Good Friends Club — Restaurant in George Town

Good Friends Club in Penang is the kind of joint you stumble into thinking you’ve uncovered a secret, except everybody else already knows about it. A “hidden” speakeasy behind a nondescript door at Hin Bus Depot, it feels like the neighbourhood bar every neighbourhood wishes it had, only smaller. Really small. Think Kelisa with better lighting and better-dressed bartenders.

The concept here is cocktails inspired by Penang’s hawker food: laksa negroni, durian sticky rice martini, rojak margarita. Some of them land beautifully, like a boozy love letter to the island’s night markets. Others feel like an inside joke you didn’t quite get, served in a coupe glass. The “I Purple You”, for instance, has all the thrill of watching someone pour Ribena into a bottle of rum.

Service, though, is bulletproof. Everyone acts like they own the place, which is exactly how you want it. Walk in and you’re greeted like a long-lost cousin; leave and you’ll swear you’ve just joined a cult. The team knows their menu inside out and will happily hold your hand through coconut-gin hybrids and sticky rice experiments. They’ll even top you up with free tidbits and water, because apparently friendship also means carbs.

The atmosphere splits the difference between polished speakeasy and chaotic house party. Music tends to be loud, tables are scarce, and there’s usually a wait, sometimes punctuated by staff asking your group size every ten minutes. You’ll also notice the better cocktails run out quickly, which says less about planning and more about how many people are ordering that laksa negroni.

Prices are higher than your average Penang watering hole, but you’re not here for cheap beers. You’re here for the experience: a crash course in local flavours, hospitality dialled up to 11, and bartenders who’ll make you believe sambal belongs...

Good Friends Club really lives up to its name — the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm “hello good friends!”, and it instantly feels like you belong. The team is incredibly friendly, and sometimes they’ll even randomly shout you shots — the yam seng energy here is truly next level.

The cocktails are top tier — thoughtful, well-balanced, and Kelvin’s knowledge shines through as he explains each drink. It’s no surprise they’re often packed (with even famous faces dropping by), but the quality never slips. I’ve been to plenty of bars in Penang and overseas, and this is by far my favourite.

Yes, the prices are on the higher side, but you get what you pay for: great drinks, a welcoming vibe, and an atmosphere where you can actually chat without yelling over the music. My only small comment would be the music mix — jumping between pop, R&B, indie, and hip hop felt a little inconsistent at times.

Overall, if you want amazing cocktails, friendly faces, and a bar that truly makes you feel like part of the family, Good Friends Club...

"Hello Good Friend!" is what greets your ears when you first push open the cleverly obscure door to this retro-inspired bar. While it's technically not hidden, the signage doesn't really shout out at you when you do walk pass it. I would almost mistake it for a closed traditional convenience store if I wasn't paying attention.

The atmosphere inside can be rowdy depending on how popular the guest bartender on that day is, and I've been lucky to find a place to sit on two occasions when I was there early (reservations are highly recommended). I love the retro setting, music, decrepit walls, and most importantly the cocktails. It's a really good place to chill out, people watch and essentially have a good time with a cocktail or two. There's a great vibe in this place, and everyone you talk to treats you like a friend; hence the name of the establishment. Highly...