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| Sinhalese Bar | 2, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia ☎ +605 241 2235 ⏰ 12 noon - 10pm (Monday off) |
I never tire of Ipoh's Concubine Lane even though I don't count the times I have been here anymore 🤭
Yet, everytime I am in Ipoh, we come here to soak in the vibes even for a quick walk through.
As usual, I roamed the back lanes and side streets randomly hoping to find a hidden gem.
Then, kaki kaki Sidney messaged me about an old school joint he discovered.
I dashed here quickly 🤭
The inviting swinging saloon doors. Sun bleached signage, well worn floor, folding wood panels, wire fence windows - let's get in lo!
Oh... This is exactly the type of place I am looking for.
I mean there are too many nostalgic hip, rustic hip places in Malaysia and Singapore, but this is OG hip (which is rare in Malaysia and even less in Singapore).
Unique pink and green colour scheme.
No dress up, no make up, just original, confident, self assured, authentic cool.
One of the oldest bars in Ipoh - how cool is that!
Founded in 1931 by GM Perera from Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka), all this time at this same spot at the intersection of Jalan Market and Jalan Bijeh Timah (formerly Treacher Road).
The oldest bar in Ipoh and Malaysia is the Hainanese run FMS Bar founded in 1906 but closed in 2008. It was reincarnated in 2019 after major facelift. It's no longer the same, some people say.
Sinhalese Bar is the Cinderella of Ipoh bars in the same humble pink and green dress since 1931.
The Ipoh General Post Office in 1930.
It's before the Second World War (1939 - 1945). It reminded me of my dad who referenced dates as before or after the War.
It's like going back to "before the war" of my imagination (as I am not as old as that lah... ).
Uncle Alfred Perera age 82 ran this bar since he was 18 years old (later with wife Auntie Kamala).
There was no need to dress up Sinhalese Bar with paraphernalia and kitschy trinkets. The bar and everything in it just aged gracefully like fine wine.
Ipoh mali, buddy Ellone (not in picture) shared that she enjoyed Sinhalese Bar too.
And, bars are places for trading stories. Uncle Alfred once shared with Ellone, that two lawyer friends, regulars at Sinhalese Bar got rowdy and broke the window at the bar. They offered to replace the window.
However, Alfred declined their money as replacing the broken window would cost just a small sum but the original window which went back to "before the War" was priceless and irreplaceable 😔
Anyway, the lovely rowdy pair are still regulars at Sinhalese Bar 🍻
Sinhalese Bar is an institution. Kaki kaki (buddies) visiting from England.
Sinhalese Bar only serve small bites of finger food to go with the beer and drinks. This grilled sotong we got from a Concubine Lane stall.
I always say, travel is not only about going places but also time travel - some places like Sinhalese Bar are like time machines taking us back to the past.
🍻 Cheers to Sinhalese Bar, and wish Uncle Alfred and Auntie Kamala the best of health.
Restaurant name: Sinhalese Bar
Address: 2, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Tel: +605 241 2235
Hours: 12 noon - 10pm (Monday off)
Written by Tony Boey on 6 Oct 2025
Who is Tony Johor Kaki?
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