Israk Mikraj (also Isra and Mi'raj) marks the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension through the heavens. A reflective Islamic observance, traditionally a night of recitation, prayer, and contemplation. At a craft cocktail bar in Petaling Jaya, the date calls for the NA programme. It leads. Serious mocktails, brewed teas, single-origin coffee, contemplative service. Cocktails sit on the back bar for non-observant guests. The room is quieter than a typical weeknight. The night belongs to whoever wants to sit and talk.

Israk Mikraj in the Malaysian context

Israk Mikraj falls on the 27th day of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The night commemorates two miraculous journeys recorded in the Quran and the Hadith: the Isra, the Prophet Muhammad's overnight journey from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on the steed Buraq, and the Mi'raj, his ascension through the seven heavens, where the obligation of the five daily prayers was established. It is one of the most spiritually significant nights in the Islamic calendar.

In Malaysia, Israk Mikraj is a state-level public holiday in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis, and a religious observance nationally. The day is observed quietly. Mosques across the country run evening programmes: sermons on the Night Journey, recitation gatherings, reflections from local ulama. Many Muslim families spend the evening at the mosque or in family devotional study at home. Some choose to fast that day as a recommended (sunnah) practice.

The mood is contemplative, inward. There are no parades, no fireworks, no open houses. Petaling Jaya streets thin out by mid-evening. Damansara Kim and SS2, where both bars sit, are residential neighbourhoods on a normal night and quieter still on Israk Mikraj. Non-Muslim and mixed-faith friend groups looking to meet up tend to choose a considered, low-key venue.

Why the bar can host you on Israk Mikraj

The bar's role on Israk Mikraj is to host non-drinking guests with the same care as drinking guests. Given the date's contemplative weight, the NA programme is unambiguously the lead. The bartender opens with the brewed-tea menu and the NA cocktail list. Cocktails appear only if guests indicate they want them. Music sits softer than usual. The team is briefed to slow service down and let conversation breathe.

For guests breaking a recommended sunnah fast at maghrib, the bar can accommodate. We keep dates and water on hand for this purpose, followed by a brewed-tea or NA cocktail order at the table.

The NA-focused approach in practice

A serious NA cocktail menu at a craft bar is a real menu. The bartender builds the drink with the same technique: shake, stir, dilute, strain, garnish, present. The only change is the spirit base. NA aperitivo replaces gin or Campari. NA bitter replaces Angostura where appropriate. Brewed tea reductions and fresh juices carry the flavour. On Israk Mikraj, this programme is the default for observing guests. The alcoholic side remains available for non-observing guests. Glassware matches across both sides.

What to order on Israk Mikraj (NA programme first)

Drinks lean reflective and warming. NA first because this is what the night calls for.

Black Honey: espresso, dark honey, citrus, NA aromatics. Signature NA coffee mocktail.

Floral Mango: ripe Malaysian mango, jasmine tea infusion, lime.

NA Negroni: non-alcoholic aperitivo base, NA bitter, blood orange. Stirred.

Pandan Collins NA: pandan cordial, citrus, soda. Tall and Malaysian.

Saffron and Honey Lemonade: saffron-infused syrup, honey, lemon, soda.

Cardamom and Date Cooler: brewed cardamom tea, date syrup, lemon, ice.

Rose and Pomegranate Sherbet: rose syrup, fresh pomegranate, lemon, soda.

NA Bandung: rose syrup, evaporated milk, ice.

Pandan and Coconut Refresher: pandan syrup, coconut water, lime, soda. Malaysian-local.

Sirap Selasih: rose syrup with basil seeds.

Karak Chai: proper cardamom-led milk tea, iced or hot.

Yemeni Coffee: single-origin Arabica with cardamom, served small.

For non-observant guests, the regular cocktail menu remains available in matching glassware.

The Israk Mikraj evening plan

Late afternoon: Asr prayer; some Muslim guests breaking the sunnah fast at maghrib.

Evening, 19:00 onwards: Maghrib prayer, evening mosque programmes begin.

Post-Isyak window, 21:00 to 23:00: a quiet sit at the bar. NA cocktails, coffee, tea. The bar is for after the mosque programme, when you want a small considered room with a friend.

Last orders: Dissolved Solids closes at 01:00 (Tuesday to Sunday). Soluble Solids closes at 01:00 (Wednesday to Sunday).

Our two PJ outlets

  • Dissolved Solids · Damansara Kim: small upstairs bar at 43-1 Jalan SS20/11. Quiet by default; music softer on Israk Mikraj. Tuesday to Sunday, 15:00 to 01:00. One of Tatler Asia's Top 20 Bars 2025/26.
  • Soluble Solids · SS2: smaller second outlet at 50-1 Jalan SS2/24. No printed menu. Wednesday to Sunday, 18:00 to 01:00. NA programme as default on the night.

Halal-friendly status and observance respect

Both outlets serve no pork and no lard. The kitchen runs a small snack programme; alcohol service is clearly separated from food preparation. Neither outlet currently holds a JAKIM halal certificate, so we describe the kitchen as halal-friendly rather than certified halal. Groups that need strict halal certification should treat the kitchen with that caveat in mind.

The NA cocktail programme uses no alcoholic spirits and no alcoholic bitters. Every drink on the NA list is built without alcohol. The bar team will talk through any specific ingredient if asked.

Reservations

Walk-ins generally work. For groups of four or more, WhatsApp ahead.

Frequently asked questions

Is alcohol required to visit on Israk Mikraj?
No. The NA programme leads. Visit, order only mocktails or brewed drinks.

Is the food halal-friendly?
No pork, no lard, alcohol clearly separated. Halal-friendly rather than certified halal.

Will the bar try to push alcoholic substitutes?
No. The NA list is the primary menu on Israk Mikraj.

Can I break the recommended fast at the bar?
Yes. Dates and water on hand for the maghrib break.

Are older Muslim family members welcome?
Yes. Music conversation-volume, room small and dim, brewed-drink menu wide.

What are the addresses and hours?
Dissolved Solids: 43-1 Jalan SS20/11 (Tue-Sun 15:00 to 01:00). Soluble Solids: 50-1 Jalan SS2/24 (Wed-Sun 18:00 to 01:00).

How is the NA cocktail menu built?
NA aperitivo bases, NA bitter, brewed tea reductions, fresh juices, gula melaka, pandan, rose, saffron, date. Same technique as the alcoholic menu, no spirit.

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