Sure, Halloween is an American cultural import more than anything, but given the circumstances, Malaysians should let their collective creepy long hair down and take advantage of the spooky season to have some fun.
And for thrill-seeking gastronomers, there is a hair-raising experience to be had by visiting a certain bar in the beating heart of Kuala Lumpur.
The hustle and bustle of the Chinatown district often dies upon sundown, but it is during this time that ‘The Deceased’ rises to life.
A love letter to Malaysian horror fans, The Deceased is a themed bar that relishes in its unsettling ambiance and ghastly aesthetics.
Tucked away on the upper floor of a pre-war shophouse on Jalan Sultan, this one-of-a-kind establishment can only be reached by ascending an ominously bloody flight of stairs.
At the top, you will be greeted by spirits – that is, alcohol – stacked on a Chinese medicine cabinet, a relic of this place’s past.
From floor to ceiling, The Deceased oozes an atmosphere befitting that of a haunted house. Skulls gape at you with empty sockets, and dolls seemingly keep their eyes on you wherever you go.
For folks looking for something interesting to post on Instagram, this is certainly a great spot to be. But no one comes here just to snap shots, especially when there are drinkable shots to be knocked back.
To rouse your spirits, the “Ghost Summoning” is aptly named. A Jack Daniel’s whiskey base and chrysanthemum kombucha are augmented by lemon juice, homemade Osmanthus syrup and egg whites, resulting in a distinctive taste that will certainly leave an impression.
Another highly recommended drink has a rather, ahem, mischievous name. The “I Come On Your Grave” is a mix of gin and baiju, with a creamy appearance from white chocolate syrup and Yakult. (Yes, Yakult. Horrors indeed.)
It certainly has a haunting taste – though it is likely something gin lovers will find enjoyable, juvenile humour and all. The best part is, this drink comes adorned with edible grubs, which taste curiously like nuts. Yum!
The Deceased has hopped upon the “Squid Game” deadwagon with two new additions to its menu, the “Red Light, Green Light or U Die” and the “Poke the Dalgona”.
Both are rum-based, with the former containing yellow Chinese wine, lime juice, popcorn syrup and dragonfruit.
Best enjoyed cold, you might have some issues downing this drink, what with the eerie lifeless eyes of the “Squid Game” doll staring at you throughout.
“Poke the Dalgona”, on the other hand, is a good fit for wine connoisseurs, with a base consisting of rum and red wine.
While enjoying your drink, have a go at the dalgona challenge. The Deceased provides customers with a complementary piece of the now-infamous Korean candy, but make sure you’re sober while trying to poke out the shape… who knows what will happen if you accidentally break the candy instead!
Like any good bar, The Deceased provides a solid selection of severed finger foods and full meals. Tuck into some “Ghost Hair Fries”, served in the empty cranium of some unlucky soul.
Alternatively, give the Fire Nachos a try, fresh out of the eternal flames of hell and best enjoyed with a thick dip of cheese.
Directly from the devil’s banquet table itself, the “Hell Meatballs” are served with delicious mushrooms and bloody tomato paste.
For those with a beastly appetite, the monster-sized “Zha Ji Hell” may satiate, with the generous portions of chicken wings fried to creepy, crispy perfection.
And if you are looking for a full meal, The Deceased offers all-day breakfasts that will feed even the hungriest of ghosts.
Choose between gourmet beef and chicken sausage, beef bacon and chicken ham, and enjoy them with creamy eggs, a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese, roasted mushrooms and pomodoro sauce – all prepared fresh from hell’s kitchen!
Steven Yap, co-founder of The Deceased, tells FMT that the bar acquired its unique identity thanks to a desire to be different.
“It was a bit accidental, to be frank,” he reveals. “At first we wanted a Chinese-themed bar, befitting that of Chinatown. But when we were about to open, we realised we needed to do something different, something that would stand out.”
The Deceased opened right in time for New Year’s Day in 2018 and became a hit with barhoppers looking for something memorable.
After being a closed casket throughout the recent lockdowns, the bloodcurdling bar is welcoming back customers with open arms and detached limbs.
So, on this All-Hallows Eve, hop over to The Deceased and see what horrors await!
Check out The Deceased on Facebook. For enquiries, send a WhatsApp message to 018-2000262.
The Deceased
55, Jalan Sultan
City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
WP Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 4pm-12am daily except Tuesdays