There might be no better perch in KL for sipping a Sangria while soaking up the sunset; launched this month at Petronas Tower 3, Marini’s on 57 hopes to raise the bar for what a rooftop bar and restaurant can be.

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58 Floors Within 60 Seconds

The entrance to Marini’s can be best spotted from outside Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s lobby; take the express elevator, which whisks customers within 60 seconds to near the top of the 58-floor Petronas Tower 3.

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Spacious, Sleek And Sleaze-Free

Spacious, sleek and sleaze-free, flooded with natural light in the early evening. Marini’s opens by 4pm everyday, closing a full 12 hours later before dawn breaks.

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Marini’s on 57 features air-conditioned and alfresco areas. There’ll be separate sections for an Italian restaurant and a whiskey lounge by mid-July; we’re keen to see what those will look like.

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KL’s Highest-Level Watering Hole

And for folks keeping count, yep, this is now KL’s highest-level watering hole; Skybar, Luna Bar and The View are mostly on the thirtysomething-floor of their buildings.

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Reservations Required

The trump card might be the unbeatable proximity to the Petronas Twin Towers. Positioned as both an after-work haunt and a late-night party place, Marini’s seems to require reservations for the best tables.

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Bar Bites

Bar bites here are better than average too, but as expensive as expected. Nevertheless, these French fries (RM15++) are mighty fine, especially with a moreish house-made truffle dip that’s buttery-creamy and earthy-fragrant.

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Lamb kofta with harissa sauce grilled bread (RM28++). Giving the staff members here their due: service is lightning-swift and sunshine-warm.

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Happy Hours

Marini’s happy hours stretch from 4pm through 9pm. Excellent bargains include RM25++ for a glass of Prosecco La Fara …

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… or a glass of Italian Coste Delle Plaie Rosso …

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… or a pleasurably potent Mojito.

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As more eateries work to open before Ramadan, we’re looking forward to the next few weeks.

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In an eerie coincidence, this entry on Marini’s on 57 comes a day after our Midi 57 post (the former’s on the 57th floor of its skyscraper, the latter’s No. 57 on its street). Perhaps that’s a number that warrants a closer watch.

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Rest assured, a few more up-in-the-air hangouts will open before 2012 is over; keep an eye out for THIRTY8 by the time the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur opens in September.

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Location and Contact Details

Marini’s on 57

Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 2161 2880

Find: Contact details and map of Marini’s on 57 here.