Penang Nightlife – 23 Best Things To Do In Penang At Night (2022)

For things to do in Penang at night, you don’t have to go far! As most of the places to visit in Penang at night are close to each other!

Georgetown Penang nightlife is usually sufficient for first time visitors to the city!

And some places are the same ones you can see in the day! But time your visit right and you can be there for sunset and nightfall too!

Best Things To Do In Penang At Night

• Where To Take An Evening Stroll
• Indulge In Late-Night Shopping In Penang
• Get A Taste Of Penang Street Food Or Go Fancy!
• Have A Late Cuppa At A Night Cafe In Penang
• Check Out Penang’s Night Scene!
• Stay Out Late At One Of Penang’s Live Streets!

Where To Take An Evening Stroll

1. Cross The KOMTAR Rainbow Skywalk

Up on the 68^th floor of The Top, KOMTAR is a short circular glass bridge that juts out from the building.

From here, you can see Penang through the glass from the sides of the bridge as well as the floor!

If you get the all-day ticket, you can come back again in the evening to see a different view!

2. Take A Sunset Cruise

After a day of trekking at Penang National Park, you can take a boat back to the island from Monkey Beach or Pantai Keracut. At sunset, the view is mesmerizing!

Or just take the sunset cruises that start at 5pm and last up to ~3 hours, passing by jungle and wetlands!

You can get a boat from the entrance of the Penang National Park. The boat trips do require at least 2 people. With a maximum of 10 people per boat!

3. George Town From Atop Penang Hill

View the city from Penang Hill Sky Walk (or Sky Deck). Take your time as the last train down the hill departs at 11pm!

The Habitat Sunset Walk

It’s not free to access The Habitat or its iconic Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, the highest point on Penang Hill!

Sunset packages begin from 5:30pm onwards and include access to the platform.

Note: Last entry is at 6pm.

The packages also include a nighttime guided jungle walk to seek out the elusive Colugo (i.e. flying lemur) and other native wildlife!

4. Admire All The Lights At Kek Lok Si Temple (Chinese New Year Only)

Once a year, throngs of visitors look forward to the wonderful light display at the massive temple complex!

At any other time of the year, the temple is not open past 5:30pm! So take advantage of the longer opening hours and visit the temple after or right before dinner!

Closing time during Chinese New Year will be 10pm or 12am for weekdays and weekends respectively.

5. Go On An Evening Stroll At The Clan Jetties Of Penang

After the daytime crowds disperse, head over to Chew Jetty or Lee Jetty! These villages will have colorful lights on later!

The floating Hean Boo Thean Temple at the end of Yeoh Jetty is a sight to behold at and after sunset too!

It’s quite romantic to walk among the houses along the pier while you listen to the waves, watch the sunset and feel the sea breeze!

6. Find Avatar Secret Garden

Note: Avatar Secret Garden has seen a decline in quality since its opening due to poor maintenance and is currently temporarily closed.

Another free thing to do in Penang at night is a detour to Penang’s own Avatar Secret Garden!

Try to find the place before it gets dark. And you’ll have the additional treat of catching the sunset from the beach beside the garden!

The colorful LED-lit garden with walkways and an LED tulip field is behind Thai Pak Koong Temple.

Alternative: Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park

This Park was part of a project in 2018  to conserve the rich history of the area and develop it as a family-friendly recreational spot too.

In fact, the Park represents two archeological sites: the Sia Boey Market and the Old Prangin Canal Basin.

The Canal Basin, which is actually monsoon drain, has now been converted into a lively colorful koi pond.

Fun fact: Sia Boey which roughly translates to “end of the town” in Hokkien was given its name because in the 19th century Georgetown was only developed till the Prangin Canal.

While the rest of the Sia Boey has been rejuvenated with plants, a children’s playground, and a public square. This historic site is a great place a cool morning or a romantic moonlit stroll!

Indulge In Late-Night Shopping In Penang

7. Hit The Mall (Penang Shopping Malls)

Of all the places to visit in Penang at night, a shopping mall might not be the top of your list!

But how about 2 right next to each other?

Glitzy Gurney Paragon and Gurney Plaza hold plentiful shopping opportunities for the fashion-conscious! And a medley of late-night eateries!

Queensbay Mall has even more stores to peruse if you do not know what to buy from Penang!

8. Browse Penang Night Markets

Monday’s Macallum Street Night Market is an undisputed food haven for Penang street food like char kway teow and satay!

On Tuesday’s, you’ll want to be at Tanjung Bungah Night Market! Especially if it’s durian season! There is local food as well as international street food like xiao long bao and aligot!

And over in Batu Ferringhi, the Batu Ferringhi Night Market has plenty of non-edible wares for sale! There are souvenirs, electronic accessories, jewelry, shoes and even beach wear!

Get A Taste Of Penang Street Food Or Go Fancy!

9. Gurney Drive Food Court

Gurney Drive is home to a large food court (Gurney Drive Hawker Centre) which faces the sea on one side!

Stalls surround rows of tables and chairs in the middle of the court in typical hawker fashion.

Food to try includes satay, pasembur, char kway teow, lok lok, sotong bakar (grilled squid) and rojak!

10. Chulia Street Hawker Stalls

Although smaller than the food court on Gurney Drive, Chulia Street has enough variety to satisfy your street food cravings!

Stall owners start serving from 6pm with the peak around 8pm!

These roadside stalls sell popiah, muah chee, hokkien mee, char kway teow, lor bak, curry mee, wantan mee, chee cheong fun, satay, laksa, and more!

11. Ferringhi Garden

Undoubtedly, the best thing about Ferringhi Garden is the ambiance!

It’s hard to beat dining outdoors when it’s in such a lovely mature garden! The indoor seating is equally cozy with liberal use of timber!

Western food like spaghetti, seafood platters and steak feature on the menu. This is also an ideal spot for breakfast as the coffee barista meets Melbourne standards!

12. Fine Dining At The Indigo Restaurant (The Blue Mansion)

The Blue Mansion’s stunning on-site restaurant is on the first floor and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

A fusion of Western and Eastern prevails in both the interior and menu! The chef hails from Penang and has over 10 years of international culinary experience!

Steep prices ensure exclusivity. And you can expect faultless service while you’re here!

For other fine dinining options, head on over to our article on the top places for fine dining in penang island for a more detailed list!

Have A Late Cuppa At A Night Cafe In Penang

13. Wheelers Café Penang

Healthy food, a clean environment, commendable filter coffee, air-conditioning and a satisfying drinks menu makes Wheelers a favorite with tourists around Love Lane!

Prices are acceptable considering that the portions are large and that the pork-free food is tasty!

Do try their double cheese burger and signature espresso chicken! There are vegan options too!

And they have a set breakfast (daily) and lunch menu (weekdays only) available for dine-in guests!

14. Norm

An inconspicuous exterior belies a trendy café in minimalist tones bathed in natural light!

Artisan coffee, pasta and fresh dessert waffles of different flavors (like Apple Crumble or Citrus Passion) reign during the day. Desserts like their sinful tiramisu are a must-try!

And by night, bartenders replace the baristas along with unique tropic-infused cocktails (Tipsy in Tambun, Jungle Bird, etc)!

15. Narrow Marrow

It’s really easy to miss the front of this café with its tinted windows and potted plants on Carnarvon Street!

Keeping much of the original 2-storey pre-war shophouse intact, Narrow Marrow specializes in coffee (particularly black coffee) and cheese cakes!

Cake Flavors That They Have:

• Lemon
• Matcha Rum
• Expresso Kahlua Tiramisu
• Salted Gula Melaka
• Apple Crumble

16. Hard Rock Cafe Penang

At Hard Rock Café Penang, you can order American favorites like burgers, pizza, beer, decadent milkshakes, brownies and sundaes, salads and New York cheese cake! In huge portions!

There’s a live band performance every day too from 10.30pm to 2.00am.

And naturally, music memorabilia deck the walls of the café!  While the on-site Rock Shop® sells Hard Rock Cafe Penang t-shirts, caps, pins and others!

17. Chinahouse

Chinahouse beckons with its multiple establishments within 3 linked heritage shop-houses! All surrounding a beautiful courtyard with a public pool!

A library is at the top floor with drawing materials free for public use!

Cafes: Kopi C

Restaurants:

• BTB (middle-eastern fusion cuisine)
• The Canteen (live music on the weekends!)

Bar: Vine & Single

Shops: Bonton Shop 2 (jewelry shop)

Bakery: Beach Street Bakery (many many different types of cakes!)

Read more: 19 Best Cafe In Penang With Great Coffee (Includes New Cafes)

Check Out Penang’s Night Scene! (Pubs, Bars & Nightclubs)

18. Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant And Rooftop Bar

Right on top of Bayview Hotel is a revolving restaurant and rooftop bar with floor-to-ceiling windows! It doesn’t matter where you sit as the whole restaurant will complete its circuit gradually!

The intimate space is suitable for a birthday or private celebration! They serve local and western food in buffet style. With imported beer on tap!

And it goes without saying that this is another spot to see the sunset! Against Penang’s skyline!

19. Sky Terrace (Penang Hill)

On weekends, this place is usually full of families. The food is good and there’s a spectacular view of Penang!

In fact, this is a prime spot for watching the fireworks on New Year’s Eve as you can sit outside in the garden! And have drinks from the bar while you listen to the live band in the evening!

20. QE II Restaurant (Muchacha)

Penang nightlife doesn’t get any better than the weekend vibes at spacious seaside QE II Restaurant!

Sit outside in the breeze with views of the harbor and excellent Spanish tapas, wood fired pizza or salsa prawns! Order something from the well-stocked bar too!

Music is either from a live band or their fine sound system! There’s enough space to dance if you want to!

21. The Tipsy Tiger Party Hostel

There’s no need to seek out another party space if you’re a guest at this renowned backpacker hostel! Drinks from the bar are low-cost too!

Every evening will see an atmosphere not unlike a college party! With beer pong contests and rowdy energy! You can easily make a new friend from across the world this way!

For the sake of the guests though, these parties will end just before midnight! Which is no big deal since Love Lane is close by!

Stay Out Late At One Of Penang’s Live Streets!

22. Love Lane Penang Nightlife

Love Lane Penang is sure to be on any list of things to do in Penang at night!

Many of the daytime eateries double up as pubs perfect for people watching and socializing!

And there’s usually another nighttime haunt just beside or right around the corner if you want to bar-crawl!

Recommendations:

• Holy Guacamole
• The Loft
• Micke’s Place

Read more: 11 Best Penang Massage Spa Centres To Get A Relaxing Body & Foot Massage

23. Chulia Street Penang Nightlife

Like Love Lane, Chulia Street is famous for its lively night scene!

1945 Penang is a highly-rated Western-style restaurant on Chulia Street! Their cocktails don’t cost much and they serve snacks too!

They actually open from 10am in case you want to grab a nice cool beer in the afternoon!

Other Recommendations:

• Chulia Court The Tavern
• The Original Reggae Club
• The Pokok – All Day Bar
• Fidalgo
• Rockafellas Kitchen & Bar

Getting Around Penang

RayTheTour is a private tour service that will bring your Penang experience to another level!

Why You Should Book With Us:

• Comfortable and spacious transport – van or MPV
• Direct pick up (and drop off) at any Penang location
• Standard hours are flexible around 9am to 6pm
• Go anywhere you want with no fixed itinerary!
• Our team has local guides who speak English or Chinese

Further reading:

• How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
• How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
• Best Way To Travel From Langkawi To Penang (All Methods + Cheap Option)

Conclusion

Boredom is out of the question with so many things to do in Penang at night! From sunset and right until after midnight!

Penang nightlife is just as rich as its daytime persona. Don’t forget to check for any upcoming events and festivals too!