Yangon's Watering Holes Are Back With New Normal Lifestyle
By Lwin Mar Htun 8 June 2020
Yangon’s nightlife is alive and back with a new normal lifestyle, as the government has eased some restrictions after no new local transmissions of COVID-19 were reported for over two weeks. Some bars and restaurants have reopened since the beginning of June.
Yangon residents are excited to return to their favorite bars and restaurants for a meal after staying at home for several long weeks. The following bars and restaurants have reopened, following the rules and precautions from the Ministry of Health and Sports.
Blow Rooftop Bar and Lounge
Blow, Yangon’s first luxury shisha lounge, reopened on June 1. The bar is located on the 4th floor of Myanmar Plaza.
All staff at the bar wear masks, face shields and gloves to protect both themselves and customers against COVID-19.
The shisha specialist bar also serves classic cocktails, wine and beer, including the new Blow-brand beer.
Blow has an impressive grill menu, with prices starting at 5,000 kyats (US$3.50).
The bar’s new hours are 4-11 p.m., every day.
After 8 Shot and Cocktail Bar
After 8, a shot and cocktail bar also located on the 4th floor of Myanmar Plaza, also reopened on June 1.
This popular open-air bar serves creative drinks, with a menu that includes 48 shots, cocktails and other guilty pleasures. A shot will set you back 3,000 or 4,000 kyats; cocktails run 7,000 to 8,000 kyats.
The food menu includes snacks, salads, soups, mains and desserts at prices from 3,500 to 30,000 kyats. After 8 is open from 4-11 p.m.
Misfit Rooftop Bar
Misfit Rooftop Bar is located at the corner of Shwegondine Road and Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, on the 3rd floor of Shwe Gon Plaza.
Misfit is café during the day and a bar at night. The kitchen is open all day and serves a wide range of appetizers, soups and main dishes. Prices start from 3,000 kyats.
Guests can sit both inside and outside the cafe. At sunset, the view overlooking the top of the Shwegondine flyover is beautiful.
Their new opening hours are from 12-11 p.m., daily.
The Penthouse
The Penthouse reopened on May 29 with a limited number of tables. It’s located on the 8th floor of the Parkside One Building, at 271-273 Bagaya Road, Sanchaung Township.
Half of the venue is a rooftop and half is inside. The bar is popular with foreigners and provides a wide range of drinks and Mediterranean food.
The bar offers a stunning view of the Shwedagon Pagoda from its rooftop seats. It’s open from 10:30 am to 11 p.m. every day.
The Lord
The Lord has two branches, one on Shin Saw Pu Road, in Sanchaung, and one on Aung Zeya Road, in Yankin. Both branches reopened on June 1.
The Lord is like a beer pub, with wide spaces, but it’s always crowded with local people.
The Lord is famous for their variety of grill items and they have wide range of food on the menu. They also have classic cocktails and other drinks. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Other options
A number of other bars have also reopened, including 7th Joint Bar and Grill, Vuvuzela Café and Beer Club, Regional Bistro Bar, the Burbrit Taproom and the Corner Bar.
Reservations may be required, because all bars have limited seats due to the social distancing rules of the Ministry of Health and Sports.
Other Yangon favorites, including Rangoon Tea House, will open on June 15 with new decorations and new menus. The well-known Gekko Restaurant will be open on June 11.
