I spent part of my childhood in and around Bukit Bintang area in the early 1970s. I was staying at a shoplot that sold vinyl record albums located just opposite Blue Boy Flats. At that time, Pavilion and Cathay cinemas were just a stone's throw away. A&W opened its first outlet around that area. I remember my dad used to bring me to the famous BB Entertainment Park. I can recall the rides, game stalls, funny mirrors, theatres and even a boxing ring. It was also the place where the red hot cabaret striptease queen Rose Chan used to perform. I could not remember having a peek at her shows but I could still recall the roaring laughter and cheers from the audience. It was a real all-in-one open air carnival located at the present BB Plaza. It was so unlike today where there are all kinds of specialty stores especially at Pavillion and Starhill. Not too far from BB Park, which stopped operating a few years later, was the infamous red light district, Jalan Alor but I was too young to understand then all the vice activities going on. Not many recreational parks and football fields were to be found. I spent most of my naughty outdoor activities by venturing with the neighbouring boys into the Chinese Maternity Hospital compound!
Bukit Bintang was and still is the heartbeat of KL, especially towards nightfall .
