Seductive and cozy dining area at No Black Tie in Kuala Lumpur
No Black Tie Delivers As The Go-To Place for Jazz & Soul
Unwinding in a softly lit haven of music will perfectly cap off a day of sightseeing. And if you’re a Jazz or Soul Music aficionado, the cleverly named No Black Tie is the place to be. Cozy and inviting, the venue tops several lists as the best spot for jazz in Kuala Lumpur.
You wouldn’t expect a Southeast Asian venue to do justice to such a distinctly African-American musical form. But NBT doesn’t disappoint. It hosts accomplished jazz and soul performers from around the globe. Such talents include Indigo and the Lights, a four-piece Malaysian ensemble headed by vocalist Fatima (first name only) and specializing in Jazz, Soul, Neo-Soul, R&B, and the Blues.
The group played the evening we visited the club — she was magnificent and memorable.
No Black Tie owner Evelyn Hii was born in Malaysia but trained in the United States as a classical pianist. She’s created a nightclub that feels as cozy as a living room (one with amazing acoustics).
Fatima and Jeanette Valentine at No Black Tie; (c) Soul Of America
The performance space boasts paneled walls the color of pecans, accented glass, and a floor layout that makes every seat the best in the house. That includes the additional seating at tables upstairs that overlook a balcony to the stage.
Walk through the front door, and you’ll immediately see a photo wall of past performers alongside images of jazz greats. A prominent portrait shows Miles Davis wailing away on his trumpet. The long bar is gleaming and stocked to the ceiling with bottles of libations.
NBT’s ambiance is chill, with murmuring conversations from an extremely diverse crowd: tourists and locals, seniors and twenty-somethings, and all ethnicities. Ever attentive wait staff skirts the tables, delivering drinks and tapas.
Kicking back in NBT is the perfect complement to a hectic day of seeing the sights of Kuala Lumpur. As for the vibe at No Black Tie, the name says it all.
