INCH Penang

INCH 

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44 Lebuh Muntri, George Town, Penang, Malaysia

(Near Mish Mash, and Muntri Mews)

Phone: 04-261 1693

Hours:

Monday                               10AM-12AM

Tuesday                                           Closed

Wednesday-Sunday              10AM-12AM

Happy Hour All Day Long

INCH Food & Bar located amidst the many heritage buildings in George Town; is quite easy to pass by without even giving it a glace, but if you take the time to wonder inside you'll be surprised at the size of this place and how well they incorporate the contemporary meets classic type of design.  

INCH...just a short walk past this mural.

Cava is the bubbly of choice for INCH's all-you-can-drink events.

White Wine

www.twovines.com

www.domaine-faiveley.com

www.babichwines.co.nz

Red Wine

www.twovines.com

international.fatbastard.com

www.domaine-faiveley.com

Although the wine list is small, these wines will pair easily with the dishes available at INCH.

Try

The papaya salad, phad Thai, and spicy curry dishes with the Two Vines Riesling

The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc would be the perfect palate cleanser for their fish and chips 

and deep-fried soft bone

The char grilled chicken skewers and massaman short ribs with the black pepper, clove and paprika smelling Fat Bastard Shiraz; the aromas and flavors in the wine will complement the smoky and spiced flavors in the dishes. 

The sunroof in this spot gives off the perfect lighting for a relaxing happy hour drink.

INCH is the first bar I've come across in Penang that has craft beer! 

View of the bar

plus plus (++) means 10% service charge and 6% government tax

Buy 1 get 1 free cocktail special

I decided to give the Moscow Mule and Rose Lychee Cooler a try.

Although both were tasty cocktails, I was hoping the Moscow Mule would be served in a copper mug, but one cannot complain...25rm for two cocktails is a deal! 

 The 3rd and final room of INCH is where the kitchen is located, it smells amazing in here and each room of INCH bar is different from the next. 

Pasta, curries, and Malaysian/Thai style tapas.

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Ruins Of Victoria Penang

Ruins Of Victoria 

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183 Lebuh Victoria, George Town, Penang, Malaysia

(Near China House, and Awesome Canteen)

Phone: 04-251 9022

Hours:

Monday                         3PM-1AM

Tuesday                                Closed

Wednesday-Friday         3PM-1AM

Saturday-Sunday           3PM-2AM

Corkage:

40rm    for wine

100rm      spirits

Happy Hour:

3PM-9PM

Sunday & Monday Happy Hour All Night! 

At first glance Ruins Of Victoria seems like any other small lounge in George Town Penang, but if you venture inside you’ll quickly see that this place is anything but a small bar spinning electro music.
Take a walk past the first bar and you’ll discover that Ruins Of Victoria is much bigger than it seems. As I wondered around in awe, the next room lead me into a posh wine lounge and restaurant; and after that a meticulously decorated outside courtyard reminiscent of Greek ruins. 

This is what you'll see upon walking through the front door....chiseled wall art, hand embroider stools, and stained glass windows.  The designer was definitely heedful of how this place looks during the day compared to night; during the day it is a laid back cafe, and at night the lighting and music transform this place into a watering hole evocative of a place from another time. 

Day time picture from iloveholiao.com

The bar manager Bob Ras Prakash undoubtedly takes pride in the drinks being made here along with the friendly atmosphere this place gives off.
This place may look swanky, but it is definitely not snooty. 

Romantic lighting, Victorian deco, and a big glass of red wine may lead one to loll in overindulgence at Ruins Of Victoria.    Sounds like the perfect night!  

Proper glass wear and service is to be expected when ordering from Ruins Of Victoria’s wine list. 

If you would rather bring your own wine, corkage is only 40rm, this is the lowest corkage fee I've see so far in Penang; it's definitely a price that makes more sense compared to the many places charging over 100rm per wine.

If you are a fan of oaked Chardonnay, and the practice of lees stirring; I recommend trying the Zilzie Select Chardonnay.
www.zilziewines.com

I adore aromatic white wines...especially Gewürztraminer! A lot of times a Gewürz can be full in body with a silky texture, high in alcohol, have the perfect amount of sweetness without overdoing it, all while possessing hypnotic aromas of roses, blossoms, peach, melon, and lychee....just to name a few.

If that sounds like something you may be into then try Ruin's Morande Reserva Gewürztraminer from Chile.

Craving seafood? want a refreshing white, but bored of Sauvignon Blanc?

 Try The Tapas Wine Collection (Verdejo) from Rueda Spain. This citrus driven, grassy, flinty wine is delicate and fresh enough to be an amazing pairing partner with fresh seafood dishes.

Reds from Bordeaux can be from the left bank...simply put (Cabernet Sauvignon dominate blends) or the right bank (Merlot dominate blends) on this list it isn't clear which area of Bordeaux these bottles come from unless you are familiar with the Chateaus.

For example 

The Chateau Bel Air Gallier is from the left bank (Graves) 

Chateau Faugeres is from the right bank (Saint-Emilion)
Don't let the names scare you from trying something new! If you are unsure about any wine on the list, don't be afraid to ask the staff about details regarding any wine.  If that fails...ask to see the bottle you are interested in, and Google away.....

House Red & White Wine

Ochagavia Rapel, Chile

Cabernet Sauvignon

Sauvignon Blanc

The layout of Ruins Of Victoria is not only broken into many sections, but also floors.  There is a private upstairs dining area, and also an open air opera box in the courtyard that over looks the stage. 

Top view of the courtyard where live bands play. There are plenty of fans blowing in this area to insure one doesn't feel too hot, even though it is outside.  

Passion Fruit Mojito

 Ruins Of Victoria Happy Hour Menu

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Hard Rock Cafe Penang

Hard Rock Cafe Penang

www.hardrock.com/cafes

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Hard Rock Hotel Penang, 11100 Batu Feringgi, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia 

Phone: 04-886 8050

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 11:30AM-2AM

Friday-Saturday 11:30AM-2:30AM

Sunday 11:30AM-2AM

I wouldn't really label or recommend The Hard Rock Cafe as a place to go and drink wine, but yes....there is wine here and it does come at a steep price.  But...if you are looking to stimulate more than your palate, I highly recommend coming here for the band. 

The Hard Rock bar has a 2nd floor that gives an opera box feel, and allows for plenty of dancing room so you can rock out without judgement. 

Most people here were boozing on beer towers or cocktails, but as the night progressed I noticed many people started ordering wine.
 Riding the high from the band and the wine, many people were having a good night....but I can't say the same for the morning.

Beer and wine, a deliciously dangerous combo if you're one prone to hangovers. 

The wine list has a small variety of popular table wines easily found all over in Penang. 

House Wine

Stony Peak (Victoria Australia)

Red:     Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon blend

White:             Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc

Band

 NU COLOR

This band is what seriously lifted my spirits!

Pictured below was the band playing the night I paid Hard Rock Cafe a visit.  If you live in Penang you know that live band bars are exceedingly popular here, but they are not always entertaining. 

The band (NU COLOR) was extremely engaging, and it was a pleasure to see the crowd feel the music and the band rock out with one another.  

I came here to check out the wine; ended up sticking with beer...and stayed till the lights turned on because of the band   =)

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