DOTY 2023 Awards winners: Discover these stunning bars and clubs around KL

by Aisha Capulong

Revel in the sleek interiors of these DOTY 2023 Award-winning bars and clubs in KL. Gorgeously capturing the essence of the city's glittering nightlife, this is a journey through four of KL's exclusive lounges

The winners for this year’s Designer of the Year Awards, commonly recognised as DOTY, are among Malaysia’s finest architects and interior designers. In honouring and celebrating their work as leading visionaries, the platform has become the benchmark of excellence in the Malaysian and international design scene. These exceptional talents change the worlds that surround them into innovative spaces of being, living and breathing. Presenting – the recipients of the 14th installation of the DOTY Awards.

Winners of DOTY 2023 Best Commercial Design

In the bustling drinking scene of Malaysia’s capital, there exists a delightful blend of cocktail lounges brimming with distinctive charm, and upscale bars where socialites gather to mingle and be seen. Renowned for their classy interiors and sumptuous bars, these establishments cater to discerning patrons seeking the most of what the night has to offer.

DIRECTOR’S CUT, TTDI

by ARTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO

CHRONOCOG ELEGANCE | MODERN STEAMPUNK WITH A FUTURISTIC TWIST

Seamlessly blending ornate Victorian design with bold, industrial elements reminiscent of a technologically advanced future, this 2,800 square feet space has become a stylish go-to for TTDI natives. By marrying industrial themes with historical motifs, the studio crafts a narrative that transports patrons into an alternate reality. Shades of dark and olive green furnish the space, paired with midnight black tables and bar counters. Overhead, grainy beige and teak panel details can be seen beyond the pipe networks.

Inspired by the rich heritage of whisky, Arterior Design Studio brings its vision to life through a play on distilleries. Artisanal fixtures of brass pipes and custom industrial-grade PVC can be seen forming the intricate pipe network that functions as the focal motif of the space. The elegant shelving with bespoke lighting behind the bar and at the VIP rooms pathway display the exquisite whisky collection in a strikingly distinctive industrial-chic ambiance.

The Modern Steampunk elements infuse a sense of fantasy and creates an immersive experience that challenges the boundaries of conventional dining and drinking. The interactive lighting at the bar plays a pivotal role in offering a warm, ambient radiance that not only illuminates but also enhances the intimate atmosphere. The gentle glow is designed to interact with the dark mirrored surfaces that envelop the entire space to cast depth-adding reflections. VIP patrons of Director’s Cut TTDI receive the added privilege of experiencing its private rooms, plush with leather Chesterfield sofas and sectioned using textured glass redolent of soft-moving water. Together, these elements form a captivating glimpse into a wondrous tall tale.

Outside, the glass facade offers a dazzling preview into the polished design within, surely making a point to beckon passersby in. The charming outdoor area is furnished with café-style wicker chairs, providing a fresh contrast to the interior for guests to enjoy a more laidback alfresco environment. With its unique character, Director’s Cut TTDI is an elevated form of the old dine and drink — and a cardinal in contemporary design.

A’ROMA DININGS, PETALING JAYA

by LK WORKS

PAINT THE TOWN RED | POSH AND MOODY, WITH A PLAYFUL HINT OF NEON RED

This speakeasy-esque wine bar in PJ’s very own young and hip Taman Paramount is dubbed by its designer as ‘Sip & Savor’. Ringing true to its project name, LK Works has successfully created an impressive hidden gem within a’Roma Dinings — an authentic Italian restaurant — for one to truly revel in. In the 1,650 square feet space evocative of a private club, plush leather chairs, exposed brick walls and deep, rich hues come together to form an exclusive setting.

As one enters through the main wooden pivot door, they are immediately transported into a swanky and intimately dark atmosphere. Modern red accents in neon signings and lighting punctuate the room, injecting a vibrant and contemporary quirk. Nestled discreetly near the entrance is a distinctively refined wine cellar. A neon red sign reading ‘CELLAR’ entrances any pair of eyes that lay upon the space, and invites them over into the larder like a siren.

A room dedicated to housing a personally-curated collection of wines, the environment designed is one of intimacy, offering a secluded spot for enthusiasts to browse and appreciate the selection. Where each wine bottle tells a story of flavor, the cellar tells a story of sociable art. An ingenious feature in the cellar is the glass-covered panel embedded in the floor. It showcases corks, wine bottles and even wooden wine crates. This delightful addition not only sparks conversation, but also provides guests with a deeper appreciation for the skill that goes into a bottle of vino. It becomes an unexpected highlight of the room, and calls on the patrons to admire and engage with the expansive collection of wine.

The combination of classic and modern design at a’Roma Dinings results in a space that caters to a wide range of clients. Whether they desire a tranquil, sophisticated evening or a lively celebration, here, visitors are warmly enticed to sip, savor and immerse themselves in good food, good wine and an ineffable interior.

CIGAR ROOM, BANGSAR SOUTH

by DEWANI DESIGN

CIGAR HAVEN | THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE COME EASY WITHIN THIS WORK OF ART

Cigar Room, located in Bangsar South, provides an exceptional experience that thoroughly souses its guests in magnificence and grandeur. More than just a luxe drinkery, Cigar Room invites you to fully indulge in life’s exquisite pleasures and flavours. Through this 1,123 square feet project, Dewani Design beautifully showcases the studio’s commitment in creating meaningful spaces that become culture zones — this sentiment is, of course, perfectly symbolised by the Mona Lisa facsimile that hangs in the main walkway leading into the space.

Every detail that can be found at Cigar Room has been meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. The use of unique materials is evident throughout the space; this timeless design features intricate carvings, golden decorative moulding and artful ceiling frescoes. A highlight of Cigar Room is its exceptional furniture. Every fitting is on its own a stand-alone masterpiece made by skilled artisans. Beyond their practical value, the furniture pieces are also points of visual allure and satiety.

Each delicately crafted contour in the wall panels tells a story and invites the gaze upwards, creating the illusion of ample space. Stepping into the Cigar Room feels like entering a bygone epoch of magnificent palaces, where every corner presents a microcosm of artistry. Complementing these material intricacies, the room’s color palette assumes a vital role in perfecting the luxurious atmosphere. Shades of deep mahogany, regal burgundy and lavish gold dominate the rooms, with touches of white and grey at the marble high top seating.

Cigar Room is further enhanced by its collection of vintage and antique fittings, infusing it with an authentically charming atmosphere. These pieces carry intrinsic history and bring with it the mystery that comes with everlasting elegance. Here, past and present remarkably merges into a singular environment — tastefully curated by Dewani Designs.

HYPERSPACE KL, CHAN SOW LIN

by MADNESS DESIGN STUDIO

ZOOM INTO HYPERSPACE | BRIGHT NEON AND TEXTURED METALS DEFINE THIS CYBERPUNK CLUB FROM THE FUTURE

The year 3000 is here. Well, at least within the 4,414 square feet space that is Hyperspace KL. In what the minds at Madness Studio have envisioned to be the dystopian distant future, it is a fusion of rebellious cyberpunk themes mixed with futuristic sci-fi angled lines. A main colour palette of purple and blue is extensively integrated to establish a dynamic atmosphere and instill a heavy nighttime ambiance. This ultra-modern arena becomes the perfect stage for those looking to pulsate on electrifying dance floors throughout the night.

The first scene into Hyperspace KL is a mind-altering hallway of reflecting surfaces, neon lights and LED screens that invokes a sense of traversing through raw matrix. In the vein of the TRON universe, black marble print tiling is used to further enhance the mirroring effect. Hands down a mindbend of an entrance, Madness Studio’s design brilliance allows for an unforgettable first impression that stimulates the senses.

Just as impressive as the entry passageway, the bar area is a futuristic masterpiece that screams photo op. Rounded corners and clean lines meet to form a pristine CGI-like tableau that is then supplemented with extravagant liquor bottles. The clever use of textured metal as the fore- and backgrounds help add depth and composition to the area by refracting the hidden light sources within the space. Off-the-wall phrases in a space odyssey typeface become superlative finishing touches to the bar.

The furnishings, however, maintain a principally minimalist approach to ensure the spotlight stays on Hyperspace KL’s highlight features. Spacious black leather booths with matching pouffes are arranged on raised platforms lining the entire nightclub’s perimeter. Near the escalier leading up to the high deck, feminine robot models inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film “Metropolis” stand tall. A token of youthful defiance against the present, Hyperspace KL is a glimpse into everything Gen-Z hopes the future would look like.