Who hasn’t heard about the holly list known as the best bars in Asia or so-called Asia’s 50 Best Bars? The last time we were at Bamboo Bar, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, before that at Atlas Bar Singapore and 28 HongKong Street, same in Singapore. Now we are in Bar Trigona, which I reckon will be on this list very soon. Placed in the KLCC area, right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Bar Trigona is one step away from The Lounge Four Seasons KL. If my words about one of the best bars in Asia sound bold, I invite you to read this extended Bar Trigona review and prove me wrong.
Ambiance
Bar Trigona is classy! Marble, navy blue walls with golden ornaments, massive tables, again in golden color and same blue comfortable sits. Wait, I didn’t even come to the centerpiece – a large shiny bar. Mirrors and golden plates form a mosaic with a five-tier liqueur shelf, stocked with the finest drinks. The glamour doesn’t stop at the bar. Most of the tables are settled next to floor-to-ceiling windows, from where you can watch nearby Petronas or always busy street with million lights.
Talking about lights, the pillar of every good ambient and here at Bar Trigona, they are aware of that. All shiny décor gets even more exciting and suave feeling overflows the whole space.
Music in the bar is pleasant and the vibe just like it should be – cool and posh. The Bar Trigona is a golden place and they don’t hide that. After all, this is the best side of Four Seasons KL and it should be like this. Anyway, we all know there is not only the ambiance needed to be one of the best bars in Asia, let’s check Bar Trigona Menu.
Bar Trigona Menu
Going through the drinks menu is much more interesting than the word »menu«that applies. In the first manner, the drawings of plants attract the eye. The menu is an art piece by itself. Just by looking them you get to the end without even knowing it and then the joyful moment repeats. So what should I have?
First, there is a short explanation about the name Trigona or Trigona bee to be exact. That is a species of stingless bee, native to Southeast Asia. At Bar Trigona, each cocktail section includes a Trigona honey in the mixed drink.
Cocktail Categorization
Paintings I refer to in the previous lines are based on the key ingredients, whether it is fruit, leaf & flower, stem & seed, or root. The drinks are based on the most important ingredient, with the rest following its lead. Each part includes one drink with Trigona honey and one mocktail.
Wait, There is More
Apart from the house special mixed drinks, there is also a wine and beer section. I believe that at Bar Trigona is the first time I have come across so many wines per glass options when it comes to a bar and not wine bar. In fact, all the available wines are possible as a glass portion as well as the bottle.
The spirits list at Bar Trigona is massive coming from all around the world. From the Gin selection, I want to bring to light the uniquely Malaysian flavors of jackfruit pandan and galangal in De Cort Distillery Gin. These flavored gins are distilled in Belgium in collaboration with the Eiling Lim. She saw an opportunity and combined her childhood memories connected to Malaysia, and launched her first Gin line.
Our Cocktails at Four Seasons KL Bar Trigona
I had a huge dilemma over the Gawky Galangal Gin and Trigona Old Fashioned. When I consulted my dear she quickly sweet talked me into the cocktail. Not only that, she even made sure to get a fair taste of my drink and half of the honeycomb, which comes with it. Women!
Trigona Old Fashioned
Ok, I must admit the cocktail is well executed and greatly enjoyable. The blend of rye whiskey brings woodiness into mind, how wouldn’t it with the presence of the cedar wood essence! Top that with Cynar, the herbal tasting bittersweet liqueur and Orleans bitters dominating in anise, citrusy, cinnamon notes.
It is perfect with sourish sweet Trigona honey. My compliments to the Head Bartender at Four Seasons KL Bar Trigona, Ashish Sharma. I praise him for exploring Malaysia and include its uniqueness to the menu. After all, every artisanal cocktail contains a special ingredient, and here the focus is on honey.
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The Golden Fizz
You can guess Vivi wasn’t in a rush to focus on her mocktail, the Golden Fizz. So I got a good taste of it and stopped complaining. After those mocktails in the Bamboo Bar, I don’t look down at them anymore. As a matter of fact, the booze-less drink can be even more demanding, with nothing to cushion delusion. The name Golden Fizz must capture the turmeric and ginger beer, while cardamom leaf brings the minty, spicy and herbal notes all refreshed by lemon.
Conclusion
Bar Trigona is an extremely well-designed bar with a clear plan – be one of the best bars in Asia. With this approach, they might be there quite soon. All compliments to the head bartender, who took a lot of time and effort before the opening. He traveled around Malaysia in search for the main ingredients that will present the bar. Even the name Bar Trigona is from the local attraction and one of the ingredients for artisan cocktails. Think local, act global!
Bar Trigona Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9/109/10
- SERVICE – 9.2/109.2/10
- DRINK SELECTION – 9.3/109.3/10
- PRESENTATION – 8.9/108.9/10
- OUR DRINKS – 9/109/10
- VALUE – 8.9/108.9/10
Bar Trigona Price and Location
Cocktails at Bar Trigona are priced around 13,5 USD for alcoholic and 8,5 USD for nonalcoholic versions. Here is a link to Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur location, in a case you don’t know where it is. Anyway, we haven’t noticed any dressing code policy, but bar like this deserves a nice suit 😉
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