Gone are the days where Penang nightlife consisted of the nocturnal crowd seeking pumping, club-like atmospheres. Today, you’ll find cosy cocktail bars, chilled-out bistros and watering holes with live music at every nook and cranny in George Town.

We set out to find the coolest joints frequented by locals and visitors alike, and have narrowed down our top picks to the ones below:

When you’re driving by Jalan Gurdwara at night, it’s hard not to take notice of its neon pink signage that illuminates the entire shopfront in a photo-worthy glow. As part of the hip collection of outlets at Hin Bus Depot, this kopitiam-style bar pays homage to its coffee shop predecessor with steel roundtables, stools and a cocktail menu that stirs up nostalgia for all Malaysians.

Popular drinks include the Lao Hao Peng (nutmeg cordial) and Pat Poh Peng (herbal cordial), made boozy with shots of rum. Pro tip: Order the truffle fries if you’re having the munchies!

And what’s in the name, you ask? "Good Friends Never Bojio" is a nod to Penang’s colloquial Hokkien way of friends teasing each other when they’re not invited (bojio) to a certain gathering. So if you’re here with friends, consider them the good kind who’ll never miss you out.

Hin Bus Depot at 39, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang

7pm - 1am, closed on Tuesdays

Arguably one of the pioneering new wave cocktail bars to hit the island, Mish Mash has been attracting locals and visitors with their bold selection of tipples and serious gastronomy since 2014. Housed in a heritage shop lot, its cosy yet unpretentious ambiance is everything you look for in an authentic George Town bar experience.