Sick of the usual JB haunts of café and night markets? Here’s a brand new, trendy spot you can check out on your next trip over. Kota Jail is a new multi-concept creative and lifestyle hub in JB that’s housed in what used to be an actual jail, and it’s located just 10 minutes away from the checkpoint.
@johorfoodie NEW cool spot to discover in Johor 😍 📍Kota Jail, Johor Bahru
TikTok: @johorfoodie
IG: @pasar.pagi.johorbahru
Image Credits: Kota Jail
IG: @zy_rth
Kota Jail is located in Penjara Ayer Molek, a building that’s now over 100 years old and used to be a jail building. They’ve even retained the architecture and vibe of the building, from the barbed fence surrounding the building, barred windows and old, peeling paintwork.
IG: @bion.co
Image Credits: Kota Jail
The new Kota Jail concept features various events and activities under one roof: there’s art galleries and exhibitions, in-house F&B tenants and also festival/market pop-ups happening frequently. The building also acts as an event space, so we can probably look forward to more exciting and cool events happening soon. The building is open daily, with the next F&B popup and retail showcase happening this weekend, from 25th to 27th April 2025; followed by another event on 1st to 4th May 2025.
IG: @bion.co
IG: @lilylicious_yummm
Image Credit: Kota Jail
Currently, there are a couple of in-house cafés within the building, like a matcha bar and other cafés. There’s Matcha Lalu, Loaf Adam, Pagi Malam, Lé LA and more. Some food items you might find here include the likes of Pandan Kaya Roti Baker Shokupan (RM 8), Nasi Lemak Ayam Rempah (RM 17) and Shakshuka (RM 13), among others.
Kota Jail
Address: Penjara Ayer Molek, JB
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm daily
