Movida Bukit Bintang

I found myself down Kota Damansara way so I gravitated towards Giza Mall to check Movida out. Not just a club, oh no, Movida is attempting to be all things to all people, so encompassing is its tagline: ‘Kitchen, Bar, Club Lounge’. It’s a solid space – dark and womb-like; the club is well-sized and square-ish. It spills out onto the outside patio where you can have a meal before continuing the night inside. What’s really delightful is the upstairs area, ideal in Goldilocks-esque size (not too big, not too small with a select view of the DJ console), with its two VIP sections – red, chintzy chambers designed to hold a smattering of select individuals. 

It was something of a slow, gloomy Thursday when I tipped up, and accordingly the bar wasn’t packed to the rafters with seven shades of giddy reveller. I asked the manager: what kind of crowd drinks here? Is it residents? ‘Yes, that and executives, young professionals.’ Students? ‘Not really.’ I think that’s a good selling pitch but I don’t labour the point. The cocktail menu is impressive on sight and, apart from the Comfortable Screw Against the Wall (flavourless but strong), the rest are a joy. Order the minty Grasshopper – it’s not on the menu but they’ll happily make it for you if you ask. What’s also great is the kitchen; it’s open until 3am with its menu of Western fare. 

Movida isn’t the club to end all clubs, not by a longshot, but it has an easygoing, feel-good vibe that PJ-ites seem to appreciate. I can see how nights here can start with Just a Quick One and then descend rapidly into bedlam. And that isn’t a bad thing. Syazlynia Rahim