Backdoor Bodega

It’s located beside Good Friends Club, and hidden at the back of a clothing store. Service was excellent, and I really love the aesthetics here. Just the cocktail recc wasn’t really on point - should have just gone for what I wanted aka the mango sticky rice haha. The pandan/kaya cocktail wasn’t giving cus it tasted a bit weird to me as if the flavours from the rum and the coconut etc. did not really complement well together. Nonetheless, would be happy to return to try my desired drinks hehe

Backdoor Bodega – hidden gem that nails it. Tucked behind a storefront, you wouldn’t spot it unless you were looking—but once you're in, the vibe is instant. Low lights, laid-back atmosphere, cool without trying too hard. The drinks are where it really shines. That mango sticky rice cocktail? Genuinely blew my mind. Sounds odd, tastes amazing. Everything we tried was balanced, creative, and just worked. Service was spot on—friendly, relaxed, but you could tell they knew their stuff. It felt like the kind of place where the staff actually enjoy being there, and it makes a difference. Forget the bar next door—this is where you want to be. One of the best spots we hit in George Town.

Backdoor Bodega is such a cool speakeasy tucked away behind a small unmarked door, you’d never know it was there. The vibe inside is cosy, intimate, and full of character with great music playing softly in the background. Their menu is like a story of Penang, with each cocktail inspired by local flavours, history, or culture, making it such a unique experience. Loved how creative yet well balanced the drinks were, beautifully presented too. The bartenders were friendly and passionate, explaining each cocktail’s background and recommending what suited my mood. It felt like stepping into a secret little world away from the busy streets of George Town. Definitely a must visit if you want a cocktail experience that tells the story of Penang in every sip. Can’t wait to come back for another chill night out.

Nice staff who were more than happy to have a bit of a chat between making drinks. I also loved that the menu tied in with Malaysian food and culture. Highly recommend the 'mango sticky rice'.

The cocktail made by Roben is so nice and he is so details. Every cocktails he serve he will explain all the ingredients and flavor. Very fun experience when I curious about the bitter and he let me try the taste hahahahaha. Recommend here if u craving for a drink

Located beside Good Friends Club, Backdoor Bodega is a unique speakeasy hidden behind a clothing store front. Their drinks are unique and the star of the show. We had the Rojak and Tom Yam inspired cocktails and were surprised at how they managed to capture the flavours of some of these iconic Penang foods. Staff are also really friendly!

Penang is full of Speakeasy bars and this is another 1, hidden behind 'the swagger salon', which sells pretty pricey apparel in our opinion. We found the crowd inside a rather mature audience, sitting around, listening to piped-in music. So we left after a while, as it was not our cup of tea.

A day of bar hopping. The menu is well designed, the cocktails are amazing, and the environment is the most romantic, suitable for couples. Good service attitude of staff.