Sneakerlah, Malaysia’s biggest annual sneaker convention, takes place October 5-6. If you’re heading to Kuala Lumpur for the event and want to maximize your trip, here are some choice spots to check out, as recommended by Bryan Chin, co-founder of Sneakerlah.

Bryan Chin is the founder of sneaker website Masses and the sneaker convention called Sneakerlah.

Bryan Chin is arguably Malaysia’s biggest sneakerhead. So big, he started sneaker website Masses and then Sneakerlah, now one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent annual sneaker conventions. We ask Bryan for his recommendations on what we should see and do while we’re in his city.

Sneakerlah is coming up in a week or so, and we’re planning our yearly pilgrimage up to Kuala Lumpur for one of the region’s biggest sneaker conventions. While we’re there, we hope to stretch our days, and Sneakerlah co-founder Bryan (@bryanbotakchin) has kindly pointed out some spots we should check out over four key districts in the city.

In addition, we’ve also uncovered some unique accommodations by district, which you should book on Booking.com via this link, so you can enjoy a S$40 reward.

Now, all you have to do is choose which district suits you best and get packing!

1. Bukit Bintang

From top, left to right: Stussy, The Four Heads, Showroom

If you’re into sneakers and streetwear (we assume the answer is yes), Bukit Bintang might be an ideal district to settle in. “I would say your best bet would be in Bukit Bintang, you’ve got Stussy, multi-label brand store Showroom, and The Fourheads, which is a resell store that specializes in Supreme, Palace, Noah and Bape,” Bryan suggests.

Head to Piu Piu Piu for a good cup of coffee and home-made pastries.

Coffee lovers should head to Bryan’s favorite coffee place called Piu Piu Piu at Zhong San Building, which is situated a little off the Bukit Bintang Area.” Dubbed the smallest cafe in KL, Piu Piu Piu has been rated one of the best cafes. The beans are personally sourced by its owner, Unagi, and they also serve some good home-baked pastries to match.

In Bukit Bintang, you should stay at Red by Sirocco

Red by Sirocco offers affordable and comfortable rooms.

Red by Sirocco is a unique four-star hotel, with interesting boutique-style decor and plenty of amenities. It’s kinda artsy – you won’t miss the giant mural on the side of the building. On Booking.com, guests gave Red by Sirocco an average of 8.9, specifically loving the clean rooms, swimming pool, and comfortable beds. At about S$64 per night, this one’s a real steal. Book your stay at Red by Sirocco via this link and get a S$40 cash reward.

2. Bangsar

Devi’s Corner is known for their simple and hearty banana leaf style cuisine – rice and dishes served on banana leaves.

If you’re a foodie, you’ve got to hit up Bangsar. As Bryan explains, “If I had to pick a spot of all the spots, I would definitely choose Bangsar, because that’s where I usually go for banana leaf rice at Devi’s Corner.” Whether you are looking for a meat-heavy meal or vegetarian options, Devi’s Corner will be able to cater to your cravings.

Beyond Devi’s Corner, Bangsar has a bunch of amazing food choices like Antipodean Café, Mezze, Kaiju Company Kuala Lumpur and more.

In Bangsar, you should stay at Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

The Deluxe King Suite at Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur offers luxurious comfort at good prices.

One of the best hotels in the area is Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur, a five-star hotel with countless reviews praising the buffet breakfast, spacious rooms, and interior design. On Booking.com, Alila has a rating of 9.1, one of the highest in the area. At S$122 per night for the King Room, Alila is luxury you can afford. Book your stay at Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur via this link and get a S$40 cash reward.

3. Subang

To shop sneakers and streetwear, Bryan recommends Subang. “You’ve got consignment stores like 17 Gallery which has a wide selection of shoes, and close by you have Sole What and Crossover in Sunway Pyramid.”

17 Gallery has walls filled with every sneaker you could want.

17 Gallery is a consignment store carrying some of the most hyped sneakers. If they came from a limited drop, they probably have it – Yeezys, Travis Scott Jordans, Off-White Nikes. You name it they have got it. They also carry some resale apparel as well, like Supreme sweaters and Bape hoodies.

So(le) What you bought four pairs of sneakers and a hoodie at one go?

Sole What is a sneaker store in Bandar Sunway that carries anything from your daily rotation to the latest drops – this includes the latest Nike The10th collection and the Vans Vault x Retrosuperfuture collab. Beyond sneakers, Sole What carries Champion apparel and Nixon timepieces.

Crossover is Bryan’s favourite store and he goes there to shop brands like Carhartt.

On Crossover, Bryan says, “This store is a favorite of mine for apparels because they have a good selection of brands like Carhartt, Neighbourhood and Wacko Maria.”

In Subang, you should stay at Go Hotel

A simple and minimalist room at Go Hotel.

Go Hotel is a budget-friendly accommodation that’s a walking distance to the Taipan LRT Station, which gives you access to the malls within the area such as Summit USJ Shopping Mall, Empire Tower Shopping Gallery, and more. Guests at GoHotel rate it an average of 8.9, with the friendly staff, clean room, their nasi lemak, and boutique interior being the true highlights of the hotel. Book your stay at Go Hotel via this link and get a S$40 cash reward.

4. Chinatown

Get your shot of Asian infused cocktails at Botak Liquor.

Love a stiff cocktail? Well then Chinatown is your best bet. “I personally don’t like noisy and crowded bars, so one of my favorite spots to get a drink is Botak Liquor, which is somewhere near Chinatown,” Bryan says. Botak Liquor uses locally sourced ingredients like pandan leaves and preserved papaya to create uniquely flavored tipple.

Experience a whole new drinking experience at PS150.

If you love the idea of speakeasies, that is, bars hidden in plain sight, you’ll find Chinatown plays host to quite a few. One such bar is PS150, which looks like a pre-war toy store. But what lies on the other side of the door is certainly not child’s play – cocktails made with craft vermouths and local ginger wines.

In Chinatown, you should stay at MyRoyal Suites, Kuala Lumpur

MyRoyal rooms come with all the comforts of a home but with the luxuries of a hotel.

A good option near Chinatown is the Kuala Lumpur MyRoyal Suites, which is less than a kilometer from Petaling Street. The aparthotel provides a stunning view of the city from the rooftop pool and ample facilities to help you recharge after a day out in the town. Guests rate KL MyRoyal Suites a 9.4 on Booking.com, with most guests applauding the view from the pool, the customer service and the proximity to must-see locations in town. Book your room at MyRoyal Suites via this link and get a S$40 cash reward.

For updates on Sneakerlah, follow @sneakerlah on Instagram. Get your tickets at sneakerlah.com. 

Got a recommendation for any of these districts? Tell us more in the comments section below.

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