Also known as the Helipad Bar KL, the Heli Lounge Bar Kuala Lumpur is a helipad by day, drinking venue by night. Here’s all the info on hours, dress code, entry fee, bar prices and, whether it’s okay if you’re scared of heights.
The bar sets up at night on a working helipad located on the 35th floor of a Kuala Lumpur skyscraper – as such there’s no walls, no ceiling, no safety barrier – just a fabulous view of the KL skyline.
It describes itself as KL’s Best Kept Secret, but considering how many people were up there the night I went, that secret is well and truly out!
It quickly went to the top of my list of fun things to do in KL.
But here’s my need to know guide – including exactly what time get there for the best seat, how much to expect to pay for a drink, what the helipad KL dress code involves – and if it’s okay to go up there when you’re scared of heights (like me)
Note: I’ve been back to the Helipad bar again since I originally wrote this post and I’m now updating it again with the latest information I can find in December 2022.
Admittedly, a bar on a helipad should not be my first choice of drinking venue – I’m scared of heights. I once got stuck up the top of the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok and had to be carried down by a taxi driver and I cried on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver.
I won’t let my fear beat me though and so now head up tall buildings (like Taipei 101) in a single bound, albeit it with very sweaty palms – I think I’m getting better, but this was a new test, I was going solo without The Boyfriend to laugh at me supportively calm me down when I start to shake. But more of that in a minute, let’s get to the useful stuff.
Where is the Heli Lounge Bar in KL?
You’ll find it in Menara KH, an office building on Jalan Sultan Ismail which is very close to the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur.
I’d read that it was really hard to find….not least as google maps have it in two different locations. Note: it’s actually the one in the slightly triangular building, not the one marked in what looks like two buildings close together (see the map below – it’s marked with a star).
I walked from my hotel (The Pullman KLCC) which took about 15 minutes but, if you’re using public transport, the Raja Chulan monorail station is right outside the Heli Lounge bar front door (also handy if you’re in a cab and the driver needs reference point) and the name of the building is clearly marked above the big glass doors.
When you get to the building, you won’t see any obvious signs for the bar but head to the bank of lifts on the right that says Floor 34, push that button and you’ll get there.
What Time Does The Helipad Bar Open?
Online it will say 5pm – don’t believe them.
You see Heli Lounge Bar is actually made up of two bars – a sleek aircraft-themed bar on the 34th floor of the building, and the main event – the Helipad bar KL one floor above this. That actually opens at 6pm.
However, don’t rock up then either.
You see to gain access to the Helipad bar, you have to buy a drink first downstairs. And, if you want to get a good seat on the helipad, you need to be ready to go when they open the secret door at 6pm – which means you need to have your drink in your hand – and have paid for it.
I arrived at 5.50 as I didn’t know any of the above and quickly sussed there were a lot of people ordering cocktails – because I knew I wouldn’t be able to cope with standing up that high, I had to get a seat – so I got tactical and just ordered a glass of wine figuring they’d pour that super fast.
I had my drink and had paid for it within five minutes while the couple who had come up in the lift with me were still perusing the cocktail menu.
Is There an Entry Fee?
Yes. This is new since I last went there, but there’s now a 100MYR entrance fee, but that includes two drinks so it’s not too bad.
What Are The Prices Like?
Depending how long you’re at the bar, you might not need to buy another drink as your entrance contains two – but, they are very good at appearing with a menu as soon as your glass is empty so, you might get tempted.
The good news is that I thought the bar prices at were pretty cheap – especially considering the view.
They have their Touch Down Happy Hour between 5-9pm and, when I went, a glass of wine or pint of Tiger, Heineken or Guinness cost 30MR (about AUD$8 or £5) – they also have a selection of cocktails for the same price during Happy Hour.
I can’t see Happy Hour prices listed on their Facebook page but according to the menu they posted in Dec 2022 their bar prices aren’t far off that even now. Beer. for example, goes up to 38-42MR, wine is 40MYR and cocktails start at 45MR.
What is the Heli Lounge Bar Dress Code?
According to their Facebook page there is no dress code.
Double check this though as when I went it was pretty lenient before 9pm, but after 9pm the dress code rules were no flip flops, no slippers, no crocs, no sandals, no shorts, no sleeveless wear and no hats.
What Happens at 6pm?
I’d done my research and I knew where the door to the Helipad bar was – spoiler, it’s behind the white curtain – and so had chosen a seat within view.
There’s no big announcement as the door opens, one guy nodded at another guy and he then beckoned the people at the closest table.
At this point, a queue started to form – and the walk to the top began. And this is the bit I’d been scared of.
Should You Go to Helipad Bar if You’re Scared of Heights?
Now, this all depends on your level of phobia. I can now handle being in a tall building – but have issues with looking up, looking down – or climbing/descending stairs in them.
And this was my worry with Heli Lounge Bar.
To get to the top you have to climb what I think was four short flights of stairs (I was slightly hyperventilating so it’s a bit vague) – the last one and a half flights of these is outside.
Yes, you’re 34 and a half floors up a building and climbing stairs on the side of it.
This was the point I was expecting to freak – but getting there as the doors opened saved me (and I definitely recommend it if you’re nervous). Because I was following a heap of people and had another hoard behind me, I just had to keep moving – I couldn’t think about what I was doing.
When I got into the open air I simply stared at the back of the guy in front and kept climbing – seriously there could have been a unicorn above my head and I wouldn’t have seen it!
Once on the roof, I headed straight to a seat with a back not too near the edge – all things I know will keep me calm. I’ve learned I can’t perch on stools in high places, it makes me sway and I start to freak out. I need to ground myself as quickly and firmly as possible – then once I’ve calmed down and got comfortable I can stand up and wander about.
I admit I wasn’t totally sure how the heck I was going to get down! That was what scuppered me at Wat Arun, I had to seemingly step off the building to go down the stairs and I was frozen. I have similar issues in glass lifts and need a helper to get me in them.
Luckily though, I ended up sharing my table with a group of sailors (a story that does not end as excitingly as something including that phrase should) and one of them, also scared of heights, shared a brilliant tip with me.
He said to hold the handrail and just look at my hand on it, rather than my feet. When the time came to leave, it was dark so not quite as obviously ‘I’m launching myself off the side of a building’ and I used his advice. I didn’t look out, just at my hand – and it was all fine.
When I went alone there was no way I was taking a picture of the steps as if I’d had to stall long enough to take it, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get on them, the second time I went though, The Boyfriend came with me and snagged this photo.
Where to Sit for the Best Views
At first, I was congratulating myself on my seat – it was on the right of the bar directly opposite the famous Petrona’s Towers and I couldn’t work out why everyone else had headed to the left.
Then the sun started to go down – and I realised the left-hand side of the building gets the cool sunset views.
If you want the best view of the sunset from the helipad bar – with no people in your pictures – head to that side instead.
Is There a Bar on the Roof?
I’d been a bit worried about this too – how was I a) going to keep my table as I went to the bar if there was one as I was travelling solo b) if there was no bar, was I going to have to brave the steps if I needed a refill – but no. The waiters from downstairs head upstairs when it opens and take your orders for you.
As I said, they quickly notice as soon as you finish your drink – which is good if you do want another one but might lead to guilt trips if you don’t.
Note – the toilet is down the stairs of scariness so you might want to factor that in when placing your order (and maybe go before you get up there).
Would I Recommend Helipad Bar?
Absolutely – once I’d got over the fear of getting up onto the helipad bar itself, the view was brilliant (plus you get to post heaps of pictures on all known social media proclaiming that you’re drinking on a helipad which doesn’t get old) and, considering the venue, I thought the prices were super reasonable – especially as alcohol is quite pricey in KL anyway.
The bar downstairs doesn’t have the same wow factor, but it is still pretty cool with model planes hanging from the ceiling and seats made from parts of old Boeing planes.
What Else is Near The Helipad Bar
It’s about a five-minute walk to Bukit Bintang and all the shopping delights that holds.
It’s also good for foodies – I pretty much ate incessantly for the three days I was in town and my nearby haunts were the Lot 10 Hutong Food Court which has bundled up all the best street food in one easy to find venue and Jalan Alor food street which mixes up street food vendors and restaurants in one handy stretch.
What to Read Next
We’ve talked about our guides to KL above, but if you’re also travelling around Malaysia on your trip, you might want to check out some of other guides.
The day after we went to Helipad bar we jumped on a train a few hours north and visited Ipoh – where you’ll find a guide to some fun Ipoh things to do like drinking snow beer – which is kind of like a beer slushie.
After Ipoh, we went to Penang to see all the amazing street art (check out our guide to some of the less well known pieces here)
However we soon found out there was a lot more cool stuff to do in Penang than that – so you’ll find our guide to fun things to do in Penang here.
Or just go straight to my favourite place. The Penang Snake temple which has actual snakes slithering around inside – see pictures here.
If you’re staying in KL but looking for something fun to do, you might want to take a trip down to Klang where you can meet a fortune telling parrot!
Who Writes Differentville?
My name is Helen Foster and I’m a journalist and author living in Sydney.
My travel articles have been published in titles include The Australian, Body & Soul at the Sunday Telegraph, RAC Horizons, Jetstar magazine and more.
I like the weird, the wonderful and anything that makes me jump and down with glee like I’m about three. That’s what you’ll find here.
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