The Four Seasons lobby bar that turned Malaysian stingless bee honey into a program, and a seven year run on Asia's 50 Best Bars into the receipts.
Bar Trigona sits on the lobby level of the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur at 145 Jalan Ampang and builds its program around Trigona honey, harvested by Malaysian stingless bees. The bar debuted on Asia's 50 Best Bars at number 40 in 2019 and has held a place on the list every year since.
Head bartender Rohan Matmary works directly with Malaysian farmers, and the bar took the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award at Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020. Proceeds from its Colour Me Curious menu fund bee habitat restoration, per the 50 Best profile.
Who would hate it? Anyone allergic to hotel pricing. Cocktails start around RM60, and the room expects a little polish.
Google reviewers describe the back lit counter as a real showpiece, almost like a crystal cave, with lighting that resembles floating yo yos. Sunset is the seat to book; the view down Jalan Ampang glows gold before the towers light up.
The Trigona Honey Flight runs three classics on the namesake honey and works as the bar's calling card. The Trigona Old Fashioned folds bourbon, honey, and cedarwood bitters and arrives with licorice root and honeycomb, per Eat Drink KL.
Know that the Wagyu, a cognac build washed with A5 beef tallow, divides tables by design. The zero waste instincts run through the whole list.
Fifty Best pilgrims, hotel guests, and KL's cocktail crowd share the lounge, and the room reads elegant but easy. Google reviewers call it cosiest at sunset, when the city views glow golden.