Iki-Ya, Empire Damansara

By day, Haruki Fujikawa has a full-time job running an event logistics company, but by night, he mixes drinks at his new bar, Iki-Ya. If the venue looks familiar, this was formerly Empire Damansara's The Bar Kinugawa; the plant-loving Haruki has brought in a bit of nature into this space, making it feel a little more like an intimate den - he says, after all, it's now practically his second home, since he's here till very late (there's no last call at Iki-Ya, and Haruki sometimes leaves only at four a.m.).

Haruki-san has tended bar in Tokyo and New York, so he's no stranger to potently pleasurable potions. Iki-Ya's range includes some delicious Japanese gin that can be savoured on their own or with tonic; shochu- and sake-based cocktails are available too. Snacks include lightly smoked quail eggs, smoked cheese and smoked edamame.

Iki-Ya

F-12, First Floor, Empire Damansara, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Open Monday-Saturday, 8pm-late.