Farquhar’s Bar as we photographed it before the Heritage Wing refurbishment completed in 2019.
Farquhar’s Bar was our spot of choice for evening drinks during our stay at Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Coming from the bright hallways, its dark wood and low lighting put us in the mood for a cocktail, even with dinner still ahead of us. I chose the bar’s namesake drink, Ian ordered a single malt, and we divided our time between the English-style interior and the view outside. The bar has since moved and been remodeled, so this is our account of the earlier Farquhar’s, followed by practical details for planning a visit today.
Is Farquhar’s Bar worth visiting?
Best for: Travelers who enjoy a heritage hotel bar for a cocktail or whisky before dinner. Our score reflects the bar we experienced before its renovation.
Contents
Dark wood gave the original Farquhar’s Bar much of its character, from the interior fittings to the open bar. It had the look of an old English club, a setting that appealed to the slightly nostalgic part of us. Outside, plants, the pool, and the sea changed the mood completely. We enjoyed both settings and started indoors before taking our drinks outside.
Looking toward the water from the darker room was one of the pleasures of being here. Farquhar’s fitted naturally into our stay at a heritage hotel, with enough character to make a simple drink part of the experience. Our original description also mentioned its appeal for watching a match; that belongs to the earlier bar and should not be taken as a promise of sports screenings today.
Farquhar’s Bar takes its name from Robert Townsend Farquhar, a former Lieutenant-Governor of Penang. On the menu we saw, two signature drinks made that historical connection. A name on a cocktail list can be enough to send you looking for the person behind it, especially in a hotel where streets, rooms, and dining spaces carry so much of the past.
The bar’s name opened a small window onto Penang’s colonial history, though a drink could hardly tell the whole story. For the hotel’s own beginnings and the family who established it, our history of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel follows the story beyond the bar counter.
The drinks list gave us plenty to choose from, including wine, sparkling wine, spirits, cocktails, and nonalcoholic refreshments. My choice was Farquhar’s cocktail, made with vodka, triple sec, nutmeg, orange juice, and cream. The cream softened the impression of alcohol, while the orange and nutmeg remained easy to pick out. It was the combination that interested me, and those were the flavors I remembered afterward.
Ian chose The Glenlivet 15-year-old single malt Scotch whisky. On the nose, he found fruit, sweet spice, and almonds; the taste brought raisins, cinnamon, and cloves. His favorite part was the dry finish, slightly minty, with oak lingering behind it. We enjoyed what was in our glasses, although presentation was less successful than the drinks themselves, as reflected in our original ratings.
Farquhar’s had finger food and an à la carte menu when we visited, giving it a role beyond drinks alone. We were still full after afternoon tea at the E&O’s former 1885 restaurant, so we did not try the food. This is a review of our drinks, the setting, and the service, with no judgment on the cooking.
The staff were kind and willing to exchange a few words, which helped us settle into the room. What stayed with us was the ease of spending time here: a drink indoors, a look toward the sea, and no need to make the evening more complicated. For travelers who enjoy the character of an older hotel, Farquhar’s was a worthwhile stop. Our strongest memories are of that original room and its friendly service; the redesigned bar needs to be judged on a visit of its own.
| Detail | Information checked in October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Bar | Farquhar’s Bar, Eastern & Oriental Hotel |
| Address | 10, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang, Malaysia |
| Category | Hotel cocktail bar |
| Location within the hotel | Lobby level, Heritage Wing |
| Price guide (USD) | Historical cocktail guide: approximately US$10. Current prices not verified. |
| Opening hours | The hotel lists daily hours of 5:00 p.m. to midnight. |
| Dress code | Comfortable attire until 6:00 p.m.; smart casual afterward. T-shirts are accepted; singlets, flip-flops, and men’s sandals are discouraged. |
| Happy hour | The original 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. half-price offer is historical. Current promotion not verified. |
| Phone | +60 4 222 2000 (hotel); +60 4 222 2151 (dining inquiries, listed in the hotel’s January–February 2026 brochure). |
| Website | Official Farquhar’s Bar page |
| Map | Eastern & Oriental Hotel location |
We enjoyed the original bar for its atmosphere, helpful staff, and range of drinks, giving it an overall score of 8.7. That assessment predates the renovation, so it should be read as our experience of the earlier venue.
It remains at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, but was remodeled and relocated within the Heritage Wing after our original review. Our photographs show the earlier setting.
I ordered the namesake cocktail, whose vodka and triple sec base was mixed with orange juice, cream, and nutmeg. Ian had The Glenlivet 15-year-old whisky. These were our original choices, and their availability today has not been confirmed.
Request the latest drinks list from the hotel. Our approximately US$10 cocktail guide belongs to the original review and is not a verified current price.
Our earlier article recorded a half-price promotion from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We have not verified that offer for October 2026; ask the bar which promotions are currently available.
The hotel lists daily opening from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.
Smart casual is required after 6:00 p.m.; earlier, comfortable attire is accepted.
No. We had already eaten afternoon tea at the former 1885 restaurant and only ordered drinks. Our review does not assess the food.
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