Bathed in semi-darkness, once their eyes are accustomed to the interior, they’ll make out 10,000 tiny iron fairies of every shape, size and form lounging as centrepieces on circular tables, much like the figurines that caught their eye on the tables outside.
The fairies are literally handmade from iron, a hard metal in contrast to the ethereal quality most people associate these mythical creatures with.
The brainchild of businessman cum interior designer Ashley Sutton, The Iron Fairies is the physical manifestation of the very fairies who dominated his mind while working as an iron ore miner in Australia.
So caught-up was he with them, that Sutton cooked-up tales about their lives in three books (Vol 1-3), fleshed out their physical beings from his imagination and infused them with personalities of their own.
There are 14 fairies in total and meeting one in person is a captivating experience. Whether you intend to or not, you’ll want to hold her, examine the intricate detail and contemplate on who you take after.
Overhead, clusters of glittering “fairy dust” – one million tiny bottles to be exact – hang from the ceiling in mesmerising hues of golds, reds, rusts, emeralds and blues, the source of the fairies’ very existence.
Fairies come alive
Richard Holland, manager and co-owner of The Iron Fairies told FMT the fairy dust overhead comes from the massive canisters perched high on the wall opposite.
“The fairy dust helps sustain the fairies. It brings the fairies to life, and stops them from rusting or corroding after leaving the ‘collection room’ where they rest after being created,” he explains as he retells the story of the fairies as written in the books.
The Iron Fairies has been the talk of the town since it opened in September 2018. “It is one of the most iconic bars in KL,” Holland says, adding that the attention to detail, the astounding decor and the fascinating story behind it has kept customers intrigued.
“We have a very good mix of locals, expats and tourists, some of whom actually look out for The Iron Fairies in KL because they’ve heard about it and want to experience it for themselves.”
The Iron Fairies’ other homes are in Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong but KL’s is the most extensively adorned and expensive, costing a whopping RM12 million to furnish. It is made up entirely of wrought iron, soft leather and wooden furniture and fixtures.
Decor and fantasy aside, The Iron Fairies offers patrons an interactive experience the moment they step in for a drink or to chill after a day at work.
Fairy Dust Factory
Designed to resemble the “factory” where the fairies are created, patrons on the ground floor are encouraged to throw peanut shells right smack onto the floor and hang loose laughing raucously or dancing if they so wish.
There are no rules here and everyone is encouraged to let their inner fairy out.
A wrought-iron spiral staircase in the centre of the room leads to the mezzanine floor when live bands perform, while further on at the end a dizzying labyrinth of paths, is the mesmerising Butterfly Room.
Butterfly Room
Taking surrealism to another dimension is the 50,000 psychedelic butterflies that hang as if frozen in time above you and which are in themselves Instagram-worthy if you’re the kind who must visually document your every move.
Here is where the real action is, so come prepared to dance your shoes off as the best of local DJs play groovy old-school house and funky disco to raw techno as well as sub-genres.
“It’s a party room,” says Holland, summing it up rather succinctly.
Bar snacks
The Iron Fairies’ kitchen cooks up quite a storm and even standard bar food is elevated to a superior standard. The hard-to-resist red popcorn chicken is a firm favourite as is the gravy-topped fries which are to die for.
If you’re craving something more substantial, their pastas will not disappoint and are perfect for sharing with friends. Their hearty burgers pack quite a punch and are perfect washed down with a beer.
Hand-crafted cocktails
The Iron Fairies has introduced eight hand-crafted cocktails that embody the spirit of the fairies as well as their dwelling places – the dust factory below and the casting room where they were created.
The Green Fairy: Vermouth, blue curacao and absinthe mixed with passionfruit.
The Blue Fairy: Blue curacao, coconut rum, yoghurt liquor, basil leaves with a touch of bitters.
Casting Room: Red wine cocktail wit coconut and cinnamon balanced withe hint of citrus and egg while for more body.
3rd Key: Bubbles and troubles… this cocktail has a hint of elderflower and thyme.
Trapping Tinkerbell: Smoked Scotch-based cocktail stirred with home-made popcorn syrup and bitters.
Nymph’s: Vodka-based with watermelon and lychee accompanied by the aroma of rosemary and lime.
Labyrinth: Gin-based cocktail with osmanthus, apple juice, citrus and Indian spices.
Amy’s Rose: Vodka and gin cocktail paired with rosewater, citrus and cranberry juice with a pinch of sea salt.
Coming attractions
Holland says The Iron Fairies’ next adventure is to extend into the open courtyard next to it.
“We intend to put in furniture, umbrellas … a stage … a two- to three-piece band and good-priced beers, wines.”
He said patrons can even buy their beverages from the outlets surrounding the courtyard because the main aim is to create activity within the area.
The Iron Fairies is owned by TREC F&B Ventures.
The Iron Fairies
H-G-06, 438
Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur