8 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Malacca

Portuguese Square is an area known to be the centre of the small Portuguese community in Malacca. The community comprises the descendants of past Malaccan colonists. The square is simply a little patch off Jalan Ujon Pasir, with plenty of restaurants, food stalls and pubs.

On Saturday evenings, it becomes a hub of activity, as the local community put up traditional dances to entertain tourists and celebrate their unique culture in style. Choose a spot, grab a beer and plonk yourself down for a night of chilling to pseudo-pop bands who strut their music with the sound of the waves of the Malacca Strait in the distance.

Alto Sky Lounge on the 22nd level of Hatten Hotel Melaka offers stunning panoramic views of Malacca City. With the view, patrons savour a mix of expertly crafted cocktails, tantalising light bites and a variety of fine wines, often with the accompaniment of exquisite live music.

Thanks to its polished design and impressive views of the city, the venue is also a go-to spot for couples and romantics looking for a night to remember. You can choose to dine indoors or lounge out on the terrace and under chandeliers, taking in the skyline while enjoying light bites and sipping crafted cocktails.

Hard Rock Cafe Malacca is one of the most prominent live music venues lining the bustling streets of Jonker Walk. It’s a place to hit if you’re craving great American favourites such as cheeseburgers and fries. Set right by the Malacca River, the brightly lit double-storey building often sees a line of eager diners and music enthusiasts queuing by the entrance – arrive around 9 pm if you’re planning to catch a live band performance to enjoy with your dinner.

Live bands entertain guests from 10 pm onwards, playing crowd-favourite rock and roll hits and with a little of the latest pop and blues in between. Keep on the lookout for song requests and voice out your favourite songs to the band. And finally, no trip to a Hard Rock Cafe is complete without a visit to its memorabilia store – check out the popular Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts and pins, together with little souvenirs such as shot glasses and guitar picks.

Geographér Café is a popular venue housed in a pre-war corner shophouse on Jonker Street in Malacca. The corner lot pub is a Malaccan nightlife institution known for its lively ambience in the middle of the already buzzing Chinatown street. Its beautifully preserved building is a historical artefact in itself.

Offering authentic local food and reasonably priced drinks, Geographer is a place both locals and tourists frequent, so head on to the cafe if you’re keen on tips-sharing sessions with fellow travellers. It offers a mixture of good Asian and Western pub grub, a funky, laidback and warm atmosphere, great music and friendly service that keep patrons coming back.

Eleven Bistro & Restaurant is a popular venue along Jalan Hang Lekir in Malacca, about 200 metres from popular Jonker Street. The restaurant is very spacious compared to most of the restaurants lining the Chinatown street and is adorned with vintage decorations and furniture.

Aside from its popularity for serving traditional Malaccan-Portuguese fare at reasonable prices and in generous serving sizes, Eleven Bistro & Restaurant is also a lively nightlife spot with in-house DJs entertaining guests regularly all night long.

Reggae on the River is a popular bar in Malacca with a name that says it all. Reggae music fills the air here. And the drinks served at Reggae on the River will not hurt your wallet, as all are reasonably priced and come in a wide variety of options.

The tunes played range from the classics to modern reggae. And while you might feel as if you’ve just been transported to Jamaica, the soft flow of Malacca River and the animated chatter of its patrons certainly reminds you where you are.

Mixx is Malacca City’s reigning nightclub that’s has been entertaining nocturnal crowds since it first opened in December 2011. Located on the 2^nd floor of Mahkota Parade, it has solidified its hip credibility by constantly importing DJs and live visuals from all over Asia.

The interior of Mixx club looks like a tricked-out industrial warehouse with neon lights that act as paint to walls and which seem to take centre stage during parties and events. Drinks are slightly on the pricier end but somewhat a fair price to pay for their resident mixologist’s imaginative offerings. Expect to see a crowd comprising a mix of media types, trendsetters and college students.