel to see. It is connected via a covered overhead walkway to Bangsar Village I, where there is a supermarket selling most essential items (this and Cold Storage in Bangsar Shopping Centre cater to the many expats living in the area by selling imported items not found in many other parts of KL). Village II is home to a range of prestigious boutiques and some famous designer names relatively new to KL, and therefore it attracts a crowd of discerning shoppers who like the small scale and personal attention that it offers.
Bangsar Shopping Centre is located in Bukit Bandaraya at the top of the hill, overlooking much of the rest of Bangsar. Cold Storage supermarket is the main tenant, and perennially popular thanks to its range of premium and hard-to-get items. It is also the location for a KL institution: the Actors’ Studio (03 2094 0400,
www.actorsstudio.com.my), which is on the third floor of the west wing. Since 1989 the Actors’ Studio has raised the bar for live theatre by providing a venue for local writers and actors to have their work performed in a city that has yet to fully embrace the arts. It has regular performances of local plays, as well as popular overseas plays and acting classes for children. In the past it has also demonstrated a willingness to perform controversial theatre and political satire.
At the bottom of Bukit Bandaraya, off Jalan Maarof and facing Jalan Bangkung, you can find a small collection of restaurants, cafes and shops. This very quiet part of Bangsar is surrounded by residential properties. One of the great advantages of dining in this part of Bangsar is that there is plenty of free parking immediately in front of the restaurants.
Komplex Sukan Bangsar, or Bangsar Sports Complex (2284 6065), is on Jalan Terasek 3 in Bangsar Baru. This council-administered complex provides a facility for those who don’t live in condominiums (apartments) which are fully equipped with sporting facilities. There’s a swimming pool and tennis, squash and badminton facilities, and a canteen and children’s playground. The rates for court hire are very modest and the facility is open daily from 09:30 to 24:00.
A popular pasar malam (night market) is held on Sunday night from late afternoon to late in the evening. Like many held in other parts of the city, the markets create havoc with traffic but there is sufficient off-street parking in several covered carparks. Many locals love to shop here for fresh vegetables, fruit, seafood and a multitude of takeaway snacks.
Bangsar Station on the Putra LRT, located along Jalan Bangsar and KL Sentral, is within minutes of most places in Bangsar. This adds to the area’s appeal as a place to live as KLIA is just 28 minutes away by fast train and many inner city destinations can be accessed via train.
Bangsar is definitely one of KL’s best-known suburbs, with a reputation for entertainment and a good night out. While this has changed over recent years, as it embraces more of a village atmosphere, it remains an area that appeals to many.
