By far the most unique bar in Malacca, Sin Hiap Hin has been operating since 1962 in Jalan Bunga Raya that has been passed down for 4 generations.

The bar used to be an opium den and has a rich history, including British officials drinking alongside exhausted labourers.

Located on a quiet street away from the usual tourist spots, I arrived around 12pm on a Saturday and stayed until 2pm. Afterwards, the crowd began to arrive and the bartender had to reject numerous customers due to the limited seating capacity, which can only accommodate a maximum of 13-15 people.

Address: 5, Kampung Jawa, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

Opening hours: Morning till 6pm. However, according to the bar owners, the bar has been closing quite early recently.

If you're looking for a quiet experience, the bartender recommends heading down on weekdays, especially Mondays to Wednesdays since they are relatively empty. 

If you're looking to try local & unique flavors instead of the typical bars, this place offers a variety of Malaysian liquors, including rice wines infused with local flavors like rose and lychee. If you're unsure what to order, don't hesitate to ask the bartender for recommendations.

Recommended Drinks:

Here are some typical favorites among tourists.

I didn't try all of the tourist favorites, only the flavors that I would normally drink. Here are my personal favorites out of the five local liquors I tried.

Chinese Rose wine (玫瑰露酒) was floral & sweet but not overwhelming, goes down well with as a shot or with mixer.

Tian Qi Bu Chiew Plus is a herbal medicine / drink that tastes amazing - it is by far my favorite out of everything I have tried.

It has a sweet onset followed by mild bitterness, with a slightly alcoholic burn when taken as is. It also tastes great with soda.

Total Cost:

I had a total of 5 half pegs from 5 different bottles: Rose, 53% rice wine, Malacca whiskey, herbal, and lychee. Along with 2 bottles of water and mixer, the total bill was 73 RM.

Drinks here are relatively cheaper than at a bar by the Malacca river. If you enjoy your experience and drinks, you can buy bottles directly from the bar counter. However, smaller bottles are limited & cash only.

There is also a wide variety of drinks available, aside from local and unique flavours, depending on your preferences.

Conclusion:

As a digital nomad, I've explored many drinking spots, but this one stands out. It's filled with heritage, furniture, and stories from the past. Plus, the bartender gives great recommendations.

If you're planning a trip to Malacca, this place is a must-visit spot for the experience alone.

 All photos courtesy of writer.

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Victor | vctr.co Head of Growth & Community at UGC.sg / UGCcreator.ai Victor specializes in growth hacking and acquiring websites. Currently, he is on a digital nomad journey while exploring unique experiences around the world. To view all bar escapades from this writer, click here!