Refreshed, Restyled, Rebranded The Merchant, Armada Hotel PJ

Credits: Elana
TGIF my dear merry goers!

It has been an eventful past week for me with the launch of the newly revamped Merchant Pub, a familiar watering hole in Petaling Jaya. It was a night filled with fun and laughter and I must say the changes at Merchant Pub will leave you in awe!


After 17 great years of operations as Merchant Pub, say goodbye to the old Merchant Pub and hello to The Merchant with their major makeover and new interior décor. During their launch on 29th July 2015, The Merchant at The Armada Hotel Petaling Jaya opened to a lively packed crowd of around 300 guests who enjoyed the free-flowing canapes, cocktails, wine, whisky and beer throughout the evening.


Now, restyled and rebranded to The Merchant, the bar offers a swanky comfort akin to a hybrid of cosmopolitan New York bar and an updated London gentlemen's club. Exuding elegance and style, The Merchant is well designed with a stunning long illuminated copper and wood bar that immediately commands full attention.


At The Merchant, different spaces were created, catering to the various guests' preferences. One such addition is 'The Balcony' an outdoor seating space with curious views overlooking the busy Federal Highway and the PJ skyline. Another feature of the bar is the illuminated long and high Onyx Table and barstools perfect to cater to large groups, communal tastings or wine dinner events. Different types of high seating arrangements can also be found at the “Beer Barrel” and “Chess” tables. 


For those with a more sophisticated preference, a Cigar Lounge, where retro glamour meets contemporary style is chic yet relaxed. A dedicated games area with bricked walls offers up a more rustic atmosphere. Here, guests were seen enjoying a game of pool and loud cheers were heard when someone scored a bullseye on the Electronic Darts Machines. 


Showcasing some of The Merchant’s culinary specialties, guests were treated to a variety of stylish and elegantly prepared canapés which included smoked duck with orange, grilled beef with asparagus, pandan chicken served in shot glasses, otak-otak on toast, assorted sushi balls, mini lemon and raspberry tarts as well as the star of the evening, chocolate cigar rolls served in whisky glasses that even came complete with crushed oreos disguised as cigar ashes. I must say I was surprised with the chocolate cigar rolls because they really look so real that I had to double confirm with the server whether they were really chocolates!!



While guests mingled throughout the evening, a 3-piece band lead by powerful vocalist Claire Rozells entertained guests with her own soft soothing and rearranged renditions of Thinking out Loud by Ed Sheeran, In My Place by Cold Play, I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith, Love Never Felt So Good by Michael Jackson and many more. 


 As the night grew, guests were encouraged to experience The Merchant Live, a more upbeat venue which is an extension of The Merchant that can be accessed directly from within the The Merchant through a see through glass walkway. The entrance of The Merchant Live is just so gorgeous with that illuminated tunnel!



The Merchant Live was also packed as guests were dancing to retro classics and one hit wonders from the 80’s and 90’s before Hydra, hailed as the leading cover band in Malaysia, took centre stage and performed a diverse mélange of the hottest music  3 mixing and blending, contrasting and highlighting the different genres of music weaving a web of music that had the crowd singing and dancing along the whole night. 





Also at The Merchant Live, some guests escaped into the three private suites to become their own superstars as the suites were equipped with touch screen karaoke entertainment (with up to 30 pax capacity). Themed red, gold and silver respectively, they revelled in plush and roomy comfort, and sung their hearts out in style and privacy. For those who took a break from singing took the opportunity to test their aiming skills at the Phoenix Darts Machine available in each suite while the biggest suite even had it’s very own American Pool Table. The Merchant makes for a perfect pre-dinner venue, business discussion meetings, a meeting place for after work drinks or work off the excess partying at the adjoining The Merchant Live, and end with an indulgent nightcap back at The Merchant. The Merchant and The Merchant Live, a new paradigm in bar experience. 


It was definitely a night to remember with guest entertaining themselves and amazing to be one of the first to step into the newly revamped The Merchant which I am sure will be one of the hottest watering spots in town! 

The Merchant 

Open daily : 1600 – 0100 (Monday – Sunday) 
No cover charge 

The Merchant Live 

Open daily : 1900 – 0100 (Monday – Saturday) 
From 9pm onwards : 
Wednesday – Saturday : Support Local Live Music Series
 Closed on Sundays 
No cover charge 

The Armada Petaling Jaya Level 1,
 Lot 6, Lorong Utara C, 
Section 52 46200 
Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia

The Merchant - Armada Hotel Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

23 Comments

  1. nice ambient for chilling and relaxing after busy work. Gosh! look at that finger food!!! look super good.
    You look super hot too!

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    1. Aww thanks babe! We should meet up for a drink some time :)

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  2. Hey! Nice writeup. I've yet to write this. It was an awesome night.

    Classy place, almost futuristic.

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  3. Okay, the bar looks pretty cool. Definitely will visit it! :)

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    1. It definitely is a cool place to chill :)

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  4. The environment is pretty cool! Too bad I can't go this kind of places anymore as the kids always tag along..

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  5. Nice place . new place for me to hang out with my friends. hehe

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  6. hehe.. nice pics, I recall this night as its night with many events :D. Didnt this event as I have another event to go. :D

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    1. Yeah I think had 3 events on the same night!

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  7. OMG, new place! I must go there after work, it looks sunggggguuuhhh awesome!

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  8. This place looks so awesome!! The bar looks super elegant and cozy. A perfect place for a night out!

    xoxo
    Sharon
    www.snowman1314.com

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  9. wow!! I like the environment the most!! And with live band, I think you enjoy the party ya ^^

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  10. Heard you all said about it during Raku Pizza review. Hope to go here next time. Look so fun~~ Hahah...

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  11. Nice chilliaxing place with friends, you guys looking like you're in a movie too

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  12. nice place with new brand..the live band will attract more customers.

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  13. Looks like you had tons of fun babe! Sounds like a nice location to chill with friends :)

    Loves,
    Aliza Sara
    www.alizasara.blogspot.com

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  14. oh my godd the copper and wooden bar looks amazing! So atas looking

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