Kota Kinabalu Nightlife

KK is a lovely city but it lacks a vibrant night life ! Even the night clubs there are so quiet and almost empty ! There are several pubs where all the big sea food restaurants are which are fine and have live music, those are the most fun for night life in KK.

A bit out of town but well worth the trip, live music, snack and good parking. Open from 4pm until 1am or 2pm weekends and holidays. Happy hours 4-9pm when Tiger beer is 23RM for a bucket. Attentive bar staff, safe for singles.

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Shenanigans? hhmmmm...what can I say ?

First, it sounds like Finnigans, a famous Irish bar in KL...and almost everyone says its the place to go..
So, I checked it out on a Saturday nite...

and boy oh boy, did I underestimate KK's nightlife..It was packed! Hardly place to move...

To enter, you just need to purchase one drink at the entrance, and you're in!

Getting a spot to stand is pretty difficult, whatmore, to dance! I grew out of the clubbing scene for sometime now..So, somehow at Shenanigans, it brought back ol' memories..

By the way, the live band was good! I loved the way they played Red Hot's songs and other hits! Fantastic!

Dress Code: Hmm...Once again, I didn't even wear jeans..

I wore my tee, 3/4 pants and TEVAs again...
and they let me in! : )

This "cafe" (actually a bar) was ideally located right outside where we stayed in K.K. at the Summer Lodge Hostel (see my accommodation tip). It features two pool tables and TV's where we sat till the early hours whilst watching English Premier League football games from back home whilst drinking two large bottles of beer for RM21.

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Well, my advice isn't exactly for one spot, not a real spot anyway but a virtual one. I found that most of the clubs in Kota Kinabalu are listed on one site (finally!). The site is KKGroove (kkgroove.com) and they list it all -- bars, clubs, pubs, and even karaoke places. Its pretty sweet. They also have all the latest parties organized by month on the Events section, so if you're in town for one weekend you can check out in advance if theres any big parties planned. Pretty sweet! (and theyve got restaurants reviews and sports and all sorts of stuff as well as the usual hotels, tour agencies, spas and tourist kind of spots / things to do)

Dress Code: Anything you sit at home on your computer in!

1 more image

Well, my advice isn't exactly for one spot, not a real spot anyway but a virtual one. I found that most of the clubs in Kota Kinabalu are listed on one site (finally!). The site is KKGroove (kkgroove.com) and they list it all -- bars, clubs, pubs, and even karaoke places. Its pretty sweet. They also have all the latest parties organized by month on the Events section, so if you're in town for one weekend you can check out in advance if theres any big parties planned. Pretty sweet! (and theyve got restaurants reviews and sports and all sorts of stuff as well as the usual hotels, tour agencies, spas and tourist kind of spots / things to do)

Dress Code: Anything you sit at home on your computer in!

A new island bar outside K Box on the Waterfront behind BED. Delicious alfresco BBQ food cooked in front of you.

An excellent place to view the sunset, whist sipping a cocktail, beer or fruit smoothie, friendly english speaking staff provide free information on what to do and where to go in KK to make the most of your holiday.

when I was there there were special offers on Beer, buy two and get one free, or free beer with every meal, I had a Ribeye steak which was one of best I have ever tasted!

Dress Code: Anything goes

The water is an area with concentration of pub, clubs and restaurants. Big night scene names like The Bed, Cock and Bull, San Fransico Coffee and etc are located here. Basically a place that you want to be to have a good time!

Dress Code: Anything goes