Most locals would give Shenanigan’s as the answer when asked about where to find night life in Kota Kinabalu, and indeed, many a night out in KK includes at least a short visit to Shenanigan’s.

Shenanigan’s Borneo Fun Pub, or Shani’s for short, is to be found at street level of the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, facing Upperstar and Blue Note.

If you’re in KK, looking for a watering hole, somewhere to drink a Guiness, live band entertainment or to watch a football game, then there’s a multitude of pubs and bars to choose from.

Kota Kinabalu’s night scene features the gamut of pubs and bars, from the long established and (in)famous haunts, to hip and happening bars mere months old.

Pubs and bars in KK vary from traditional Irish and English Pubs and beer gardens to wine-bars, road-side taverns and other themed watering holes.

In Sabahbah.com’s Night Life section, you will find an increasing number of reviews on everything to do in Kota Kinabalu when he sun goes down, including the vast array of Kota Kinabalu’s pubs and bars.

Ladies Night at Blue Note

Thursday nights are Ladies Nights and, unlike anywhere else in Kota Kinabalu, ladies really get pampered and it’s not just about the free drinks either. With Blue Note’s Cover Girl theme, ladies can get dolled up by professional make-up artists, and if that isn’t enough, they then have a series of pictures taken by a professional photographer.

A selection of photos are produced during the following week, framed and displayed on the Cover Girl Wall. Additionally, Ladies Nite at Blue Note provides a boon for everybody, as the Fondue Corner supplies complimentary fruit and marshmallows dipped in hot chocolate for the enjoyment of all.

Entertainment at Blue Note

As is standard for bars and pubs in Kota Kinabalu, Blue Note in KK features a live band for entertainment, singing pop hits and favourites, doing their best to entice punters to the dance floor.

In February, Blue Note’s Generation Y promotion sees international quality DJs being imported, providing a clubbing feel for the pleasure of discerning clubbers in Kota Kinabalu.

With a variety of entertainment, bar snacks and the usual variety of drinks, a thumping good time is promised at Blue Note at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu.

On 16 and 23 February DJs who’ve played alongside the likes of Fat Boy Slim, Pete Tong, Chicane and John Digweed will be performing at Blue Note.

Catch DJ Callen on the 9th of February and DJ Fono on the 23rd.

Still Kota Kinabalu’s one and only pub quiz, the Office Pub KK pub quiz takes place every Wednesday night.

Grab a bunch of knowledgeable mates, come up with an outrageous team name (the only requirement to join) and win yourself a quiz round.

Every round has a winner (or two or three) and every winner gets a prize. Top scorers walk away with a bucket of beer while consolation prizes are often awarded to the near-winners.

The Office Pub KK pub quiz is an exciting twist to your midweek night out in Kota Kinabalu.  If your quiz skills needs sharpening, then Happy Hour, shot specials and the best cheese-and-onion sandwiches in East Malaysia will inspire you to pub quiz greatness.

Take up the pub quiz challenge, every Wednesday from 9pm onwards, only at The Office Pub KK.

Uncle Boy, Office Pub Ambasador and perveyor of fine tequila, adds: “I’d like to ad that the weekly pub quiz also offers ‘Wing for U’, a chicken wing promo with wings @ RM1 each. Now everyone can wing it.

Then the lasted 6-piece band, The Office Executives, features live music and your favourite songs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9.30pm. Also look out for Neil, golf pro by day and sing-along-super-star by night, doing his rendition of Kadazan song ‘tinggi tinggi’.  Be amused, be very amused.”