Geek/nerd culture is something very intriguing, and lately people have been proudly proclaiming their geekery to the world like a badge of honour. It’s no longer uncool to be seen as a geek. Geeks are no longer associated with weird young adults playing video games, living in their parents’ basement and scraping potato chip crumbs off their chins; but a cool breed of humans who are well-versed in comic book knowledge, can quote their favourite TV shows without a pause, and are unfazed by people’s perceptions towards their passions.
It’s no wonder that eateries influenced by comic books, sci-fi movies, and subcultures have been springing up everywhere in the city, as everyone is jumping in on the trend. Thus, if you feel like letting out your inner nerd, visit these geeky cafes in the Klang Valley and don’t be afraid to geek out:
DC Comics Café
Everybody loves superheroes, so it’s a no-brainer that sooner or later a superhero-themed café will pop up somewhere. And *BAM* it has, an impressive one at that. The official DC Comics Café at Sunway Putra Mall will excite the geeks in all of us, the walls plastered in comic book memorabilia and the menu items incorporating our best-loved superheroes in some way. Their cold drinks are even served in a caped cup! All the food (consisting of standard Western fare like burgers, pizzas, and sandwiches) have superhero-inspired names and presentation, like the Batman vs Aquaman burger and Wonderwoman’s Trinity Juice. Be warned though that this café fills up quick during peak hours, so be sure to skip the queue and come by at a quieter time.
Pork-free
Open daily, 10am-10pm
Address: Unit 2-29, 2nd Floor, Sunway Putra Mall, 100 Jalan Putra, 50350 KL
Tel: +603-7954 6377
Website: https://www.facebook.com/dccomicssuperheroesmalaysia
Chemistry Café + Lab
If you watched the seminal TV show Breaking Bad, I’m sure you’ve felt like stepping into the screen and doing cool (albeit illegal) things with chemicals, at least once. Now you can channel your inner Walter White at this quirky café in Shah Alam, which radiates a nerdy chemistry vibe. This lab-themed café, complete with chemical elements on the walls, flasks and beakers used to dish up drinks, and labcoat-clad servers, will bring you back to your schooling days, but this time you’ll be forgiven for forgetting the periodic table. They serve the usual desserts like cakes and waffles, and also main dishes like roast chicken and pasta. Make sure to swing by and check out this unique café!
Halal
Hours: 11.30am-midnight on Sun-Thurs, 11.30am-12.30am on Fri & Sat
Address: 26 Jalan Kristal J7/J Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Malaysia
Tel: +603-5523 9988
http://facebook.com/chemistrycafe/
Meeples European Board Game Cafe
This cool café serves one main purpose, and that is to unite people through their love of board games. Located in Subang Jaya, this geeky hangout spot is the perfect place to chill out, make new friends (or lose old ones) over a board game or two. For a small fee, visitors can choose to play from an extensive range of board games, ranging from strategy to trivia to management games, and everything in between. Meeples serves an array of handcrafted beverages, as well as some nibbles to keep your belly happy while conquering a round of Catan or Coup. They also play host to a bunch of game tournaments and competitions. Besides letting you play board games, they’re also the leading board games distributor in Malaysia, and with over 2000 titles available for you to buy, I’m sure you won’t go home empty-handed. Gather up your friends and try not to kill each other while playing your favourite board games!
Pork-free
Hours: 11am-1am on Tues to Sun
Address: 64-1, Jalan SS15/4D, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-5633 8033
Website: http://meeples.com.my
The Garage KL
This container-stacked café-cum-hipster marketplace is a feast for the eyes, with industrial-style seating, raw metal floors, and a myriad of retro posters and collectables up on the walls. Again, if you’re a Star Wars geek you’ll be able to find so many Star Wars goodies around the place, including posters, toys, and banners. The place isn’t only a café, but also has a barbershop, indie clothing stores, a stage for live music performances, and a cool old-school van converted into a little preloved shop! Don’t forget to check out their drool-worthy indulgent milkshakes (with Star Wars inspired names to boot) as well as the Star Wars merch boutique!
Halal
Open daily, 5.30pm to midnight
Address: 841 Jln Hulu Kelang, Hillview, 68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-42669776
Website: http://thegaragekl.com
Hugo Steampunk Premium Lounge
This unique steampunk-themed bar looks like it came straight out of a Bioshock game, with exposed piping and gears, dark walls, copper detailing, and bare lightbulbs. The fusion of Victorian-era influences with technology has been a thriving subculture in the past, and this place seems to be the first in Malaysia to have incorporated steampunk into an eatery. Inspired by Martin Scorsese’s highly-acclaimed film Hugo, this bar doesn’t disappoint in their aesthetics, and they have a wide variety of drinks and snacks to tide you over.
Pork-free
Open Mon-Sat, 3pm-1am.
Address: No 16, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Tel: +6012-356 6221
Website: http://hugosteampunk.com
Which one of these geeky cafes have you visited before and what are your thoughts? Share it with us in the comments!
