Roadside night cafes are gaining popularity in Johor Bahru
In Johor Bahru, Malaysia, an open-air nighttime roadside café concept—featuring camping chairs, food trucks, and container-based establishments—has been gaining popularity since 2024. According to Channel NewsAsia, these spots are mostly located outside the city center, stay open late, and primarily attract young people.
The trend originated during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, when members of Generation Z began posting photos on social media of camping chairs set against scenic backdrops. Online, people tried to popularize the trend using the hashtag #healingchair, and local youth refer to these spots as “port lepak”—places for casual socializing. At the same time, the publication cites roadside cafes as the most accurate name for this phenomenon.
These establishments often operate out of cars, trailers, or shipping containers on gravel lots. For example, J’Beans Coffee is set up in a converted Toyota Vellfire, while Renjana by Kafenatik combines seating in a two-story shipping container with outdoor camping chairs. Renjana owner Mohd Rezuan explained that this format is easy to set up and take down, and it became widespread among roadside vendors during the pandemic.
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Some establishments stay open until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. The Kopi 3 Pagi coffee shop in the Sierra Perdana area is open until 3:00 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays, until 5:00 a.m. Its owner, Abdullah “Mus” Musab, said he opened the café with friends because he couldn’t find a place to hang out until 3:00 a.m.
CNA cites Santai Camp, which has been operating since 2023 near the Angsana Johor Bahru Mall, as the largest example of this format. The venue has approximately 50 tables and large tents for VIP groups. According to the publication’s rough estimate at the end of July, there were about 250 visitors; on weekends, the venue is packed. Smaller cafes, meanwhile, maintain an informal atmosphere with minimal infrastructure and a focus on evening socializing.
