The two rooms, briefly
Dissolved Solids is in Damansara Kim. Small bar, low light, neon out front, late hours. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from mid-afternoon. Comfortable for solo drinking, two-tops, small groups. The drinks lean towards coffee, vermouth, and the experimental side of the menu. We've been recognised by Tatler Asia in their Top 20 Bars 2025/26 list, but the room is still small and the prices are still local.
Soluble Solids is in SS2 Petaling Jaya. Slightly larger, painted walls, red pendant lamp, lace curtains, projection on the wall on weekends. Open Wednesday to Sunday, evenings only. No printed menu (more on that in our journal piece). The bartender builds drinks in conversation. The infusion shelf is the visible one.
Both are run by the same team. The drinks are the same calibre. The rooms feel different.
Getting there
Driving. Both bars have street parking nearby, but it fills up after 8pm on weekends. We recommend arriving by 7:30pm if you're driving on a Friday or Saturday. Damansara Kim has slightly easier parking than SS2, on average.
Grab / e-hailing. Easy to both bars. Tell the driver "Damansara Kim, near Restaurant XYZ" or "SS2, Jalan SS2/24" rather than the bar name. Some drivers don't know us by name yet.
Public transport. The MRT Kajang Line stops at Bandar Utama (about 10 minutes by Grab to either bar). The KTM Komuter has Petaling station, also about 10 minutes by Grab.
Dress
No dress code. We've had guests in shirts-and-blazers and guests in t-shirts on the same night. KL casual is the default. Closed-toe shoes are slightly easier than sandals on the bar's floor surface. That's about it.
What to order if you've never been
Two paths.
If you have a clear idea of what you like. Tell the bartender. "I love negronis." "I want something gin-forward." "I usually order whisky sours." Any of these is enough to start. We'll either pour the classic well, or suggest a variant we think you'll like better.
If you don't. Three options:
- Use the drink builder on this site. Five quick taps. We'll generate a drink brief that fits your mood. Show the bartender or send via WhatsApp before you arrive.
- Ask the bartender to recommend. We do this a lot. Tell us roughly what you feel like and we'll pour something. If you don't love it, the next one is on us.
- Order one of our signature drinks. The full list is at /cocktails/, with our Malaysian-local picks at the top: Pandan Collins, Gula Melaka Old Fashioned, Calamansi Highball, Kopi Sour.
If you don't drink alcohol
Both bars have a real non-alcoholic side. Our Black Honey, Floral Mango, and Peach Blossom are coffee mocktails built with the same care as the cocktails. Not subtracted versions of the alcoholic drinks. We also pour our own kombuchas when a batch is ready, plus single-origin loose-leaf teas. More on our mocktail philosophy here.
Group size
Solo guests, twos, threes, and small groups (up to about six) are the comfort zone for both rooms. Larger groups are possible but please let us know in advance. Both bars are small enough that ten people walking in at once changes the room. We'd rather you have a great experience than a crowded one.
Kids
Children are welcome before 8pm at both bars, with a parent. We have soft drinks, mocktails, and snacks. After 8pm, the rooms get smokier and the music goes up, and we'd suggest making it an adult evening.
Dietary
Most of our cocktails can be made vegan (we use aquafaba in place of egg white when asked). Most can be made gluten-free. Tell the bartender about allergies before ordering. The snacks page (/snacks/) has a small kitchen menu.
Payment
Cash, all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx), and Malaysian e-wallets (GrabPay, Touch 'n Go). No surcharge on cards. Bills are presented at the table.
How long to stay
One drink: about 20 to 30 minutes. Two drinks plus a snack: about an hour. A full session: about two hours. Both bars are designed for slower paces, not quick turns. There's no pressure to leave when you're done; if we're full we'll tell you politely.
Booking vs walk-in
Walk-ins are welcome at both bars. Weekends fill up after 8pm. Weeknights and earlier evenings, we usually have space. If you want certainty, reserve a table. Reservations come in via WhatsApp and we confirm within an hour during open hours.
One small thing
If you're nervous about coming alone, please do. Solo drinking at a small bar is one of life's underrated pleasures. The bartender is happy to chat or to leave you alone, whichever you prefer. We'll ask once.