After Dark: 6 Things To Do In Sarawak At Night

1. Stroll along the Sarawak River Waterfront

After a scrumptious dinner, why not walk it off at the Kuching Waterfront? With a stretch of land almost 900 meters (2,952 feet) long, you’ll be guaranteed a stroll full of sights and sounds. The path is dotted with numerous food stalls and has become a popular place for the locals to gather at night. Admire the brightly lit Astana, and enjoy the evening breeze while people-watching.

After you’ve finished walking along the esplanade, hop on a traditional sampan (boat) for a short voyage across the river. You’d be surprised at the difference in feeling than when you made the same journey in the daytime. Once on the other side, experience Kampung Gerisik when it comes alive at night. You might even be tempted to try the local delights on offer despite your full stomach!

Kuching Waterfront

Address: Jalan Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Top 10 Things To Do In Sarawak, Malaysia
Sarawak: the name itself brings about a lot of curiosity and intrigue as it has been known since time immemorial for its ethnic population, and its location in the enigmatic and clandestine Borneo region makes it even more mysterious. It is very interesting and very close to nature. Sarawak...

2. Stargaze from Damai Beach

If you’re staying in one of the resorts in the Santubong area, you’re in for a treat. Besides frolicking in the ocean and working on a tan during the day, you can also catch some breathtaking sunsets and watch the stars by night. Bring a beach blanket or something similar to lie down on, and feel yourself growing smaller as you behold the universe from the sand.

Being literally on the water’s edge allows for some spectacular views of the cosmos. You might even be lucky enough to glimpse a shooting star. Stargazing from the beach truly provides an experience like no other. Amidst the crashes of the waves and the stillness of the night air, relax your mind and body while luxuriating in nature. Just be sure not to drift into sleep!

Damai Beach (Pantai Damai)

Address: Santubong, Sarawak, Malaysia

3. Visit the Siniawan Night Market

This old-fashioned night market boasts a bustling atmosphere full of stalls selling wonderful fare in traditional wooden shop lots. However, it hasn’t always been this lively. The small town of Siniawan, about 30 minutes from Kuching, experienced severe flooding in the mid-2000s which devastated the community and damaged the rows of original shophouses. For a while, residents struggled with restorative efforts until an outside architect stepped in to help.

Since then, Siniawan has gone from strength to strength, with the night market opening in 2011 and followed by a guesthouse, the Tian Xia Homestay, soon after. Now, the place attracts both locals and tourists alike when it opens on the weekends. Come to experience a nostalgic evening amid colonial-era architecture. Feast on the wide selection of treats on sale all while under Chinese lanterns for a taste of life in bygone times.

Siniawan Night Market

Address: Jalan Siniawan, Bau, Kuching 93746, Sarawak, Malaysia

4. Dance the night away at the Paragon X3 SuperClub

For those who live for the night, the Paragon is the place for you. This club is the most happening spot in Kuching after dark, with its pulsating beats, futuristic lighting, and sizzling guest DJs. Located in the trendy Travillion Mall, the Paragon caters to a more exclusive clientele, so be sure to dress for the occasion. Come to relieve stress among the frenzied masses, or simply for a good time with friends. The club is also a good place for birthday outings and other celebratory nights. Busier times are from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Paragon X3 SuperClub Ultimate Dance Club

Address: Travillion Mall (Padungan), 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

5. Have a pint at Zinc Restaurant & Bar

A laid-back atmosphere and classy decor make Zinc a great choice for the traveler craving some privacy and intimacy. With liquor, wine and a selection of cocktails, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the alcoholic department. Mocktails and coffee are also available. The Tuak (Sarawakian rice wine) deserves special mention as a must-try drink before leaving Kuching. For those who have a sweet tooth, an array of excellent desserts are also prepared fresh daily. There’s live entertainment every Thursday and Saturday night, and Zinc Restaurant and Bar also serves Spanish and European cuisine for dinner; its highlight is the heavenly Wagyu Striploin Steak.

Zinc Restaurant and Bar

Address: 38 Tabuan Road, Kuching, Malaysia

Facebook: Zinc Restaurant and Bar

6. Discover the Bario Food and Cultural Festival

This last “nightly” event is slightly cheating but is honestly too good to miss. Pesta Nukenen, as it is known in the Kelabit language, is held annually in the bountiful Bario region, a mountainous highland area where traditional agricultural practices such as terraced slope farming still hold pride of place. In fact, Bario’s most famous export is its rice farmed on those very slopes, so delicious that it’s become prized among those in the know.

Therefore, expect only good things from this food festival. A celebration of Kelabit culture that lasts for three days, the Pesta has grown since its inception in 2006 to become one of the most-awaited Sarawakian festivals yearly. Although most of the munching happens during the day, at night, you’ll be treated to performances of the sape (traditional wooden stringed instrument), Kelabit games in which you can participate, and dancing. Lots of dancing. Come for the adventure of experiencing a culture unchanged by time, and a cuisine just as warm-hearted and special as its people.

Bario Food and Cultural Festival

Address: Bario Highlands, Sarawak, Malaysia

Facebook: Bario Food and Cultural Festival

Just as beautiful by night

Sarawak is indeed an up-and-coming destination of choice among holidaymakers looking for something different. Modern yet traditional, multicultural yet harmonious, with new encounters and experiences around every corner, Sarawak has proven itself worthy of the interest of the world. But best of all, it is just as gorgeous and charming at night as it is in the day, when the moon casts shadows over the sea, and one can hear the chirping of crickets in a place teeming with life.