The Locker & Loft is not exactly what you'd call a speakeasy, but it is a hidden bar. More than just that, it is a gem hiding in the midst of Damansara Kim's famous fish head noodle soup shops.

We got to try their food menu but more importantly, we sampled their signature cocktails and new creations. Ahad, who is now my favourite waiter there, is a slick, smooth-talking charmer from Bangladesh who can get me to try any of their dishes when he describes them in his flawless English. Listening to him describe how the cocktails are mixed and what flavours are brought out is a symphony to my ears.

The first cocktail I had tried at The Locker & Loft was their Brown-Brown (RM30). I normally get milo ais when I'm at mamaks, so this was just like placing my usual order... except with two shots of vodka. No biggie. It's a lot heavier than my usual milo ais, but proved to be quite a good start to my meal. I think you could probably request for extra milo powder on top to make it a naughty milo dinosaur.

If you're not as adventurous to try a spiked milo, then The Locker & Loft offers an extensive variety of gins and other spirits. Tanqueray 10 (RM16) is a recommendation by Ahad. Paired with grapefruit to bring out the fruity notes in the gin, this G&T is no old man's drink. However, my favourite gin here would be The West Winds Cutlass (RM19) with capsicum. It is a little sweeter than the Tanqueray 10, but I have an insatiable sweet tooth when it comes to cocktails.

The Locker & Loft attempts to infuse as much Malaysian culture into their drinks as possible, as demonstrated through the milo drink. Taking it one step further, they also offer tuak here by the glass (RM18) or bottle (RM85). The tuak, Spirits of the Harvest, is from Sarawak in East Malaysia and is more commonly found there than in the peninsula.

This next drink took me by surprise. When I was told I was going to be served a whiskey sour (RM28), I may have made a face. Whiskey is typically last on my list of spirits to consume but after I tried this, it completely changed my perception. It was pleasant, sweet and I couldn't taste the whiskey at all.

Following the theme of locally-inspired drinks, The Locker & Loft also has a jackfruit-flavoured drink. The Jacked-Up (RM30) is made with nangka (or jackfruit), mustard, Cointreau, lemon and honey. Before you cringe at the list of ingredients, all I can say is that you shouldn't knock it till you've tried it. I was once a disbeliever, but I've learnt not to pass judgement until I try it.

I think Malaysians just really like sweet stuff because the Malaysian-styled cocktails tend to be on the sweet side. That applies to the Kg. Pandan Don (RM30) too. This cocktail is a mix of rum, Don Julio Reposado tequila, lime, pandan syrup, coconut milk and homemade Pandan bitters. It was almost as though someone had blended a kuih and added in some alcohol to make this drink. It's a great dessert drink that is rich and just the right amount of sweetness.

Dairy-fans will be glad to also find another dairy-based alcoholic drink here. The Yellow Sub (RM25) is an alcoshake, made with vanilla ice cream, jackfruit, Cuban rum and Baileys.

One of the most interesting drinks we tried for the night, though, was the Bacontini (RM42). Bacon, dark chocolate and alcohol combined, there is no need to hard sell this drink.

The Locker & Loft

40A, Jalan SS20/10, Jalan Damansara, Damansara Kim

Open Tuesday to Saturday 5PM to 1AM, Sundays 12:30PM to 12AM

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