Happy Hour is Beer Hour

Three hungry and thirsty people sat down at about 7pm, in the thick of Happy Hour, and decided to take advantage of Firefly’s generous beer specials. A tower of Becks, which equates to 4.3 litres of beer (3 jugs), costs RM73 during Happy Hour; it’s very hard to say no to such a great deal.

For Starters at Firefly Bar & Grill

For something to nibble on that would complement the beer while we waited for our mains, and keeping in tune with our Pork Mission, we chose the Crispy Pork Belly from the Starter section of the menu. Marinated pork belly, lightly floured and then deep fried to perfection, served with spicy lemon grass vinaigrette is the very accurate description.

Between the 3 of us we agreed it was flavourful, very tasty and overall quite delicious, although 1 thought it was perhaps just a little too crispy and 1 thought it wasn’t fatty enough (although admittedly she likes it very fatty). But otherwise we were well impressed.

In the meantime, our tower of beer was looming large over the table and the beer was flowing steadily. There’s something magical about being able to pour your own beer right at your table.

Firefly Bar & Grill – The Mains Menu

Shortly after, our mains arrived. We had the Honey Brined Pork Chop (pan seared pork chop topped with apple ginger chutney), the Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich (chicken fillet with Swiss cheese) and the Firefly Burger (homemade patty with mushrooms, sauted onions and Swiss and Cheddar cheese).

Having had a couple of hit and misses with burgers around Kota Kinabalu recently, the Firefly Burger was a pleasant surprise.

The homemade patty was aromatic, tasty herbs and spices complimenting the flavour of the thick and juicy meat. The bread bun, although large, didn’t overpower the patty. In this way the meat was the star of the burger, with the buns awesome as backup, making for a great burger show.

The chicken club sandwich was equally delicious, with two large chicken fillets smothered in cheese, overflowing on the burger bun. The buns are not quite as large as they look in the accompanying picture, but they were large enough for our taster to not be able to finish his.

Our critical Foodie gave the Honey Brined Pork Chop a big thumbs up, even though she was quite disappointed no to get the ribs she craved for.

We finished off the substantial amount of beer left in the tower, we called for the bill, which came down to only RM50 per person.

By then the bar part of Firefly Bar & Grill was heaving, the band hard at work getting the packed house moving. As we couldn’t find a table inside, we decided to try the bar part of Firefly on another occasion, perhaps when they have those Burboun Glazed Back Ribs in stock again…

If you haven’t read the marketing blurb yet, you can refer back to the event’s main page, but it was pretty much everything they promised: the 6000 megawatts, the dancers, the DJs, you name it.

1,500 party people attended the New Year’s Eve edition of Clash of The Titans at Ice Bar 1Borneo, whilst a more modest number of party goers attended the 1st of January edition, but on both nights you couldn’t help but marvel at the quality of the entertainment line-up, DJ performances the like of which you rarely see in Sabah.

Having attended a party elsewhere on New Year’s Eve, I was fortunate enough to attend the 1 January party. Along with 3 friends we entered at just before 10pm at about the same time as the dancing acts were about to start.

Royal Phantom took over the centre stage with break dancing and beat-boxing and got the crowd going. After that the one DJ after the other was on fire and we thoroughly enjoyed the music.

Even though New Year’s Eve had been a monster night, time flew and we left Ice Bar when things were quieting down at around 3.30am. Good on Ice Bar for being brave enough to put on 2 huge parties 2 nights in a row and making a success of them.

I’ve heard many people say already that if this is what they’re doing next year, they want to buy the tickets soon. 2010 is bound to be bigger than ever.

To put that in perspective, consider that KK’liens ® also think the fridge is too far from the living room. In fact, if we could, we’d drive to the kitchen to get a beer and then circle the fridge until we found parking right in front of the door.

Ice Bar 1Borneo – Not that far, really

So when I tell you that Ice Bar is in fact only 7km from the city centre, a 15 minute drive after rush-hour traffic, you might realise just how not-far it is. Nevertheless, to entice those folk who do consider 7km is bit of a trek, Ice Bar has all these crazy daily promos going on.

There’s several promos every day, but below’s a few of my favourites. Keep in mind, I’m a beer drinker, but there’s cocktail promos for all you posers too.

Happy Hour Smappy Hour – How’s This for Happy?

Nobody goes out on Sundays because everyone’s repenting, but here’s a reason to skip church, you sinner! At Ice Bar you pay RM25 for your first mug of Becks, and then every refill after that is only RM1. This is from 6pm – 9pm. If you’re still standing after 9pm, you can get Happy Hour prices all night long on a bunch of drinks, including a mug of Hoegaarden or Leffe for just RM12 each.

Feeling floored by Monday? Go hang off the ceiling at Ice Bar, and wear something blue while you’re at it; just for that you get a free Blue Lagoon Cocktail (for wearing blue, not for hanging off the ceiling).

Tuesday is hands down my favourite. Guys pay RM75 and girls pay RM50, and then from 6pm – 11pm it’s an open bar buffet! What does that mean? It means you drink whatever you like (except signature cocktails and flaming drinks), as much as you like, just make sure you don’t drink more than you can keep down – you’ll have to mop up your own schlop. Just kidding! But what a waste, so know when to stop, ya?

Then on Wednesday it’s Ladies Night, and check this out, if 4 ladies show up together, Ice Bar will give them a bottle of Absolute on the house; free; gratis; for nothing! It’s true. What do guys get? Well, they get to pay for their drinks, but ogle the hotties that Ice Bar attracts.

One of the promos on Thursdays is the Chivas Lucky 7s offer. Every 7th bottle of Chivas sold will get 1 free. So if 6 other people in the bar buy a bottle of Chivas and you’re No.7, chi-ching, plus 1 free bottle for you.

Kota Kinabalu’s Nightlife at Ice Bar is just so chilled

And every other day of the week? Well, there’s always Happy Hour from 6pm – 9pm with discount Becks (1 glass = RM8, 1 jug = RM26, 1 tower = RM78), and Hoegaarden at RM12 per pint or RM22 for 2 pints.

Don’t forget the bottle promos, like the more bottles of Chivas you buy the cheaper it gets – how about 5 bottles for RM1,050? Cheap as chips!

The above are just some of Ice Bar’s promos, so get yourself on over to the Ice Bar main page and check out everything that’s on offer.

How do you like them apples? Think you’ll be saving a little drinking money for the petrol to fuel that mammoth 7km trek to 1Borneo? You bet ya!

Now I’m thirsty, what day is it?

The 2010 Countdown Fiesta is the traditional new year’s eve party taking place on 31 December 2009 and will say goodbye to 2009 in Sabah in grand fashion. The party starts at 7pm and will go on until the wee wee hours of the morning.

If you’re still standing, then the New Year Power Party on the 1st of January will keep you bopping to celebrate the arrival 2010. This party will start at 7pm on the 1st.

Check out the event’s main page for ticketing details, and don’t forget to drop by Ice Bar’s main page for a peak at their happy hour specials, daily promos and bottle promos which truly are sensational.

If you would like to win yourself 2 double sets of tickets for each of the New Year party events, then surf on over to the SabahBah.com Facebook Fan Page where we will be giving away 4 tickets for the 2 events every day until 30 December (excluding 26 & 27 Dec).

Just answer a few easy Ice Bar related questions and stand in line to win. Then dance away the night with Ice Bar’s Clash of the Titans New Year’s Eve Parties!

New Year’s Eve Party in Borneo

Ice Bar, unlike what the name might suggest, is one of Kota Kinabalu’s hottest nightlife venues, filled with beautiful people up for a party any time of the year, but especially on New Year’s Eve.

But not just on New Year’s Eve. Nope, Ice Bar, in the habit of pushing party limits as they are, will be throwing a massive party that stretches over 2 nights, both New Year’s Eve and the 1st of January, making Ice Bar’s party the longest, the last of 2009 and the first of 2010!

Sabah New Year’s Eve

What you can expect at this massive Sabah New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day celebration is 6,000 megawatts of bass power, 3,000 party people wanting to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010, 16 hours of partying hard, 13 DJs for your entertainment and 9 dancers.

The tickets are RM70 each, and aside from the quality entertainment that Ice Bar’s got lined up for this New Year’s extravaganza, you’ll also get a free drink, a party pack and entry into the lucky draw for some awesome prizes.

New Year’s Eve Party Kota Kinabalu

Check out the details of what New Year’s Eve in Kota Kinabalu has in store for you by zooming on over to the Ice Bar New Year’s Eve Party page, or see the insane specials that Ice Bar 1Borneo has during December and January at the Ice Bar main page under Kota Kinabalu nightlife!

Party hard at Ice Bar this 09/10!

Win Tickets to Ice Bar’s New Year’s Parties

Exclusively for Facebook Page members of SabahBah.com, 2 sets of tickets (2 for 31 Dec and 2 for 1 Jan) are up for grabs.

Visit our Facebook Page at Facebook.com/SabahBah and win yourself tickets to this awesome event.

Whenever you walk down Kota Kinabalu’s The Waterfront’s promenade, if every other establishment is quiet, chances are there will be life at The Loft.

Popular with a regular crowd of locals and tourists drawn in the by the atmosphere, The Loft is one of those places where you can simply take a load off. There’s friendly people to meet and chat to if you’re feeling social, or the view and people watching to loose yourself in if you’re not.v

Another notable aspect of The Loft is their extensive drinks menu. Fresh on tap is the ever popular Tiger pint and Guinness, and the equally popular more recent edition of Kilkenny cream ale.

Bottled in the fridge awaits no less than 13 other popular international beers including Hoegaarden, Corona and Victoria Bitter.

Monday’s Tiger & Guinness Draught Happy hour from 15:00 – midnight and Tuesday’s Beer Buffet (RM55 for all you can drink between 18:30 – 22:00, check at The Loft for T&Cs) are aimed especially at beer fans.

Although it might seem as if beer lovers get a lot of love at The Loft, wine lovers need not feel left out as there is, literally, plenty to go around.

From the wine list you can choose your favourite from around 20 different white and red wines. The house Chardonnay and Shiraz are available by the glass, whilst the rest are available by the bottle, all at below RM99 save for two from the Houghton estate at RM128 & RM130 respectively.

If neither wine nor beer suits your pallet, then certainly a cocktail, shooter or a spirit will calm your shaking hands. In all three categories The Loft can meet your needs.

Just ask the experienced bar staff to mix your favourite, or be daring and try a Loftail, like the Borneo Ice Tea which contains, amongst other things, draught beer!

Next time you’re up for sundowners, a nightcap or a warm up venue for your nightlife marathon, keep in mind our Notable Nightlife that is The Loft Kota Kinabalu.

Thanks for the pic Wendell

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu recruited this talented 7-piece band from the Philippines to delight the crowd that regularly gathers at KK’s first and only Latin grill & bar.

Equipped with an extensive repertoire of popular music such as rock, latin, R&B, reggae, top 40 and pop, the energetic Switch Groove promise to give you the urge to dance.

The band members comprise 6 guys and a girl, so let’s meet the band.

Cooky is the band’s only lady and leads on vocals. A long time visitor to KK, Cooky previously fronted the band Swerve who played at Tang Dynasty in 2003 and BED in 2006.

The male lead vocalist JC, inspires with heartfelt singing and is new to KK.

Joe, second on vocals, returns to Kota Kinabalu after a previous stint at Shenanigans with the band Poetry. Joe also appeared with the band Swerve when they performed in BED, back in 2004.

Dean strums the rhythm guitar and plays the keyboard.  He formerly played the keys for DB8, a band popular with the KK pub crowd.

Art plays the bass guitar and also previously starred in DB8.  He returns to KK after successful stints with that band at Shenanigans.

Vin is the lead guitarists and Rod is on drums.  Both joined Switch Groove after successful stints with other bands.

Switch Groove gets the party started at Rumba, which is open every day except Sundays, from 5pm – 1am, or until 2am on weekends and the eve of public holidays.

Rumba is in the city centre, located at ground level, street level at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, and as KK first and only Latin grill and bar and offers vibrant flavoursome Latin food, a great selection of wines and a marvelously minty Mojito.  Cuban cigars and great music are par for the course.

Monday

Monday night is hot, especially for hotel staff, travel agents and peopl’/e from the Hospitality, Travel & Tourism (HO.T.T.) industry.  Enter the Beck’s August Lucky Draw by buying a jug of Beck’s draft and, who knows, you might get lucky at Shenanigan’s.  Show your industry card for 20% off bottles of spirits and watch out for jugs of special HO.T.T. cocktails available all night long.

Tuesday

You’ll be Rock n’ Rollin on Tuesday as Shenanigan’s plays 50’s and 60’s tunes from early to late.  Start with Shenanigan’s rock-around-the-clock Happy Hours and get a glass of house poring brand spirits for RM 5 at 5pm, RM 6 at 6pm, RM 7 at 7pm and RM8 at 8pm.  Then rock on with classic 50’s cocktails; Vodka Martinis, Sidecards and Mai Tais.

Wednesday

Especially for the ladies, Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night every week this month.  Shenanigan’s presents traditional pub games, followed by Devils and Sailors, a skill testing game especially for Ladies’ Night.  Fantastic prizes are up for grabs.

Thursday

On Thursday Shenanigan’s go Retro Classic as resident band Live 8 takes you back to the 70’s and 80’s with old school classics.  Celebrate Happy Hour with draft beer at RM30 per jug, which includes 2 Beck’s Lucky Draw coupons. Or get nostalgic with a Retro Fruit Punch.

Friday

Thank Shenanigan’s It’s Friday.  Wash away the week and get a jump on the weekend with a few jugs of Beck’s draught beer and hang on to your lucky draw coupons to stand a chance to win great prizes.  The grand final draw is taking place on August 29.  Then Live 8 brings the hits, so dance the night away.  The SuperSaver Deal of 2x jugs of Beck’s draught at RM99 apply on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so take advantage.

Saturday

Shenanigan’s becomes the haven for Sassy Angels, every Saturday night as Live8 ups the ambiance with their energetic and exciting performance.  In addition to Shenanigan’s SuperSaver Deal, there’s also bottle package discount and other great offers to be had.

Sunday

The resident DJ and Live8 takes turns every alternate Sunday to spin tunes and perform live at Shenanigan’s.  Infectious tunes and laid back rhytms will get you humming through Sunday.  Chug a few jugs of draught beer or chill with a Carribean rum punch to the tune of Bob Marley hits.

So there you have it, 7 reasons every week to make Shenanigan’s your choice for a night out in Kota Kinabalu.  Find Shenanigan’s at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu in the heart of KK’s night life and pub hub.

Club nights at Blue Note are as hot as ever in August with the usual throng of international DJs heading to Kota Kinabalu to rock KK’s nightlife. Featuring some (pretty) new faces and old favourites, August’s Generation Y is set to please.

1 & 2 August
The ever popular DJ Nikki starts off the month’s clubbing action on the first weekend of August. One of Malaysia’s most prominent DJ celebs, DJ Nikki’s passion for dance music can be heard and felt in her thumping beats.

8 & 9 August
August’s 2nd weekend belongs to DJ Fono as he brings his highly sought after progressive trans music from KL to KK. Locally acclaimed, DJ Fono has supported big name acts like Sasha, Dave Angel and Pete Tong and have played alongside greats such as Paul Oakenfold and Daniella Davoli.

15 & 16 August
As we reach the 3rd week of August, it’s all DJ Terence C. Having played alongside a slew of well-known DJs and known himself as the stable of Zouk Kuala Lumpur, DJ Terence C isolates the funkier elements of progressive and house for the benefit of KK clubbers.

22 & 23 August
DJ Gabriel, better known as one of the resident DJs on 88.9 Capital FM, is as dedicated to dance music as the show, Turn It Up, that he co-hosts. Eager to please the crowd, you can expect funky R&B, hip-hop and soul music.

29 & 30 August
On the last weekend of August the ever popular DJ Shazz returns to Blue Note. Popular for his devotion to true house music, DJ Shazz is not to be missed as he rounds up Blue Note’s August chapter of Generation Y at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.