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Kuala Lumpur’s sleek shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang bustles day and night and is a KL destination in its own right.
Boasting some of the best shopping malls in KL including Kuala Lumpur’s newest luxury mall, The Exchange TRX and local favourite The Pavilion, Bukit Bintang is retail heaven.
Better still, there is plenty of street food to enjoy from ridiculously popular roti stalls to Jalan Alor, KL’s most famous night market.
It also comprises Changkat Bukit Bintang, a street full of late night bars and restaurants (the hub of KL’s nightlife) plus is the best place to see street-performers and musicians (Bukit Bintang’s Got Talent, right).
From malls to massages, karaoke to kebabs, here is our ultimate guide to Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang’s best things to do in 2024:
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Table of Contents
How to get to Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang is easy to reach by MRT (Metro), LRT (Monorail), bus or taxi.
The closest MRT station is Bukit Bintang.
The LRT (the Kuala Lumpur Light Rapid Transit) goes from KL Sentral station to Bukit Bintang LRT station.
The Go City KL bus green route (route 1) also connects Bukit Bintang with busy areas like Suria KLCC and Chinatown – whilst it used to be free to all, foreigners will now be charged a 1 MYR fare from 1 January 2024.
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Bukit Bintang hotels and recommended accommodation
KL’s Bukit Bintang and the Golden Triangle area is a great place to base yourself whilst staying in Kuala Lumpur, particularly if you want to do some shopping, bar-hop or get a massage after a ‘hard’ day of sightseeing.
These Bukit Bintang hotels in Kuala Lumpur are all within a few minutes walking distance of all the main shopping and nightlife area:
Sleeping Lion Suites
Our new favourite hotel in Bukit Bintang!
We’ve stayed at the Sleeping Lion Suites on several occasions as not only is it a brand new hotel (opened 2023) and a 3 minute walk to Pavilion and Fahrenheit88 shopping centres, but it also has the most epic rooftop pool in KL! Check rates and availability for Sleeping Lion Suites >
Stay Collection Bukit Bintang
The closest big-brand chain hotel to Changkat Bukit Bintang, this is literally in the midst of all the late night entertainment and only a few seconds from all the bars, pubs and clubs.
The Stay Collection features a rooftop pool and has recently been renovated. Check rates and availability for Stay Collection Bukit Bintang >
citizenM Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang
citizenM Kuala Lumpur is a technologically advanced hotel with room functions controlled by a tablet. A 4* KL hotel in the heart of the action, rooms are cosy and compact with beautiful communal areas. Check rates and availability for citizenM Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang >
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
Treat yo self – this epic 5* KL hotel is just a 15 minute walk from the centre of Bukit Bintang. Close to KL’s best shopping mall, the Pavilion, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is a luxury hotel with an incredible pool. Check rates and availability for Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur >
Check out these other top hotels in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur >
Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur things to do:
1. Jalan Alor Night Market
One of Bukit Bintang’s best things to do at night, Jalan Alor is Kuala Lumpur’s most famous daily night market.
There is no shortage of good food in Kuala Lumpur but if you fancy a respite from all the shopping mall restaurants or basement food court, take a trip to Jalan Alor, in the heart of Bukit Bintang.
Very much a must do in KL, Jalan Alor (or Jlan Alor) is a fine foodie place to nibble on street food or sit down in an outdoor restaurant and watch the crowds whilst chowing down on cheap eats (and most of the permanent restaurants are open by day too).
From shakes to satay, durian to dumplings, read our guide to visiting Jalan Alor, KL’s famous night market in Bukit Bintang >
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2. Changkat Bukit Bintang
KL’s nightlife capital and most lively bars and restaurants can all be found in Changkat Bukit Bintang.
A huge tree lined street packed with bars, pubs and restaurants, Changkat Bukit Bintang is the epicentre for epic nightlife in KL, plus has masses of massage parlours.
A short walk from Jalan Alor night market, Changkat Bukit Bintang is open until very late, with happy hours galore and a popular place for expats and tourists to watch live sports.
One of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur at night, from mojitos to massages, sports bars to beer prices, read our guide to visiting Changkat Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur >
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3. The Exchange TRX; Kuala Lumpur’s new super mall
Kuala Lumpur’s newest shopping mall as of January 2024, The Exchange TRX shopping mall opened to great fanfare in December 2023 and is one of KL’s classiest, luxury places to shop.
Just a 5 minute walk from the Pavilion mall area of Bukit Bintang, we visited The Exchange TRX during its opening week and it was absolutely packed – the Exchange TRX food court in particular was rammed.
As well as luxury brands like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton, The Exchange TRX also has international big brand stores like Uniqlo, Ecco and Footlocker.
Even if you aren’t into shopping, go just to see what all the fuss is about, plus explore the Exchange TRX rooftop gardens. They offer spectacular views of Bukit Bintang and the Golden Triangle plus lots of play areas for kids and garden spaces for adults.
If you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur at Christmas or for New Year, The Exchange TRX put on incredible Christmas events (meet Santa) and fantastic KL New Year’s Eve fireworks.
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4. Pavilion Shopping Mall / Pavilion Elite
Bukit Bintang’s premier shopping mall, for a little more glitz and glamour, head to Pavilion Mall.
As soon as you arrive, you are greeted by a cool teacup fountain and inside, hundreds of shops and restaurants await.
As well as big brands like Burberry, Prada and Ray Ban, there are several specialists sections in Pavilion mall including Tokyo Street on level 6 (complete with Japanese torii gates and cherry blossom trees) plus Gourmet Emporium and the Dining Loft.
The Pavilion also host regular pop-up events and musical performances. On one occasion we visited, we bumped into a crowd who’d come to see the famous Asian band The Wynners do an impromptu performance outside.
Alongside nearby The Exchange TRX, we’d rate this as the best place to shop, eat and drink under one roof in Bukit Bintang.
It is so huge, you discover new places every time you return like the basement food-court or even the new EL&N ice-cream shop, Malaysia’s first branch of London’s most instagrammable ice-cream store (so pink!).
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5. KL Graffiti Alley
Running in parallel to Changkat Bukit Bintang, Graffiti Alley consists of several streets and alleyways swathed in street art.
The street is literally covered in cool creative paintings in bright colours (plus one street has fluorescent neon clouds hanging over it).
If Graffiti Alley sounds up your ‘street’, it is probably best to visit it in the daytime before going to Jalan Alor night market as the area is dimly lit in places and feels a little sketchy at night.
Some of the art is a bit rubbish and many of the streets back out onto restaurant rear entrances so there is quite a bit of garbage and grime.
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6. Go KL City Bus – a KL Tourist Shuttle
One of the best ways to get around Kuala Lumpur and to or from Bukit Bintang is to jump aboard the Go KL City Bus.
Tthere are dozens of stops all over the city including Bukit Bintang / Pavilions on the green line (known as GO KL 01 route from 1 January 2024).
The GOKL city bus service now offers several bus routes that connect the busy areas of Chinatown, KLCC, Bukit Bintang and more.
The GO KL bus used to be free to tourists but now charges a 1 MYR fare to foreigners (which is still very cheap) as of 1 January 2024.
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7. Uniqlo Bukit Bintang (Malaysia’s first Uniqlo coffee-shop)
Newly opened in late 2023, Bukit Bintang’s flagship Uniqlo store opened in Fahrenheit 88 shopping mall.
We’ve been to many Uniqlos in our time (including the world’s largest Uniqlo in Tokyo with 12 storeys) but this new KL Uniqlo is pretty unique as it has Malaysia’s first Uniqlo coffee shop (just don’t spill it on the clothes!).
In addition to the usual Uniqlo high quality clothing like thermals, winter jackets and jeans, this Bukit Bintang Uniqlo also has a personalised clothing section where you can create your own designs.
There are often limited edition Uniqlo Malaysia collaboration T-shirts too like a Uniqlo x Mamee Noodle t-shirts – very cool!
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8. The Commons KL
Just one block away from the craziness of Jalan Alor, the Commons KL in Bukit Bintang is a food hub and restaurant space that has several upmarkets bars and food outlets (plus a cigar lounge) with local and international food.
The Commons KL is a great place to eat if it is raining (given the huge roof covering). We also found there are some great lunch deals to be had – we ate one day at Friendly Fire restaurant and enjoyed a delicious chicken salad and smoked duck pasta for 18.90 RM each.
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9. Restoran Mon Chinese Beef Roti
A personal recommendation but we discovered this newly opened roti restaurant and stall on the way back from Jalan Alor (it is literally 30 seconds from the start of the night market).
This Chinese style beef roti was one of the best and most flavourful rotis we’ve tried in KL. Beef rotis at Restoran Mon Chinese beef roti are just 6 MYR, whilst chicken rotis are 5 MYR.
January 2024 update – Restoran Mon Chinese roti stall has apparently gone viral on social media (in a good way) so expect long queues to get your roti (but it is so worth it!).
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10. Bukit Bintang Crossing
The epicentre of the area and main intersection where cars, bikes and the LRT / Monorail zoom on by, Bukit Bintang Crossing is quite the sight when you visit Kuala Lumpur at night.
Huge billboards, looming LED signs and crowns make this feel like a mini version of New York’s Time Square or Oxford Circus in London.
The traffic lights at Bukigt Bintang Crossing also change very quickly (you have less than 20 seconds to navigate the road and the crowds) and the traffic generally doesn’t wait after that – so definitely zip across to the other side before any errant mopeds get in your way.
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11. Lot 10 Hutong Food Court
Located in the basement of the eponymous shopping mall, Lot 10 Hutong Food Court is a themed street food market that is all about Malaysian Chinese heritage dishes.
Many famous food stalls and hawker stalls from all over Malaysia from Penang to Ipoh have been recreated here.
Many rate it as the best food court in the whole of Bukit Bintang but it is a little more on the expensive side (and quite dark inside) and aimed at tourists.
Dishes include hakka noodles, hon kee porridge and roast duck. Lot 10 Hutong Food Court is open Monday to Sunday; 10am to 10pm.
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12. Don Don Donki Lot 10
Japan’s favourite discount store that specialises in cheap Japanese imported goods and foods has arrived in Kuala Lumpur!
Originally known as Don Quijote in its homeland of Japan where it has dozens of stores all over the country, Don Don Donki in Malaysia has a three level store in the Lot 10 shopping mall in the heart of Bukit Bintang.
It is easy to find Don Don Donki Bukit Bintang as you’ll be bombarded with the surprisingly catchy ‘Don Don Donki’ theme tune as you get close to the front entrance.
Outside there are street vendors selling Japanese hot food snacks like wagyu skewers and yakiimo creme brulee.
Look out for the dapper Don Don Donki character that you can pose with outside the store. There are also unique Don Don Donki KL bags that include an image of Donpen and the Petronas towers (only 2 MYR – bargain!).
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P.S. If you are a fan of all things Don Don Donki then come and join our Don Don Donki Facebook group >
13. Fahrenheit88
Another of the major malls in Bukit Bintang, Fahrenheit88 is an OK shopping experience (but nothing compared to Pavilion).
The main brands here include Uniqlo, Sephora, Book Xcess and Malaysian favourite, Brands Outlet plus there are a scattering of souvenir stalls towards the back.
Fahrenheit88 often have temporary exhibitions or pop-up displays (most recently a Disney Pixar exhibition).
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14. Lot 10 Mall
Lot 10 Mall is a Kuala Lumpur mall home to well known brands like H&M, Isetan Japanese supermarket and Don Don Donki Japanese discount store.
The main entrance by Bukit Bintang MRT station has numerous food carts and food stalls including KL’s biggest ice-cream stall (a variation on Taiwan’s tall ice-cream cones).
We discovered on our most recent Kuala Lumpur stay in Bukit Bintang that the Lot 10 Mall has a rooftop area with views of Bukit Bintang plus a restaurant and a huge church.
If you go on Sunday to the rooftop, allow extra time as there are hundreds of worshippers who go to the rooftop church – it took us ages to get the lift down.
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15. Listen to Street Performers
Similar to Covent Garden in London or Ximending in Taiwan, the Bukit Bintang Crossing is the place where most street performers congregate and belt out top tunes every night.
We saw so many different street performers at all four corners of the Bukit Bintang Crossing, from a full on rock band with speakers and amps (very popular and so good) to beat boxers and even a man playing a bucket like drums.
The entertainment quality can vary but the street performers all add to the electric atmosphere of Bukit Bintang – so remember to dig deeply in your pockets if you stay to watch.
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16. Grab a Massage at Changkat Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang has a large number of massage parlours and health spas (generally concentrated in the area between Jalan Alor Night Market and the start of all the bars on Changkat Bukit Bintang).
When you first approach the main bar area walking away from Jalan Alor, you’ll likely be bombarded with dozens of masseuses throwing their massage menu and spa list in your face – some even follow you down the street a little!
Massage treatments generally start from around 30 MYR for a basic 30 minute foot massage.
Example prices of massages in KL’s Changkat Bukit Bintang are 40 MYR for a 30 minute body massage and 90 MYR for a 45 minute aromatherapy massage; example massage and treatment prices based on signs spotted in September 2023.
Most spas and massage parlours seem to open mid morning around 11am and operate until very late (some are open until 3am).
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17. Starhill Mall
A sleek and shiny shopping mall with loads of luxury retailers, this is the Bukit Bintang mall you go to for Cuban cigars or chic shoes.
Elegant and epic, The Starhill’s flagship tenants include Davidoff, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tom Ford.
The Stahill also serves as the closest mall for the guests of the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur or Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur hotels as Starhill is built beneath them.
Recently, Taiwan’s famous Eslite Bookstore opened their flagship Malaysian store here (which also has lots of English language books).
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18. Sungei Wang Mall
Very different from the more upmarket malls you’d usually associate with Bukit Bintang, Sungei Wang Mall is chock full of independent traders and food stalls like Pappa Roti, Beryl’s, Famous Amos and Zus Coffee over several stories (it has around 800 shops, stalls and kiosks under one roof).
Sungei Wang Mall is huge and has been around for over 50 years (making it one of the longest surviving malls in Kuala Lumpur).
The antithesis of TRX or Pavilion, KL Sungei Wang Mall is a great place to place homeware, beauty products or luggage at bargain prices.
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19. Plaza Low Yat
Billed as the biggest IT / technology mall in Malaysia, Plaza Low Yat is THE place to go in KL (& Bukit Bintang) for new electrical equipment or to find replacement phone chargers, power packs or any other traveller techy needs.
All the big electrical brands are represented here from DJI (this is the best place in KL for drones) to HP, Acer and Lenevo.
Plaza Low Fat also has a small food court in the basement plus fast food joints on the outer edges – so a great place to debug your BenQ before having banana leaf rice or a Burger King.
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20. Grab a Kebab
With all the international cuisine available in and around Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang, it comes as no surprise that perhaps the biggest queues you’ll see in the area are for the Middle Eastern kebab stalls.
There are literally dozens of kebab shops in and around Bukit Bintang which are generally open from 10am in the morning until the wee small hours.
We recommend Halab Gate Shawarma based on how delicious it was for us, the queues around the block and the high rating on Google reviews – could this be Bukit Bintang’s best kebab?
Falafel / vegan options are also available and most kebabs cost between 15 to 20 MYR depending on size and whether you have mixed meats.
Head to Bukit Bintang crossing for the best selection of Middle Eastern shawarma and kebabs – you can literally see about eight restaurants with their kebab skewers outside, so much choice!
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21. LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre
Billed as a ‘Japanese lifestyle mall’, we actually rate LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre as one of the best malls in Kuala Lumpur as it is very new, doesn’t get that busy compared to say Pavilion shopping center and has lots of interesting shops (including a dedicated Japanese food court).
Similar to the Exchange TRX, LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre has a nice rooftop garden plus a beautiful art deco style cinema (GSC LaLaport BBCC) which many people say is the most Instagrammable cinema in Malaysia (we saw Wonka the movie there and the interiors were very plush).
Whilst there, also check out the LED stairs and the excellent outdoor food street which has lots of super cheap lunchtime specials.
The Japanese ramen chain Ippudo has a branch on the upper levels too which was super elegant and rather delicious; oodles of noodle dishes and sides!
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22. See a Film in a Mall Cinema
If you are tired of shopping and sightseeing or it is raining in Kuala Lumpur, head to one of Bukit Bintang’s cinemas (most of the malls have them).
Watch huge Hollywood blockbusters or local Malaysian movies with big boxes of popcorn (possibly on an IMAX screen) – what is not to like?!
Cinemas in KL Bukit Bintang include DADI Cinema Pavilion KL, GSC Berjaya Times Square and GSC LaLaport BBCC.
23. Kuala Lumpur Karaoke Time
Time to let off a little steam after traipsing around the streets of KL all day – Bukit Bintang is the go-to place in Kuala Lumpur for karaoke and to let your inner singer escape.
With dozens of private karaoke booths in and around the Golden Triangle, sing karaoke songs to your heart’s content in Bukit Bintang without fear of anyone hearing you.
Apart from the karaoke events held in the pubs and bars along Changkat Bukit Bintang, one of the most popular karaoke bars here include Karaoke Manekineko which is one of Japan’s largest karaoke chains.
Another popular bar is Royal Superstar Bukit Bintang – look out for the huge dancing mannequins outside, they are either Blues Brothers or Michael Jackson inspired (we aren’t sure).
24. 7-Eleven
One of Malaysia’s biggest convenience store chains, there are now around 2,500 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia including several in Bukit Bintang (most of which are open 24 hours).
So if you are need of late night snacks or toiletries after the malls are closed (generally at 10pm), head to the orange and green shops!
Read more in our Malaysia 7-Eleven Stores guide >
25. Berjaya Times Square
A short walk from the Pavilion area of Bukit Bintang, the Berjaya Times Square mall has seen better days but is famous for having the largest indoor theme park in Malaysia.
With hundreds of independent shops, kiosks and food stalls, this is an OK KL shopping mall if you want to escape the crowds of Bukit Bintang.
Our final thing to do in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
26. Friend Fries
Yes, you read that right – Friend Fries; like French fries but you share them with your friends.
Whilst this isn’t typical Malaysian food, Friend Fries is a fast food shack where they triple fry potato fries and it often has queues around the block (apparently it is popular on social media – but many say the fries are overrated).
Open 20 hours a day (8am to 4am – now that is a lot of potatoes!), a small portion of Friend Fries is 7 MYR with the largest portion 11 MYR – you also get to choose from a heckuva lot of sauces.
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