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Kabuki Executive Club and Karaoke (Jakarta)

Kabuki is an executive club and karaoke located in Lokasari, near Jalan Mangga Besar (West Jakarta). It replaces Newton, which was a similar yet less fancy venue.

It is part of the Alexis Group, which currently owns 1001, Club 36, Zen Club, Emporium and Colosseum. They lost their flagship property, Alexis, in 2018 after it was shut down by the new governor.

You might actually notice that the main lounge in Kabuki looks similar to 4Play, the club that was on the first floor of Alexis.

I was not able to take any photos inside Kabuki because the security put a sticker on my phone's camera. They seem to take privacy very seriously, probably to avoid having the same trouble as they had with Alexis.

What happens inside is not outrageous, though. The lounge itself is medium sized, with 3 podiums in the middle, and VIP areas on the side. You have sexy dancers, but they are wearing clothes and do not perform stripteases. They can be taken to the rooms upstairs, for IDR2,000,000.

I didn't visit the karaoke but I would guess it has high standards and very pretty hostesses. Please leave a comment below if you've been there.

Did you know?In the 1990s, there used to be a big nightclub in Prinsen Park Hotel, also in Lokasari, called Kabuki. It was famous for having an illegal casino.

Kabuki Executive Club and Karaoke
Ruko Permata Lokasari Blok B1
West Jakarta
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13 Most Beautiful Japanese Gravure Idols

Gravure idols are the Japanese equivalent to FHM models. They appear on the front page of male-oriented magazines, wearing sexy lingerie or swimsuits, or they shoot videos in which they playfully tease men with suggestive moves.

They will rarely make nudes, or do pornographic movies, though some JAV actresses did start as gravure idols.

On the contrary, for the most talented and beautiful models, the final objective is to become a mainstream actress or singer. That's what happened with most of the girls listed below.

How to Meet Gravure Idols?
One thing you should know is that it is possible to meet and date famous gravure idols, for instance by using the services of an elite dating club like Universe (based in Tokyo and Singapore). Basically, this company helps you to set up dates with Japanese women, in exchange for a fee that varies between US$300 and US$1,500. Naturally, it costs more to meet the most beautiful girls.

If you want to know more about it, you can read my articles: How to Meet Japanese Girls and Sugar Babies in Tokyo.

13 Hottest Japanese Gravure Idols
These are my 13 favorite Japanese glamour models. If I forgot to mention yours, don't hesitate to leave me a comment at the end of the article.

This popular actress and model is only 21 years old, and yet her career is already remarkable. She has played in over 20 movies and series, including the main role in Werewolf Game: Inferno.

This 29-year old is only known by the name Nanoka. She was a common face of the gravure/modeling industry in Japan in the early 2010s, before switching to acting.

Born in 1987, she is one of the most popular gravure models in Japan, mainly because of the contrast between her baby face and her provocative photo shoots. She is also a singer and an actress.

I doubt you could find a cuter model than Anri Sugihara. This petite girl was born in 1982 in Hiroshima. She started her career at 21 and shot dozens of movies until her retirement in 2013.

This idol debuted before she had even turned 18! Now 25, she still shoots glamorous pictures but she is much less active than in her late teens.

This gorgeous native of Osaka (born in 1991) has been featured in several advertisements, including one for Glico. She was also an actress in various movies and Japanese TV dramas.

I didn't find much information about this slim gravure model, but you can follow her Instagram to learn more about her. She was born in Saitama in 1993 and she is 160cm.

Now an actress who has played in several famous dramas, she actually started her career posing in sexy outfits for men magazines.

This gravure model became a mainstream actress after being cast as the main heroine of the TV series Kamen Rider Drive. She was born in 1991 and she is 166cm high.

A slender model with an innocent face, she was voted among the 10 sexiest Japanese gravure models by the magazine FHM in 2010.

Born in 1992, this Japanese girl with a slim body and an angel face has made the cover of several magazines. She is also an actress for TV ads and soap operas.

She became particularly famous in Japan after marrying Ken Watabe. She started as a gravure model, then she went on to release a few songs and played in over 30 TV series/movies.

This girl modeled until later in her 30s, after giving birth to 3 children. This is old enough to be considered "mature" in Japan. Nonetheless, she still looks stunning. 
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Why Porn Sites Are Blocked in Indonesia (And How to Unblock Them)

As of October 2018, there are 766,000 porn websites blocked in Indonesia, but also 2,120 betting sites and about 100 radical websites.

10 years ago, there was no censorship in the country. It all started under SBY in 2008, when the parliament passed the now-famous Anti-Porn bill. This law stipulates that possessing or downloading porn can be punishable by up to 4 years in jail. Worse, being involved in a "sexually suggestive performance" is worth up to 12 years in prison. Now you understand why there aren't any active Indonesian pornstars.

At first, only the most famous porn sites were blocked, but the rest was easily accessible. Then slowly, more and more sites were filtered, until it became impossible to see anything without the use of a VPN. Even typing naughty words on Google will be censored.

So what should you do if you really want to access a blocked site?

The solution is simple, cheap, and it will be useful to you in so many situations other than for watching porn (for instance to use Netflix): You must use a VPN.

I had already written about the best VPNs in Indonesia a few months ago. I will be a bit more specific here and explain to you how it works exactly.

For that, I will show you the example of VPN I'm currently using, VyprVPN. I recommend this one for Indonesia, but feel free to purchase another one if you feel there is a better choice. Anyway, the interface always looks similar to one another.

To make sure everyone can understand this post, I will keep my explanations as simple as possible, especially on the technicalities. Please leave a comment below if you think I left out something important or if you require additional information.

What is a VPN and why you need one?
A VPN client is a small software that you can install on your computer or your phone in order to access a VPN (or Virtual Private Network). When you connect to a VPN, you can surf the web anonymously, from another location than Indonesia and with all your data protected.

In the case of VyprVPN, the software looks like this:
When you click on the connect button, you will access the internet through a server (here in Singapore). From this moment on, the websites you visit will not know that you are in Indonesia and instead they'll assume you are in Singapore. Since the connection is encrypted and anonymous, there is also no way for third parties to know who you are and what you are doing online.

The benefits of using a VPN in Indonesia are particularly important for 3 main reasons:

- Access websites blocked by the Indonesian government
Almost all porn websites are blocked in Indonesia, including the most famous ones like PornHub, XHamster, YouPorn or XVideos. As soon as a new one is popular, it will get banned almost immediately. Sex-oriented forums and dating sites like internationalsexguide.info or AdultFriendFinder may also be inaccessible.

- Bypass regional restrictions affecting Indonesia
Some internet content may not be available from Indonesia, not because of the government, but because of the content providers themselves. For instance, I cannot watch TV replays from a French TV channel because it only allows viewing from Europe. This is a common problem with many streaming services (Netflix, BeIN Connect, etc).

The leading betting website betfair.com also do not allow bets coming from Indonesia.

When using a VPN, it is very easy to bypass those restrictions as you can simply connect from a server in the country of your choice. This can be done with just one click:
- Protect your identity from the Electronic Information and Transaction Law of 2008
When you surf the web in Indonesia either from a laptop or a mobile phone, you are not anonymous. Your internet provider knows who you are and which websites you visit (even if you are in incognito mode). Worse, he may communicate that information to your employer or to the government. Western countries spy on the internet and there is no reason to think that Indonesia does not. If you are often exchanging sensitive information or if you like visiting unorthodox websites, using a VPN is a necessary protection for your privacy.

Furthermore, after Indonesia voted the law on Electronic Information and Transaction in 2008, it has become easier to accuse anyone of defamation, insult or blasphemy. If you enjoy political discussions about Indonesia on forums or on the comment section of news sites, I really advise remaining as anonymous as possible.

If you are regularly traveling to Asia, the VPN will also help you in almost every country as each has its own restrictions: China blocks pretty much everything (Google, Facebook, Youtube - and even Jakarta100bars.com), Malaysia blocks porn and opposition websites, Thailand blocks any websites criticizing the monarchy, etc. In almost all Asian countries, at least a few people have been arrested for writing "inappropriate" comments on Facebook.

VyprVPN Features

Servers
It is important to choose a VPN with an important number of servers, especially if you travel a lot. For Indonesia, the fastest servers will typically be the ones in countries like Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Macau or Hong Kong.

The great thing about VyprVPN is that they even have a server in Indonesia. This is really useful if you want to be geolocated in Indonesia while having total privacy.

See more: VyprVPN Servers Location.

Privacy
VyprVPN is one of the most serious options when it comes to the protection of their users' privacy. The main reason for that is that they do not keep logs from your connection, meaning that even they do not know which websites you visited. Also, they have a Modulating IP feature that modifies your IP address continuously while you are surfing. This makes it impossible for anyone to track your whereabouts.

There are several privacy and protection features that would please more demanding users. I invite you to check this page for more information: VyprVPN.

Accessing Blocked Website in Indonesia with VyprVPN
My most important concern when using a VPN is: Can I surf any websites, even those that are blocked? Can I use any streaming websites (like Netflix)? Can I download movies and torrents fast?

I can answer YES to all of these questions. I managed (for research purpose of course) to access all porn websites I could find, and all the blocked websites mentioned above. I also could watch Netflix USA using my friend's account. I could connect to the torrent website kat.how and I download some movies (only legal ones naturally). Using VyprVPN did not affect my speed (I was even watching YouTube at the same time). Finally, I visited the website of the French TV channels I mentioned earlier and I could watch all their videos without any restrictions on content.

Is it legal to use a VPN
YES. There are no laws forbidding the use of VPN in Indonesia, even to access illegal websites (like porn). You will not get into any troubles for using one.

Read more: Are VPNs Legal in Indonesia?

Installing and Using VyprVPN
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install and use VyprVPN (it is so easy that all you need to make it work is a somewhat functioning brain).

Step 1: Register (7 Days Free Trial)
After you choose a VyprVPN plan, you will be invited to create an account on Golden Frog's control panel. This is where you can update your information and set up your VPN (if you have special needs, otherwise just ignore it). This is also where you can contact the support team and read dozens of tutorials and guides.

Step 2: Install
After you've subscribed, you will need to download the VPN client software from your account. You just need to click on "Download VyprVPN" under the Dashboard tab:

Step 3: Connect
Once the client software is installed and launched, all you will need to do is click on CONNECT and enter your login/password.

Step 4: Surf the web freely and anonymously
Once connected, you can now surf any blocked websites and nobody will know what you are visiting (including your boss, your internet provider, etc).

You may switch server location as often as you'd like to and you can also monitor in real-time your traffic speed.

Pricing
VyprVPN has a similar pricing compared to other VPNs like PureVPN or IPVanish (actually, it is even cheaper if you buy a 12-month plan).

There are 2 kinds of plans depending on the number of devices allowed. Here is a summary:

VyprVPN Basic (3 simultaneous devices): 9.95$ per month or 5$/month with an annual plan
VyprVPN Premium (5 simultaneous devices + Chameleon technology which is needed for China): 12.95$ per month or 6.67$/month with an annual plan

You can see more details by clicking on this link: VyprVPN Plans & Pricing.

For most people, 3 devices are normally enough (laptop and phone). This means that with just 60$ per year, you can have access to any blocked websites in Indonesia. You'll also enjoy stress-free web browsing, knowing that no one can find out about your online activities.

In case you want to cancel your subscription, you can do it for free after 7 days. If you take a monthly plan, you can cancel any time also.
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How to Watch Netflix in Indonesia? Unblock Netflix.

Netflix is not blocked by the Indonesian government, but it is blocked by Telkom (IndiHome), a government-owned company and one of the largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country.

The reason behind the blocking is simply that they have shares in Netflix's Asian competitor, iFlix and therefore they want to force you to subscribe to their own service.

If you haven't chosen your internet service provider yet, try to avoid Telkom, and choose instead a company like First Media, Indosat or Biznet.

Unfortunately, some people cannot choose their providers due to their building management or owner restrictions. If you are in Indonesia only for a short time, on business or on holiday, you may also not be at liberty to avoid Telkom.

If you are stuck with IndiHome and your Netflix account refuses to connect, don't worry as there is an easy solution: All you need to do is to subscribe to a VPN. It isn't free, but still very cheap (under 5$ per month) and extremely useful if you also care about your privacy online. Read about the benefits of using a VPN here: Best VPNs for Indonesia.

I suggest VyprVPN as I can guarantee it works well to unblock Netflix in Indonesia. I've been using it for over 2 years and never had any issues. I need to reconnect from time to time, or to change servers, but it doesn't really bother me.
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To make it work perfectly, you need to modify the settings a little bit. Let me show you how to install it and make it ready to watch Netflix:
You need to subscribe to VyprVPN. You have a 3-day free trial using this link (which also gives you 3 months free on annual accounts).

The price is reasonable, starting at $3.75/month if you subscribe to a yearly plan. You can pay by Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Paypal and Alipays.

Second Step:
Once you have subscribed, you can login to your account and download the software VyprVPN on your desired device:

Third Step:
Once you have downloaded the software or the app, open it on your device and login with your VyprVPN credentials. They were sent to your email at the time of your subscription.

Fourth Step:
Once logged in, go to VyprVPN --> Preferences --> Protocol:
Make sure you select Chameleon whenever you want to unblock Netflix in Indonesia. The rest of the time, you can select OpenVPN only.

Fifth Step:
On the main interface, change your location to any of the servers in the US. Again, if you are not watching Netflix, it is better to select a server in Indonesia or Asia as they will be faster.

Troubleshooting:
- You should now be able to watch Netflix US, just as if you were in your home country. The connection will sometimes drop, so you can solve this problem by simply ticking the button "automatically reconnect" in VyprVPN --> Preferences --> Connection
- Another problem you could be facing is that a server might get temporarily blocked by Netflix. In that case, just try another server. For instance, choose Miami instead of Chicago.

Conclusion: About Watching Netflix in Indonesia
Even if your ISP is not blocking Netflix, it can be useful to have a VPN as it will allow you to bypass regional restrictions and see more TV shows and movies.

Do you know other VPN that work to unblock Netflix in Indonesia? If yes, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below.
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12 Best Online Dating Sites and Apps in Vietnam (2019)

Meeting a girl in Vietnam has never been easier thanks to the Internet. Plenty of dating websites and apps have been launched in the past 10 years, giving you access to thousands of single Vietnamese girls from all backgrounds.

For guys, Vietnam is like a treasure chest. Just upload a few decent pictures of yourself, write an interesting profile, and you are normally guaranteed to match with hundreds of pretty and smart girls.

There is a catch, though:

95% of Vietnamese girls are looking for serious relationships, so forget about easy one night stands. It may happen from time to time, but that's not the best country for that (check my article Best Countries to Meet Girls in Asia).

I've used all the dating apps and sites available in Vietnam. In this article, I'll tell you which ones work the best, whether you are an expat, a traveler, a Vietnamese or even someone who's never been in the country.


Should You Pay for A Dating Site?
All the websites mentioned below are free, but you generally have to pay to access special features.

If you are new to Vietnam or if you are only staying for a few days, I strongly recommend you to pay as it will allow you to get matches much faster. It is also the best way to talk to the prettiest and most interesting girls on those sites.

For instance, with Vietnam Cupid, the free version limits you to chatting with girls you've matched with. By becoming a member, you can instead send a message to whoever you want on the site, even girls who haven't seen your profile yet.

VietnamCupid.com (For Guys 30+ Living Outside Vietnam)
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On most dating sites, girls are often reluctant to meet with guys who are not living in Vietnam. They will think that they are only looking for one-night stands, and not ready to commit.

On VietnamCupid, things are a bit different. There, the majority of male users are foreigners living abroad. So girls on the site are not surprised if you tell them you are based in the US, and they won't mind chatting with you.

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam in the next few weeks, VietnamCupid would be my first recommendation.

The website has a LOT of active female profiles. Usually, there are at least a thousand girls online at the same time, but the number can reach 2,000. On the other side, there aren't that many males, so it is quite easy to get a reply to your messages.

I also notice that Vietnamese girls there do not mind a large age difference. Even if you are above 40, you can still find someone in her 20s willing to be your girlfriend.

You can sign up to Vietnam Cupid for free, then upgrade to a paying account if you see some interesting profiles. The prices start at 9$ for a yearly plan or 25$ for a monthly plan.

Pros:
➝ Between 1000-2000 online Vietnamese girls
➝ High ratio of girls to guys
➝ You can search for girls elsewhere in Asia or in the World (Very useful if you travel around)
➝ A large diversity of girls who can usually speak English
➝ Foreigner friendly
➝ Detailed profiles make it less superficial compared with Tinder

Cons:
➝ Without paying, you can only chat with girls you've matched with
➝ Only desktop site

OkCupid is the second website I used the most in Vietnam. I was generally matching with plenty of girls there, even though after a few days there were very few new profiles.

What I liked was that all my matches were normal girls (not prostitutes or scams) with a day job and a fair level of English. They were a bit older than on VietnamCupid, though. Very few initiated a conversation, and when I told them I didn't live in Vietnam, they would lose interest.

Pros:
➝ Mostly free
➝ Both an app and a website
➝ A good number of matches
➝ Girls profiles usually come with a good description

Cons:
➝ A limited number of girls online
➝ Confusing design and functionality
➝ Too many questions to answer to start using it. For instance, they even ask if you are masturbating:
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One of the questions asked by OkCupid when filling a profile
Skout is a bit like OkCupid, except with more ads and a poorer design. If you don't mind it, the main draw of this website is that it is free to message whoever you want.

Pros:
➝ Mostly free
➝ Both an app and a website
➝ A good number of matches

Cons:
➝ A limited number of girls online
➝ Confusing design and functionality
➝ Many prostitutes and fakes
➝ Many issues with the website: Photos not loading, impossible to change the location

Badoo
Badoo used to be great: It was free with plenty of girls from all backgrounds. Nowadays, I don't use it often as I rarely match with anyone. I suspect that there are too many guys who are paying for premium features ("Get Shown More", "Rise Up to First Place", "Get Featured", etc) so that as a free user, your profile remains invisible. There are also way too many prostitutes and fake profiles.

Pros:
➝ Lots of girls online
➝ Fun, colorful website interface with large photos (but also more slow to load)
➝ Both a website and an app with geo-localization
➝ You can send messages to 5 girls per day for free and you "like" as many as you want
➝ Cheaper than other websites

Cons:
➝ Too many fake accounts, scams, and prostitutes
➝ English proficiency of girls is average
➝ Too much competition from other guys => Low reply rate and match rate

Tinder (Disappointing if you don't pay)
Tinder has become so crowded with men that I don't recommend it anymore for Vietnam. 5 years ago, I would get on average 20-30 matches a day (out of 50 possible likes), while today I'm happy if I get 10.

I'm not 100% sure I can explain this change. Maybe I got older. Or maybe there are too many guys who boost their profiles. This feature cost about 3-4$, and it makes a profile appear more frequently within an area for about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this means the profiles of those not using a boost will appear less frequently.

I would be happy to pay, but I see that girls can be quite slow to reply to messages, and when they do, they rarely engage in a meaningful conversation.

Pros:
➝ A large number of users
➝ Free to message girls you've matched with
➝ Easy to use
➝ Interesting paying feature but expensive: To upgrade to Gold profile and buy a few boosts, you'll easily need 35$ per month.

Cons:
➝ No hookup culture in Vietnam
➝ Impossible to see which girls are online
➝ You need to match with a girl before talking to her
➝ You cannot like more than 50 girls per day (or you must pay)
➝ Girls on Tinder generally want a guy who lives in Vietnam: Not an app for tourists.
➝ Low response rate or low-quality discussions

You can also read my article: 10 Reasons You Are Failing at Tinder

Bumble (Limited Number of Profiles)
Bumble works well in some Asian countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand or Indonesia. In Vietnam, it is still relatively unknown and you'll only see about a hundred girls online.

It is one of my favorite dating apps because girls have to message the guys first. That saves me from having to find a pickup line other than my usual "Hi, how are you". Another feature is that you need to reply within 24 hours, otherwise the match disappears.

Girls on Bumble are generally the most educated. In particular, you have a lot of Vietnamese girls who have studied abroad in the US, the UK or Australia.

Pros:
➝ Many upper-class girls with a good education
➝ Many foreign girls
➝ Girls have to send the first message

Cons:
➝ No desktop version, so you must chat with the girls on your phone
➝ Not too many profiles

WeChat (Prostitutes and Ladyboys)
The "look around" feature of WeChat lets you see some profiles around your area. It used to be interesting to meet girls, but nowadays all you have are ladyboys and massage services. Beware as the profile pics are often fake.

Pros:
➝ Free to use
➝ You can see people who are very near to you

Cons:
➝ Very few normal girls

Coffee Meet Bagel (Mobile app and website)
This app is mostly free. While not very famous in Vietnam, I still managed to get a few interesting matches there in just a couple of days.

Pros:
➝ Free
➝ Daily selection of matches
➝ Personal ice-breakers to help you start a conversation

Cons:
➝ Only a limited number of profiles

Adult Friend Finder
If you are only looking for sex (and preferably with open-minded girls), Adult Friend Finder is the best website around. It targets libertine men and women who are into casual hook-up, partner swapping, BDSM, cuckolding, swinging, orgies, etc.

There are naturally much more guys than girls on the website. Yet, one of my best friends uses it and he successfully met a fair number of girls. It also works very well if you are a couple looking for other couples.

Note that the website might be blocked by the government. In that case, you'll need to download a VPN to access it. I've written an article here Best VPN in Vietnam to help you with it.

Pros:
➝ Number 1 site for finding sex partners
➝ High number of members all over the world
The free version lets you see the profiles of other members

Cons:
➝ 10/1 guys to girls ratio
➝ Expensive
If you are wealthy and you are looking for a really hot/smart girlfriend, SeekingArrangement is a great option. As the leading sugar daddy/sugar baby website in the world, it has a decent selection of Vietnamese girls who want a relationship with a rich guy.

Pros:
➝ Very pretty and hot girls that are easier to date (if you are willing to sponsor them)
➝ High reply rate to messages
➝ Works well even if you are traveling to Vietnam for a short time
➝ Straight-forward, you know what to expect from the beginning

Cons:
➝ Expensive

Paktor
I've never really tested the full potential of Paktor as I did not pay for any of their premium features (quite pricey at SGD39.99/month). I saw that there are some interesting profiles, but the free version doesn't let you chat easily with them.

Overall, I find it a bit complicated, with many features and pop-ups that seem useless.

Pros:
➝ Fun design
➝ Younger girl from the upper-class

Cons:
➝ The free version is too limited
➝ It seems to target younger people, Asian-Chinese.
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20 Best Cities for Nightlife in Asia (2019)

I've spent most of the past two years trying the nightlife of various Asian cities, from Indonesia to Kazakhstan. I've written individual reports for most of them (see the tag Asia Nightlife), but I thought it could be useful to make a brief summary recapitulating everything I've learned.

Based on my travels, these are my 20 favorite cities for partying in Asia (I ranked them by order of preference):

Metro Manila
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Revel Nightclub in Manila
I spent three weeks in Metro Manila (Makati, Malate, Quezon City). It has become one of my favorite metropolises for nightlife due to several factors: Prices are affordable, nightclubs and bars abound, girls are exceptionally pretty, Filipinos are friendly and tourists are still rare.

Note: I haven't been to Manila since Duterte became president. The atmosphere might have changed since.

In a nutshell:
⛔ What you will hate: Safety issues in low-class neighborhoods, crazy war on drug, traffic jams, slow internet, conservative society (Catholic), disappointing food

✅ What you will love: Gorgeous girls, cheap prices on alcohol, English is spoken everywhere, large diversity of entertainment venues, midget boxing, 24-hour casinos

Number of nightclubs
: 25
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Cheap
Meeting Girls: Easy (FilipinaCupid)
Prostitution: Moderate (in Malate, Makati, Pasay)
Where to party: Makati, BGC (Bonifacio Global City), The Fort, Quezon City
Where to stay: Makati

For a complete review, you can read Manila Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars.

Saigon
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Ladies night in Lush
I lived in Saigon for 8 months in 2015 and I loved it. As the economic capital of Vietnam, it is one of the most happening and fastest-paced cities in Southeast Asia. It is also quite touristy and popular with young Westerners. Its nightlife could be perfect if only Vietnamese clubs were more welcoming toward foreigners.

In a nutshell:
⛔ What you will hate: Traffic jams, very hot during intermediate season, some difficulties to communicate with Vietnamese

✅ What you will love: Cheap, diverse, beautiful girls, delicious food, Vietnamese people (smart, educated, hard-working, big drinkers), 24-hour massage parlors

Number of nightclubs: 30
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Low
Prostitution: High (Massage Parlours in Saigon)
Where to Party: District 1 - Read my article 12 Best Nightclubs in Saigon to Meet Girls
Where to stay: Near Ben Thanh Market

For a complete review, you can read Saigon Nightlife.

Jakarta
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Dragonfly in Jakarta
Jakarta nightlife is not as crazy as it used to be 10 years ago (24-hour clubs where everything was permitted), but it is still really fun, especially if you know your way around.

In a nutshell:
⛔ What you will hate: Massive traffic jams, difficulties to walk around, 200% tax on alcohol, commercial music almost everywhere, growing conservatism.

✅ What you will love: Safe to visit, plenty of attractive girls, modern clubs, hipster bars, friendly people, off-the-beaten-track destination.

Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: Expensive (10$ for a cocktail, 4$ for a beer, up to 25$ for an entrance in the best clubs)
Meeting Girls: Easy (IndonesiaCupid)
Prostitution: High
Where to Party? See my guide Party Areas in Jakarta
Where to stay? See my guide Where to Stay in Jakarta

For a complete review, you can read Jakarta Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars.

I've always felt that Bangkok nightlife was overrated. This has been particularly true in the past 3 years after the new government issued stricter regulations on nightclubs. Still, it remains an interesting option for the least adventurous travelers.

In a nutshell:
⛔ What you will hate: Touristy, early curfew. Difficult to differentiate between ladyboys, prostitutes and normal girls

✅ What you will love: Busy every night, foreigner-friendly, lots of beautiful girls, cheap prices on almost everything (hotels, food, drinks, transport, etc).

Number of nightclubs: At least 30
Curfew: 1 AM
Prices: Low (5$ for a cocktail, 2$ for a beer, 15$ for an entrance in the best clubs)
Meeting Girls: Moderately easy (ThaiCupid) - Lots of competition from other guys.
Prostitution: High (in Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, Patpong)
Where to Party: Sukhumvit, Thonglor, RCA
Where to stay: Near Asok BTS

For a complete review, you can read 30 Best Nightclubs in Bangkok.

Shanghai
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Bar Rouge is the best party spot in Shanghai
As one of the fastest developing cities in the world, Shanghai is an amazing destination for extravagant parties. It is not a solo destination, though, as most nightclubs are geared towards bottle service. Perfect for a stag or a weekend with a group of friends.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Too many bottle clubs, rather expensive, daily annoyances from government restrictions.

✅ Huge diversity of clubs, easy to get around, small underground scene, interesting crowd of expats and locals, hot girls aplenty

Tip: Subscribe to a VPN service BEFORE arriving in China if you want to keep using Google, Facebook, etc. The most recommended for China is VyprVPN.

Number of nightclubs: 40
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Average (15-20$ for club entrance)
Meeting Girls: Average
Prostitution: Discreet (KTVs, online, spas)
Where to Party: Hengshan road, Xintiandi
Where to stay: Near Shanghai Library Station

Few people would think about Taipei for a party weekend, and yet they are wrong. The Taiwan capital is home to a wild nightlife, with plenty of sophisticated nightclubs and bars. The locals are welcoming towards foreigners, the prices are reasonable, and you can go almost everywhere by foot. One more thing: They have the most amazing sexy dancers I've seen in Asia.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Nightclubs are only happening on weekends and, to a lesser extent, on Wednesdays.

✅ Taiwanese are foreigner-friendly, prices are moderate (free flow nightclubs available), few tourists around, easy to get around.

Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: Moderate (free flow nightclubs available)
Meeting Girls: Moderate (Tinder)
Prostitution: Low
Where to Party: ATT4FUN, NEO19
Where to stay: Near Taipei 101 MRT

For a complete review, you can read Taiwan Nightlife Guide

Singapore
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Bang Bang Nightclub
If it didn't cost 10 euros to buy a beer there, Singapore could be much higher in this ranking. There are dozens of stylish bars and clubs, with an excellent crowd and often famous DJs. Another interesting feature is that you can meet girls from all over the world, from an American banker to a Filipino maid.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Too expensive, more challenging with girls, quite tame, too many rules

✅ Diversity (Indian clubs, Arab clubs, Chinese clubs, Western clubs, Thai clubs, etc), quality DJs, stylish venues, comfortable city, amazing Ladies' nights (usually on Wednesdays)

Number of nightclubs: 25
Curfew: 3-4 AM Prices: Very expensive
Meeting Girls: Moderate (Tinder, Paktor)
Prostitution: Moderate (in Geylang, in Orchard Tower, online prostitution, "health centers".
Where to Party: Chinatown, Clarke Quay
Where to stay: Near Orchard MRT

For a complete review, you can read Singapore Nightlife Guide

Hong Kong
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The Lan Kwai Fong area is filled with party-goers at night
A world-class city, a bit more stylish than Singapore, with a plethora of bars and lounges. Some good clubs as well, very international yet with a strong Chinese influence.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Expensive, limited nightlife on weekdays, average-looking women (as Americans would say: No offense).

✅ Cosmopolitan crowd, sophisticated venues, crazy red-light district.

Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: Moderate (free flow nightclubs available)
Meeting Girls: Moderate (Tinder)
Prostitution: High (Wanchai)
Where to Party: Lan Kwai Fong, Wanchai
Where to stay: Near MRT Central

Bali: Kuta to Seminyak Area
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Clubbing in Jenja Bali
Bali nightlife is mostly located in the south of the island. Kuta is touristy, cheap and tacky, while Seminyak is more sophisticated and popular with long-term residents. You can have a lot of fun, especially if you decide to rent a big villa for a crazy weekend with friends. After that, it can get a bit boring as you always see and meet the same people over and over.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Bali is surprisingly small and it can sometimes feel like a village.

✅ The diversity of clubs and bars (EDM, techno, Rn'B, etc).

Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew:  5 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting girls: Easy
Prostitution: Growing (see Is Bali Becoming A Sex Tourist Destination?).
Where to party: Jalan Oberoi (Seminyak) or near Sky Garden (Kuta)
Where to stay: Near Jalan Oberoi or near Sky Garden

For a complete review, you can check: Where to Party in Bali: A Complete Nightlife Guide

Hanoi is not very different from Saigon, to be honest. It is also very touristy and its nightlife is not as conservative as you would think.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Unbearable heat and humidity most of the year (from April to November), loud music in nightclubs, some tourist scams, conservative people

✅ Interesting city to visit, many young foreigners (including Western girls), very cheap (10 cents for a beer)

Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 3 AM
Prices: Low
Meeting Girls: Easy (VietnamCupid)
Prostitution: High (Massage Parlours in Hanoi)
Where to Party: Old Quarter, West Lake
Where to stay: Near the Saint Joseph Cathedral

For a complete review, you can read Hanoi Nightlife Guide

Almaty
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TSB - My favorite club in Almaty
Almaty was a great surprise for me. I was initially just passing by while traveling in Central Asia but I ended up staying two weeks. The city is safe, pleasant (at least during spring) and cheap. It has an awesome and fun nightlife too, easily the best in the region.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Only happening on weekends, freezing temperatures in winter, girls can be a bit conservative (though interested to meet with foreigners).

✅ Cheap everything, stunning girls (mix of Asian and Russian), interesting underground scene

Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Cheap
Meeting Girls: Easy (Tinder, Mamba)
Prostitution: Average
Where to Party: Around the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and Gogol Street
Where to stay: Near Panfilovtsev Park

For a complete review, you can check: Almaty Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs

Phnom Penh
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Pontoon Club in Phnom Penh
Due to a mix of poverty and corruption, Phnom Penh's nightlife is still one of the craziest in Southeast Asia (though it has been tamed in recent years). It is a popular stop for sex tourist, especially the older and poorer ones.  There is also a nascent upmarket and expat scene that is interesting enough for a weekend of clubbing.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Too much prostitution (it's hard to meet normal girls). The city is still underdeveloped, messy and dirty.

✅ Very cheap prices. Laidback vibe. Interesting city to visit as a tourist (temples, markets, museums).

Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew:  5-6 AM
Prices: Cheap
Meeting girls: Easy but many prostitutes
Prostitution: High
Where to party: Street 51 (Pasteur) near Pontoon. For hostess bars, streets 104, 130, 136. 
Where to stay: Near Cardamom HotelLux Riverside or Sun & Moon Urban Hotel.

For a complete review, you can check Phnom Penh Nightlife.

Phuket
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Seduction Club in Patong
I wouldn't spend a week in Phuket, but for a short weekend, it is fun enough. Most of the nightlife is located in the coastal town of Patong, along Bangla street. You have a bit of everything, including some trendy nightclubs and dirty ping pong shows.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Lots of tourists (and not the best kind), prostitution, ladyboys, crowded beach, scams

✅ Everything walking distance, party every night, mixed crowd, reasonable prices

Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew:  5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting girls: Rather difficult to meet non-prostitute. Try ThaiCupid.
Prostitution: Everywhere
Where to party: Bangla Road
Where to stay: Near Bangla Road

For a complete review, you can check: Patong Nightlife (Phuket)

Cebu is one of the richest and most populous cities in the Philippines. It is also the capital of a beautiful region, popular yet not overcrowded with tourists. Its nightlife is particularly recommended if you are hoping to find a pretty Asian girlfriend. Many Filipinas live there by themselves because they work in one of the numerous calls centers or BPOs.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Becoming more touristy (especially among Koreans), rather small and provincial.

✅ Great for meeting girls, laid-back, cheap, plenty of tourist excursions nearby.

Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Cheap
Meeting Girls: Easy (FilipinaCupid)
Prostitution: Important
Where to Party: Mango Square, Mango Avenue
Where to stay: Near Mango Square

For a complete review, you can check: 10 Best Nightclubs in Cebu

Pattaya does not have many equivalents in the world. The city has over a thousand bars and probably 10 times as many prostitutes. It is just a huge, 24/7, bordello for sex tourists from all over the world. If you are a regular tourist, you may be amused by it for a few nights, but after that, you'll be begging for a ticket back home.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Seedy atmosphere, very commercial, dirty beach.

✅ You have to see it once to believe it. Crazy clubs, crazy people, crazy nights. Cheap. Gorgeous girls (none for free).

Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew:  5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting girls: Almost impossible to meet a non-prostitute
Prostitution: Everywhere
Where to party: Walking street, Soi LK Metro
Where to stay: Near Central Festival Beach Mall

For a complete review, you can check: Pattaya Nightlife: Clubs, Bars, Gogo, Hotels

Kuala Lumpur
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Zouk Club in the TREC complex
Kuala Lumpur nightlife has some interesting aspects, but it is far from being my favorite. I've always felt uncomfortable there, as if partying was only tolerated but not really embraced. I also had a couple of bad experiences with locals, especially young and rich Malay kids.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Conservative mentality, racial tensions, limited number of clubs

✅ Affordable, conveniently located in two major areas, easy to get around.

Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting Girl: Average
Prostitution: Average
Where to Party: TREC, Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
Where to stay: Near Sungei Wang Plaza

For a complete review, you can check: KL Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs

I lived in Koh Phangan for about 6 months in 2013. This gave me plenty of opportunities to try the famous Full Moon Party (and its sisters: Half Moon Party, Dark Moon Party, Jungle Party). It was not as wild as I was expecting and I quickly got sick of the backpacker crowd, but I still think it's worth trying it once.

For more sophisticated nights out, I also stopped a few times on the nearby island of Koh Samui. There are more proper nightclubs there (atmosphere similar to Phuket).

In a nutshell:
⛔ Fake alcohol, touristy, cost of living higher than on the mainland, a lot more men than women, expensive hotels during full moon parties (book in advance).

✅ Great beaches, massive parties, easy access to some drugs, easy to meet fellow travelers (in the 20-25 range)

Number of nightclubs: 5
Curfew:  5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting girls: Mostly Westerners. Not so easy.
Prostitution: Average. Mostly in the form of massage parlors.
Where to party: Haad Rin Beach (Koh Phangan), Chaweng (Koh Samui)
Where to stay: Haad Rin (Koh Phangan), Chaweng Walking Street (Koh Samui)

Vang Vieng
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For unknown reasons, Koreans love to party in Vang Vieng
Even though Vang Vieng is only a tiny town in the middle of Laos, it used to have some of the craziest parties in Southeast Asia. A major reason for that was the availability of drugs. Things have changed in the past 5 years, unfortunately, after several tourists died. There is still a fun nightlife, split in a few open-air bars that attract young backpackers (Europeans and Koreans).

In a nutshell:
⛔ Small, low-class, repetitive, prices above than average.

✅ The best place to party in Laos, many wild Western girls, easy to get around, some drugs still sold openly.

Number of nightclubs: 3
Curfew:  3-7 AM
Prices: Low to moderate (as elsewhere in Laos)
Meeting girls: Maybe the best place in Southeast Asia to meet Western girls (a lot of British, Canadian, American, Nordic, etc).
Prostitution: Small
Where to party: Start in Sakura Bar, then move to Viva, then to Room 101.
Where to stay: Near the Post Office

For a complete review, you can check: Vang Vieng Nightlife

Chiang Mai
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Zoe in Yellow is the place to go for backpackers
Chiang Mai does not have a big reputation for nightlife, and yet I had some of my most memorable nights there. One of the reasons for that is the high concentration of girls, either foreign backpackers or Thai students. In the meantime, there aren't that many guys, probably because they all got stuck in Bangkok.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Provincial, very early curfew, not many venues (mostly Thai live music).

✅ Easy to meet girls, very cheap, interesting tourist sights in the city.

Number of nightclubs: 5
Curfew:  1 AM
Prices: Cheap
Meeting girls: Easy with both Western girls and Thai girls
Prostitution: Small
Where to party: Nimman (Thai area), Old City (Tourist area), Loi Kroh (Lady bars)
Where to stay: Near Tha Phae Gate.

For a complete review, you can check: Chiang Mai Nightlife

Gili Trawangan is the only Thai-style, backpacker party island in Indonesia. It's great if you want to meet Western girls, drink cheap beers and try magic mushrooms. During the day, there isn't much to do apart from suntanning and diving.

In a nutshell:
⛔ Low-class, very young foreigners. Overcrowded. Accommodation more expensive than in Bali.

✅ More Western girls than anywhere else in Indonesia. Mushrooms and marijuana easily available. Some beautiful beaches.

Number of nightclubs: 4
Curfew:  5 AM
Prices: Average
Meeting girls: Moderate (Western girls mostly)
Prostitution: Small
Where to party: Between the Pier and Villa Ombak Hotel.
Where to stay: Backpackers: Stay in party hostels like Gili Castle or Broken Compass. If you have money, try instead Scallywags Resort.

For a complete review, you can check: Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Lombok
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Arrack and Spices - Bar & Restaurant - Jakarta

Located in Menara Rajawali (opposite Loewy), Arrack and Spice is one of the newest openings in Mega Kuningan.

It is owned by the people behind the successful Hause, a trendy rooftop bar and restaurant set amid a cute garden in MD Plaza Tower (Kuningan).

Arrack and Spice is a more formal venue, but it shares some similarities with Hause: Experimental food and drinks, tasteful design, regular events, and an overall willingness to appeal to millennials (for instance by offering healthy and vegetarian dishes).

It is split in three different areas:


The Restaurant
The restaurant occupies most of the space, with a seating capacity of around 40 pax. It is nicely decorated, with a retro colonial touch, without being too extravagant.

The food is inspired by the Silk Road, combining ingredients that can be found along the way between Europe and Asia. Most dishes in their menu will sound familiar, but they will often have a unique fusion twist.

For instance, their Oxtail Risotto is made using a local spicy sauce, Sambal Hijau:
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Oxtail Risotto with Arborio Rice, Australian Oxtail, Sambal Hijau
Some of the other food and drinks I tried were the following:
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Appetizer made from Chickpeas, Coriander, Green Chilli, Shallots, Mint and Chutney
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Khao Soi Noodles (from Myanmar/North Thailand)
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Iced Spiced Coffee
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Iced Spiced Tea
The Bar
It is rather small and intimate, perfect for casual drinks after work or for a date. They have themed nights on most evenings, from live acoustic sessions to DJ sets. You can check their schedule on Instagram (see below).
 Regarding the drinks, I recommend you to try one of their signature cocktails such as:
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Ibu Kartini Cocktail: Reposado, Galanga Islay Reduction, Tamarind, Citrus, Orange
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Pak Raden Cocktail: Mesoyi Rum, Marquisa, Kacang Ijo, Citrus, Angostura.
The Laboratory
This "secret room" is on the second floor of Arrack and Spice. This is where you can see how they make some of their cocktails and, even better, try a few of them. It was not operating when I visited (ramadan + lunch time), but the equipment is impressive!
This space can be rented out for a private event, and it is also used for their movie nights.

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 7.30am to 12am (9am to 2am on weekends) for the restaurant. The bar opens starting 12pm until close.

Arrack and Spice
GF, Menara Rajawali
Jalan Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde,
Mega Kuningan, Lot 1-5,
South Jakarta 12910
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Doha Nightlife (Qatar): Best Bars and Nightclubs (2019)

At first sight, Doha, the capital of Qatar, may not seem like the best place for nightlife: Alcohol is hard to buy and ridiculously expensive. There is a strong gender imbalance in bars, with much more guys than girls. Pre-marital sex and adultery are both punishable offenses, and you are not even allowed to speak or to hang out with Qatari women.

Despite all these restrictions, it is still possible to have fun, as long as you have enough money. Bottle service is often required in the best venues, so it is easy to spend USD500 in one evening.

If you are on a backpacker budget, just stay in your hostel and save your dollars for elsewhere. If you are on a business trip or an expat living in Qatar, read this guide and you will know everything there is to know about Doha nightlife.

Doha Nightlife Areas + Hotels
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Most of the bars and nightclubs in Doha are located in West Bay/ Diplomatic Area, near the beachfront.

Ideally, you should stay in one of the luxury hotels that has a busy bar/club, such as the Hilton, the Intercontinental, the Sheraton, the W, La Cigale, the Mondrian, JW Marriott, or Crowne Plaza (see below for the full list). All of these are girl-friendly.

If your budget is limited, try the girl-friendly Ezdan Hotel (US$60 per night). It is centrally located near the nightlife and the shopping centers, and it has a great swimming pool.

Another interesting hotel for nightlife is the Radisson Blu, a property with several popular bars. However, you cannot bring any guests to your room there and the location is a bit far from the West Bay / Diplomatic Area. A guest-friendly property nearby is Holiday Villa (US65$ per night).

Buying Alcohol in Qatar
As a foreigner, you have only two ways to purchase alcohol in Qatar:
- Go to a bar or a club (see the list below)
- Get a license from the government. In that case, your employer must give you authorization. Your license only allows you to buy from the one liquor store in Doha which is about 30 minutes from the city center. It is a bit cheaper than the bars but still expensive (400 QR for a 24-pack of Heineken).

Note: You are not allowed to import the bottles that you bought at the airport's duty-free.

Meeting Girls in Qatar
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Filipinas in Doha
Being a single guy in Qatar sucks.

The local girls are typically wearing an abaya (a long, black body cloak) and a shayla (a scarf hiding the hair and the skin around the neck). They are not allowed to speak or hang out with foreigners (except within a professional environment), so forget about dating a Qatari woman.

There are some foreign expat girls, but much fewer than men. In particular, you have many Filipinas working as maids or as staff in shops/restaurants/hotels. They can be friendly but many will be afraid to date foreigners. Or they simply won't have enough time off from work to meet with you on a regular basis.

The online dating scene is pretty poor. Maybe half the profiles are prostitutes, and very few girls are attractive. On Tinder, you'll quickly run out of profiles to swipe after just a few days. You have some Qatar Airways flight attendants that are cute but they are not easy to date.

In the end, the guys who don't want to be alone often end up paying prostitutes. They are quite common in the hotel bars of Doha (Chinese, Russians, Eastern Europeans, Africans, Moroccans, Southeast Asians) or online on websites like Seeking Arrangement (for sugar babies).

Here are a few things you should know to prepare your nights out in Doha:

ID Compulsory
Whenever you visit a bar or a nightclub in Doha, you should always show your ID/passport. The minimum age to enter any bar/club is 21 years old.

Getting Around
Avoid local taxis as they are hard to get, expensive, and often dishonest. Uber works well and it is cheaper.

If you are contemplating a job in Qatar, make sure a driver is included in your package.

Price of Clubbing
It is very expensive to party in Doha, especially since a new "sin" tax has been applied to all alcoholic products (+100% tax).

In the top venues, you will often need to buy a membership of up to 200QR. Then, a beer will cost 50QR and a cocktail 80QR. If you want a table, be prepared to spend at least 1000-1500QR (that's the cost of just 1 bottle of liquor). Do check for happy hours, as they are often quite generous in Doha (up to 50% off).

There are some cheaper bars where prices are about 30-40% less than that (for instance in Radisson Blu Hotel, in Best Western Hotel, or in Horizon Manor Hotel.

Clubbing as a Woman
Most bars in Doha struggle to attract enough women. This is due to the fact that local women are not allowed to party, and also because most expats in Qatar are men (working in engineers, oil & gas, construction).

Because of that, there are often some very generous ladies nights in Doha. Just check the Facebook page of the bars mentioned below to find one. Typically, you will get 2 free drinks before midnight.

Also, since many bars require men to be accompanied by women, you can easily enter for free anywhere if you just wait long enough near the entrance. There are always some guys who need a +1.

Dress Code
You should always wear closed shoes, pants, and a shirt. Women cannot wear a hijab, and men cannot wear a traditional Qatari outfit.

When to Party
You should remember that the weekend in Qatar is on Friday and Saturday instead of Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, Saturday night is not the main party night. 

Clubs and bars are generally most busy from 11PM to 1AM. They are all closed by 2AM.

During Ramadan and religious holidays, Doha nightlife is completely dead. All bars are closed, and it is impossible to buy alcohol from anywhere.

Nationalities/Ethnicities
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There are many "ethnic" nights in Doha nightclubs - Here a Bollywood party
If your skin is dark, you may find it more difficult to get in the top nightclubs in Doha. There is certainly a bit of racism against Africans and Southern Indians.

Overall, the nightlife in Doha is segmented. People from different ethnicities or social backgrounds don't really mix together: Arabs stay with Arabs, Indians with Indians, Westerners with Westerners, rich with rich, etc. For this reason, many bars have special "ethnic" nights that target a specific crowd: Arabs, Filipinos, Blacks, Latin, Indians, etc.

Weekly and monthly events:
A good way to know the schedule of upcoming guest DJs and special parties is to check the Facebook page of Night Out Qatar.

You can also read Doha By Nights, 24/7 Events, A1 and Doha Gossip.

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Doha
As I mentioned before, almost all the bars and nightclubs in Doha are located in 5-star hotels. Here are the best ones:

Society Lounge in Hilton

Located on the rooftop of the Hilton, Society Lounge is an upscale venue, partly outdoor, with a large bar in the middle and sofas on the side. Since it can get too hot during summer, it is only open during the cooler months from November to April.

It is often packed, so the management has a very strict door policy: As a guy, you should dress well and bring a girl with you. You also must pay a 150QR membership fee. Expect to queue to get in. The crowd consists of 70% guys, mostly in their 40s, from all over the world (Arabs, Indians, Europeans, etc). Some very pretty Eastern European girls might be prostitutes.

Music is EDM/RnB (check the schedule on their Instagram). A few famous DJs and artists have performed there. You also have dance shows. Overall, it's a bit pretentious in my opinion.

There are more bars in Hilton like Shots (for watching sports) and Trader's Vic (open-air, Hawaiian-themed).

Oxygene Club and Sky View in La Cigale Hotel
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Dance show in Oxygene
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Oxygene nightclub
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Girls in Oxygene Doha
La Cigale Hotel is home to the famous Oxygene Club. It is a large venue, similar to Society Lounge except it is indoor. The crowd is young and beautiful, with a decent number of girls (some of whom are pros). Strict door policy: Dress well and bring a lady with you. The best nights are on Tuesdays (Ladies night) and Fridays (RnB).

In the same hotel, you can also check Sky View, a high-end bar with a beautiful terrace (closed during summer) which is unfortunately very hard to get in. You will need to make a reservation, to pay 200 QR, and to be accompanied by a woman.
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Terrace in Sky View
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Indoor bar in Sky View
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"Sexy" dancers in Sky View
Crystal Lounge and Wahm in W Hotel
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Crystal Lounge in W
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Partying in W Hotel Doha
Crystal Lounge is usually the first venue people will recommend if you ask them about Doha nightlife. It is a medium-sized club, recently renovated, with a long bar, sofas on the side, and unfortunately very little space for dancing. Entrance for hotel guests is free. For the others, it depends. A membership of 200 QR may be required, but they seem to have dropped it recently.

They have a different theme every night (Latin on Monday, RnB on Tuesday, Arab on Saturday, Slavic on Sunday, etc). Ladies night is on Tuesdays. Their resident DJs are quite famous in Doha, and they invite famous guest DJs once in a while. It is reasonably crowded, and you have about 30-40% of women (including many Qatar Airways flight attendants and probably some high-end hookers).

If you are a single guy, you will probably be required to be accompanied by a girl. For this reason, Crystal is more recommended for groups of friends planning to order bottle service.

Inside W Hotel, there is also a nice lounge bar/restaurant called Wahm. It is partly outdoor, with a nice patio next to the pool. The atmosphere is chic and you always have a good crowd. DJs mix from Wednesday to Friday, and you have a daily happy hour from 5PM to 8PM. The beer is 50 QR and cocktails 80QR.

This pub has a crowded Rn'B night every first Thursday of the month, with 3 free drinks for all girls. It's worth going if you happen to be in Doha on that day. The other days, it is an OK bar with a clean and comfortable setting.

They have live music, comfort food, and flat-screen TVs to watch sports. Entrance costs 100QR after 8PM (for men). There are some normal girls and some prostitutes.

During the winter months, there is a great open-air party every Friday, called The Backyard, in the garden of the Sheraton Hotel. Check this page for more information.
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The Backyard Party in Sheraton Doha
The Den, Champions Bar, and Glo in City Center Mall
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Glo Bar
City Center Mall has two luxury hotels: JW Marriott (previously under the brand Shangri-La) and Marriott. In this complex, you can find 3 bars:

Champions is a popular sports bars but it has nothing special. It is reasonably priced during happy hours from 5PM to 8PM (39QR for a pint of Heineken).

The Den is a classic venue, quite elegant, with live music from Wednesday to Friday. Happy hour from 5PM to 9PM (45QR per drinks). Good band, laid-back music (Latin/jazzy/pop). The whole bar is non-smoking.

Finally, you can also visit Glo Cocktail Bar. It is larger and more like a club, with various themed nights every day of the week (African, old school, Bollywood, hip-hop, etc). They give free drinks to ladies from 9PM to midnight on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Qube and Orion in Radisson Blu
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Live music in Qube
The Radisson Blu is infamous for having several bars with prostitutes. While Shehrazad Sports Bar and The Library are quiet, Orion and Qube are where the action is.

Orion Bar occupies the 9th floor of the older Radisson Blu building. It is a rather classy place, yet with reasonable prices. The music is not too loud so it's better to choose there if you are only looking for a casual drink.

Qube is more like a club. It is louder, with a live band playing pop/rock songs. It has a 90QR membership fee.

In both these venues, it is very likely that prostitutes will approach you (Chinese or Africans). They generally charge around 1000QR. Since Radisson Blu is not girl-friendly, they may take you to their apartments, or to a short-time hotel.

This sports bar is a cheaper version of Irish Harp (you can get a beer for 30QR and there is no entrance fee/membership fee). Decent pub fare. Live band every day. Live sports on screens. Quite friendly and recommended to meet other expats.

The Horizon Manor Hotel has two more nightlife venues: Fahrenheit and Wonderbuzz.

MankoLava and Paloma in Intercontinental
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Manko Doha
The InterContinental Hotel Doha has several F&B venues with either DJs or live bands:
- Paloma is a Tex-Mex restaurant with live music most days of the week. Wednesday is ladies night (2 free drinks for girls until midnight) and Sunday is salsa night.
- Lava is a lounge next to Paloma. It feels a bit more intimate, with a central bar area and sofa seating in the corners. You can go to the terrace as well for a view of the swimming pool. Ladies night on Tuesday and Friday (2 free drinks). They have live DJs.
- Manko is their newest venue, and it is the sister restaurant of Manko Paris. It is a beautiful Peruvian lounge/restaurant, more upmarket, which targets a younger and trendier crowd. They have a French DJ and a chic Parisian interior design. Prices are reasonable (65 QR for a Pisco Sour Cocktail). Nice view.

Replacing Strata, this brand-new Cuban bar has live Latin music every night. Nice view of the city from the 55th floor of the hotel, and good food as well. For ladies, there is an all-you-can-drink promo (100QR) every Monday and Wednesday from 8PM to midnight. For guys, it is on Sundays and it costs 200QR. Daily happy hours from 5PM to 8PM.

Black Orchid and Rise in Mondrian Doha
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Black Orchid
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Girls in Black Orchid
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Salsa night in Rise
The Mondrian Hotel has a small membership-only nightclub, Black Orchid, which is only interesting on Thursdays (Rn'B nights) or on Sundays (Ladies night). It is quite elitist and not worth it unless you want to open a bottle with a group of friends (1,000QR minimum spend to reserve a table). Strict dress code.

Rise is in the same hotel. It is a sky bar with a beautiful view of The Pearl in Doha. You can go there on Friday for their salsa night which is quite busy and fun. Full schedule on their Instagram. 45 QR for a beer.

Vogue Club in Crowne Plaza West Bay
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African night in Vogue
Vogue Club has some "ethnic" nights that can be interesting for some. For instance, Monday is Arabic night, Tuesday is Latin night, Wednesday is African night and Thursday is Indian (Desi) night.

Illusion in Kempinski Marsa Malaz
This exclusive club has an impressive design, but it was empty when I visited. It seems Thursday (Rnb) and Friday (House) are the best nights to visit.

Midrange Hotels with Bars in Doha:
I didn't visit those bars but I heard they were OK. Many have a Filipino live band and a mixed crowd with mostly Indians/Filipinos. They can be less expensive than the ones listed above, and they do not require a membership fee:

Lux Lounge and Gravity in Gokulam Park Hotel
Club Manila (for the Filipino community) and Afro Wood Lounge Bar (for the African community with Reggae, Dancehall, Rumba) are both in the hotel Al Mansour Plaza.
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Why Porn Websites Are Blocked in Qatar (and How to Unblock them)?

If you've tried to access a porn website while in Qatar/Doha, you've probably been seen the following message:
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"The webpage you are trying to access has been blocked by Internet Qatar as the content contains materials which are prohibited in the State of Qatar"
This is actually part of a government effort to prevent Qataris to be exposed to obscene or indecent content. Considering Islam is the official religion of the country, it is hardly surprising they don't want you their citizens to access the thousands of adult sites available on the World Wide Web in just one click.

Unfortunately, some regular and inoffensive websites are also blocked, usually for political or religious reasons. For instance, if they criticize the government or if they promote atheism.

Finally, it might be difficult to access online gambling websites, torrent websites, as well as escort services.

How to Unblock Porn Sites in Qatar?
In any case, you should know that it is very easy to unblock them.

The solution is to simply use a VPN. Some are available for free, but they are slow and full of ads. Instead, I really recommend using a paid VPN. The price has become so cheap that you can buy one for as little as US2$ per month (PureVPN for instance).

If you are not sure about how a VPN works exactly, I will guide you step by step here. You only need 5 minutes to install one, and then you'll be able to surf the web freely and anonymously, just like in your home country.

What is a VPN?
A VPN is a software that you can download from the internet and install on your phone or computer. After you've launched it, you can simply connect your VPN to a server in a different country, and access any websites that are allowed in this country.

For instance, the VPN on my computer looks like this:
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Picture of my VPN on my laptop (I'm not connected yet)
By clicking on the "connect" button, my internet connection will transit anonymously to a server in France (or another country if I want to). From this moment on, blocked websites will be reachable as if I was physically located in France and using a French Internet Service Provider (ISP). Also, as the connection is encrypted by the VPN, your ISP in Qatar (usually state-owned Ooredo) will never know which websites you visit and you will be totally anonymous.

Choosing a VPN
Personally, I've been using VyprVPN for a few years already and I'm very happy with it.

I've tried maybe 5 other VPN brands before that which were OK. What really made the difference with VyprVPN is their proprietary Chameleon Protocol technology. This allowed me to surf the web normally even when I was in China, and also to use Netflix US from anywhere in the world.

The price is also reasonable in my opinion (US$3.75 per month for the yearly plan).

If you are not planning to visit China, you can consider the following cheaper options as well:
IPVanish is very fast, perfect for streaming, and it costs only 3.25$ per month. Excellent support too.
PureVPN is a great value VPN that costs only 2$ per month (2-year plan). I had it for a while and I never had any issues with it. It doesn't work well in China, though.

If you are not sure, just try them first for free. VyprVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, PureVPN a 31-day money-back guarantee, and IPVanish has a 7-day money-back guarantee.

Installing and Using VyprVPN
If you choose VyprVPN, here is a step-by-step guide on how to install it and use it. Honestly, it is very easy, even if you are not good with computers.

Step 1: Pay and Register (30-Day Free Trial)
After you've chosen your VyprVPN plan* and paid, you will be able to create an account on the VyprVPN's control panel. There, you can update your personal or your billing information. You can also contact the support team and read tutorials about VyprVPN.

* Note: If you plan on watching Netflix US in Qatar/Doha, or if you often go to China, you should choose the Premium Plan as it includes the Chameleon Protocol.

Step 2: Install VyprVPN on Your Laptop or Phone
The second step is to download VyprVPN on your laptop or your phone. All you need to do is click on "Download VyprVPN" as in the following photo:
- If you have a PC, click on VyprVPN for Windows.
- If you have a Mac, click on VyprVPN for Mac.
- If you have an iPhone, click on VyprVPN for iOS
- If you have a Samsung, a Huawei, an HTC, or any phone running with Android, click on VyprVPN for Android.

Step 3: Connect
After your VPN is installed on your computer or your phone, launch it and you'll be asked to enter your login/password.
Just enter the same email and password you used before to connect to VyprVPN's control panel.

You will now be able to connect to any servers you choose. By default, it is better to select "Fastest Server" but you can choose a specific country if you click on "Servers".

Changing servers can be useful if you want to watch Netflix US from Qatar for instance. In that case, you will have to choose a server in a city like New York or San Francisco. You can learn more about this by reading my article: How to Watch Netflix in Indonesia.

Step 4: Enjoy 100% Privacy When Surfing the Web

When you see that the dashboard says "Connected", you are now able to access any blocked websites in Qatar, especially porn. Moreover, you are totally anonymous and nobody will know what you are doing online (this includes your internet provider, your boss, your landlord, your hotel, your wife, etc).

Step 5: Customize VyprVPN (Optional)
Most people won't need to customize their VPN. Personally, there are two features that I use sometimes:

The Kill Switch feature allows you to remain completely anonymous in case your VPN connection is lost.

The Chameleon Protocol is a more secure way to encrypt your connection. With it, it is harder for websites, governments, or Internet Service Providers to know that you are using a VPN. This is particularly useful when using the Internet in China or to watch Netflix US (because Netflix doesn't allow its members to use a VPN).

Is it legal to use a VPN in Qatar
You could think that it would be illegal to use a VPN in Qatar, considering the government is so keen on controlling its citizen's use of the Internet.

And yet, as of today it is totally legal. In fact, the country has one of the largest numbers of VPN users in the world. Among expats, almost everyone I know has one installed.
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Abu Dhabi Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs (2019)

With 1,8M inhabitants, Abu Dhabi is the second-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Dubai.

Even though the country is officially Islamic, it has a decent nightlife that caters mostly to expats, tourists, and businessmen. There are around 10 lively bars and nightclubs, almost all of which are located in 4- or 5-star hotels. You can find a crowded event most days of the week, except during Ramadan when everything is closed.

That said, not everything is perfect. The main problem is that very few women go clubbing in Abu Dhabi, so it is not rare to have a bar full of guys (minus the prostitutes). To avoid that, select your venues carefully and keep an eye out for ladies nights.

Another issue is that prices are generally quite high. A cocktail in a high-end bar will easily reach US$20, and a beer US$10. To order bottle service, be ready to spend at least US$500 for one bottle. It is a good idea to check for happy hours, usually from 5PM to 8PM.

If you want to know more about Abu Dhabi nightlife, just scroll down and read all my tips below: The best hotels near the nightlife, how to buy alcohol, how to meet girls, the best time to party, how to dress, what to bring with you, and a list of my favorite bars and clubs.


Abu Dhabi Nightlife Areas + Hotels
Abu Dhabi nightlife is spread over a rather large area. You may need more than 30 minutes to reach some clubs, so it's important to choose the right neighborhood, depending on your taste.

Yas Island
If you want to party in the hippest venues, you should stay on Yas Island. This is not very central, especially if you work in the city center, and it is more expensive than average, but you will be near Ferrari World, the F1 Circuit, the Yas Mall, and the Yas Marina. In the latter, you have several great restaurants and bars, particularly Iris and Mad.

Where to stay on Yas Island?
Yas Hotel is the most recommended place to stay as it has several bars and a club (US$110/night). Park Inn By Radisson is also good and it is well-priced (US$65/night).

Tourist Club Area (near Capital Park)
Al Khalidiya and Al Danah, also called the Tourist Club Area, is where you have the highest concentration of bars (many of which can be quite seedy and full of prostitutes). It is an older part of the city, that can be interesting for tourists, but it is not so modern nor beautiful. Choose this area if you want to experience the busy city life.

Where to stay in the Tourist Club Area?
Le Royal Méridien is reasonably priced (US$100 in low season), and it is ideally located. For nightlife lovers, it has three popular bars: Illusions (see review below), PJ O'Reilly's Irish Pub and the rooftop lounge Stratos.

A more affordable option is Al Maha Arjaan Hotel by Rotana (around US$70 per night).

In the midrange category, Novel Hotel (ex-Mercure) is interesting for some tourists. It has a bar called Cyclone (ex-Blitz) that has live music. It's quite popular with an Arab crowd. Many Chinese and Pinay prostitutes work there as well.

Al Bateen/Corniche Beach
This area, particularly between Corniche Beach (St Regis Hotel) and Al Bateen Marina, is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. There are only a few upscale bars around, but it is only 15 minutes away from the Tourist Club Area. Stay there if you want to live in a beautiful and relaxing neighborhood.

Where to stay in Al Bateen?
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a new 5-star hotel that opened in 2018. Gorgeous design, great views. Around US$200.

Are Abu Dhabi Hotels Girl-Friendly?
Almost all the 4 and 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi are guest-friendly, especially the famous international chains. However, if you wish for a girl to visit your room, she will always be required to register at the reception and to show her ID.

Buying Alcohol in Abu Dhabi
If you are over 21 and a non-Muslim, you will have three ways to buy alcohol in Abu Dhabi:
- The easiest is to get some bottles at the duty-free in the airport, just after the luggage pick-up (up to 4 liters per person)
- You can also apply online for a special license that will allow you to purchase alcohol from liquor stores like Spinney's (several outlets all over the city).
- Finally, you can just buy drinks/bottles in a bar or a club, and drink on the spot

Meeting Girls in Abu Dhabi
While in Abu Dhabi, it is very unlikely that you will get to meet, talk, or hang out with a single Emirati girl (except in a professional environment). So you can just forget about this option.

The single girls you might meet are all foreigners, from various backgrounds.

There are many Arabic women from other countries (Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian, etc) but in the best scenario, you'll just get to chat with them online and you'll never meet.

You have the Indonesian or Filipino maids, especially on social media or dating sites (especially on Tinder, Badoo, OkCupid), but they are not often free to do what they want, and they work almost all the time. If you are very picky, you should know they aren't really the model type. They are easy to meet in Filipino clubs like the one in the Emirates Plaza Hotel.

There are also quite many flight attendants, in particular from Etihad Airways (Tinder, Bumble, Happn). They come from all over the world, and you'll often see them in high-end nightclubs and bars. You cannot imagine how much attention they receive from guys, so don't expect to approach them easily unless you have good money and looks.

English teachers are also plentiful and they are more easy to date. Again, not always the most pretty.

In the end, apart from the famous dating apps, your best bet is to go to the most successful ladies nights in Abu Dhabi, like MAD on Thursday/Friday, or Iris on Wednesday.

Prostitution in Abu Dhabi
While it is normally forbidden for a non-married couple to live together, prostitution is nonetheless very common. There seems to be a certain tolerance from the authorities, at least with expats.

There are hookers in almost every bar or club in the city, mostly Chinese, Africans, Eastern Europeans, and Southeast Asians. As a general rule, if a pretty girl is staring at you or smiling repeatedly, you can assume she is after your money.

On Tinder/Badoo, you will also see many girls advertising for massage or sex, but beware as they are almost always scams. Most likely, a pimp is managing the account and the pictures are fake. The sugar baby website Seeking Arrangement is more trustworthy, but it can be expensive.

Finally, there are some secret AMPs (or Asian Massage Parlors) in hidden locations in the city. They are constantly moving from one apartment to another, but taxi drivers will often know where they are.

Here are a few things you should know to prepare your nights out in Abu Dhabi:

Bring your ID
You can enter a bar or a nightclub in Abu Dhabi only if you are over 21. Showing your ID is often compulsory (passport recommended).

Price of Clubbing
Partying in Abu Dhabi is rather expensive if you are a guy (girls can find free drinks almost any day of the week). The best clubs will often charge at least AED100 for entrance (with one or two drinks) on weekends. On top of that, you will pay around AED30 for a beer and AED50 for a cocktail.

Overall, for a typical night out, expect to spend AED300-500.

Dress Code
You should always dress up when you visit a bar or a club in Abu Dhabi: Wear pants, closed shoes and a collared shirt. It is very common for non-accompanied guys to be denied entry at a club (particularly if your skin is dark).

When to Party
Since the weekend in the Emirates is on Friday and Saturday, the busiest nights of the week are Thursday and Friday. On the other nights, bars can be quite empty unless there is a special event or a ladies night. Most venues close at 3AM or 4AM.

The best time of the year to party in Abu Dhabi is during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Most of the action happens on Yas Island, near the racetrack. You can expect some famous DJs or singers to come for the occasion.

On the contrary, the worst time is during Ramadan. Then, there is no nightlife in Abu Dhabi. Some clubs stay open but there won't be any music or alcohol.

Weekly and monthly events:
To check the latest clubbing events in Abu Dhabi, you can have a look at Abu Dhabi Nightlife Guide.

Internet Censorship in Abu Dhabi
Many websites are blocked in Abu Dhabi, including porn. Personally, I use VyprVPN and I'm very happy with it. If you are confused about how it works, please read my article: Why Adult Websites are Blocked in Qatar (and How to Unblock Them).

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Abu Dhabi
This is a list of my top venues to party in Abu Dhabi.

Roberto's Club in Rosewood Hotel
This elite lounge/bar is attached to the fine dining Italian restaurant Roberto's. Chic design. Stylish, mature crowd (40-something), mostly Westerners, including some pretty flight attendants.

Music is eclectic: Deep house/electronic/techno on Wednesday (best night to visit) and Thursday, 70s/80s hits on Monday, Jazz on Tuesdays and Fridays. Strict dress code (no flat shoes for ladies). It is best to book a table in advance.


In the Rosewood Hotel, there is also an elegant speakeasy bar called Dragon's Tooth. Perfect for sipping cocktails in an intimate setting.

MAD (Yas Island)
Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, MAD is probably the most exclusive club in Abu Dhabi at the moment. It's a massive venue, surrounded by a 360° LCD screen, with a bar in the center and sofas on the side.

It is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 3AM and, despite the 350 Dirham entrance fee per couple, it is usually full. Very strict door policy: Dress well and bring a girl with you (she should wear high heels). If you are just a bunch of guys, you should reserve a table ahead (minimum spend around AED3,000-US$815 on a normal day). Ladies night on Thursday and Friday.

The music is mostly hip-hop/R'N'B. Great sound system. About every 2 weeks, they will host a famous band or singer (so far this year: Akon, Busta Rhymes, Maitre Gims, among others) for their URBN nights (Thursday).

Iris (Yas Island)
This outdoor bar-club-lounge-restaurant is only opened during the colder season, between fall and winter. Upscale crowd, mostly Arabic and Western (seems that Blacks and Asians have issues getting in). As usual in this kind of venues, dress chic, and make a reservation if possible. Without a lady with you, you will have to buy a bottle to enter. Music is good, mostly house/EDM/chillout. Some famous international DJs have played there like Erick Morillo or Roger Sanchez.

They have a popular brunch on Friday for around 200 AED per person. The Ladies Night on Wednesday is interesting too (girls get 3 free drinks).

American-style sports bars, originally from Monaco. Popular with Western expats. The outdoor area has a nice view of the Viceroy Hotel. Recommended for watching sports in Abu Dhabi.

Generous ladies night on Wednesday (4 free drinks). Popular Latin night on Thursdays (Reggaeton).

In Yas Marina, there are more nightlife venues that you can visit:
Casa de Cuba (live Cuban music, Latin cocktails)
Mr. Miyagi (Asian food, daily cabaret shows, karaoke at 8PM)
- Iris (reviewed above)

Porter's in Grand Millenium Hotel
Classic English pub with reasonable prices (27AED for half a pint of beer, 45AED for a cocktail). Karaoke on Sundays, Ladies night (3 free drinks) on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Brunch on Fridays. Daily live band.

There are two similar pubs in Abu Dhabi: Victor's in Hilton Grand Capital and Cooper's in Park Rotana Hotel. Both are perfect for meeting other expats living in the city. In particular, you can check the karaoke ladies night in Victor's on Wednesday (5 free drinks).

Al Diar Capital Hotel is home to a few famous bars with affordable prices: On the first floor, Mardi Gras (free entrance, live band),  and on the second floor, Pomodoro (for Arabs) and Rock Bottom (club atmosphere, live band at 9PM, AED110 entrance with 2 drinks). They can be crowded at the end of the week. Many prostitutes from various nationalities.

Update 2019: A new bar called Groovz has opened its doors in the hotel

Histeria in Hilton Capital Grand
Histeria is an elite, medium-sized lounge with a modern design. It's mostly geared towards Arab clients, with Arabic music nights several times a week. I talked to a group of Moroccan girls there but they turned out to be high-end escorts. Free bar for ladies from 11PM to 2AM on Monday.

Onyx in Novotel Al Bustan
This brand new lounge has just opened in July 2019. They have a Lebanese night every Monday, and 2 very generous ladies nights on Thursday and Saturday (everything free for girls). It's a bit far from the Tourist Club Area. Sexy girls will dance on podiums several times during the night.

The Exchange and New Bar Arkadia in Le Méridien
Le Méridien has two bars which are somewhat similar. The Exchange is more upmarket, with an English live band, and targets Arabs/Western expats. New Bar Arkadia is more focused on Indians, Pakistanis, Southeast Asians. It has a Filipino live band.

Both have many working girls.

Good to know: Ladies night in Arkadia every Wednesday (2 free drinks from 11AM to 1AM).

Illusion in Le Royal Méridien Hotel
This small nightclub is one of the most famous prostitution spots in Abu Dhabi. 200AED entrance charge with 1 free drink for non-hotel guests (free on weekdays). Many working girls from various nationalities, particularly from Eastern-European or Russian-speaking countries.

Le Royal Méridien Hotel (which is girl-friendly) also has two other bars: PJ O'Reilly (Irish Pub) and Stratos (panoramic revolving bar).

49'ers and Trap Bar in Al Diar Dana Hotel
On the penthouse level of this hotel, 49ers is another bar with live music (Filipino band) and plenty of prostitution (with girls that are mostly from Asia, in particular Chinese). Entrance fee is 80AED (110 AED on weekends). Better to visit after 11PM. Before that, the place is actually a decent steak restaurant.

In the same building, there is a smaller bar, Trap, with no entry fee.

Emirates Plaza Hotel
This unique 2-star hotel in the Tourist Club area has several "ethnic" nightclubs inside its walls: Manila Bay Club for Filipinos (probably the best venue there) + several other ones for Iranians, Arabs, Pakistanis, Africans, Indians, etc. They are rather cheap places, targeting expats with lower salaries. Crowded on weekends.

Viewz in Cristal Hotel
Sports bar, popular with Western expats. Live music and DJ every day. Owned by a British guy. Average food. Closes at 4AM.
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Muscat Nightlife (Oman) - Best Bars and Nightclubs (2019)

You shouldn't expect much from Muscat nightlife. There are very few bars, even fewer nightclubs, and you won't find a party atmosphere like in Dubai.

That said, if you are living in the city, or if you are visiting for a few days, you can always find some decent venues to have fun, to meet people, and to drink alcohol.

Just scroll down to learn more about the best party spots in the capital of Oman.

Muscat Nightlife Areas + Hotels
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Nightlife in Muscat
Muscat is a city with several centers, making it quite inconvenient to navigate. Expect to spend quite a bit of time in a car or a taxi every time you want to go somewhere.

For this reason, it is important to choose your hotel carefully. Personally, I would recommend a location near the Sultan Qaboos Highway, ideally near the neighborhood of Al Qurum. It is an upmarket district, near the beach, where you can easily reach shops, malls, and restaurants. It is also within 10-20 minutes from the business district of Ruwi.

For nightlife lovers, the Grand Hyatt Hotel is the best choice as it has three popular bars and clubs inside: Safari Pub, Habana Sports Bar and John Barry. It is quite expensive, but you may be able to find some good deals on Agoda (less than US250$/night).

In a similar price range, the Intercontinental is a good choice as well, with two bars: Al Ghazal Pub and Trader Vic's.

Al Qurum Resort is walking distance from the Intercontinental, with a beachfront and 2 nearby bars (Privé and Route 66). It costs about US$150/night.

The W Hotel has recently opened and they have a nice pool bar called Siddharta by Buddha Bar (to be opened in 2019). Prices start at US300$/night.

If you need a cheaper option, book the Beach Bay Hotel (US90$ per night) It is across the street from Grand Hyatt and it has the expat bar Milly O'Brien inside.

Also good are the Ramada Qurum Beach Hotel (less than US80$/night) and the Waves International Hotel (US50$$ per night).

Note: Hotels in Muscat may not always be girl-friendly. You should remember that it is normally forbidden for unmarried couples to live together. The international chain hotels will rarely enforce the rule, but, still, it is better to be discreet and to make your booking for two people.

Meeting Girls in Muscat
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Girls in the bar "On the Rocks" (Instagram)
Like the rest of the Middle-East, Muscat is not an ideal destination for bachelors. Local women are pretty much impossible to date so your only chance is to meet foreign girls.

Oman Air has some cute flight attendants that you may encounter in places like La Vida, Trader's Vic, On the Rocks or Rumba Lattina. They are from various nationalities (Thai, Filipinas, Eastern Europeans, etc) and you can certainly interest them as long as you are handsome, smart and/or wealthy.

English teachers are another possibility. I talked to a few in the usual dating apps like Bumble or Tinder. None were my style of girls.

Finally, you also have thousands of foreign ladies who work as maids, or as shopkeepers/waitresses/receptionists/etc. Many are Indonesians or Filipinas. They rarely go out to bars or clubs, so you'll have to find them online.

Prostitution in Muscat
There are working girls, often Asians, in several expat bars like Safari Pub, O'Malley's, Al Ghazal or Rock Bottom Café. You may also match with them online on Badoo or Tinder. The sugar baby website Seeking Arrangement has a limited number of girls in Muscat, but they are the most pretty you'll see around.

Muscat Nightlife Tips
Here are a few things you should know to prepare your nights out in Muscat:

Bring your ID/Passport
You must be 21 to enter a bar or a club in Oman.

Price of Clubbing
Clubbing in Muscat is a bit cheaper than in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha. Most bars are free to enter, especially if you are in a couple. The places that charge an entry fee, like Rock Bottom, only do so on the weekends, and they give you 1 or 2 free drinks.

In a typical expat bar, a beer will cost OMR2-3 (US$5-8) and a cocktail OMR3-5 (US$8-13).

Many of the venues listed below will have a happy hour promotion, usually from 5PM to 8PM. Ladies' nights are also a great way to save money. The best ones are in Sheraton (Turbines & Taps) on Wednesday and La Vida on Friday.

Dress Code
Since most bars and clubs are located within luxury hotels, you are normally required to dress well. In particular, do not wear shorts and sandals.

When to Party
Weekends in Oman are on Friday and Saturday. Therefore, the best nights for clubbing are on Thursday and Friday. The rest of the week, it can be very quiet unless you go to a specific event.

Weekly and monthly events:
For information on the latest events and parties in Muscat, you can check the following online groups:
MuscatNights.com (Facebook)
Oman Parties and Events (Facebook)
Muscat Party (Private Facebook Group)
Oman Events (Facebook)
Muscat Events (Instagram)

You can also follow the Instagram accounts of famous local DJs like Dj Djibo and DJ Pharaoh.

Finally, if you are into Salsa/Kizomba/Bachata, look at Latin Dance Muscat and Muscat Salsa Rueda.

Internet Censorship in Oman
Many websites are blocked in Oman, including porn. To unblock them, you can download a VPN like VyprVPN. This is the one I use and I'm very happy with it. If you are confused about how it works, please read my article: Why Adult Websites are Blocked in Qatar (and How to Unblock Them).

Best Bars, Pubs, and Clubs in Muscat

The Cave Complex
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Rumba Lattina in The Cave
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La Vida Muscat
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La Vida Muscat
This unique location is a man-made cave in which you can find several restaurants and bars. The advantage of going there is that if you can do some bar-hopping and try several venues in one evening. You can also eat various types of cuisines (Italian, Omani, Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, Mexican, Moroccan, etc).

At the moment, these are some of the popular spots:

La Vida Muscat
African night on Wednesday. Ladies night on Friday (Free drinks for ladies all night long). Arabic night on Saturday. Shisha.

NV (Envy)
New lounge with a Pinoy night (Filipinos), an African night, an urban night, and a Latino night.

Rumba Lattina (I'm not sure if Lattina is voluntarily spelled with two "t")
Mexican/South American restaurant with reggaeton/salsa/EDM. Same owner as NV.

On the Rocks
With its modern design, this restaurant/lounge/bar is a bit more sophisticated than most other venues in Muscat. It attracts a young crowd of locals and foreigners, rich and trendy, who party in groups.

Wednesday is probably the best night, with a free flow promotion for only OMR10. Otherwise, they have Deep house/EDM/Techno on Thursday, and Hip-hop/Rn'B on Friday.

Safari Club, Habana Sports Bar, and John Barry in Grand Hyatt
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Habana Sports Bar
Within the Grand Hyatt Hotel, there are 3 different nightlife venues:

The Safari Club is a typical expat bar with a kitsch African theme. It has live music, pub food, and pool tables. There are some Asian/Chinese prostitutes as well. Attached to it, Habana is more laid-back and perfect for watching sports.

Finally, the John Barry Bar is more stylish. It is more appropriate for a date or a quiet drink with its live piano music nights.

Other expat pubs in Muscat
There are many British/Irish/American pubs in Muscat. They are quite similar to each other so I thought it was useless to describe each of them. I rank them below starting with my favorites:

→ Milly O'Brien in Beach Bay Hotel: Simple and clean Irish pub with a good crowd (fewer prostitutes than elsewhere). Daily events like karaoke, quiz night, live music, jazz, sports, etc. Good food.

→ Turbine and Taps in Sheraton: Best bar in the business district of Ruwi, modern industrial design, nice cocktails. Bollywood night on Friday, Ladies night on Wednesday (3 free drinks).
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Turbine and Taps
→ Duke's Bar in Crowne Plaza Hotel: Sports bar, good burgers, outdoor terrace with the ocean view.

→ Al Ghazal in Intercontinental Hotel: British food, pool tables, live band/DJ from Wednesday to Friday.

→ O'Malley's in Al Khuwair Hotel Radisson Blu: Busy on weekends, many Filipinos, live music, some prostitution.

→  Route 66: Busy and affordable bar in Al Qurum Resort Hotel. Special events every day: African nights, Salsa night, karaoke night, Arabic night, Hip-Hop night. In the same hotel, you also have the more upmarket gastro lounge Privé (Bollywood nights, house nights, techno nights)

  Rock Bottom in Ramee Guestline Hotel: High testosterone bar/club with an OMR10 entrance fee on weekends. The crowd is mostly Arabic, with many Asian prostitutes as well. Daily live music followed by a DJ. Affordable prices.
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Rock Bottom Bar in Muscat
Trader's Vic in Intercontinental Qurum
Trader Vic's is a chain of Polynesian-themed restaurants and the self-claimed inventor of the Mai Tai cocktail. It is surprisingly very present in the Middle East, with branches in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Bahrein.

I find it a bit touristy, but if you are a bit old-fashioned, you might enjoy it there. They have live music, exotic cocktails, and a relaxed atmosphere. Beware that shorts and sandals are not allowed.
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Macau Nightlife: Guide to Nightclubs, Bars, and Saunas (2019)

Macau nightlife is not very interesting for the young traveler. If you are expecting to party like in Las Vegas, you will be disappointed: There are actually very few nightclubs and bars, and you rarely have famous guest DJs or performers.

Macau is really focused on hardcore gambling, with a rather large high-end prostitution scene. That makes it a popular destination for sex tourists, mostly from mainland China, but it's not really my thing. Therefore, I was happy to spend only a couple of days there before heading back to Hong Kong, which is way more fun.

During my two days, I had enough time to explore all the nightlife spots around, except the famous Macau saunas (a local friend told me everything about them for this review).

The following article will give you a quick overview of what I learned during my trip. If you have more questions about partying in Macau, please just leave me a comment below.

Where to Stay in Macau Near the Nightlife
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The NAPE Zone ((Novos Aterros do Porto Exterior) is the best location in Macau to be both near the nightlife and near the casinos.

In this area, I recommend the following properties:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wynn Macau (rated 9.0 on Agoda, US$250 per night).

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Grand Emperor Hotel (rated 8.4 on Agoda, US$140 per night).

⭐⭐⭐
Sintra Hotel (rated 8.1 on Agoda, US$95 per night)

Macau doesn't have any decent budget hotel. There aren't any hostel either. It seems the government doesn't want to attract low-end tourists and backpackers. If you want to sample the nightlife without booking a hotel, it is possible to arrive in the afternoon and to go back early in the morning. The ferries operate 24-hour from and to Hong Kong.

Best Nightclubs in Macau
Nightclubs in Macau are almost all Chinese-oriented. This means that they tend to favor large groups who book a table and order bottle service. If there is a dancefloor, it will often be very small. If you are planning to dance and to buy individual drinks, you may feel like a second-class customer in those places.

D2
This is the only European-style nightclub in Macau. It is quite small, almost like a bar, with just a few tables and a live stage. They have some sexy hostesses and dancers, from Thailand, China, and even some Eastern Europe countries (maybe Romania?). It is "busy" only on weekends and late (entrance fee around 200-300 MOP with two drinks). Before entering, make sure there are some people inside. Music is generally house/EDM.

Cubic
Cubic is often considered the best nightclub in Macau, and yet it is empty on most nights. It is a medium-sized venue with a stage for live performances (DJs, bands, dancers) and several VIP seating areas. Unfortunately, there isn't a real dance floor. Entrance is free before 12.30am. After that, it will cost you on average 250 MOP with 1 or 2 drinks. Famous DJs who played there in the past couple years include Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Yellow Claw, and Martin Garrix.

DD3 Disco & KTV
Just 3 minutes walking distance from its sister venue D2, this is a small Chinese-oriented club with Thai hostesses and karaoke rooms. The main lounge has a DJ or a live band every night. I didn't visit it.

Show House in Studio City
This nightclub, originally from Taiwan, replaces Pacha which closed down last year. It has mostly (sexy) dance shows, DJs and concerts, with a special event about once every two weeks. For instance, in the past months, they welcomed artists like Paul Van Dyk or Mr. White. The rest of the time is rather quiet, even during their ladies night on Friday (free entry and drinks for girls). Most visitors are groups, but I think it is still enjoyable for a single guy as you can watch the dancers. It closes at 6 AM.

Best Bars in Macau
The bar scene in Macau is pretty poor. There are some expensive, yet boring venues in most of the luxury hotels (for instance, McSorley's Ale House in The Venetian). They often have live music (cover bands or piano), but nothing truly happening.

For a more busy atmosphere, you don't have that many options. Your best bet is to head to the Docks, in the street opposite Kun Iam Statue. There are several bars, cafés, and restaurants there, including Moonwalker. It is a simple venue, with a live Filipino band every night, decent food, and a friendly crowd (if you are lucky!).

Another possibility is to go to the Broadway food street in the Galaxy complex. It is a busy place to eat, with two bars: Duffy's, a typical Irish pub, and The Roadhouse (American country style with live music). Both places share the same menu which is quite expensive (US$12 for a pint of beer).

In Taipa's old village, Prem1er Bar has a large selection of liquors and wine. You can check their Facebook page for their events (live music, sports, happy hours).

Finally, if you need a more stylish venue to invite a girl on a date, I'd recommend the rooftop bar Sky21 on AIA Tower. It has both an indoor and an outdoor area, with a nice view of the Nam Van Lake. They serve mostly western food.

Fishbowls and Saunas in Macau
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Note: I haven't visited any of Macau's infamous saunas. The information below comes from a friend (+ some research online).

Since prostitution is legal in Macau, the industry has been allowed to grow with little restrictions. In particular, you will find some very exclusive and expensive 24-hour brothels called "saunas" and "fishbowls", both of which are venues where men get (soapy) massages, followed by sex.

In the saunas, you have access to nicer bathing facilities (hot pool, shower in the room), and you pick your girl from a line-up. They are also open 24-hour. In the "fishbowls", you make your choice after looking at an "aquarium", a glassed room where dozens of girls are sitting and waiting for customers. They offer soapy massages, a bit like the ones in Thailand.

Some services happen in the main lounge. For instance, back and shoulder massages, manicure, or even the notorious "thigh massages" (in which a girl will sit next to you and give you a handjob directly under your robe). For the more intimate services, you will go to a private room with a bathtub and a TV (that often shows a porn movie).

These are the most famous saunas and fishbowls in Macau:

Rio Sauna in Rio Hotel (open 24 hours) is the most luxurious of all the saunas in Macau. It has some amazing facilities, and their girls are truly gorgeous. But the cost is high. The minimum spend is US$150 (you will have to pay this amount even if you don't do anything inside). Choosing a "normal" girl is US$350 (Vietnamese, Thai, etc), and for an Eastern European girl, you'll have to fork out at least US$410. The Japanese models are the most expensive at US$660 for a session.

Familia Nobre Sauna (also open 24-hour) is another popular sauna with foreigners, with cheaper prices than Rio (about 20% less). The facilities are still great, with a large number of girls (including some Russians and Blacks).

The other famous saunas are East (smaller one, in Waldo Hotel), Eighteen (the worst one), Emperor (in Emperor Hotel).

For the "fishbowls", Darling 1 in Macau Masters Hotel is the most recommended. It also has a sister property called Darling 2. They are both less onerous than saunas (30% less than Rio), but you don't get the same standard of service and facilities. If affordability is your main concern, then you may want to check Hou Va, one of the cheapest adult massage parlors in Macau.
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Boca Rica Tapas Bar & Lounge (Jakarta)

Boca Rica is an upper-class restaurant/bar/club located on the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is inside Mangkuluhur City. The latter is a high-end mixed-use complex belonging to Tommy Soeharto and named after his son, Darma Mangkuluhur Hutomo (who happens to be the owner of Boca Rica).

Since its opening at the end of 2018, it has become one of the hotspots of Jakarta nightlife. Its crowd is a mix between that of Léon (high-class, socialites, celebrities) and that of Basque (expats, travelers, businessmen). Because the entrance is free on most nights, it has also attracted a younger crowd who can't afford more established clubs like Dragonfly or Blowfish.

I haven't tried the restaurant, so I won't comment on that. I just know that it serves a Spanish-inspired menu with around 20 types of Tapas (costing between IDR 75,000 and IDR 250,000 each). They also have the usual burgers, grilled chicken, steaks and fish. Drinks are pricey, like everywhere in Jakarta: The cheapest beer is IDR 70,000 and the cheapest cocktail IDR 120,000.

The venue is large with a circular bar in the middle, and a stage for live music in the front. The tables are on the side, and you have enough space for dancing just in front of the band. Above the bar, there is also a VIP area that you can access with stairs.

During weekdays, it is reasonably busy, mostly with groups of friends and couples having dinner. There might be some dancing around 1AM, but not always.

On weekends, it is more interesting for clubbing. Then, it is often packed and you have a real party atmosphere. It is a good idea to book a table near the band to be closer to the action.

The entertainment alternates between a DJ (playing mostly EDM, sometimes reggaeton/Rn'B) and the live band (rock, top 40). Once in a while, they also welcome more famous acts (like recently DJ Puffy or Kriss Kross Amsterdam).

Beware that there is a strict dress code. If you wear sandals or shorts, you will be denied entry.

Boca Rica Tapas Bar & Lounge
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Jalan Gatot Subroto Kav 2-3,
Semanggi, South Jakarta

Instagram: @bocaricajkt
Facebook: Boca Rica
Website: http://www.bocaricajkt.com

Email: hola@bocaricajkt.com
Phone: +62 822-7272-8808

Opening hours:
Every day from 11 AM to 2 AM (4 AM on weekends)
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Dubai Nightlife: Best Bars and Nightclubs (2019)

Dubai nightlife is the best I've tried so far in the Persian/Arab Gulf region.

Compared to that of Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Muscat, it is less conservative and far more foreigner-friendly.

Even though drinking alcohol is restricted, you can find nearly a hundred bars and nightclubs, some of which are busy even on weekdays.

There is a huge diversity of venues: Jazz lounges, rooftop bars, expat pubs, open-air nightclubs, beach cafés, speakeasies, etc. There is even a brand-new warehouse with Berlin-style techno parties once a month.

However, not everything is perfect. The major problem with Dubai nightlife is to enter most nightclubs, single men are required to book a table. Often, this means you will need to spend over US$500 just for one place.

I will talk more about this in the following nightlife review. If you still have questions after reading it, please leave me a comment at the end of the article!

Hotels Near Dubai Nightlife
You can click on this map of Dubai nightlife to visualize where all the most important nightclubs, bars, and beach clubs are located.
As you can see, there are 3 best party areas:

1) Between Downtown Dubai and the World Trade Center:
This area, in the heart of the business district, has many expensive bars that are popular with expats and executives. Most can be found in the 5-star hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road (Fairmont, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza or Conrad). This is also an interesting location to reach Dubai's best nightclubs like Boa, Base, White, and Soho Garden.

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Fairmont (rated 8.5/10, US$140 per night) - It has 4 bars and clubs, including Cavalli Club, Bagatelle and Cin Cin.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Carlton Downtown (rated 8.4/10, US$84 per night) - Best value option in this location.

2) Around the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Resort (JBR):
This is a more touristy part of town with many popular beach clubs (like Zero Gravity or Barasti). There are several bars as well which tends to be a bit less sophisticated and exclusive than the ones on Sheikh Zayed Road. This is the best location for those who are visiting Dubai for the holidays.

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Sofitel Jumeirah Beach (rated 8.7/10, US$232 per night) - Bordering The Walk, near many bars and the beach.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Rose Park Al Barsha (rated 8.9/10, US$73 per night) - Best value option in this location

3) In Deira and Bur Dubai:
This is the older part of Dubai, starting at the north of Sheikh Rashid Road. There are dozens of bars there, most of which have live music, affordable prices, and.... prostitutes. Each venue targets a different crowd: Filipinos, Indians, Blacks, Westerners, etc. Hotels in this area are generally cheaper than elsewhere.

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Al Bandar Rotana (rated 9/10, US$135 per night) - No bars there but it is deemed girl-friendly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Flora Grand Hotel (rated 8.3/10, US$58 per night) - Best value option in this location

Here are a few things you should know to prepare your nights out in Dubai

Drinking Alcohol
You can drink alcohol in licensed venues (bars and clubs) only if you are over 21. Bouncers will check your ID, so bring your passport with you. If you get tipsy, be discreet as public drunkenness is officially illegal.

If you want to purchase alcohol in a shop (or at the duty-free), you will need a special license. As a visitor, it is quite easy to get one, just go to any of the MMI shops with your passport, and you'll get one for 30 days.

Price of Clubbing
It can be very expensive to party in Dubai, especially if you are a single guy. Indeed, most high-end clubs will force men to book a table, with a minimum spend between AED1,500 (US$410) and AED3000 (US$820).

Generally speaking, in the best nightlife venues, you can expect to pay AED45-55 for a beer (or US$12-15), AED60-80 for a cocktail (or US$16-22) and AED1200 for a cheap bottle of liquor (or US$325).

If you go partying in Deira or Bur Dubai, the prices will often be lower (about 30% less).

Another good way to save money is to check for happy hours. Almost every bar has some, usually between 4 PM and 8 PM. Typically, you will get a buy 1 get 1 promo on selected drinks.

Dress Code
All the upscale bars and clubs will require you to dress well: No shorts, no sandals, no caps, etc. If you are a woman, it is better to wear high-heels and a skirt.

Racism
There is a lot of racism in Dubai, much like in the UAE in general. You will be judged based on your ethnicity or skin color.

It is very common to be denied entry at a club in Dubai, especially if you are African, Indian, or Southeast Asian.

When to Party
Dubai's nightlife is at its best during the cooler months, basically from November to May. In fact, during summer (July to August), most of the open-air venues are closed because the heat and humidity are just unbearable (for instance, Soho Garden, White, or 40 Kong). Avoid Dubai during that time if you can.

Another thing to keep in mind is that weekends in Dubai are on Fridays and Saturdays. This means that Thursday nights are the best to go out, and Saturday nights are the worse.

Most clubs will close at 3 AM, but a few stay open until 4 AM (like Toy Room or Base).

Finally, if you visit Dubai during Ramadan, don't worry too much. Most bars and clubs are open, but only after sunset. They can be less crowded, but you can still have fun.

Ladies' Nights
Ladies' nights in Dubai are a big deal. Since girls are rare, the best clubs and bars compete fiercely to attract them. If you are a woman, you will probably never have to pay for any drinks while in the city.

Currently, most of the best ladies' nights happen on Tuesday (at the Pier7, at Gravity Zero). You can check Ladies Night Dubai for an updated list.

Weekly and monthly events:
For a general list of events, you can follow the Facebook pages DubaiNight and Luvevents (trendy parties).

For house/techno parties, check It's Deep Like and Plus Minus.

Internet Censorship in Qatar
Porn websites, as well as any websites that are deemed anti-religious, anti-Islam, or critical of the UAE,  will be blocked by the government. Also, you cannot use WA, Skype or Messenger to make calls (only messaging is allowed).

As a result of this censorship, it is common for expats and visitors to use a VPN. If you don't know what it is, you can read my article: Why Porn Websites are Blocked in Qatar?

Personally, I've been using VyprVPN for a couple of years now and it works great (even in China).

Best Nightclubs and Bars in Dubai

Soho Garden (in Meydan Hotel)
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Main space in Soho Garden
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Toy Room Nightclub
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Code Room
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Soho Beach
This complex about 15 minutes from the city center is the top nightlife destination in Dubai at the moment. This is where you have the best clubs, the best events, and the best crowd.

The main space, Soho Garden, consists of several bars and restaurants (Negroni, Tiki, Glasshouse, Tokyo Vibes, and Bellini). It has an open-air garden in the center which is only opened during the cooler months (September to June). They have famous DJs regularly, for instance, in 2019: Agoria, Joris Voorn, Tiga, Mark Knight, etc. If you manage to pass the strict door policy, expect to spend money (as a single man, it may be difficult to enter without booking a sofa). Drinks cost at least US15-20$ and the minimum spending for a table is US700$ during special events.

On the same location, there are also some separate nightclubs and pool lounges:

Toy Room, the Dubai branch of Toy Room London, is a bottle club focusing on hip-hop/R'n'B. It is an elitist venue with a flashy interior design: Walls are painted with colorful murals and decorated with large neon signs. It is medium-sized and rather intimate, with the DJ mixing in the middle. They've hosted a fair number of famous artists like Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes, and Coolio. It closes at 4AM.

Code is a techno club with a minimalist design and an underground atmosphere (even though it is expensive and upmarket). Last summer, they had DJs like Gui Boratto, Oxia and Pete Tong.

Soho Beach and Drai are two pool clubs located nearby. They are quite similar but they don't have the same opening days. Check their schedule on Facebook before heading there.

White (in Meydan Hotel)
Voted #16 best club in the world by DJ Mag in 2019, this is the most famous nightclub in Dubai, and maybe even in the Middle East.

It is a huge venue on the rooftop of the Meydan Racecourse Grandstand, opened starting mid-September until May. They have various kind of events, from EDM parties to live hip-hop, each time with a different décor. It is a bit pretentious and overrated in my opinion, but still worth to check. Expect a mixed crowd of expats and tourists.

Entry is free for girls and couples. For single guys, you need to spend at least AED2,000 (US$550) at a table. The best time to go is on Thursday or Saturday (ladies night until 1 AM).

Pier 7
This hotspot of Dubai nightlife is a 7-floor building with 7 different bars and restaurants. It is slightly cheaper than elsewhere, and very crowded, so it is usually a good place to start partying. My favorite place there is Atelier M, which is on the rooftop, but it's easy to just walk around and try different bars. The ladies night on Tuesday is very popular since girls can get up to 5 free drinks. Good for meeting tourists and young expats. The dress code is more relaxed than elsewhere.

Boa Nightclub and Lounge in V Hotel
Elite nightclub, it features an elevated stage with various performances during the evening (dancers, singers, etc).  If you come alone, you can meet people quite easily at the bar. Music is mostly hip-hop and R'n'B. As always with such venue, the dress code is strict (especially on weekends).

Entrance for couples and girls is free, but there is a minimum spend of AED500 for guys (that's actually only 4 or 5 drinks).

Base
Located 5 minutes from Downtown in the Dubai Design District, this open-air nightclub manages to attract world-renowned artists almost every two weeks. Last year, they had Akon, Afrojack, Booba, A$AP Rocky, Tyga, or Bob Sinclar to name a few. The stage will be decorated with a different theme each time there is a special event. You will often have artistic performances as well (dancers, fire breathers, light shows, etc).

On normal days, it is opened on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until 4AM. As in White, the entrance is free for couples and women, but single guys may be required to book a table (AED2,000). Ladies night is on Thursday.

Vii in Conrad Hotel
Vii is a restaurant/bar/lounge/nightclub which is popular at the moment. It is rather classy and pleasant, especially the "secret" garden area. The club itself can get pretty packed so book a table if you can (AED3,000 minimum spend). Different events and shows every night of the week: Afro beats, techno, live music, retro hits, EDM, etc. Open every day except Sunday until 3 AM.

Industrial Avenue - in Westin Mina Seyahi
Though located in the 5-star hotel The Westin, it has an underground vibe, inspired by the type of venues you would normally find in London, Berlin or Paris. There is a real dancefloor, and the management doesn't seem so focused on selling tables.

Opened Wednesday to Friday until 3 AM. Hip hop nights on Thursdays, house/techno nights on Fridays.

The dress code is more relaxed, and you can get in for just AED100 with 2 drinks (free for ladies).

Cavalli Club in Fairmont Hotel
High-end nightclub and restaurant with daily live entertainment (dancers, acrobats, singers, DJs, etc). Rich crowd of men, with plenty of unattached ladies willing to meet them. Some might call it a hooker bar with a fancy interior design. Ladies night is on Tuesday. Mainstream and Top 40 music.

If you want a table, the minimum spend is AED2,000. To sit at the bar, you'll need to spend at least AED300 (some reports say AED500).

The Fairmont Hotel has more nightlife venues of interest such as Cin Cin, the Trophy Room and Bagatelle. It is one of the best hotels in Dubai for nightlife lovers.

Armani/Privé in Armani Hotel
This small luxury club inside the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa has a good ladies' night on Saturdays with Latin/Reggaeton music. Girls get free drinks until 1 AM. Guys can enter for free, and then each drink will cost between US$15-US$20.

The dancefloor is large enough to dance, and there is plenty of space near the bar for those who don't want to book a table. Some pretty girls.

On the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa, there is also a panoramic bar/restaurant called At.mosphere. It is supposedly the highest in the world.

Billionaire Mansion (in Taj Hotel)
Part of the Billionaire Life brand (created by the jet-setter Flavio Briatore), this complex features 2 restaurants (a Japanese and an Italian), a terrace (Diamond Kalian), a karaoke, and a nightclub. As the name suggests, it is very pricey and exclusive. Most guests come to have dinner while watching various performances (mostly dancers). Most male customers are rich expats and locals. The girls all seem to be Eastern European sugar babies in their 20s. Closes at 4AM.

They have two ladies' night. The best one is called Monroe Nights, every Tuesday, with free-flow drinks all night long. Women can also have a 3-course dinner for AED250. There is another one on Sunday, called The List, with urban music (rap, R'n'B, hip-hop).

Mantis in Emirates Financial Center
This new club in DIFC (Dubai International Finance Center) is opened from Wednesday to Friday until 4 AM. Girls can drink and eat sushis for free every day until 1 AM. No dancefloor so it's better to book a table (starting AED3,000). There are several shows to watch, from live music to sexy dancers.

Other Popular Bars in Dubai

European expat bars:
Lock Stock and Barrel - Best on Tuesday for their busy ladies' night. 2 locations in Dubai (Jumeirah Beach Resort and Grand Millenium Hotel)
Double Decker - British pub with outdoor garden
Mc Gettigan's - Irish pub, part of an international chain, with 5 different locations in Dubai
Fibber Magee's - Discreet Irish pub in the financial district with quiz nights and live music
The Stables - British pub, near Fibber Magee's. Good daily bands. I recommend the reggaeton night on Fridays. Three ladies night per week = a decent number of girls, including some flight attendants. AED30 for a pint of beer during happy hours.
The Irish Village - 3 branches in Dubai for this Irish pub, full of regulars.

Outdoor lounges and rooftops:
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40 Kong
Penthouse - In Five Palm Jumeirah, if offers one of the best views of the city. Chic and elitist. Best to go on Thursdays only.
Iris - Managed by the same group as White, this open-air bar is on the 27th floor of The Oberoi hotel. Cool crowd, good cocktails and live music on Tuesday and Sunday.
40 Kong - Hip rooftop on the 40th floor of the H Hotel. One of the top bars among younger expats in Dubai.

Live music:
MusicHall - Weekend only. 10 performances of various genres (rock, jazz, arabic, etc). Minimum spend AED3,000.

House and techno clubs:
The Grid - Berlin-style warehouse with monthly events
The Hatch - Great underground club in the engine room of the ship Queen Elizabeth 2.

Hip Bars:
Skorpeus - New bar, gorgeous design, very intimate. They have deep house nights on Friday which are pretty cool. On that day, it becomes an after-hour club by staying open until 5-6 AM. Girls get 3 drinks for AED100, guys get 4 drinks for AED150.
Indie DIFC - Various events every day of the week. Great brunch. Salsa night on Monday.
Seven Sisters - Chic bar with an open-air terrace. 5 free drinks for their Tuesday's ladies night.

Ethnic Bar and Clubs:
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Czar is a bar targeting the Russian community in Dubai
These nightlife venues target specific communities.

→ Filipinos: BoracayClub 7 or Bodega Garage (all great to try if you want to meet Filipinas and spend less money on drinks).
→ Indians: PulseInka. Check also the events organized by AKS NightsDejaVu, or Desi Night in UAE
→ Lebanese: 961LB
→ Russians: Czar and Chameleon Club.
→ Arabs (Khaliji music): SolitaireOmni and Drama
→ Africans: I'm not sure they have their own club, but there are many in Club Boudoir.

Pool and Beach Clubs:
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Zero Gravity Beach Club
The beach clubs in Dubai are a nightlife destination of their own. You can go there in the afternoon for a brunch (with free-flow drinks), then stay until late for partying. Beware as most of them are closed during summer months. Here are the best ones:

Zero Gravity - Huge and crowded beach club. I recommend their brunch on Thursday and Friday with 4 hours of free-flow alcohol and food.
Barasti Beach - Legendary beach club among the party crowd. A bit touristy and tacky, but perfect for those who want to mingle and flirt. Free entrance.

Overall, Dubai is not a good destination to meet a girl, especially at night.

As elsewhere in the Middle-east, it is almost impossible to date a local girl. They rarely go out, and if they do, they don't mingle with foreigners (too conservative, too rich, and too protected). It is not very important anyway since they only represent a fraction of the women staying in Dubai (over 90% of the population is foreign).

There are women from every single nationality on earth in Dubai, but you could split them into just a few groups:

Staff workers, mostly from Southeast Asia, India, and Africa (waitresses, shopkeepers, maids, receptionists, etc). They are the easiest to meet, either online on Tinder or in bar/clubs during ladies' nights.

Mid-to-upper level expatriates: They aren't as numerous as men, but there are still plenty of them, from various nationalities. They are usually quite westernized, even if they are from Asia or the Middle East. Many are English teachers. The single ones are usually looking for expats, so they can be hard to date if you are a tourist.

Flight attendants working for Emirates. There are thousands of them, usually young, pretty, and single. They are in high demand, so you'll be able to date them only if you are good-looking,  confident, and reasonably wealthy. It will really help if you are living in Dubai as well.

Short-term visitors: Dubai welcomes a fair number of tourists, especially from the nearby countries that are more conservative. You'll find them in places such as Pier 7 or Barasti Beach Club.

Hookers and "professional girlfriends": There is an incredible number of prostitutes in Dubai, from low-end to high-class. They can be found everywhere: In clubs, in the streets, or online (for instance on the sugar baby website Seeking Arrangement).

Prostitution in Dubai
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It's hard to talk about Dubai nightlife without mentioning its huge prostitution scene. You will see hookers or escorts everywhere, from the cheap ethnic bars in Deira to the most exclusive clubs in the 5-star hotels.

In the latter, prostitution is rather discreet. You will see some young women, from every part of the world (but mostly from Eastern Europe and Russia), sitting by themselves at a bar and enjoying drinks. If you smile at them, they will approach you and reveal who they are. The most beautiful ones may ask over AED3,000 for one night.

In Deira, things are more straight-forward. In the hotel bars of that area, 100% of girls are prostitutes, and they will go straight to your table. Typically, they will ask between AED700 and AED2,000.

Here are some of those famous clubs (most of them have a DJ/live band and a dancefloor).

Premier Bar in Hyatt Regency - Famous spot with over a hundred girls from every ethnicity. Pricier than elsewhere. AED200 for entrance after midnight.
Red Square in Moscow Hotel - Mostly Eastern European girls - Weekend entrance fee is AED150.
Ratsky in Fortune Karama Hotel - Bar full of Filipinas - Affordable
Jules in Le Méridien Centre: Lots of Vietnamese and Chinese girls. Entry fee is AED65 on a weekday.
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Bachelor Party in Jakarta (2019)

This guide will give you insider's tips and recommendations to help you prepare a memorable bachelor party (or bachelorette) in Jakarta with your friends.

I will answer all the questions you may have about the best clubs to visit, how to get around in the city, which hotels to choose, how to meet Indonesian girls and how to stay safe.

If there is anything else you would like to know, please write a comment or send me an email thibaud@jakarta100bars.com.

Partying with friends? Read my guide: 18 Best Apartments for Bachelor Parties in Jakarta

This review was updated in September 2019.

Why choosing Jakarta for a bachelor party:
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Really, why Jakarta?
Jakarta is not as popular as Bangkok or Manila for bachelor parties, probably because the city has a poor reputation: Endless traffic jams, pollution, chaos, underdevelopment and very few tourist attractions.

All of the above are true. Jakarta is a mad city, yet it has a few advantages compared to other Asian capitals:

- It is not difficult to mix with Indonesians, guys and girls. Indonesians usually speak good English and are friendly. In particular, if you come for party, you can expect meeting girls easily in clubs or through online dating apps.

- Endless nightlife options, all relatively safe to visit. You have a mix of posh clubs and more local venues where you won't feel uncomfortable even if you are the only foreigners there.

- Nightlife curfews are usually ignored, meaning you can keep on partying until early morning.

- No difficulties to enter clubs with large groups of male.

- There are few foreigners staying in Jakarta compared to Bangkok. For this reason, being a "bule" (white person) can be an advantage, especially with girls.

Is it smart to organize a bachelor party in a Muslim country?
You may also wonder if it is a good idea to organize a weekend of debauchery in the capital of a Muslim country.

As of 2019, many middle-class Jakartans follow a moderate version of Islam and they don't mind drinking a bit of alcohol, having sex before marriage and even eating pork once in a while.
That's not the majority of the population, but that's enough to have all nightclubs packed on Fridays and Saturdays. Most Indonesian-Chinese are protestants or catholics so they amount for a large percentage of clubbers in the city too.

Indonesia is becoming more and more religious though. I think that a ban on nightlife activities and alcohol in Jakarta is very likely to happen in the coming years (I'll write about that in the near future). One more reason to enjoy it while it lasts!

How much will I spend on a 2-night weekend bachelor party in Jakarta?

Jakarta is more expensive than Bangkok. For a decent night out, you must spend at least 150$ per day (excluding the hotel). If you plan to go to the top luxury karaokes and massage parlours in the city, then it will cost even more (up to 500$ per day).

The big problem is that alcohol is heavily taxed and it's hard to get a cocktail for less than 10$.

If you cannot spend that kind of money, I advise you to go somewhere else. Try Vietnam: Saigon Nightlife.


Recommendations to make sure your stag party goes well

Keep the party in the clubs. Don't show that you are drunk in public space. The country is Muslim and even though Indonesians are easy going, you don't want to offend anybody. Local media love running stories about disrespectful foreigners. If you don't want to make national news, you should understand that and be smart, even when you are drunk.

Do not visit during a religious holidays (Ramadan, Idul Adha). On National Day (August 17th) and at Christmas/New Year, Jakarta is more quiet than usual. It is better to enjoy Bali nightlife during that time. It is also best to avoid Jakarta during the peak of the rainy season (January-February). Jakarta can be flooded during this time, making transport more difficult from one point to the other.

Drugs are not legal, but they are widely available, especially in North Jakarta. Foreigners are more likely to get into troubles because they lack the connections and information that some Indonesians have to avoid going to jail (see for instance the story of Christopher Daniel Sjarif who got away with killing 4 people under LSD). I would recommend not taking drugs in Jakarta. If you do, never ever carry anything with you, buy it from someone you are sure you can trust, and prepare some cash in case you get arrested.

Prostitution is not legal but it is tolerated as well. There are rarely crackdown on brothels and massage parlors in Jakarta (unlike in Medan or Surabaya). To avoid any problems, make sure that your hotel is girl-friendly: Jakarta Hotel Guide.

Since Jakarta can be intimidating, it is best if a local expat help you organize or if you can come to scout the city beforehand.

Jakarta Hotel Guide: Where to sleep in Jakarta for a bachelor party?
You need to make sure that your hotel is located in the center of the city and close from Sudirman street. Jalan Sudirman is the backbone of Jakarta, it is connected to almost all the important streets and buildings you'll need to go to. 

For this reason, I would recommend one of the following (please book through Agoda, I get a small commission out of it):

5-star hotels:
Grand Hyatt Hotel: It is connected to Plaza Indonesia mall, in which you have the Immigrant nightclub, the Dreams lounge and Cloud rooftop bar.

Kempinski: It is connected to Grand Indonesia with several popular bars like Paulaner Brauhaus, Social House or Skye.

The Mandarin Oriental and the Pullman Thamrin are good as well and they were renovated just a few years ago.

The Mulia Hotel and the Shangri La are not as centrally-located but they have very busy bars with lots of working girls. It can also be an option.

4-star hotels:
There are several Accor properties in Jakarta which are relatively new. Mercure Sabang is located in the center. Novotel Gajah Mada is quite up north but it is interesting if you just want to party in that area.

Other central choices: Check the hotels in those locations - Plaza IndonesiaMega Kuningan, Rasuna SaidPlaza Senayan.

If you are wondering if your hotel is girl-friendly or not, you don't have to worry. Almost all hotels in Jakarta are except small family guesthouses. For more information, please read: Girl-friendly and sex hotels in Jakarta.

Read also: Where to Stay in Jakarta - Best Areas for Tourists.

Best luxury apartments starting 100$ per night per person:
A great way to enjoy your bachelor party is to rent an apartment during your stay. The cost for a 3-bedroom all-inclusive apartment is not that high if you split the bill.

The apartment makes it easy to buy and store booze, and it is a comfy place for starting the party.

I recommend you to check the following, all located in central locations:
Fraser Residence: The best choice - They have 3-bedroom apartments and it is brand new.
Ascott Jakarta and Aston Rasuna have 2-bedroom apartments only.

You can read more information here: Best Apartments for Bachelor Parties in Jakarta

How to get around in Jakarta?
Considering you might spend a lot of time in traffic jams, your transportation choices are crucial. I strongly recommend renting a minibus or minivan to get around in the city. The price is reasonable and it will assure you continuous fun throughout the weekend.

You can rent a isuzu for instance and pack it with beer and music. The price is about 90$ per day including the driver, cheaper than paying several taxis each time you want to go somewhere.

I used the services of 911 Rental several times and it was always a great experience. You can also try Jakarta Rent Bus. Make sure to explain to the driver that you are planning on partying in the bus to avoid any troubles.

If you choose to go with taxis, just remember to negotiate the meter in advance. I use Blue Bird and Express but other brands are fine too. The dangers of taxi is overrated in my opinion. If you go inside a "bad" taxi, your only risk is to lose a 5$ or to do a few extra kilometers.

Read my guide: Getting Around in Jakarta.

Are there strip clubs in Jakarta?
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This is not an advertisement for Marlboro...
I wrote a review about the best striptease and sexy dancer clubs in Jakarta. That's a good start for you to read. All the places mentioned are great for a bachelor party, but the best ones are naturally the most expensive.

The priciest is 1001 Sexy Pool. Renting a karaoke room with a jacuzzi filled with 10 super hot girls is possible but it would cost you around 2,000$ for 1 hour. In that same spot, you can also play volleyball with girls in bikini in the pool. Malioboro is a bit cheaper and very popular as well.

If your budget is limited, you can go to King Cross, Classic or B'Fashion Hotel instead (see my review here: Striptease and Body Massage in B'Fashion).

Otherwise, a private lap dance in a strip club like Malio or Tease is not that expensive. If you pay about 10 ladies drinks (Rp500,000), you will be more than satisfied.

Where to party to meet normal girls?
I wrote several reviews that should help you decide about the best clubs and bars to visit in Jakarta: Jakarta Best Clubs, Jakarta Best Bars, Jakarta Nightlife Guide.

If you are not very familiar with Jakarta, I would just stay with the classics: Dragonfly, Boca Rica, Basque and Basque. Those are the nightclubs with the most foreigners and with the most girls looking to meet foreigners as well.

What are the things to do in Jakarta during the day?
Spa and Massage Parlours
The best thing to do in Jakarta during day time is certainly to go to a spa. They are cheap, well-equipped and you can find them everywhere (see my review: Finding a Spa in Jakarta).

Visiting a museum, a monument, a historical building, a mosque or a traditional market:
If you are interested to do cultural sightseeing, you may want to check my reviews in the category: Things to do in Jakarta.

Shopping
If you just want to kill time, the best you can do is hangout in a mall such as Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan or Grand Indonesia. I love spending afternoons in De Luca in Plaza Senayan and just look at the people passing by.

Dating an Indonesian girl
You can get a date on Badoo or Tinder quite easily with my guide: Dating Websites in Indonesia. A great place to bring your date is the Blitz Cinema in Pacific Place. Choose the Velvet auditorium which is specially designed for couples. You can also bring her to one of Jakarta's rooftop restaurants.

Bachelor party schedule for a 2-night and 3-day stag weekend:
If you come to Jakarta for a full weekend from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, I would recommend the following schedule:

Friday Evening:
- Dinner in a busy restaurant near the party spots, such as Loewy/Bluegrass/The Dutch/Basque
- Then, drinks at a rooftop bar like Cloud, Skye or Henshin
- Party in Basque/Boca Rica/Dragonfly/Fable starting 1am (book a table near the dancefloor)
- After closing, go to North Jakarta (Colosseum or a 24-hour karaoke like 108 Club)

Saturday Afternoon:
- Spa and Karaoke session in 1001 Hotel, Illigals, Sun City, Malioboro or King Cross: From 3pm to 6pm.

Saturday Evening:
Same as Friday evening above

Sunday:
- Brunch in a 5-star hotel like Raffles
- Spa session: Delta or My Place.


- Dinner in B.A.T.S (steaks + live music + girls)

To make your decision, you should also check the DJs coming to Jakarta or if there are any cool festivals like Djakarta Warehouse Project, Java Jazz Festival or Color Run while you are here.

Conclusion:
Confused? Please send me a message thibaud@jakarta100bars.com and I'll do my best to help you organize your trip.

Photo credit: Kuclukoye and Indra Kurniawan. I also took the party pics on the facebook page of Immigrant. If your face is in there and you want it removed, just ask.
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10 Best Nightclubs to Meet Indonesian Girls in Jakarta (2019)

This article was last updated on September 14th, 2019. I removed X2, Immigrant, Empirica, and Level II (Foundry 8) that have closed down and added Boca Rica, Loewy, Beer Hall, and Eastern Promise.

Going to nightclubs or bars is one of the best ways to meet Indonesian girls.

It is a bit more challenging than online dating because you need to know what are the best venues and the best days to be successful. You must also be careful to differentiate between the "normal" girls, the prostitutes, and the professional girlfriends (sugar babies). The latter category are all the ladies who make a living from having one or several boyfriends. Depending on what you are looking for, they can be either a great target or something to avoid.

Don't like Meeting Girls from Nightclubs? Read 10 Best Dating Sites and Apps in Indonesia.

Tips for Meeting Girls in Clubs in Jakarta

When to Party?
Wednesday is the absolute best day for partying in Jakarta. It is cheaper, less crowded, and many nightclubs have a ladies night. This means the percentage of good girls will be higher than usual. Also, you have less competition from other guys, as there are less of those tourists/travelers who come for the weekend from Singapore/Kuala Lumpur looking for one-night-stands.

On Wednesday, I suggest starting your night out in McGettigan's in Mega Kuningan (ladies night with 3 free drinks per girl).

How to Party to Meet Girls Easily?
If possible, always reserve a table or a sofa. You generally have to spend a minimum of IDR4-7 Million to get a table in a strategic location, near the DJ or near the dancefloor. That's about 3 bottles of spirits + the mixers. If you are with 4 or 5 friends, that's not more expensive than paying an entrance fee and buying several drinks separately. If you are alone or with just a couple of friends, ask the waiter if you can keep the unused bottles for another night.

Having a table will make you 10X more desirable in the eyes of girls. It's a huge chick magnet because they will be under the impression that 1) You have money 2) You can buy them drinks 3) You are important.

How to Improve Your Success Rate with Girls:

IndonesianCupid (Advertising)
Meeting girls while partying in Jakarta is not difficult as long as you are young, good-looking and confident. For the rest of us, I recommend making some contacts online before going out.

IndonesianCupid works well because the majority of girls there are looking to meet foreigners. Unlike on Tinder, many will not care if you live in Indonesia or not.

For this reason, you can start chatting with them even before you arrive in Indonesia and set up a few dates while you are still in your home country.

It is free to register and to look at all the girls' profiles. If you match with them, it's also free to chat.

I'm ranking below the 10 nightclubs with the prettiest and hottest girls in Jakarta. I added some information such as the percentage of prostitutes, your chances of picking up a girl there, and the kind of clients (male and female) it attracts. It's not science, only an estimate based on my personal experience. I didn't mention the price for each nightclub because they are all in the same category: Expensive.

I took the photos on the Instagram account of each venue. It was not easy to find pretty girls as most of them are drunk and they look messy. If you are in a picture and want it removed just email me thibaud@jakarta100bars.com.

You can click on the name of each nightclub for a complete review:

Basque
Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: About 25% and 25% more are sugar babies/professional girlfriends like you would meet on SeekingArrangement.
Type of male crowd: Expats and Western tourists
Type of female crowd: Indonesian office girls, students, prostitutes, professional girlfriends who want to meet with foreign guys.
Age of clients: 22-45
Pick up possibilities: High

Basque is only busy on Friday and Saturday. Avoid the other nights.

Ratio guys to girls: 65% guys and 35% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 10%
Type of male crowd: Rich Indonesians, socialites, expats. Some students and office workers as well since the entrance is free.
Type of female crowd: On the dancefloor: Normal Indonesian girls. On the sofas and tables: Indonesian girls from the upper-class (or dating rich Indo guys).
Age of clients: 25-45
Pick up possibilities: Good

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 20%
Type of male crowd: Expats who tuck their shirts in.
Type of female crowd: Indonesian girls looking for rich expats, celebrities, models, escorts
Age of clients: 25-40
Pick up possibilities: Good

Ratio guys to girls: 75% guys and 25% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Around 20%
Type of male crowd: Diverse crowd of expats (mostly Westerner and above 30)
Type of female crowd: Girls who want to find a serious foreign boyfriend (and girls who are already married to a foreigner). Quite a few Western women as well.
Age of clients: 30-65
Pick up possibilities: Medium

Ratio guys to girls: 65% guys and 35% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Type of male crowd: Rich and young Indonesian Chinese, Indonesians living abroad
Type of female crowd: Young Indonesian-Chinese
Age of clients: 18-25
Pick up possibilities: Low

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: less than 10%
Type of male crowd: High-school, students, spoiled kids
Type of female crowd: Same as above.
Age of clients: under 18 to 25
Pick up possibilities: Low

Venue, Nu China and Dronk (Kemang)
These 3 nightclubs/bars are all located in Kemang and they are popular with a younger crowd.

Ratio guys to girls: 80% guys and 20% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 25%
Type of male crowd: Indonesian students, few foreigners
Type of female crowd: Indonesian high school girls and young students
Age of clients: 16-20 (Yes, many underage girls so always ask the girl her age)
Pick up possibilities: Medium to High due to the low number of foreigners

This smokey bar has live music every night. It is not very popular with foreigners, so you'll stand out in the crowd if you go there. The downside is that you'll have to hear a lot of cheesy Indonesian pop songs.

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 10%
Type of male crowd: Mid-to-upper class Indonesians working in the business district of Jakarta
Type of female crowd: Office girls and students
Age of clients: 20-30
Pick up possibilities: Average

Ratio guys to girls: 75% guys and 25% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 40%
Type of male crowd: Indonesian Chinese, expats, tourists
Type of female crowd: Lady companions from 1001 and Alexis Karaoke, normal Indonesian party girls with their group of friends
Age of clients: 20-35
Pick up possibilities: Low (unless you are willing to pay)

CJ's and BATS
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CJ's Bar
These two hotels bars are located in the Mulia hotel and the Shangri-La hotel respectively. They are where you should go if you are OK to pay to get laid with women in Jakarta.

Ratio guys to girls: 45% guys and 55% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 90%
Type of male crowd: Businessmen, Expats
Type of female crowd: Prostitutes and professional girlfriends, with a few normal girls who enjoy live music
Age of clients: 30-65
Pick up possibilities: Very high if you pay

This restaurant and bar is still a popular joint for picking up girls, more than 10 years after it opened.

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 20% 
Type of male crowd: Expats and executives
Type of female crowd: Some "bule" hunter, some sugar babies, some office girls, and some career women.
Age of clients: 25-45
Pick up possibilities: Average
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Baku Nightlife: 20 Best Bars and Nightclubs (2019) - Azerbaijan

I spent 2 days in Baku during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2018. I partied on two evenings and, even though I probably only scratched the surface of the nightlife, I'm writing this short guide about the best bars and nightclubs I have been to.

If you don't have the time to read my whole review, here is a short summary:
- Best elite bar: Pasifico Baku
- Best bar: Madrid Bar
- Best nightclub: Enerji Baku
- Best live music/alternative expat crowd: Le Chateau
- Best expat bars: Go to Abdulkarim Alizada street or Tarlan Abdullayev street.
- Best hotels to stay near the nightlife: Choose a location near Fountain Square such as Hilton Baku (200$/night), Park Inn By Radisson (130$/night), Karat Inn Hotel (60$/night) or Austin Boutique Hotel (55$/night).

Note: I last updated this review on 12th August 2019.


Baku Nightlife
From what I've seen, Baku nightlife is not very interesting for a single guy. The main problem is that middle-class Azeri women do not frequent nightclubs or bars. They often live in conservative families that do not allow them to party or even to hang out with friends late at night.

As a result, most nightclubs are populated by only men and prostitutes. Many can be found in the shabby basements of buildings around the city center. They are dark, poorly designed and dodgy, with rarely more than 20 customers. Girls are often Russians, getting money from either dancing, companionship or sex (I saw that some of them were sugar babies on the website SeekingArrangement). As I was there during the Grand Prix, the guys seemed to be from everywhere, with a majority from Turkey and the Middle East.
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The atmosphere inside a "basement" club
Some upper-class Azeri women are more liberal, though. You will rarely see one in those basements. They hang out in elite nightspots (restaurants, lounges, hookah bars, live music cafés, etc) that can be quite expensive. These venues are not really interesting for single guys since customers stay between groups of friends. If you are alone, you may even be refused entry if you are not accompanied by a woman (for instance in Pasifico or in Buddha Bar).
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Nightlife Areas + Nearby Hotels
The center of Baku nightlife is around Merchant's Street (called Torgovaya), a small pedestrian area east of the Old City. The most distinguishable landmark there is the Fountain's Square. From there, you will be within 5 minutes walking distance from most the venues listed below.

I would recommend choosing a hotel nearby, for instance, one of the following:

5-star hotel:
Hilton Baku: 200$ per night, rated 8.6/10

4-star hotel:
Park Inn By Radisson: 130$ per night, rated 8.3/10. They have a nightclub, Eleven, on the 11th floor.

3-star hotel:
Karat Inn Hotel: 60$ per night, rated 8.4/10
Austin Boutique Hotel55$ per night, rated 8.1/10

You can check this list of properties to help you: Hotels Near Fountain Square in Baku.

A 5-minute walk away, there is a small red light district with discreet massage parlors and hostess clubs (the famous basement clubs mentioned earlier). The highest concentration is at the crossroad between Bulbul Avenue and Dilara Aliyeva Street. Some of the notable venues are Status, Coral, Grotta, Blackbird, Leo etc. All of them have sexy dancers and prostitutes. Entrance is free but drinks may be overpriced. Beware of scams.
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Sexy dancers inside a basement club
Finally, the area around National Flag Square is also interesting for eating out and partying. It is a renovated industrial area with hipster restaurants (El Portalon, Atelye 61, Maya Mexican) and bars (La Vida Tequila Bar and Enerji nightclub). I don't recommend staying there as it is too far from the city center, but if you must, the East Legend Hotel has good ratings (60$ per night).

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Baku
I didn't really have fun in Baku. Most of the night spots are quiet (even during the F1 Grand Prix!) and the attitude of the staff is rarely welcoming to foreigners. As a single guy, you can expect being denied entry in all the most famous venues so you'll need to find a date to accompany you (Tinder or SeekingArrangement are your best chance).

Something worth pointing out is that 80% of the most famous bars and nightclubs in Baku belong to one group called Saffron. Their properties are popular with Azerbaijan's golden youth, the sons and daughters of the elite. They generally prefer staying between themselves and they'll rarely show any interest for people who don't belong to their circle.

Still, I'm listing those places below due to the lack of alternatives. Please leave me a comment below if you think I should add/remove one!

Pasifico
One of the most happening night spots in Baku, it is owned by the Saffron group. It was recommended to me unanimously by all the Azeris I met.

On my first night, I was unable to get in because I was not accompanied by a girl. On my second attempt, I brought a date for dinner (note that there is a 50 Manats minimum spend).

It is a mid-sized lounge, sandwiched between the Caspian Sea and the Boulevard. Pleasant views, especially from the terrace.

The food was overpriced, as expected, but the taste was decent. Louder dance music starts around midnight. The dance floor was half empty. Most guests are groups of friends or couples. Some girls looked like prostitutes.

More information: Pasifico Baku

Enerji
Also part of the Saffron group, Enerji is one of the few proper nightclubs in Baku. It is located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the city center, near the National Flag Square. It is built on two floors: A semi-open terrace with a dance floor and sofas, and a mezzanine for dining. Bouncers may allow single males to enter but you can book a dinner in advance to make sure of that.

Don't expect large crowds during weekdays. Weekends are normally much better. Commercial music. A lot of girls but they are always accompanied.

It is next to the Elektra Events Hall which features live artists and DJs regularly.

More information: Enerji Baku

Madrid Bar
This new venue is a little bit off the center, but it's worth a short taxi ride. It is a Spanish-themed cocktail bar with a mixed crowd and a friendly team of bartenders. The music mostly mainstream house and pop. They also serve tapas.

More information: Madrid Bar

Otto
Otto Club is conveniently located in the city center, 300 meters from Fountain Square. 10 Manats entrance fee (they might ask you to be accompanied by a girl). Laid-back atmosphere and crowd (Turkish guests). Live music followed by a DJ every day. Pool tables. Some working girls.

More information: Otto Baku

Located about 5 kilometers from the city center, on the seafront, this bar/club opens seasonally a few months every year. They have DJs or live bands playing non-commercial genre (jazz, deep house, etc). Worth a visit if they have a special event.

More information: Barrel Playground

Sektoreight
Sektor Eight is a new club with electronic music and techno. Check their Facebook for more information about their DJ schedule.

Facebook: Sektoreight

Sintetik
Dark and loud, Sintetik is the best after-hours club in the city. Open on weekends only until 8 AM, it is as underground as it can be. Techno music.

Note that it is closing for the summer and it should reopen in October only. 

More information: Sintetik Baku

There used to be another minimal/techno club called "IN" but they were shut down by the authorities. They still organize parties once in a while so you can check their Facebook for updates (In Club).

Buddha Bar
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Another property owned by the Saffron Group. As usual, a nice setting (maybe the most beautiful bar in Baku) but a rather snobbish atmosphere. It can be difficult to enter without a girl unless you make a reservation for dinner. Average, expensive food. 14 Manats for a cocktail. Not too busy.

More information: Buddha Bar Baku

A small, dark bar for the alternative crowd. Techno and trance music.

More information: Hashtag Bar

Taboo Club

A high-end restaurant and lounge for rich Azeris elite. Shisha. Tiny dancefloor. Not recommended if you are claustrophobic. Some girls are escorts.

More information: Taboo Baku

High Boost
A restaurant more than a club, High Boost has a great view on Baku (23rd floor). On weekends, they have live bands and DJs. Strict door policy.

More information: High Boost Baku

Alternatively, if you are looking for another restaurant high up in the air, you can check Gate 25, on the 25th floor of the Demirchi Tower.

Soho Baku (CLOSED)
One of those semi-luxury places where you aren't sure if the girls are prostitutes or not. Commercial music. Not so friendly with foreigners.

More information: Soho Bar and Lounge

Eleven (CLOSED)
High-end nightclub and lounge on the 11th floor of the Park Inn By Radisson Hotel. You need a girl to get in unless you are a hotel guest. Nice view of the Caspian Sea. Few people are dancing. Most are just eating and smoking shisha with their group of friends. Many Russians. As a single foreign guy, you are most likely to be ignored by everyone (if you manage to get in). 10 Manats for a beer. Commercial music. It closes at 4 AM on weekends.

More information: Eleven Baku

Best Pubs in Baku
Since Baku has a sizable number of foreign residents (principally working in the oil industry), you can find many expat pubs. Most are located within a few streets from the Fountain Square.

Most of the pubs I visited were very quiet apart from a handful of customers. Some that had a decent crowd were (in that order) Castle PubClansmen, Shakespeare, Red LionHopsShamrockBeer StationLondon PubHairy Lemon and Finnegan's.

You can bar-hop from one another in a single evening as they are walking distance from each other. Just start in Abdulkarim Alizada street or in Tarlan Abdullayev street.

They all serve Western food (sometimes Indian and Mexican too). You can expect sports channels to be turned on and a live band to play on weekends. On average, a beer costs 6 Manats and a cocktail 10 Manats.

There were two pubs I enjoyed more than the others:

Harbour
A crowded bar, full of tourists and expats (especially after work). Outdoor terrace, sports on TV. Live music on weekends. They serve disappointing, yet expensive, Indian food. Owned by the Saffron Group.

More information: Harbour

This tiny pub is one of the cheapest I've been to in Baku (local beers costing less than 1 Manat). It is also one of the most crowded, particularly with students. It is not very comfortable, nor pretty, and the service can take forever. That said, I recommended it if you are interested in socializing with young Azeris.

More information: Bukowski Pub

Best Live Music in Baku

Le Chateau Music Bar

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This live music bar was lively both nights I visited it. It has a mixed crowd of young Azeris, expats and backpackers. It's a perfect place to meet other people, especially if you are alone. Some pretty girls. The music schedule is eclectic, from rock to jazz. Check their Facebook for the updated schedule. Cheap prices (starting 1 Manat for a beer and 3 Manats for a whisky coke).

More information: Le Chateau

Hard Rock Café
I don't normally enjoy Hard Rock Cafés, but since the rest of Baku nightlife is so quiet, I feel this one is worth mentioning. It has a very central location, 100 meters from Fountain Square, and every time I passed by it was crowded. It is a good option for single souls who don't feel like exploring the city by themselves.

More information: Hard Rock Café Baku

Gramophone
Small, laid-back café with live local bands (Jazz, folk, blues). Cheap prices (1-2 Manats for a beer, 6 Manats for a cocktail). Near from Le Chateau.

More information: Gramophone Café

Etud
Live music bar in a basement. Relaxed crowd, inexpensive drinks.

More information: Etud

Oxen
Oxen could be a decent bar, but unfortunately, it is empty. Located near from Otto Club/Fountain Square, it is worth checking out if you enjoy listening to non-commercial music (live or DJs). Affordable prices and free entrance.

More information: Oxen

Best Wine Bars in Baku

Room
This homey wine lounge is popular with expatriates and their wives. Reasonable prices and friendly service. Buffet on Wednesday, Wine Tasting on Thursday. DJ on weekends. Live Jazz occasionally.

More information: Room Baku

Kelfi
Similar to Room (but smaller), it also attracts expatriates and trendy locals. Minimalist design. Wide selection of local wines.

More information: Kelfi
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Robot & Co (Jakarta)

Robot & Co is a new bar/restaurant replacing the famous Potato Head Café. It is located on the ground floor of the luxury mall Pacific Place, in a corner that has become one of the hotspots of SCBD nightlife. Indeed, just next to Robot & Co, you will find more popular bars like Cork & Screw, Chambers, Odysseia, Hard Rock Café, and Osteria Gia. 

Robot & Co has kept some similarities with Potato Head. It still has the long, central bar, and the mezzanine above it. However, the iconic vintage windows have been replaced by neat bamboo walls, giving the space a more modern vibe. Another important change is that the outdoor area has been closed with glass panels. It is still a relaxing spot to hang out, surrounded by leafy plants, but at least you won't suffer from the heat anymore.

They've also added some comfortable sofas in the back and in the mezzanine, perfect for starting a night out with a small group of friends (minimum spending of IDR1,5M after 6 PM).

The menu features mostly Western favorites (salads, soups, pasta, burgers, grilled fish and meat) and a few Asian dishes. Their imported steaks are the most expensive items on the menu, starting at IDR260,000++ for an Australian grass-fed sirloin.

I went for the Pan-seared salmon (IDR170,000++) and I was happy with both the presentation and the taste. It was served with lemon-orange velouté and a gratin, both of which went above my expectations.

They also have a nice selection of hand-crafted cocktails (all priced between IDR130,000++ and IDR145,000++). I tried a few but my favorite was “La Contesa”, a tropical cocktail with a rum and blue Curacao base, pineapple juice, and spice syrup. 

Robot & Co is open from 11 AM until late dinner. Its atmosphere and its crowd change throughout the day. During lunch, most customers are executives and businessmen working in nearby offices. Starting at 6 PM, the place becomes less formal, with chillout music and a mixed crowd of diners/drinkers. Finally, from 10.30 PM onwards (especially starting Wednesdays), the DJs will turn up the sound and play some more upbeat tunes (House, R'n'B, Funk, EDM, Disco depending on the night).

Overall:
Recommended for after-hour drinks or dinner before exploring the rest of SCBD nightlife.

​Opening Hours:
Every day from 11 AM to 12 AM (1 AM on weekends and 10 PM on Sunday).

Robot & Co Jakarta
Ground Floor, Pacific Place Mall
SCBD, 48-51 Jalan Sudirman,
Senayan, Kebayoran Baru,
South Jakarta 12190, Indonesia

Instagram: @robotanco_id

Phone number: +62 (0) 811 8193 322
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Manila Nightlife: Best Clubs and Bars in 2019

Note: This Manila nightlife review was updated on September 23rd, 2019.

Manilla has one of the best nightlife in Asia for several reasons:

Party atmosphere:
Filipinos are famous for their fun and outgoing personalities. They love to drink, to dance, to sing, and to play music. Clubs in Manila are rarely uptight or boring, and dress codes are almost never implemented. The ambiance can get really wild, especially in the more local venues with fewer expats (in Quezon City for instance).

Cheap prices for alcohol, entrance fees, and taxis:
Even high-end nightclubs will only charge a 10$ entrance with 2 strong drinks included. You can easily get yourself drunk for 30 dollars in Manila, which is the price for one cocktail in some bars in Singapore.

Foreigner-friendly:
English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis. 

- Rather easy to meet pretty girls that are not prostitutes
While prostitution is big in Manila with several red-light districts, you also have a great dating and flirting scene with normal local girls.

Clubs and bars open late and every day:
You can go out any night of the week in Manila, you'll always find a crowded bar or nightclub. Also, there are no real curfews: Many clubs close at 6am, a few keep going until 8am.

There are a few negative sides about Manila though. The city is still developing and you won't see the kind of sophisticated bars and clubs as you would in Singapore, Bangkok or even Jakarta.

Hotels are usually a bit more expensive than elsewhere in Southeast Asia and their quality is average. The internet is terrible, even when advertised as being fast. During the day, you may spend a lot of time in traffic (not as much as in Jakarta anyway). There is a metro system but it is packed and hot. The food is not great unless you are a fan of junk food/fast-food chains.

Finally, security is an issue but it is quite exaggerated in my opinion. As long as you stay in the safest neighborhoods (like Makati) and use reputable taxi companies, you are not particularly at risk.

If you want to know more about Manila nightlife, this review will cover everything you need to know to party hard and to have fun. 

Metro Manila is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. It is actually made of several cities including Manila itself, Makati, Pasay, Taguig and Quezon City. You cannot visit everything in one night, of course. 

The nightlife is active in the following areas, by order of personal preference:

Makati
This is the main business district in Metro Manila and it is home to many expatriates. Within Makati, you should head to the subdistrict of Poblacion to find the most happening bars and clubs.

Not far from there, on P Burgos Street, the nightlife is much seedier. This is a red-light district area full of gogo bars, freelancers and brothels.

The hotels I recommend near Makati nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'M Hotel - US$100/night
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1898 Hotel Colonia En Las Filipinas - US$60/night
⭐⭐Green Suites Makati - US$30/night

Bonifacio Global City (BGC or The Fort)
This is a newer business district that currently competes with Makati. It is more modern and attracts younger Filipinos and expats. It is built on a grid, meaning it's easy to go from one place to another. It's probably the safest area in Metro Manila. The clubs and bars are located either in The Fort Strip or in The Palace Complex (#1 nightlife spot in Manila).

Accommodation is hard to find in BGC, especially in the budget segment. The available hotels near the nightlife are all quite expensive, for instance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shangri-La at the Fort - US$250/night (it has a cool hidden bar inside called the back room)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seda Bonifacio Global City - US$150/night

Ermita/Malate
These are two districts of Manila located next to each other near the Manila Bay. They attract budget travelers, backpackers, tourists and Koreans/Japanese businessmen. It is also where most government buildings are. The area can be considered a red-light district with its Korean-style karaokes and its pubs with freelance prostitutes. You also have some street prostitution and a few popular expat bars. For partying, go to Adriatico and nearby streets.

The hotels I recommend near Ermita/Malate nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pan Pacific Manila - US$170/night
⭐⭐⭐ Hop Inn Hotel Ermita - US$40/night

Quezon City
It is actually the most populated city in the Philippines, before Manila. It is very authentic, mostly residential, with at least 10 good nightclubs, dozens of bars and a few karaokes/massage parlours.

The crowd is usually young and almost 100% local. Prices are low. There used to be a red light area with naked striptease but it was closed down by the Mayor a few years ago. To party, you can go to Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Avenue, Quezon City Avenue and Cubao X (for hipsters).

The hotels I recommend near Quezon City nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Novotel Manila Araneta Center - US$110/night
⭐⭐⭐ Red Planet Aurora Boulevard - US$30/night

Secondary nightlife areas:
Pasay/Parañaque are two municipalities located around the airport in the South of Manila. That's certainly not the most recommended area, except if you are looking for sex. In particular, you have the EDSA International Entertainment Complex, a sort of smaller local version of Nana Plaza with 6 bars lined up next to each other. You also have a few bordellos and gogo bars scattered around, for instance, Universe Strip Club or Air Force One KTV.

Ortigas Business District (Metrowalk): Several local bars with live music. Fun and good-natured atmosphere.

Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila
I have written reviews about each nightclub in Manila and Quezon City. You can find the full articles here: Best Nightclubs in Manila and here: Best Nightclubs in Quezon City.

I list here my favorites ones, starting with the best. I usually go clubbing with 1 or 2 persons maximum so I tend to prefer when there is a dancefloor, a nice bar area and where it is easy to meet new people.

Black Market
The current trendy club in Manila among expats and hip Filipinos. Music is anything but EDM. Lots of pretty girls but not so easy to chat with them.

XX XX and 20 20
This popular expat haunt consists of the 20 20 bar and the XX XX club. Underground vibe, with techno DJs mostly. Nice courtyard that welcomes events once in a while.

Xylo at the Palace (ex-Valkyrie)
Located in The Palace in Bonifacio Global City, it is huge and modern with a great party atmosphere. If you are new in Manila, Xylo is my first recommendation as you can meet girls easily. It is also connected to The Island Pool Club and Revel.

Cove Manila
This new luxury place features an indoor beach club and a huge nightclub. Very impressive décor and an upmarket crowd (many Koreans). It is opened just 3 nights a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and it often has special DJs or parties.

Core Nightclub
Located in Quezon City, about 30 minutes from Makati without traffic, Core is worth a visit if you want to experience another side of Manila nightlife: Younger, cheaper and probably crazier. In Quezon City, you can also check URBN QC and Guilly's.

Revel
Revel is crowded with 30+ years old executives and expats. It could be a fantastic club but there is almost no dancefloor so unless you book a sofa, you don't really feel comfortable. It is connected to Valkyrie and The Pool Club. Easy for meeting girls.

ZZYZX
This little club in Malate is packed every night of the week. Though targeting mostly Koreans, it is still one of my favorite places to party in Manila, especially on weekdays. You have a lot of pretty girls but 90% of them are freelance prostitutes.

URBN
URBN is more like a pub turned nightclub after midnight. Located next to the Fort Strip, it is considered to be a pick-up joint by many expats.

Clubs usually close around 5am-6am. If you want to keep going after that, you can go to LA Café (open 24-hour with many freelance prostitutes) or Bronx in P Burgos Street. (also a bar with working girls).

Best Bars in Metro Manila
You have hundreds of bars in Manila, from low-class joints in working-class neighborhoods to luxury rooftop bars in Makati. The best ones can usually be found in Poblacion (hipster/chic crowd) or in BGC (executives, expats, office workers).

In Poblacion, there are dozens of nice bars, walking distance to each other. The current best ones are Ms Gee, Boogie, NoKal, and Pura Vida.

In BGC, check the bars in The Fort (Early Night?, Bank Bar, The Keg, Draft) or in the Forbes Town Center (Tipsy Pig and several others).

Manila is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for live music. You can listen to any genre in hundreds of bars, but these are the current top spots:

Rock Music: Craft, The Brewery @ The Palace, Handlebar
Oldies/Retro: Strumm's
Indie Rock/Acoustic: 12 Monkeys, Saguijo, Route 196
Jazz, World Music, Reggae: Tago

Where to Meet (Normal) Filipino Girls?
Filipino girls are very friendly and they are interested in meeting with foreigners. Most are quite religious though (Catholic), and living with their families. For this reason, one night stands and hookups are not that common unless you go to the right clubs and bars (or if you pay a sugar baby, for instance on Sugar Arrangement).

A good idea is to download a few dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Badoo or Skout. Those apps work best if you are living in the Philippines or at least in Asia.

If you are only a tourist, then I would recommend the very popular FilipinoCupid instead. It can have up to 5,000 girls online, and many among them do not mind if you live abroad. Ideally, you should register on the site a few weeks before landing in Manila so you can already organize a few dates.
Gogo Bars, Striptease, Red Light Districts, Massage Parlours:
There is a lot of prostitution in Manila (though less than in the city of Angeles). For foreigners, you have 3 main red light districts:

- P Burgos Street in Makati: This is a rather colorful street, with mostly gogo bars, massage parlours and street prostitution.

- EDSA Entertainment Complex in Pasay: A similar, yet cheaper alternative to Burgos

- Malate/Ermita: A mix of everything from street prostitutes, Korean KTVs, spas and freelance bars

There are also a few independent massage parlours scattered around in the city. The most famous one is probably Flight 168, which is attached to the KTV Air Force One. Several services are included there for a price starting 90$. Some cheaper alternatives exist such as Starfleet in Parañaque (Nuru massage), or Kremlin, Wilderness and Pegasus on Quezon Avenue (Quezon City).

In the past 10 years, the local governments of some municipalities have put pressure on venues owners in an attempt to curb prostitution. This can be seen in Malate/Ermita and Quezon City where most gogo bars and naughty massage parlours have shut down. Police raids are rather common in such establishments.

In terms of striptease, there is only one place full nudity in Manila. It is called Universe and it is located in Pasay. Horizon Gentleman's VIP Club has real pole dancing shows, Las-Vegas style, but the girls don't strip naked.

Some gogo bars in Burgos street are hotter than others. In particular, Bottoms Bar where ladies' drinks can create miracles and make bras disappear.

Karaoke and Digital KTV
Popular family karaokes in Manila include CenterStage (Pasay and Makati) or the chain Music 21 (several locations).

If you are more interested in sexy karaokes with hostesses and hot lady companions, most of them are in Ermita/Malate (Korean and Japanese). You also have a few in Burgos Street (Makati), in Quezon City and around the airport.

In Ermita/Malate, you can just walk on Adriatico, Mabini, Bocobos and Remedios street and you'll see a lot of them with girls waiting outside in sexy dresses.

In general, you pay an entrance fee of 500PHP. This gives you access to free booze and food for a certain amount of time in the common area. The common area is quite similar to any bar with hostesses/bar girls except that you can sing. There might be a show sometimes (just singing). You can call the girl you like, chat with her and buy her ladies' drinks. You can also get some private time with her in a room, but this generally does not include anything sexual. The girl will usually give you her phone number and you can meet her outside for lunch or dinner. What happens next is just between you and her.
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10 Best Nightclubs and Bars to Meet Girls in Bali (2019)

Bali is a fantastic destination for single guys who want to meet girls. As soon as you'll arrive, you can download some popular dating apps and you'll be surprised by the high number of matches you will get. To be fair, there are also many prostitutes - especially on specific websites like SeekingArrangement - so be aware of it.

Another great way to meet girls in Bali is to visit bars and nightclubs, especially if you are staying around Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud. I wrote extensively about the nightlife in those areas, most recently two weeks ago with my guide: Where to Party in Bali?

In the following article, I will focus on the most recommended spots to meet girls. I've made sure to mention a diversity of venues so you are certain to find exactly what you are looking for - be it a rich student from Jakarta or a 200-pound Australian tourist (nothing wrong with that).

Review last updated on October 5th, 2019 (I removed Jenja and added Vault)
IndonesianCupid (Advertising)
Meeting girls in nightclubs in Bali is relatively easy if you are young, good-looking and confident. For the rest of us, I recommend making some contacts online before going out.

IndonesianCupid works well because most girls there are looking to meet foreigners. Unlike on Tinder, many will not mind if you are not living in Bali.

For this reason, you can start chatting with them even before you arrive in Indonesia and set up a few dates while you are still in your home country.

It is free to register and to look at all the girls' profiles. If you match with them, it's also free to chat.

Best Night-Time Spots to Meet Girls

The famous Sky Garden in Kuta features at least 5 different rooms, each with a different atmosphere and crowd. For instance:
- The rooftop (old school music) is popular with older people
- The huge Skydome attracts mostly Indonesian guests with big-name EDM DJs
- The R'n'B room has the most prostitutes and the drunkest clubbers.

IDR115,000 entrance fee from 5 PM to 9 PM with free food buffet and drinks. IDR150,000 after (entrance + 1 drink coupon).

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Around 25%
Male crowd: Australian tourists, Western backpackers, Asian and Indonesian tourists, Gays
Female crowd: Western tourists, Indonesian tourists and prostitutes
Age of clients: 18-35
Pick up possibilities: High
Dress code: Holiday (shorts, flip-flop). Girls who are well-dressed get a free entry from 9 PM to 11 PM.

Near from SkyGarden, Vi Ai Pi and Eikon are also recommended. If you want to meet drunk, low-class Aussie girls, you check Bounty, Paddy's Pub and the Engine Room.

La Favela is the Seminyak equivalent of Sky Garden. It is the busiest bar around, by far, and also a great one to meet beautiful ladies.

Don't visit it too early as it is also a restaurant. Things get more interesting after midnight, when the small dancefloor gets packed and steamy. The music is mainstream with essentially Top 40 hits from the past 30 years.

Free entrance.

Ratio guys to girls: 55% guys and 45% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Around 10%
Male crowd: Western tourists and expats
Female crowd: Western tourists and expats
Age of clients: 25-40
Pick up possibilities: High
Dress code: Chic holiday wear (if there is a queue, they implement a strict door policy)

This nightclub has an underground vibe that makes it popular with expats, and with girls who are trying to meet them. The latter include normal girls, but also professional girlfriends and prostitutes.

Electronic music on most nights. It closes late so you can consider it your last chance to score before going home.

Free entrance before 11.30pm. FDC 150k after that.

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 30%
Male crowd: Europeans
Female crowd: Indonesian
Age of clients: 25-45
Pick up possibilities: Good but beware many hookers.
Dress code: Formal

Motel Mexicola is one of the most happening bars in Seminyak, every night of the week. Maybe because of its Mexican theme, it is a magnet for women, mostly Australians and Indonesians.

To maximize your chances, I recommend you to sit on one of the communal picnic tables in the main room. There, you will never be too far from a group of women sipping margaritas.

Free entrance.

Ratio guys to girls: 40% guys and 60% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Male crowd: Australians
Female crowd: Australians, Indonesians
Age of clients: 20-45
Pick up possibilities: Average
Dress code: Holiday

Just across La Favela, Red Carpet Champagne Lounge is a pickup spot for guys interested in older women (above 40).

The place is often full, with tables very near from each other, so it's easy to befriend your neighbors. Despite its name, Red Carpet isn't really posh: It is laid-back and almost decadent. A fun place to get drunk!

Free entrance.

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Around 20%
Male crowd: Western tourists and expats
Female crowd: Western tourists, expats and Indonesians.
Age of clients: 40-60
Pick up possibilities: High
Dress code: Chic tropical wear

Mirror is a nightclub where most customers are rich Asians (and particularly Indonesians from Jakarta). You will enjoy it if you are looking to meet with young hi-so girls (high-society).

As long as you don't look like a backpacker or a tourist, you can be successful inside. It also helps if you book a table and order bottle service.

There is a first-drink charge of IDR250,000.

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Male crowd: Indonesian-Chinese from Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Denpasar
Female crowd: Same as above
Age of clients: 20-30
Pick up possibilities: Average
Dress code: Pants and shoes compulsory for men

Old Man's has a great beach party every Wednesday with an interesting mix of both trashy Kuta tourists and vegan, yoga-loving Canggu residents.

Free entry.

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Male crowd: Australians, Europeans
Female crowd: Idem
Age of clients: 20-35
Pick up possibilities: Average
Dress code: Holiday wear

Vault
This new club just opened in 2019 and it is one of the most happening in Bali now. Underground atmosphere (one of the rooms is actually called "the bunker") and trendy crowd. Music is hip-hop or house.

Ratio guys to girls: 65% guys and 35% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 20% and many girls looking for expats.
Male crowd: Europeans, Indonesians
Female crowd: Mostly Indonesian
Age of clients: 25-35
Pick up possibilities: Average
Dress code: Holiday wear

Jenja used to be a decent pickup club, but there are so many guys now that it resembles a sausage fest. Still, you may get lucky in the hip-hop room where money-oriented Indonesian girls are hunting for expats.

IDR250,000 entrance fee with one free drink.

Ratio guys to girls: 80% guys and 20% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: At least 20%
Male crowd: Western expats
Female crowd: Indonesian girls
Age of clients: 25-45
Pick up possibilities: Low (without paying)
Dress code: Urban casual (shirt, shoes, pants).

Best Day-Time Spots to Meet Girls

You can socialize easily if you hang out near the swimming pool of Potato Head in Seminyak. Arrive early to rent a sunbed for the day!

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Male crowd: Westerners
Female crowd: Westerners, Indonesian girls
Age of clients: 20-55
Pick up possibilities: Average
Dress code: Swimsuit

Pronounced like "Mississipi", Mrs. Sippy is an improved version of Potato Head, without the sea view but with a larger pool.

Free entry but there is a minimum charge to use the sunbeds.

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Male crowd: Foreigners and Indonesians
Female crowd: Idem
Age of clients: 20-45
Pick up possibilities: Low
Dress code: Swimsuit

Bonus: Best City to Meet Girls in Bali

Ubud
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One smart guy having a yoga class in Ubud
All the bars and nightclubs I've mentioned so far are located in South Bali. If you go to Ubud, you'll notice a much higher ratio of girls to guys.

Since the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love', the village has become a retreat for all sorts of women (divorcees, backpackers, hippies, etc...). They come for several months to learn about cooking, massage, yoga, art and spirituality among others.

If you are interested in those things, you'll find plenty of dating opportunities. Just join a few classes during the day and hit the bars at night (Laughing Buddha, No Mas).

Ratio guys to girls: 30% guys and 70% girls
Male crowd: Guys with their wives/girlfriends
Female crowd: Girls with their boyfriends/husbands + Single ladies from Western countries and Japan.
Age: 25-65
Pick up possibilities: High

All photos from Instagram. Main photo from SkyGarden by @pratikoys.
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