Tavern at Auto-City is a popular hangout spot not only for night owls, but also appeals to corporate clientele and small families. This eatery is managed by the same team as Hat Trickz in Icon City.

The central section of Tavern appeals to its core customers: the drinking crowd. Dim lighting and cozy couches provide a welcoming setting for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages and to mingle around. This section is air-conditioned to keep the ambience cooling and relaxing.

On both sides of the central section are places that provide al fresco dining. One side faces the bar and is equipped with a large television that plays live games. The other side has wooden picnic tables and chairs set on artificial turf, but is unusable when it rains.

Every evening, there is live music performance which starts around 10:00pm. Musical bands typically consist of duos and trios. A different band is set to perform every night.

During the daytime, Tavern is also open because there is a substantial lunch-seeking crowd from neighboring commercial and industrial areas. To provide decent meals at affordable prices, there is a set lunch menu with prices starting from RM8.90. This menu is available daily from 11:00am till 3:00pm, except on Sundays.

According to the staff, Spaghetti With Dory Fish (RM11.90) is among the fast-moving choices from the lunch menu. There are two versions for the sauce – spicy or garlic; I opted for the former.

Spaghetti used in this dish is noticeably thinner than usual ones. Nevertheless, the pasta still maintains al dente texture, much to my relief. The main attraction, however, is the crispy fish fillets on top. Battered and fried to scrumptious crispiness, the fillets are quite addictive piece after piece.

As for poultry, Grilled Chicken Chop (RM12.90) appeals to most people’s palate. Chicken is thoroughly seasoned with rosemary, causing it to feel immensely salty in the first mouth. This sensation subsides afterwards as the taste buds become attuned to the effects of rosemary.

A coating of brown sauce provides additional flavors to chicken. There are also fries and garden salad on the side. The salad is doused with balsamic vinaigrette to provide some degree of appealing sourness.

Name: Tavern
Address: 1688-G8, Jalan Perusahaan, 13600 Juru, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-502-2692
Business hours: 11:00am-3:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheTavern.MY
Coordinates: 5.33758 N, 100.43159 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head west. Turn left at the end of the road, then take the next left turn. Tavern is located at the middle of this block of buildings. There are parking spaces around the block.

Café 4U is a new eatery and nightlife spot at Bukit Mertajam. I am fortunate to be invited to its opening ceremony today. Although today’s food is unrelated to its actual menu, the proprietor took some time to introduce his business concept.

The eatery serves light meals such as pasta and sandwiches during the day. During the evening, it provides nighttime entertainment by serving beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Occupying the second floor of a shop, the premises permits smoking. Disco music is played after sunset. There are also a couple of electronic darts machine as entertainment for guests.

Name: Café 4U
Address: 62A, Jalan Limau Manis 3, Taman Limau Manis, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-632-8955
Business hours: 9:00am-2:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/cafe4upenang
Coordinates: 5.35211 N, 100.43728 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head east. Drive forward till the end, then turn left. Take the service road on the left parallel to the main road. Café 4U is located at the row of shops on the left, just above a vehicle workshop. Parking is available in front the row of shops.

Introducing Shangri-La’s first ever FIP Lounge – an upbeat bar which centers around the slogan “fun, interactive and play” – hence the abbreviation “FIP”. Incidentally, several aspects of FIP Lounge is new to Penang, which makes me wonder whether “FIP” also means “First in Penang”?

Cocktail is to bar as coffee is to café. FIP Lounge offers an extensive line of exotic cocktails to satisfy even the fussiest connoisseur. For a comprehensive list of available cocktails, please check with the bartender, or better yet, ask the bartender to surprise you!

Beer is best served chilled, therefore beer mugs are sometimes chilled beforehand so that the beer stays cold. But why did we not think about using a mug made from solid ice? Yes, FIP Lounge has exactly this! Now, will you consume the entire ice mug?

In case you arrive with an empty stomach, FIP Lounge has a small food menu too. While you are at it, why not have fun with the food before eating? You may order the Crab Cake & Chicken Boudin Checker Platter to play against a friend. How about the Macaron Tic-Tac-Toe? Perhaps winner takes all? Who says you shouldn’t play with your food?

FIP Lounge officially opens at 7:00pm today (17 November 2014). Feel free to visit this place today for an unprecedented drinking experience.

Name: FIP Lounge
Address: Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-888-8888
Business hours: 11:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 11:00am-1:00am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fiploungersr
Coordinates: 5.47949 N, 100.25487 E
Directions: From Tanjung Bungah, travel west towards Batu Ferringhi. Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa is approximately 4.2 kilometers from Tanjung Bungah’s floating mosque, located on the right. FIP Lounge is at Lobby level of the Garden wing.