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Civilize Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 12:27 am
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Civilize is one of the numerous Viet-style nightclubs in Hanoi. It was the closest one from my hotel so I went inside for a quick look.

It is a mid-sized upmarket venue with a 200 to 300 pax capacity and all the typical features of a local club: Gorgeous hostesses, VIP bottle service, sexy dancers, gigantic fruit platters, deafening Vietnamese EDM (a mix of techno and Top 40 remixes) and a lot of shishas. It is designed to accommodate small groups so avoid it if you are alone.

Since it is near from the Hoàn Kiếm District, it could be convenient for tourists yet almost all the customers are Vietnamese between 25 and 35. Dress code is strict: Women should wear skirts and heels, guys should wear pants/shoes.

Overall: Typical luxury Vietnamese club. It does not have anything special compared with the competition though so I only recommend to visit it if it is near from your hotel.

Civilize Nightclub and Bar Hanoi
210 Trần Quang Khải

Phone number: 090 716 33 33
Facebook page: Civilize Hanoi (with more photos)

Opening Hours:
Every day until 1AM
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Max 3 Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 1:26 am
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Max 3 is a Viet nightclub in Hanoi located in the tourist district of Hoàn Kiếm. It is about 200 meters from Civilize, another club that I visited on the same night.

I preferred Max 3 as it is newer and more crowded. It is inside a small room with a high ceiling and a mezzanine (VIP). In the center, there is a podium on which sexy dancers will perform several times every night. Standing tables are arranged all around it while VIP sofas can be found in the corners. They must have spent a small fortune in lighting and pyrotechnic equipment, and they do like to use it as much as they can. The sound level is almost unbearable and I advise you to bring earplugs (I had some and it was still too noisy).

The music is Vietnamese EDM, which is actually pretty cool (but very repetitive). The DJ was a sexy girl, and there are 2 more pretty girls next to her (as a decoration I presume). A MC will cheer up the crowd between each song and on special occasion, they also have singers.

The sexy dancers were among the hottest I've seen in Hanoi. They were not dancing so much but they were wearing lingerie and doing a sort of softcore lesbian show that made me wonder if Hanoi was not in fact less conservative than Saigon.

The club is targeting rich Vietnamese customers coming in small groups, often for birthday celebrations. Typically, they reserve a table or a VIP sofa, they buy expensive alcohol bottles and they drink by themselves. If there are not enough women in their group, they may invite a few hostesses to join (Max 3 has around 10 gorgeous girls for that). They don't not really intend to socialize with anyone else, but they do like to show off (for instance by ordering expensive fruit platters).

The prices of Max 3 are reasonable if you order a bottle (cheapest Cognac bottle for VND2,750,000), but very pricey if you just want a beer (VND165,000 for a Heineken). The service is particularly attentive, but generous tips are expected.

Overall: If you are interested to try clubbing in a local club in Hanoi, Max 3 is one of my most recommended. Make sure to wear pants and shoes.

Here is a video I shot inside with my mobile phone (it was still early and the crowd arrived after 11PM):
Opening Hours:
Every day until 1AM

Max3 Club
19 Trần Khánh Dư, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Phone number: 01 67 979 99 99

More pics from their Facebook Max 3 Club Hanoi:
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Infinity Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 2:10 am
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Infinity is a small Vietnamese nightclub located in the Hoàn Kiếm district near the 4-star Lan Vien Hotel. It is very popular any night of the week with mid-to upper-class Vietnamese visiting in groups.

Compared to the competition nearby (for instance Max 3 or Fame), it looks a bit less luxurious but its prices are more affordable. You can buy a whisky bottle for VND1,200,000 for instance. If you come alone, the drinks by the glass and the cocktails are quite limited and expensive though. Anyway, this is not really a place that you can enjoy if you are by yourself (unless a Vietnamese invites you to his table).

No surprises regarding the music, you have extremely loud Vietnamese House (a mix of Techno, Viet Pop, EDM and Top 40). They also have singers occasionally.

I think that it is in Infinity that I saw some of the hottest girls in the city. Most are hostesses that can accompany you for drinks while the rest are just regular customers with their (guy) friends. They also have stunning sexy dancers performing every hour.

You should dress up a minimum before visiting. Put at least a pair of pants, some shoes and a shirt.

Overall: Infinity is not my favorite Vietnamese club in Hanoi, but it is centrally located and not too expensive. Free entrance so you can always have a look.

Operating Hours:
Open every day until 2AM.

Infinity Nightclub
45 Hàng Bài, Hà Nội
Phone number: 0163 889 8888
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Fame Nightclub (Hanoi) - Sexy Dancers

February 18, 2017, 5:53 am
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Fame Nightclub is one of the best Viet-style nightclubs I visited in Hanoi (and I went to almost all of them). It is located in the city center (Hoàn Kiếm District), just next to the live music bar +84.

As usual for Hanoi, there is no entrance fee to pay. The club is on two floors, with a VIP area upstairs and regular tables downstairs. It has a modern design, with a particularly great LCD displays behind the stage. The latter is elevated and spacious, allowing for proper live music performances and shows.

Every night, they have sexy dancers who can actually dance a choreography. That's almost unheard of elsewhere in Asia (it reminded me of the clubs in Taipei). Some of the dancers are Viet and some are Ukrainians. The ones I saw where all drop-dead gorgeous, shaking their bodies in metal cages and wearing just bikinis/lingerie. To be honest I didn't pay too much attention to anything else.

Anyway, Fame possesses all the features of a typical Viet club: Customers are mostly young Vietnamese guys, sometimes accompanied by pretty hostesses or girlfriends. They book a table and they buy bottles, shishas and fruit platter. The more expensive, the better. The music is Viet House (or Vina House), which I would define as Top 40 and Viet pop remixed with techno beats. The service is great, particularly because the waiters assume they'll get a big tip (they'll will be disappointed if you just get a beer).

Prices are high for Hanoi standards (someone has to pay for those Ukrainian girls): A Corona costs VND169,000, a bottle over VND2,000,000, a giant fruit platter VND650,000.

Dress code: Don't wear shorts and sandals.

Overall: If you are looking for a place to spend some money, drink and enjoy the company of beautiful Vietnamese girls, you can't find better in Hanoi. Note that Fame is a Viet club (≠ Western club) so don't expect a dancefloor and don't expect to meet with normal girls.

Fame Nightclub and Sexy Dancers
25 Ngo Van So Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 094 212 1212

Facebook: Fame Bar Hanoi (you can see more photos and check for special events (live music)

Operating Hours:
Everyday until 2AM (3AM on Weekends)
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Playboy Establishment - Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 6:48 am
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Hanoi was not the kind of city where I expected to find a Playboy-branded nightclub, and yet there is one in the basement of the Apricot Hotel (a 5-star hotel just 200 meters from Hoàn Kiếm Lake).

The club is almost hidden from outside as there is no indication it exists apart from a discreet Playboy bunny sign at the entrance. There, a pretty hostess will welcome you in English and escort you to a table.

The club was almost empty when I visited, probably because it was still early (9PM), on a weekday and only a month after the grand opening.

On stage, they had around 5 sexy girls with elegant costumes dancing to Viet House. It was more classy than vulgar and I thought even a girl might enjoy the performance. They didn't have live music that evening, but they do occasionally (including foreign bands). The sound level was not too loud, and for once I didn't need to wear my earplugs.

The atmosphere is luxurious and a bit decadent, like a proper gentlemen's club should be. The sofas are lipstick-red, the VIP areas have curtains for privacy, waitresses are wearing bunny uniforms, etc... A lot of small details to put you in the right mood... 

When it was time to pay, I was expecting to get hammered and yet the prices are rather reasonable (VND100,000 or US$4.5).

Overall: Playboy Establishment is worth a visit, but preferably on weekends so it is more crowded. Most customers are Vietnamese, with a few foreigners/expats.

Playboy Establishment
Bar, Lounge, Restaurant and Club
136 Hang Trong
Hanoi, Vietnam

Reservation: 096 180 76 88
Email: rsvp@playboylifestyle.vn

Operating Hours:
Everyday from 8PM to 2AM
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Tom's Bar - After-Hour Club in Hanoi

February 19, 2017, 2:15 am
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The tiny Tom's Bar is located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, in the famous Tạ Hiện Street (also called Beer Street). It is much more expensive than the other places nearby (VND40,000 for a beer, VND85,000 for a cocktail) while not being particularly fancy. Still, it can be pretty popular, especially late at night.

The reason for that is that Tom's Bar closes much later than the official midnight curfew. I was there twice during week nights, and both times I stayed after 4AM. To avoid complaints from the police, they keep the door shut and they open it only when someone wants to get in or out. 

The crowd of Tom' Bar is a fun mix of backpackers, young Vietnamese and a few freelance prostitutes. Having the door closed makes the atmosphere much more intimate and by 2AM, you'll already know the name of half the clubbers inside. The socializing is further eased by those laughing gas balloons (VND50,000 each) that everyone inside seems to love. There is also a drug dealer selling opium, marijuana and cocaine on standby in the street.

The music is a mix of Top 40 songs from the past 20 years, from the Spice Girls to Major Lazer. It's not very original but effective in getting people to dance.

Overall: Tom's Bar is one of the few clubs that stays open after-hour in Hanoi (other options would be Savage, Ball Bar and Hero). It is friendly and fun, if not sophisticated.

Tom's Bar
2 Tạ Hiện, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Phone number: 097 326 88 66
Facebook: Tom's Bar

Open every day until late (3AM, 4AM, 5AM - depending on the night)
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Q Club - Hanoi (Vietnam)

February 19, 2017, 3:52 am
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Q Club is a nightclub in Hanoi, part of the Escape Group (which is also behind I-Sing Karaoke and Don Quixote Café).

If you've already been to a Viet-style nightclub, you won't find anything really special there. It is a narrow rectangular room on the 11th floor of a building, with a small podium, high tables in front of it, and VIP areas on the sides. On the right and on the left of the DJ, two splendid girls are dancing wearing sexy outfits. Because of its dark corners and low ceiling, I thought it had a bit of an underground vibe.

Prices are lower than the competition (Max 3, Infinity, Civilize, etc) with beers starting at VND100,000 for a small Budweiser and less than VND1,000,000 for a bottle of Chivas. If you order Champagne or Cognac, a group of girls will bring it to you with fireworks. You might also see a beautiful girl in a black skirt going around selling laughing gas balloons for VND50,000. 

As usual in Vietnam, the music was Vina House (Vietnamese House) at an extremely unhealthy sound level. I had earplugs on and you should bring some too.

The club was only half crowded at midnight (on a Wednesday). The customers were mostly Vietnamese guys, well-dressed, with hostesses. The latter were particularly pretty I must say.

Great service. The manager came to say hello and we chatted for a bit.

Dress code: You should wear shoes, long pants and a shirt (or a polo).

Overall: A Vietnamese club a bit cheaper than average, with beautiful hostesses, DJs and sexy dancers.

This is the video I made with my phone when I was in Q Club:
Q Club Hanoi
18 Lý Thường Kiệt ,Hoàn Kiếm
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 096 622 88 55

Facebook: Q Club Hanoi

Operating Hours:
Every day until 2AM
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10 Best Muay Thai Boxing Centers in Jakarta (2017)

February 20, 2017, 1:48 am
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Jakarta is not the best city to stay fit. The absence of sidewalks, the lack of parks, the pollution and the heat all conspire to make exercising difficult. It is even worse if you work in an office and spend most of your day sitting down.

If you care a minimum about your health, you are probably looking for a sport or an activity that you can easily do in the city center. Getting a gym membership is often the first thing that comes to mind, but there are a lot more options available: Yoga, Fitness, Crossfit, Boxing, Jujitsu, Salsa, etc...

Today, I will talk about Muay Thai, a martial art originally from Thailand. About 10 years ago, it was introduced to Indonesia and it has gain more and more popularity ever since.

There are several reasons explaining its appeal: It is a complete workout that will train each muscle of your body ; it improves both your strength and your cardio ; it is fun to do and not repetitive ; it helps you gain self-confidence ; and finally it does not require expensive equipment or gear.

Consequently, Muay Thai centers have been popping up in every neighborhood in Jakarta. Let’s have a look at the best ones in each areas of the city:

Muay Thai In Central Jakarta

One of the newest Muay Thai camp in town, it has a fantastic location near Menteng and Stasiun Sudirman. This is perfect if you work or live in central Jakarta. They have 550 m² of facilities and 3 experienced trainers. The good thing with this camp is that you don’t need to book in advance or to follow a schedule : you can come anytime and start the training ASAP. The trainers are good and they motivate you to reach your training objectives.

When I went there for the first time, I had a visit of the premises by the manager. It is clean, well-equipped and rather cheap compared with the competition. In particular, I liked the fact that there was no subscription fee.

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 9PM (until 7PM on Saturday)

Price : IDR90,000 per session

Address: Jalan Blora No.34, Menteng, Central Jakarta (5 minutes from Grand Indonesia)
Phone/WhatsApp: 08 11 81 18 441

Muay Thai In South Jakarta

Jakarta Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp
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This Muay Thai camp is located in Kebayoran Baru, in South Jakarta (Senopati). It is in a traditional house in a posh residential area so you can expect more upper-class Jakartans. They have motivated trainers, some of whom are foreigners with experience abroad. I found the price rather expensive though compared to the other camps : IDR155,000 per session (or 8 sessions for IDR880,000). Women may train separately on specific days. Kids welcome.

Open from 9AM to 9PM during weekdays, from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

Address: Jalan Daksa I No.1, RT.4/RW.2, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone: +62 (0) 21 725 0574
Instagram: @jakartamuaythaimma

Syena Martial Arts Center
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Also in Senopati, Syena provides Muay Thai, Brazilian Jujitsu, Krav Maga (Israeli army combat technique) and self-defense classes (for women). It is family friendly and they have a few expat students. It has long opening hours from 7AM to 10PM on weekdays (7AM to 4PM on Saturday).

Address: Jalan Daksa 4 no. 69, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 8 11 999 979
This was the first camp I tried in Jakarta. They used to have only a tiny space but they've extended since. It is popular with office workers from Mega Kuningan, Sudirman and Rasuna Said (and with a few foreigners as well). A bit hot as it is in the semi-open air. Be careful as the street where it is located is often jammed after 5PM.

If you have a car, you can park right outside. IDR100,000 per session. Opening hours: From 9AM to 10PM on weekdays and from 9AM to 6PM on weekends

Address: Jalan Guru Mughni No.123, South Jakarta.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5700 381
Instagram: @ultimamuaythai

I used to go to there when i was living in Kemang. It is also located in a residential neighborhood, inside a house. It is spacious, clean and it has plenty of equipment (including free weights). You also have access to showers and bathroom. There are 6 friendly trainers, 2 of whom are Indonesian MMA competitors (Noldi Manakane, Rusmin Kie Raha). They can also teach you Kapap, the fighting technique of Israeli soldiers. Kids and families are welcome. IDR75,000 per session.

Open every day from 9AM to 9PM on weekdays, from 9AM to 3PM on Saturday, from 4PM to 6PM on Sunday.

Address: Jalan Emesde B No.11, Cilandak, RT.1/RW.6, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 0) 853 1005 6789
Instagram: @kemangfightgym
Photo from @myartasya

Muay Thai In North Jakarta

Founded by professional fighter Jerry Luhukay, it is inside Mahaka Square in Kelapa Gading. While not conveniently located for most expats, it is popular among Indonesians and it claims at least 100 members and 6 coaches (including a Dutch and a South Korean). It is a serious club that train fighters taking part in local and international tournaments.

They have training sessions from 9AM to 9PM (Monday to Friday), from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday and from 3AM to 5PM on Sunday. Price per session = IDR150,000 (Buy 8 = IDR600,000).

Address: Mahaka Square Sportsmall, 14240 Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 896 0676 1670
Instagram: @zealotmuaythai

Elite MMA
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One of the pioneer center in Jakarta for martial arts, Elite trains hundreds of members every year. They occupy a massive 650m2 space, fully-equipped with a boxing ring and an MMA cage. They also have a small gym and a sauna (men and women separated) if you need to relax after your session.

Its main focus is on Muay Thai but they also teach English boxing, Brazilian Jujitsu, Krav Maga and Wing Chun.

Prices: IDR799,000 per 10 sessions. Open from 9AM to 9PM on weekdays, from 9AM to 6PM on Saturday and from 9AM to 4PM on Sunday.

Address: Ruko Centro Metro Broadway, Blok A45-46, Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta (Near Happy Puppy)
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 300 10 262
Website: Elite MMA Jakarta
Facebook: Elite Jakarta PIK
Instagram: @elitetc_pik/

Elite also operates two shops with boxing and MMA items. One in PIK and one in Lotte Avenue. See more: Elite MMA Shop.

Zeus MMA
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This is a small camp, friendly and cheaper than average. It does not have a lot of equipment but if you are on a tight budget, it will do the trick. A single session is IDR100,000 (IDR50,000 with a Student Card) and 10 sessions cost IDR680,000 (IDR480,000 for students). There is also a special promo for moms.

Address: Ruko Elang Laut Blok M3, No. 5-6, Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta (Near Grand Family Hospital)
Facebook: Zeus MMA PIK
Instagram: @zeusmma

Phone number: +62 (0) 8 22 101 12 231

Muay Thai In West Jakarta

Real Muay Thai
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Real Muay Thai has a good location if you live near from Central Park or Taman Anggrek. It is housed in a 3-floor modern and clean building, easy to access by car. The equipment is limited yet some of their students manage to take part (and win) local tournaments.

Member registration is IDR200,000 (including 1 free class, 1 free t-shirt and 1 body consultation). Then you'll just pay IDR80,000 per visits (non members pay IDR150,000). You can also buy 10 sessions for IDR600,000.

Open from Monday to Friday (9AM to 9PM) and Saturday (9AM to 6PM). Closed on Sunday.

Address: Komplek Sentra Bisnis Blok B-24, Tanjung Duren Raya, West Jakarta
Phone number: +62 811-1812-347
Facebook: Real Muay Thai
Instagram: @realmuaythai

Muay Thai In East Jakarta

Sabai Muay Thai Tebet
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One of the cheapest Muay Thai center in Jakarta, it is unfortunately a bit far for most expats. 1 session costs IDR65,000, 8 sessions IDR400,000 (IDR350,000 for students). They also offer private classes for IDR800,000/10 and group cardio classes (fitness classes with Muay Thai movements). If you qualify as a "Fighter", you will need advanced training that costs a little bit more.

The center is open from 9AM to 10PM from Monday to Friday, and from 9AM to 6PM on weekends. The sessions from 4PM to 6PM are dedicated to cardio training.

The Sabai Group has a branch in Bandung as well.

Facebook: Sabai Tebet
Instagram: @sabaimuaythai

Note: This article about the 10 Best Muay Thai Centers in Jakarta was written by my friend Clément. I've never tried any of these personally. Thibaud.
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The Bank Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 20, 2017, 3:29 am
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Located on the 6th floor of Capital building (a 5-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter), The Bank is a luxury nightclub, one of the largest in Hanoi. 

It is a sort of crossover featuring the best parts of Viet-style and Western nightclubs. While most customers are Vietnamese groups who come to share a bottle, it is also perfectly fine to order drinks by the glass. You are free to roam around and dance instead of being assigned to a table all night long. There is some Vietnamese pop and house, but also International Hip Hop, EDM and Top 40.

I visited during their famous ladies night (Wednesday), and while the whole club was only half full, there was an incredible number of girls around. It is not surprising foreigners love The Bank as this is clearly the best pick-up place in Hanoi. There were many freelance prostitutes as well (judging by the way they were looking at me). It reminded me of a more upscale version of Apocalypse in Saigon.

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, they have wild sexy dancers (sometimes foreign girls) who wear naughty costumes. Some performances are really borderline and I was surprised to discover that Hanoi was such a liberal city. Here are a few pics from their Facebook for instance:
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Prices are more expensive than your typical backpacker joint, but still OK for European standards. A beer costs VND110,000 and a cocktail around VND132,000 (including the 10% tax). The Mojito I had was not tasting very good though so don't put your expectations too high. Laughing gas balloons are another option. They are so popular that they had a supply of 5 huge canisters behind the bar.

It seems that many gays were among the customers, but luckily they were usually accompanied by a few of their girlfriends.

Overall: I didn't really like the music in The Bank, but I would still recommend it as a top pick-up spot in Hanoi. Do visit on their Ladies night, they have a free flow on that day for VND350,000 (on selected drinks like Whisky-Coke, Vodka-Red Bull, Gin-Tonic). Women do not have to pay.

The Bank Nightclub - Hanoi
The Capital, 6th floor, 41 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem District
Phone number: 09 44 90 32 32

Facebook: The Bank Hanoi

Operating Hours:
Every day until 2AM
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Savage Nightclub (Hanoi) - Techno Music

February 20, 2017, 4:50 am
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Savage is my favorite nightclub in Hanoi (by far). Located 15 minutes by taxi from the Old Quarter, in West Lake, it is just a few months old yet already crowded every night (with mostly expats).

It was opened by the Hong-Kong based Cliché Record label which is owned by a group of 4 French friends (Jean-François Amadei, Samy Stouky, Ouissam Mokretar and Julie Mira).

Savage is quite difficult to find as their outside sign is almost invisible. In fact, I had to look around for 10 minutes before I finally heard some music coming from a basement. As I was walking down the stairs, I was still unsure if I was in a club or in someone's house. To avoid wasting time, make sure you save their location on Google Maps: Savage Hanoi.

At the beginning of the night, Savage was more of a lounge/bar with great cocktails (around VND130,000 each but they had a promo Buy 1 Get 1 Free) and a relaxed vibe. The music was not too loud and it was easy to talk to other people, especially at the bar.

After 1AM, the sound got louder and people started dancing. Some moved from the lounge to a small "dark" room. This is Hanoi's version of an underground club. The two foreign DJs played techno/tech-house but this is likely to change depending on the schedule. What is for sure is that you won't hear commercial EDM/Hip-hop/House. The sound system could not be better (Funktion One, the standard among the best nightclubs in the world).

I had to leave around 2AM as my friend was getting sick, but the club does not close until 4AM or 5AM. This makes Savage the best late-night club in Hanoi (apart from dodgy bars like Tom's). Note that their door policy is that you cannot enter after 2.30AM.

Overall: If you enjoy quality electronic music, you won't find a better nightclub than Savage in Hanoi. Very recommended.

Gay-friendly nights once a month. More information on their social media below.

Savage Nightclub Hanoi
112 Xuan Dieu, West Lake
Phone number: 04 6686 6150
Email: hello@savage-hanoi.com

Facebook: Savage Hanoi
Instagram: @savagehanoi

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 7PM to very late.

Current Promotions:
- Friday free flow for 3 hours from 7PM to 10PM (VND350,000)
- Thursday: Buy 1 Get 1 on Champagne and GreyGoose Cocktails. Note that the GreyGoose bottles are served by these jaw-dropping ladies:
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20 Best Luxury Yachts to Cruise Indonesia

February 20, 2017, 11:00 pm
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Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, yet most tourists only visit the overcrowded and saturated island of Bali.

Until recently, it was still difficult to access some of the most remote parts of Indonesia. It required using local transports which, while adventurous, often turned out to be unsafe, uncomfortable, and inconvenient in terms of schedule. If you are on a budget, you can still travel this way and enjoy a truly unique experience.

A much nicer alternative is to book a luxury cruise, or even to charter an entire boat and its crew. There are now several ships operating in Indonesia offering liveaboard experiences, mostly in the eastern part of the country (Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and Sulawesi). The best are privately owned and managed by foreigners who are passionate about sailing, diving, and discovering the culture of the islands they visit.

Almost all the luxury boats mentioned below are Indonesian/Dutch schooner (also called phinisis), an iconic ship used to transport goods within Indonesia since the 17th century. They have either been renovated or built on purpose for tourism with modern amenities and equipment. Some are among the most luxurious in the world, catering to a crowd of jet-setters, rich businessmen and celebrities.

The season for sailing is typically from February to October, with the best months from June to August. 

The best luxury yacht cruises and charters to explore the Indonesian islands are the following:

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The famous luxury resort chain Aman offers unforgettable experiences on one of their two traditional boats, the 52-meter long Amandira and the 32-meter long Amanikan.

Their Komodo expedition departs from the Amanwana Hotel on Mojo island. The cost for 7-days is USD$42,850 for a couple. They also offer a Raja Ampat expedition departing from Sorong in Papia for USD$45,750 per couple. Don't worry, there will be cheaper options below!

More information on their website: https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanwana/cruises

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The luxurious Alila Purnama is a floating 5-star boutique hotel. It is a 46-meter phinisi boat built on 3 decks with 5 suites. The 16-member crew includes a chef, a PADI-certified dive instructor and a masseuse.

There are several cruises every season in destinations such as Komodo, Raja Ampat, Maumere and Ambon.

Prices are on the high side, starting US$7,250 for a 3-night trip to Komodo in a standard suite. To charter the boat, you'll need to spend at least US$12,500++ per day.

More information on their website: http://www.alilahotels.com/purnama

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Silolona Sojourns is one of the most luxurious private cruise companies to operate in Indonesia. As of 2016, it sails with 17 crew members to 5 destinations : Sulawesi, Banda, Papua, Komodo and Savu Sea. Their trips include carefully-planned land excursions by the American owner, Ms. Patti Seery.

The ships boasts 5 wooden suites that are each decorated with unique Indonesian artifacts. Numerous activities are available from water skiing to kayaking and sport fishing. You can also get your PADI certification onboard.

Prices are available on request. You can expect to pay at least US$10,000 for a 7-day trip. They have a second smaller liveaboard boat called Si Datu Bua.

More information on their website: http://www.silolona.com/

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Owned by Veronika Blomgren, a successful Russian designer behind the Oazia brand in Bali, this growing company is planning to operate 8 ultra-luxurious ships in Indonesia within the next few years.

For now, they first one is a splendid 31-meter long phinisi boat with just one spacious cabin that can only accommodate a couple. Ideal for honeymooners, the current routes may take you to Moyo island, Komodo or Raja Ampat. The price starts at US$3,895 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.alexaprivatecruises.com/

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Owned by American businessman Mark Robba, this 52-meter phinisi yacht can be rented for expeditions in Komodo and Raja Ampat from February to October. 

The price for booking all of its 7 suites is around US$87,000 for a week.

More information on their website: https://duniabaruadventures.wordpress.com

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The 65-meter yacht is the longest wooden sailing boat in the world. It was designed by the Argentinian Marcelo Penna and built in Sulawesi.

It is owned by Dominique Gerardin, a former yacht captain from France. The destination portfolio includes Raja Ampat, Alor, Komodo, Sumba and Flores. During the wet season, it travels to Thailand and Myanmar.

The boat can accommodate up to 14 guests in 1 double master cabin, 4 double cabins and 2 twin cabins. The price for charter is US$22,000++ per night (minimum 3 nights). It includes all drinks, all dives, all spa treatments, internet, gourmet meals and the use of the jet skis.

More information on their website: http://www.lamima.com/

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The 40-meter luxury El Aleph ship is owned by a Frenchman and managed by an international crew. Built in Sulawesi, it features 5 cabins, including a 50m2 master suite with its own terrace.

It sails in the islands of eastern Indonesia from Bali up to Raja Ampat. The price for chartering El Aleph is approximately US$10,000 per day. It is popular with Russian clients.

More information on their website: http://www.elalephcruising.com/

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Managed by expats, Plataran Private Cruises have 8 luxury boats, including 4 wooden phinisis and 4 yachts.

The yachts are 15 meters long and 4,7 meters wide, with an overnight capacity of 5 guests. There are 2 bathrooms and the 3 cabins all have air-conditioning.

The phinisis each have their own specifications. The largest can accommodate up to 12 sleeping guests. Operated by 8 crews, they are all with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.

Their most popular cruise is a 3 days/2 nights itinerary taking the passengers island-hopping to Rinca, Kalong, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Kanawa and Sabolon island. The price is a reasonable US$900 per person.

More information on their website: http://plataran.com/private-cruises

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Under French management, this company operates two boats, Ambai and Calico Jack. It focuses on dive cruises in spots like Raja Ampat, Komodo, Alor, Flores, Banda and the lesser known "Forgotten Islands".

They offer more affordable rates than some of the competitors listed here, starting US$1,720 per person for 5 days.

More information on their website: http://www.wallacea-divecruise.com

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This 34-meter long phinisi boat can welcome 12 passengers in 5 cabins, each with their own bathroom. It sails to Komodo, Maluku and Papua.

You can either book an individual cabin, or charter the whole boat for US$4,400 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.tigerblue.info/

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Owned by Amanda, a retired Australian lady, this company only has one boat, the 37-meter Al Iikai (which means Queen of the Sea). It features 5 king-size luxury bedrooms with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. 

As it is a smaller company, the prices are rather affordable, starting US$1500 for a 7-day Island Explorer Cruise that will take you around Lombok. They also have cruises with special themes (Yoga, Cooking or Golf). You can charter the boat starting at US$3,100 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.indonesianislandsail.com/

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The expats owners manage two amazing boats: The Katharina, a 40-meter long phinisi boat with 6 cabins and a 14-guest capacity, and the Ombak Putih, a 42-meter traditional Indonesian schooner renovated in 2015 that can accommodate up to 24 guests in 12 cabins.

They sail to some of the most beautiful spots in Indonesia, including Banda, Maluku, Wakatobi, Alor, Lembata, Tidore, Savu and Raja Ampat. Their scheduled cruises often have a special guest on-board, for instance a renowned writer, a scientist or an adventurer. The price starts at US$2,500 for a 7-day cruise. You can also charter the whole boat with the crew starting US$5,400/day.

More information on their website: http://seatrekbali.com/

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The Adelaar is a Dutch schooner that offers diving trips departing from Bali. Most of the guests go to the Komodo national marine park, but there are longer excursions to Sumba and Moyo islands on Sumbawa.

Their popular 10-nights/11-days-trip to Komodo in a standard room with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and a 120 cm bed costs US$4,000 per person.

More information on their website: http://www.adelaar-cruises.com/

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The Mantra is a medium-sized (30 meters) phinisi yacht built in 2015 with 3 cabins. The management organizes cruises in Alor, Raja Ampat and Komodo for prices starting at US$3,000 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.mantradiveandsail.com/

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Headed by Dutch national Leo van Oostenbrugge, the Mutiara Laut (Pearl of the Sea) is a schooner inspired by both Western and Indonesian design. It is 46 meters in length and can carry up to 14 passengers plus 15 crew members.

It sails in various parts of Eastern Indonesia: Bali, Lombok, Papua, Banda and Maluku.

Promising the services and amenities of a 5-star, it is available for charter for over US$10,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.mutiaralaut.com/

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Designed by the Frenchman Georges Carraz, the 31-meter Raja Laut boasts 6 cabins with ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning.

The crew is made of 7 members from different nationalities and includes a dive instructor and a chef.

Its main destination is the Komodo National Park, but it also sails to Alor, Sulawesi, Papua and Maluku. Charter price approximately US$5,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.rajalaut.com/

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This cruise ship can accommodate up to 20 passengers in luxurious cabins and its destinations include Raja Ampat, Bali, Komodo and Ambon.

You can book a room for a price starting at US$1,600 per cabin per night, or charter the whole boat for a price between US$10,000 and US$20,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://salila-indonesia.com/

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The Samata is a 42-meter phinisi boat with 5 French-designed cabins that can fit up to 10 passengers. Its most frequent destinations are the Komodo marine park, Raja Ampat and the Banda islands. The team can also organize tailor-made trips depending on the customers wishes.

The price is approximately US$10,000 per day or US$60,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://samataliveaboard.com/

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The elegant Zen phinisi is a 53-meter yacht belonging to a Polish national based in Hong Kong. With an emphasis on modern design, it boasts 6 bedrooms including a two-level suite master cabin.

It is available for private rent for US$85,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://www.globaladventure.com/

If you are planning a trip to Indonesia and you haven't considered buying travel insurance yet, please read my article: Travel Insurance for Indonesia.
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12 Best Nightclubs in Bali (Updated 2017)

February 15, 2017, 11:54 am
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I already wrote last year a complete review of Bali nightlife which I recently updated. I'm adding this ranking of the top 12 hottest clubs on the island. This list of the best party places should help you choose where to go for your night out. The $ sign indicates the average price category for a standard alcoholic drink.

The following venues are all the busiest party spots in Bali at the time of writing. Please feel free to comment!

I recommend you to choose a hotel near a nightclub. You'll avoid 4 things: Drunk motorbike accidents, motorbike bag snatchers, traffic jams and crooked taxi drivers. Read my article: 10 Best Girl-Friendly Hotels Near Bali Nightlife.

1) Jenja $$$: Best overall
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Photo source: Jenja Bali
Where is it? Jenja is located on the basement of the Town Square Suites on Jalan Nakula. It is just between Kuta and Seminyak and 3 minutes away from Double Six beach. There has been several cases of robberies in front of the hotel so be careful late at night.
Who goes there? Expats 60%, tourists 20%, Indonesians 20% (among which some prostitutes)
Why should I go? Jenja is popular for having the right dosage between chic and underground. Good resident and guest DJs. European-style electronic music.
Why should I avoid it? You might feel claustrophobic on the dancefloor as the ceiling is pretty low and the club packed at peak hours.
When is the best time to go? Every nights from Wednesday to Saturday, after 1AM. Read more: Jenja.

2) La Favela $$: Best bar in Bali
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Photo credit: http://jberginc.com/
Where is it? More a bar than a nightclub, La Favela is located in the heart of Seminyak, on Jalan Oberoi. It is just in front of Red Carpet Champagne Bar, and next to Le Bistro.
Who goes there? 50% tourists, 30% expats, 20% Indonesians.
Why should I go? The interior design of La Favela is really amazing, a real work of art. The place is rather big, with a nice, quieter outdoor area. Trendy, hippie kind of crowd.
Why should I avoid it? The music is a hit or miss, usually old-school with popular pop and disco songs. Not a sleek, modern place as it is made almost entirely from recycled materials and antiques. Popular with Westerners, much less with Indonesians. They give you plastic cups instead of real glasses.
When is the best time to go? La Favela is open all day as it is also a restaurant. The place becomes lively only after 11pm, almost any night of the week. Complete review here: La Favela Seminyak.

Update October 2016: La Favela is as hot and busy as ever, and you often need to queue to get in. They have introduced a policy forbidding Indonesians under 25 to enter. Strange and racist.

An alternative to La Favela is the restaurant/lounge/club Shanghai Baby (the hotspot for expats, deep house and cantonese cuisine) or to the Mexican open air café Mexicola.

3) Sky Garden $$: Best nightlife spot in Kuta
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Photo credit: Club Sky Garden
Where is it? Sky Garden is located in Jalan Legian, Kuta. The street is often clogged with traffic so it's best to walk if you don't stay too far away. Beware of pickpockets outside and inside, especially at the end of the night.
Who goes there? Australians (50% Bogans), teenagers and backpackers from all over the world, Javanese prostitutes, 20-something Jakartans on their first trip to Bali, some younger expats.
Why should I go? The biggest club in Bali with a fun, mixed crowd in terms of age and nationalities, different music on every floors and rooms (electro, old school, rnb, live) including a rooftop and a huge main dancefloor with the best sound system in Bali (SkyDome), some great shows including sexy dancers. Girls can get free selected cocktails on ladies nights. Every day, cheap 5$ all-you-can-eat barbecue. Drinks are very reasonably priced.
Why should I avoid it? If you don't like college style parties, then you will hate it. There are also quite many prostitutes operating in the club but they are rather discreet. You may also not feel too safe as it is just a few hundred meters away from Ground Zero where the first Bali bomb went off. Many expats hate it because it is too mainstream and because it attracts quite many singlet-wearing Australians.
When is the best time to visit? Because it is always packed early in the night, SkyGarden is recommended any day of the week, after 9pm. Complete review: Sky Garden Kuta.

4) Mint $$$: Best venue in Seminyak for electronic music
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Photo source: Mint
Where is it? Mint is located on Jalan Petitenget, in the heart of Seminyak. It is not far from W Hotel or Potato Head Beach Club. It is just in front of another popular bar, Mantra, which is a good option for pre-party cocktails.
Who goes there? Single male expats above 30 (from Bali and Jakarta), Javanese girls (among which many working girls), some gays, some Western girls, some tourists.
Why should I go? Intimate club with many regulars. Great electronic music. Drinks not too expensive. A fairly easy pick-up place for guys and girls.
Why should I avoid it? You won't like Mint if you are too young. It is a closed air-conditioned club that has no "Balinese" feel. Western girls might not be comfortable with the number of prostitutes.
When is the best time to go? I would only advise to go to Mint on weekends or when they have special DJs. 1AM is the perfect hour. More on Mint on Jakarta100bars.com: Mint Nightlife Bali.

5) Mirror $$$: Best new nightclub 
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Photo source: Mirror
Where is it? Mirror is located in the back of Gardin Bistro on Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak.
Who goes there? The latest trendy club in Bali, Mirror attracts mostly people from the Seminyak expat community. Since the owner of the club is also behind the popular Fable in Jakarta, you also have a lot of Jakartans.
Why should I go? Unique décor, good crowd, full on weekends. They have also been bringing some famous DJs. People tend to dress up more than usual in Mirror.
Why should I avoid it? Mainstream electronic dance music. The club is made to look like a church. Personally I don't like it, it feels creepy. Others say it's a Harry Potter theme, which is even worse.
When is the best time to go? There are events from Wednesday to Saturday. You can go starting midnight. More info: Mirror Bali.

6) Boshe VVIP $$$: Best club for Asian party-goers
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Photo source: Boshe VVIP
Where is it? Boshe VIP is in Kuta on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai. You will need a 10-minute taxi ride to reach it from Jalan Legian and 20 minutes from Seminyak.
Who goes there? Asians, mostly Indonesians (Javanese, Indo-Chinese, some Balinese), Malaysians and Singaporeans
Why should I go? Most people go to Boshe for the girls. They have some sexy lady companions and a popular karaoke. The events are usually quite fun: They have rather good local live bands and an excellent sound system. After the live music, you usually have a DJ playing electronic music. There is a really cool dressing code for the staff: All of them have dyed hair, tattoos and a rock attitude.
Why should I avoid it? Boshe is almost 100% Asian. Guys usually book a table or a sofa, pay for some girls to accompany them, and get drunk. There is not much interactions in the crowd. It is more difficult to meet a "normal" girl too. The live bands play a lot of Indonesian songs which can be boring if you are not familiar with them.
When I should visit it? Boshe is decently crowded during the week, and it is busy from Wednesday to Saturday night. If you want to hear the live music, come from 8am to midnight. For their latest events: Boshe Bali.

7) Pyramid $$$: Best club for late-night expat clubbers
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Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/bali.tonight
Where is it? Pyramid is on Jalan Dewi Sri, easy to reach from both Seminyak and Kuta (10 minute ride by taxi). The area is one of the worst in Bali in terms of safety. There have been countless reports of motorbike riders (females mostly) having their handbags snatched. Be very careful.
Who goes there? People usually go to Pyramid after all the other places (Jenja, Mirror, Mint, SkyGarden, etc) have closed. It is a mix of different crowds, but mostly you will find male expats and prostitutes.
Why should I go? The electronic music is usually excellent. Past a certain hour, it is the only decent place opened apart from DeeJay Cafe (see below).
Why should I avoid it? You may not like the 80% male crowd, 15% prostitutes, 5% normal girls.
When is the best time to go? I would only advise Pyramid on weekends as most of their events are on Friday and Saturday nights. 4AM is a normal time. Complete review here: Pyramid Bali.

8) Hu'u Bar $$$: Best club for Jakartans (CLOSED)
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Photo source: Hu'u Bar
Where is it? Hu'u bar is centrally located in Seminyak, Jalan Petitenget, near the new Alila Hotel. It is 2 minutes away from Ku De Ta or Potato Head.

Who goes there? Mostly Indonesians from Jakarta and Indonesian residents of Bali. The rest is 25% expats and 15% tourists.

Why should I go? Hu'u has a Bali vibe with its large garden and swimming pool. Good crowd and one of the best pick up places on the island.

Why should I avoid it? The music is mainstream unless they have events. Since the opening of Mirror, it is not as happening as it used to be.

When is the best time to go? Weekends only, midnight. For a complete review: Hu'u Bar.

Update 2016: Hu'u has closed and it has been replace by Gatsby (which is not so crowded). Jakartans now go to Mirror.

9) Hypnotized $$: Best club for under 25

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Photo Credit: VH Kuta
Where is it? Hypnotized and the Velvet Lounge, also called VH, are located in Beachwalk Mall in Kuta. Easy to find, but the traffic can be horrible on weekend nights. Some taxis may actually refuse to take you there and will drop you instead at Kartika Plaza (10 minutes walk).
Who goes there? The picture is misleading as most clients of Hypnotized are Indonesians living in Bali (but not Balinese). You also have some tourists from Jakarta and other countries.
Why should I go? Hypnotized is a rather clean club with less prostitution compared to other venues mentioned in this review. Guys looking to meet normal Indonesian girls could try it.
Why I should avoid it? Mainstream music. Younger crowd.
What is the best time to go? Weekends only unless they have special events or guest DJs. It starts to fill up around midnight. More information: Velvet Hypnotized Bali.

10) Akasaka / A-Club $$: Best underground club in Bali
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Photo Credit: A-Club Bali
Where is it? Akasaka and A-Club are both in the same complex, in Denpasar, on the Simpan Enam roundabout. Every taxis will know where it is. If you don't have a taxi, you just have to follow Jalan Imam Bonjol from Sunset Road, then Jalan Teuku Umar. It is a 15 minutes drive from Sunset Road.
Who goes there? Mostly Indonesians, Balinese and Javanese living in Bali. There are also some long term expats who are used to Jakarta nightclubs. 95% of the girls in Akasaka are prostitutes, freelance or not.
Why should I go? Akasaka is the most popular nightclub in Bali with Indonesians. It is also one of the craziest and at the centre of Bali prostitution scene: It's the only place in Bali where I have seen nude striptease. They have some good events with DJs from Jakarta and even international ones.
Why should I avoid it?: As a typical underground place, you have a lot of drugs including ecstasy. Very limited chances of meeting a normal girl. The techno music played in the largest room can only be understood by Indonesian ears.
When is the best time to go?: Read more: Akasaka Bali.

11) DeeJay Club $$: Best after in Bali
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Photo Credit: Paradiso Hotel
Where is it? DeeJay Café is located in Kuta, in Paradiso Hotel. It is not far from Discovery Plaza Mall on Jalan Kartika.
Who goes there? Though not a gay club, I would say that most of the crowd is made of gays or ladyboys. The guys to girls ration is terrible, probably 10 to 1, and most girls are prostitutes. There are always some foreigners, usually expats, but most people are Indonesians.
Why should I go? DeeJay Café is one of the only two after-hour club in Bali (with Pyramid) so you don't have much choice. The music is rather good, in general hits by famous Jakarta DJs (Bobby in particular).
Why should I avoid it? You should always avoid DeeJay café unless you are too drunk or too high to make smart decisions. You may also not want to pay the entrance fee (from Rp100,000 to Rp200,000). A lot of drug inside.
When is the best time to go? Saturday and Sunday morning after 5AM until 10AM. More information: Bali DeeJay Club.

12) Koh $$: Most promising nightlife spot in Seminyak
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Photo credit: Umalagon
Where is it? The newest club in Bali, Koh is on Jalan Dyana Pura, Seminyak. It is not far from the gay nightlife area.
Who goes there? Expats and Bali residents 70%, tourists 30%.
Why should I go? The main reason to go to Koh is for the music, which promises to be on par with nightclubs in Europe.
Why should I avoid it? Underground clubs in Europe are popular because you can take ecstasy safely. I'm not sure the safe concept would work in Bali if people are just drunk on beer.
When should you go there: For now, weekends only, 1AM. Check if they have special events for the other nights of the week: Koh Bali.
Update 2016 on Koh: It's good only if you go during events, if a famous DJs is visiting. Check their schedule before visiting to avoid being in an empty club.

UPDATE BALI NIGHTLIFE 2017
Some new bar/clubs are currently happening and worth checking out.

Opium Nightclub: New club in Seminyak by the owners of Pyramid. You can read my full review here: OPIVM Seminyak.

Track 9 is a favourite for expats. It is a bar/restaurant/club. You can check their events here: https://www.facebook.com/track9bali/

La Laguna  (a beach club) and La Sicilia (bar club restaurant) were opened by the people behind la Favela. It's very popular and trendy with expats.

Old Man's in Canggu is a laid-back bar where long term residents and expats of Seminyak and Canggu hang out. It's more hippy/new age than the rest of the places mentioned here.

Conclusion: The Best Clubs in Bali
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As the beach is more polluted and the rice fields in Kuta and Seminyak have vanished, the nightlife has become one of the few reasons for staying in South Bali nowadays.

Clubs, bars and restaurants are sprouting like mushrooms but only a few manage to be busy and successful. Just two years ago, Townhouse was the hottest party place in Seminyak. Today? It is closed down and forgotten.

For this reason, I would really be grateful if you could comment below in case a new clubs open or one gets shut down. Thanks in advance!

Photo credit main picture: Bali Tonight

Are you traveling in Asia? Check also my review about Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife.
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Hero Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 27, 2017, 1:07 am
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Hero is a popular nightclub in Hanoi for both foreigners and Vietnamese. It usually get crowded after midnight, when most bars in the Old Quarter close down, and it remains busy until closing time at 3AM (after that, you can try your luck in the late night bar Tom's).

Hero is located in the West Lake area so you'll need a short taxi/Uber ride to reach it. Some taxis may take you there for free as they get paid by the club.

The entrance is free but the drinks are more expensive than average. It remains reasonable though (VND60,000 for a beer, VND80,000 for spirits, VND50,000 for laughing gas balloon). Many Vietnamese will buy a bottle (starting VND1,000,000) and share it with a group of friends at a table, with a shisha and a fruit platter.

The club is rather large, with a high-ceiling and a mezzanine. The design is not remarkable but I like the set-up as it is easy to meet people (long bar, some narrow spaces). The DJ booth is large, elevated, with an LCD screen behind it. You also have 2 iron cages for sexy dancers to perform.

The music is a mix of Top 40 and commercial EDM/Hip Hop songs. Nothing that you haven't already heard a thousand times before. They have guest DJs once in a while, sometimes foreigners (in that case, the entrance fee might reach VND200,000).

Most customers are well-dressed Vietnamese. I would guess that there are some freelance prostitutes and many gays among them. There are also about 20% of foreigners, particularly young travelers/backpackers looking for a girl to pick up. 

Overall: Hero is one of the few clubs where foreigners and Vietnamese party together in Hanoi. Even though I didn't like the music, it is a fun place and one of your only options after 1AM (you can also check The Bank, Savage and Fame). Last but not least, it is a relatively easy venue to meet girls.

I took this short video inside (the bouncer stopped me as I was starting to film the sexy dancers):
Hero Nightclub (Hanoi)
42 Yên Phụ To, Quận Ba Đình, Hanoi
Phone number: +84 98 926 4242
Email: heroclubhanoi@gmail.com 

Instagram: @herohanoi

Opening Hours:
Every day until 3AM
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F Club (Hanoi)

February 27, 2017, 2:44 am
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F Club is a nightclub in Hanoi, just 200 meters from Hero. It has opened very recently and I actually visited it on its grand opening night. It belongs to the OFA group which is also behind the luxurious OFA Lounge in Saigon.

It is quite similar to all the other Vietnamese clubs I've been to in Hanoi. The sound level is extremely loud and unhealthy (honestly, bring earplugs). The crowd is made almost exclusively of groups of Vietnamese friends sharing a table, a bottle, a shisha and a food platter. Girls are dressed with tight skirts and high-heels. An MC is cheering up the crowd between and during each songs.

If you are (un)lucky, you may have a live singer instead of the DJ. Hot girls will also dance in sexy costumes several times every night.

There are interesting promos during weekdays:

- Every Monday, Funky night with free laughing gas balloon until 11PM (only for ladies).
- Every Tuesday, free beer or cocktail for girls all night long.
- Every Wednesday, buy 1 get 1 on all combos.
- Every Thursday, free Elyx bottle for every group of 5 people.

Overall: F Club is still new but you may want to give it a try before or after you visit Hero. If you don't enjoy Vietnamese House or Pop, then you'd better stay away.

I made this video from my smartphone when I was inside:
F Club by OFA Group (also behing OFA lounge in Saigon)
67Y Phó Đức Chính, Phường Trúc Bạch, Quận Ba Đình
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: +84 97 777 9911

Facebook: F Club Hanoi (check it for events, promos and photos)

Opening Hours:
Every day until 2AM
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1900 Le Theatre (Nightclub - Hanoi)

March 1, 2017, 10:47 am
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1900 Le Theatre is a bar/nightclub located in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, more precisely in the action-packed Tạ Hiện Street. It is in the center of Hanoi nightlife, and unsurprisingly it gets crowded every day of the week by both young Vietnamese (75%, mostly students) and foreigners (25%, mostly tourists).

It is my favorite club in this area but it closes early at 1AM (by 00.30AM they'll already stop selling drinks). You can go around 11PM, after drinking from the cheaper pubs nearby.

The entrance is free on most nights but if there is a special event you'll have to pay around VND250,000. Drinks are more expensive than average: VND80,000 for a beer and VND120,000 for cocktail/liquor.

It is worth it in my opinion. 1900 Le Theatre is a chic, Burlesque-themed venue, with a perfect set-up for events. This is logical as it used to be a theater during the French colonization. 

The main point of focus is the elevated stage where DJs and live bands perform. Most customers will occupy high tables just below and share a bottle of alcohol. There is also a nice central bar for those who come alone and on the second floor, you'll find a mezzanine with VIP seating.

The dress code is not enforced as I saw plenty of foreigners wearing shorts. If you can, try to put on a pair of pants, a shirt and shoes. This will prevent you from being labeled as a "backpacker" by the bouncers and the Vietnamese girls.

Weekend nights are the busiest, but some weekdays are interesting as well. Wednesday is students night (2 free beers for students with valid ID) and Tuesday is ladies night (2 free drinks for girls).

My main criticism about 1900 Le Theatre is that its DJs play only commercial songs (EDM or Hip Hop) while the live band usually sing Vietnamese pop.

Overall: 1900 is a one of the best nightclubs in Hanoi. I liked the atmosphere, the crowd and the design. It is one of the best places to pick up Vietnamese girls along with The Bank and Hero.

1900 Le Theatre Nightclub - Hanoi
8, Ta Hiên, Hoan Kiem
Phone number: 09 1111 1900

Facebook: 1900 Le Theatre
Instagram: @1900.hn

Opening Hours:
Every day until 1AM
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Search

10 Best Gifts Ideas For Your Indonesian Girlfriend or Wife

February 7, 2017, 5:23 pm
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If you have a local girlfriend or wife, you certainly know that Indonesian girls absolutely love receiving gifts. In fact, I would say that being generous is one of the surest ways to keep your relationship strong and happy (the only most important thing is to be committed and faithful).

At the very least, you should always offer a gift on your partner's birthday. A failure to do so is only excusable if you've just met or if you're trying to get rid of her. Depending on the girl you're seeing, you should probably buy something for Valentine's day and Christmas as well (yes, even if she is a Muslim).

Some relationships may require more frequent gifts, for instance if you are dating someone out of your league. If you are 50 years old and your girlfriend is 25-year old bombshell (like the girl on the picture above), it goes without saying that you'll need to have deep pockets. Similarly, if you are dating a girl that you don't intend to marry, a few gifts may keep her hooked for a little longer. I'm not saying that every Indonesian girl is materialistic, most are not, but they can sometimes be pragmatic.

The list below will give you 10 ideas of gifts that all Indonesian girls would love to receive. I've included links to trusted websites you can buy them from.

Flowers are the most romantic gift you can make, for any type of girls and for any occasions. Red and white roses are the preferred choice, unless your girlfriend is a bit more sophisticated and requires originality. You can buy them at the cheapest price in flower markets (see my review Traditional Markets in Jakarta) or you can buy them online directly on Flower Advisor. A bouquet costs around 25$ and it will be delivered on the same day with a personalized note. I used it a lot when I had a long distance relationship and it was very practical.

→ Ideal to show that you care
→ Price range: From 10$ to 50$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Flower Advisor

Perfume, Make Up and Beauty Products
A classic gift if you don't want to take any risks. You are always sure to make your woman happy with beauty products but always choose a famous brand.

If you are a frequent traveler, it is always easy to buy a fragrance bottle at the duty free shop before arriving in Jakarta. The prices are much cheaper than anywhere else and you get to choose the smell you like the most. In Indonesia, you can buy from Sephora Indonesia or from department stores like Sogo with prices a bit higher.

→ Perfect gift if you want to be 100% sure she'll like it
→ Price range: From 50$ to 130$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Not recommended for perfume to avoid counterfeit products but you can buy safely from Sephora Indonesia for make up and other beauty products.

Chocolate, Candies, Cakes and Snacks
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This is an inexpensive gift to make, especially if you buy them in your home country. Chocolate in Indonesia is 2 to 3 times more expensive than in Europe so it is considered a bit of a luxury here. I always bring as much as I can from France and then gives them around. It's a very easy way to make people smile!

Since Indonesian love eating sweet food, an alternative is to buy any kind of sweets that come with a nice packaging (for instance a heart-shaped box).

→ Ideal for Valentine's day
→ Price range: From 5$ to 20$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Flower Advisor sells romantic chocolates and you can buy cakes/desserts on BoBoBoBo.com. You can also get standard chocolates delivered to your door on HappyFresh.com.

Photo Frame/Album or Video
A more unique way to show that you care if you are 18, penniless and deeply in love. It sounds a bit girly and cheesy, yet it will very certainly be a hit if your girlfriend is young.

If you really don't have any money, you can make a short video or slideshow online and send it to her as well.

→ Perfect gift for younger girls
→ Price range: 0$ for a video, 4$ for a frame, 20$ for an album, 0.50$ to print a photo
→ To buy online and get delivered in Jakarta: Photo Frames can be bought on Matahari Mall (Indonesian). You can print photos on Pictalogy or Snapy (Indonesian). You can make a free slideshow/video on Smilebox.

Romantic Trips
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Photo: https://www.instagram.com/sukiminthio/
The perspective of going on a romantic trip is extremely exciting to every Indonesian girls. Not only because they have few opportunities to go anywhere alone, but more importantly because it will give them plenty of occasions to update their Instagram with new pictures.

Even if you don't have money, you can at least go to Bandung or Bogor. With a bigger budget, Bali, Belitung, the Thousand Islands and Lombok are great choices. Singapore and KL are also quite cheap and easy to reach from Jakarta.

A good way to find amazing prices is to visit Kiwi.com. This travel website allows you to find flights without entering the destination. The result will be a display of the cheapest flights available on a particular date, from Jakarta (Yes I know, Skyscanner does that also, but please try Kiwi and you'll see it has many more possibilities).
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Is Kiwi.com better than Skyscanner? I think so.
→ Smart gift if you already have a wife
→ Price range: From 50$ (weekend in Bogor) to 5,000$ (weekend in Velaa Resort in Maldives)
→ Buying online: Keep an eye on the deals from Groupon Indonesia - Travel or Bobobobo - Hotels and Resorts.

Anything Cute and/or Cheesy
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This is a bit vague but you probably understand what I mean. Asian girls love cute accessories or toys, especially if they are somewhat romantic. It can be dolls, teddy bears, cups, pillows, watches, sunglasses, t-shirts, pencils, cards, etc as long as there is a funny face or a heartbreaking sentence on it.

→ Easy gift if you're back from a business trip in Japan
→ Price range: From 5$ to 30$
→ Buying online: Check the gift section on FlowerAdvisor.com and Bobobobo.com, they have some cute teddy bears and other plush dolls.

Designer Clothes, Bags and Shoes
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Why not give her designer lingerie?
Guys who buy designer clothes and accessories are either very rich, crazy in love or dating above their league. Whatever your reason, you can never go wrong as long as you buy genuine stuff either from abroad or from any of the luxury malls in Jakarta.

→ Perfect gift if you were caught cheating and need forgiveness
→ Price range: Starting from 200$ up to several thousand dollars
→ Delivery to Indonesia/Buying online: The best Indonesian-based website with a large choice of designer clothes, bags, shoes and accessories is certainly Bobobobo.com. You can check their brands directly here Woman Fashion.

Spa or Salon Treatment
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Have you ever met a girl who didn't like going to the spa?
You can either buy a treatment that your wife or girlfriend will do alone or buy a couple's massage. Several venues allow it in Jakarta and I've listed them in my review: Best Luxury Hotel Spas in Jakarta. I also recommend you to try any of the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa (check for deals on Groupon).

→ Perfect gift if you want to please her while still meeting your friends
→ Price range: 30$ to 80$
→ Where to purchase online: You can have a look at the Spa Deals on Groupon: Best Spa Deals in Indonesia

Phone, Laptop and Tablets
It is almost a tradition for the boyfriend to pay for his girlfriend's phone in Indonesia. This is why you'll see so many girls who earn less than 300$/month with the latest 800$ Iphone. Once the phone is taken care of, you may start to hear things like "I really need a laptop for my work" or "My teacher wants us to buy a laptop". This is the sign you're in for a little present.

→ Must-buy gift if you are dating a gold-digger
→ Price range: 400$-1500$
→ Buying online: If you can speak Indonesian, you can visit MatahariMall or Lazada. Both have a huge choice and they can deliver anywhere in Indonesia.

Sexy Stuff
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Offering lingerie or sex toys is actually more a gift to yourself and that's why it is such a good idea. Lingerie can easily be found in any malls, for instance in La Senza or Victoria's Secret. It is much harder to buy sex toys in Indonesia so it is best to bring them from abroad.

→ Perfect gift to yourself
→ Price range: 30$ to 200$
→ Buying lingerie online: Websites like Bobobobo (Lingerie for woman) and Zalora have a limited choice. Matahari Mall and Lazada are better but they are in Indonesian. The best choice would be AliExpress, and especially its page Sexy Lingerie.
→ Buying sex toys online: Limited choice on Lazada - Sex Help. Much better if you import through Aliexpress - Sex Toys but the customs may not allow your stuff to enter the country.

Photo credit: The two awesome pictures with Indonesian beauties were taken by Mr. Ecko. You can see more of his portfolio on Instagram here @rockandrolla_photography.
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Nong Khai Nightlife: Where to Party and Drink?

February 5, 2017, 6:54 am
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Even if you live in Thailand, you may not be familiar with Nong Khai. This town of 50,000 inhabitants is near the border with Laos, and it is often a stopover for people heading to Vientiane by land.

This is exactly the reason I was there, for only 1 night. Naturally, I tried to find out if there was any nightlife.

The city gets very quiet in the evening and you'll barely hear any noise apart from dogs barking and motorbikes. Even finding street food after 10PM can be challenging.

Some areas are more busy though, with restaurants, bars, live music and even nightclubs.
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Below are my top recommendations for drinking and partying in Nong Khai:

Along The Mekong River: Mostly Thais
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There is a nice promenade along the Mekong River called Rim Kong Alley. It is approximately 3 kilometers long from the temple Wat Hai Sok up to the Phra That Lanong (a replica temple).

Along the way, you have at least 100 restaurants, among which more than 50% specialize in hotpot/BBQ (don't ask me why). At some point, you will see local pubs and karaokes, sometimes with live music.

In particular, young people will hang out in a few cafés located at the intersection of Soi Yot Kaeo 3 and Rim Kong Alley. The venues there are modern and really packed until 1AM. You can eat, drink, watch sports and enjoy some Thai live music.

Among those venues, you have A-Gain, Sanamsook and ร้านเต่าหนองคาย (sorry I couldn't find the English translation). You may meet some pretty Thai girls there, most likely young students.

Near Wat Hai Sok: For Expats and Tourists
Just one street behind Rim Kong Alley, in Soi Rim Kong 1 (100 meters from Wat Hai Sok), there are a few bars and restaurants owned by foreigners (usually married with Thai girls).

As there are many guest houses around, they get reasonably crowded at night with a mix of expats and tourists.

It is very basic but friendly. The popular venues are next to each other: Jimmy's 1, Anchor Bar, Warm Up and Noi & Brendan.

Soi Nipatat: For Expats and Tourists Looking for Bargirls
My hotel was on this street which is about 300 meters from the Mekong. It can be considered the red-light district of Nong Khai as you have around 5-6 beer bars with prostitutes. There are also normal restaurants without girls (I ate in the French-owned Mai and they serve good food).

As in Soi Rim Kong 1, it seems that every bar is owned by a retired foreigner who married a Thai woman. Each one proudly displays his nationality outside the bar. You have an Italian (Oasi), a Swiss (Muscha & Lee), an American (DJ's Bar), an English (Candy Bar), an Australian, a Kiwi, etc...

From what I understood, new places open and close quite often since most customers in Nong Khai are only interested to get the cheapest beer they can. Many of those businesses don't make a profit and they are just little toys to keep the wives busy.

As you can expect, the girls are not exactly the prettiest you'll meet in Thailand, but who knows you might get lucky.

Prices in those bars are about 70THB for a beer and 120THB for a Thai dish. The closing hours are flexible and change every night depending on the customers. In general, only a few places will be open after 1AM.

Elsewhere: Thai Clubs and Bars
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You can find nightclubs elsewhere in the city that will stay open until 3AM. They are typical of those you may have already visited in Thailand: A beer pub with a live band singing in Thai. Between breaks,  he is replaced by a DJ who mixes loud EDM/Top 40 remixes.

They are normally free to enter, and then inside it will cost you around 70 THB for a beer and 600-800THB for a whisky bottle.

The best one is probably Yellow Bus (near the riverside). It opened in 2016 and it attracts a crowd of young Thai people.

Another option is Sam Ran, not too far from Soi Nipatat. It is busy every night with clients older than in Yellow Bus. There are some freelance prostitutes as well.
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Sam Ran Pub and Restaurant
Finally, you can go to Lam Kong Brewery but it is more traditional. I'm actually not sure of the name as there is no English sign in front of it (I used an automatic translation after finding the place on Google map).

Finally, there is a friendly Thai bar on Soi Hai Sok called Chilly's. No girls there but very friendly atmosphere.

You can see the exact location of all these places on my Nong Khai nightlife map below.

Where to Stay in Nong Khai Near the Nightlife?
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For party purposes, I recommend you to stay in Soi Nipatat even though it is not exactly by the Mekong River. My hotel offered great value for money (13$ per night for a double room with AC) and it was just 5 meters from the bars. You can check it on Agoda: Nong Khai City Hotel. A slightly more expensive option in the same street is the White Inn (18$ per night).

If you want to stay by the Mekong river, the Mut Mee Garden Guest House has excellent ratings and it costs only 11$ per night.

For something a bit more upmarket, the brand-new Amanta is the best hotel near Nong Khai nightlife. Its price is still reasonable (40$ per night).

Meeting Normal Thai Girls
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There aren't that many places to meet Thai girls in Nong Khai. The best option would be to go to one of the bars on the Mekong promenade (like A-Gain or Sanamsook).

Alternatively, you can check before your trip if there are any profiles on the popular dating sites ThaiFriendly and ThaiCupid. It is free to register and to browse profiles.

Nong Khai Nightlife Map
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Marina Nightclub (Vientiane - Laos)

February 6, 2017, 3:34 am
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Marina is the best nightclub in Vientiane as of 2017 (my second favorite would be Gold Star).

It is located on Luang Prabang Road, 3 kilometers from the tourist area so you'll need to ride a tuk-tuk (20,000-30,000 kip maximum). As you arrive, you'll see a mini-traffic jam with some luxury cars.

Maybe because it is far, there is almost no foreigners who visit it (apart from Thais and Chinese). That's too bad because it would challenge a few stereotypes they might have about "sleepy" Vientiane.

Anyway, I was glad to be the only foreigner as you naturally get more attention. Marina was packed with girls, most of whom were well-dressed and looking stylish. They were often with large group of friends with a bottle around a table. Many guys were gay so it's very easy to approach them first and then talk to their girlfriends. If you want the easy way, there are also some freelance prostitutes.

Prices are quite low, only 18,000 kip for a beer and 330,000 kip for a bottle of whisky (red label). No entrance fee. No smoking inside.

The dress code stipulates no shorts and no sandals but I saw a few inside. The DJs play commercial EDM and clubbing anthems. On other nights they may also have hip-hop and Rn'B.

I shot this video inside with my phone:
Overall: A big, luxurious nightclub in Vientiane. Very recommended if you want to meet fun, upper class Laotian girls. There is also a bowling alley in the same complex.

Note: It seems another nightclub is being built next to Marina at the moment. If you have more information about it, please leave a comment below!

Opening Hours:
Every day from 9PM to 3AM (2AM on weekdays)

Marina Night Club
Luang Prabang Road (after Setthatitraht Road)

Facebook (with pictures and upcoming events): Marina Vientiane
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Online Dating Sites & Apps In Indonesia (2017)

February 7, 2017, 1:27 am
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I once wrote a review about dating Indonesian girls and where to meet them. You can still read it here: Where to meet Indonesian girls? Most of the information on the review is still valid, but it certainly needs an update on the world of online dating through websites or social apps such as Badoo, Indonesian Cupid, Tinder, WeChat, Skout, Beetalk, etc.

If you are looking for a great girl in Jakarta, online dating is by far your best chance. 90% of the girls there are looking for a stable relationship. Another 9% is looking for money. And maybe less than 1 percent is looking for a one night stand (not the hottest girls usually). The fact that they are looking for a stable relationship does not mean they want to get married straight away. It means they want to feel a long term relationship is possible. For this reason, it may be more difficult for you to find a date if you are not staying in Indonesia and if you do not speak Indonesian.

Depending on which website or which app you use, you can pretty much chat with any type of women you could think of: Students, employees, executives, single mom, etc from any ethnicity or religion. There is such a diversity that it would be hard to generalize. To give you a better understanding, I will describe the specificities of each dating app or website below:

Tinder(Mobile app only)
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When Tinder started in Indonesia, most of its users where either foreign or Western educated girls. Its base has now expanded, but it is still the most trendy app to use. For this reason, this is where you will meet the most girls who can speak English and who have well-paid jobs. This is also where the most girls are interested to meet foreigners.

Pros:
➝ Almost entirely free
➝ Easy to get several matches every day
➝ Thousands of Indonesian girls are using it, including many educated ones
➝ Not too many spam accounts or prostitutes or ladyboys

Cons:
➝ I find it difficult to manage once you have more than 100 matches
➝ You cannot see which girls are online
➝ You cannot chat with a girl if you haven't matched with her already
➝ You cannot like more than 50 girls per day (or you must pay)
➝ You must connect using your Facebook information and pics (your friends on Facebook who are using Tinder will know that you are also a user)
➝ You can only see girls around you (unless you pay). If you stay abroad, this means you cannot chat with any girl in Jakarta before you arrive.
➝ Generally speaking, girls on Tinder love to swipe but they aren't very good at sending or replying to messages

IndonesianCupid.com (website)
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Indonesia Cupid is more traditional dating website which is part of a wider network: FilipinoCupid, Muslima (for dating Muslim girls), Thai Cupid, Vietnam Cupid, etc. It is an excellent site for those who are not in Indonesia but who are interested to chat with local girls.

Many Indonesian girls on IndonesianCupid are looking to meet foreigners and they won't turn you down if you say you are far away. The demographic of IndonesianCupid is more middle class compared with Tinder. Typically, you'll chat with employees, teachers, nurses, etc.

Since it is a website and not a mobile phone app, I find it much easier to write messages or browse profiles compared to Tinder. Even if you use it for a month or two, it is still easy to see which girls are online among those you've chatted with before.

You can register here: Sign-Up to Indonesian Cupid for Free. I recommend you to update to the premium version though (only 25$ per month) as it will allow you to send an unlimited number of messages. It will also give you the edge compared with the other guys in terms of visibility.

Pros:
➝ Between 500-1000 Indonesian girls online at any time, but thousands more who were active in the past week or month (you have filters to do that).
➝ Possibility to look for girls in other countries (Thailand, Philippines, etc)
➝ Good website interface, easy to use and fast.
➝ Fast chatting application
➝ Mostly serious girls who are interested in relationships
➝ Detailed profiles

Cons:
➝ The free version is too restricted (not a problem if you can afford 25$)
➝ No mobile app
➝ Many girls have limited English proficiency (especially outside Jakarta)

Badoo (Mobile app and website)
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Badoo used to be the best dating website in Indonesia but it is clearly not as popular as it used to be. It still has a large number of users though: I checked on 15 December 2016 at 7pm and there were 522 women online in Jakarta (vs 537 on Indonesian Cupid). They also have a mobile app (called "Hot or Not"). 

Badoo attracts 99,9% of Indonesian girls, from all background. You can filter girls by age, location, status, body type, etc. More than half the girls can speak English and many are interested to meet foreigners. Online prostitution on Badoo is unfortunately a problem. Many "girls" on Badoo are in fact pimp looking for clients.

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:
➝ Privacy concern (they sent advertising emails to all my contact on my behalf saying I was inviting them to join Badoo)
➝ Many prostitutes
➝ Because it is cheaper, there are more guys on Badoo. This means it is harder to get girls' attention and your messages may be ignored. You can get seen/read before other guys but you need to pay extra money (even if you are already a premium user).

Instagram
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Yes, Instagram can be considered a dating website in Indonesia. I know some guys who've met dozens of girls using it.

Of course, you need to create an Instagram account and to upload interesting pictures regularly. If you are an expat who visits nice restaurants and hotels, it shouldn't be too hard to add at least a great photo every two days.

You can then follow some Instagram accounts of girls you like and write comments on their pictures.

Pros:
➝ Free
➝ There are more girls on Instagram than on any other dating websites (especially in Indonesia)
➝ You can search for girls who have special interests using the location or tags (for instance, if you want to find a girl who went to the Djakarta Warehouse Festival, you can search the tag "DWP 2016").
➝ It is easy to find a topic to start a conversation (just comment a photo)

Cons:
➝ You need to create and maintain an interesting Instagram account
➝ Many girls are not single or not actively looking for a boyfriend
➝ Time consuming

WeChat (Mobile app only)
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WeChat has a "look around" feature which allows you to add girls located within a few kilometers from you. If they accept your invitation, you can start chatting with them.

Many ladyboys and prostitutes use that feature so it can be quite annoying if this is not what you are looking for. You will also probably receive a lot of invitations from other guys. Girls using this feature do not always speak English very well. It is popular with the Chinese community but your chances of getting a reply is low unless you speak Chinese.

Pros:
➝ Free
➝ Location based

Cons:
➝ I don't think you can meet a normal girl using it.

Beetalk(Mobile app only)
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Beetalk users are mostly Indonesian and young. It has a "look around" feature as well which is quite invasive as it tells you the exact position of the people around you. If you use it in popular malls like Grand Indonesia or Central Park, it will probably tell you a list of person within a very close range, sometimes a few meters only.

Few girls using Beetalk speak good English so it is more appropriate for those with a basic knowledge of Indonesian. It is a good app but not the most effective for foreigners.

Pros:
➝ Free
➝ Location based
➝ No competition from other Westerners

Cons:
➝ Very few girls who can speak English


➝ Not many replies from girls

Skout (Mobile app and dating site)
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Skout is similar to Badoo but it does not have as many girls online. The ads are quite annoying so I didn't like using it. 

Tagged / Hi5 (Mobile app and website)
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Tagged and Hi5 are the same service since they merged in 2011. It used to be one of the most popular social networks in Indonesia but it is struggling now. It is still a relatively interesting website to try as the number of Indonesian users is quite large. I would say that girls on Tagged are usually a bit older: They made their Hi5 account 10 years ago and they haven't closed it yet.

Adult Friend Finder
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This is a paying hook-up website popular with swingers and those looking for one-night stands. I never used it but a friend of mine did and he met several open-minded couples. He also managed to meet a few single girls but it is more rare.

Note that the website is currently blocked by the government so you'll need to download a VPN to access it. I've written an article here Best VPN in Indonesia to help you with it.

Pros:
➝ If you are not looking for dating but for sex, this is the best website to use
➝ Number 1 hooking website in the World

Cons:
➝ 90% guys and 10% girls so you need to make a really neat profile to succeed. Being handsome would help.
➝ You won't get very far with the Free Version so you'll need to buy a premium membership


➝ Block in Indonesia: You must use a VPN to access it freely.

Conclusion
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All these dating apps and websites are free but you have to pay if you want to get some VIP features. For instance, becoming a paid member will generally entitle you to send more messages, to see who clicked on your profile or to be seen first by girls.

There are probably some scammers too so you should naturally always make sure the person you are talking to is real. I would recommend asking for the girl's facebook or skype.

There are other services that I haven't tried but they might work well. If you have used one of the following to find a date in Jakarta, it would be nice if you could write a comment about it below:

OK Cupid: Popular dating website (same group with Match.com and Tinder) but I don't think it is available in Indonesia at this moment.

Zoosk: One of the most popular dating apps in the world but I read some negative reviews about their privacy policy so I did not want to try it.

Ask.fm: Very popular social media in Indonesia, mostly with the younger crowd. It is not a real dating website but it is used as such by many Indonesians to make friends or get a date.

Wavoo is an Indonesian dating app which just started. It does not have a very large database of users at the moment.

Setipe is an Indonesian dating website which could be promising but it is still new and I encountered some problems to register.

Photo Credit: The photos are from Kucluk Oye.
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Best VPNs in Indonesia- How to Access Blocked Websites

February 7, 2017, 4:00 am
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In this review I will explain you how to bypass Internet censorship (mostly porn) in Indonesia by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. I will also give you tips on how to watch Hulu and Netflix in Indonesia.

Most porn and torrent websites are blocked in Indonesia. This includes all the most famous ones like XVideos, YouPorn, PornHub, XHamster, KickAss Torrents and The Pirate Bay. It is also not possible to visit some forums like Reddit or InternationalSexGuide. Same thing with the dating website Adult Friend Finder.

Some regular websites have also been banned like Vimeo. Tumblr was shut down during 24 hours earlier this year as well.

Another problem internet users are facing in Indonesia is the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Act. This vague set of laws can make you the target of a defamation suit for exposing your views online. You are not allowed, for instance, of suggesting that someone might be corrupt.

Because of this law, posting a comment on Facebook, Twitter or Path in Indonesia can land you in jail. This is what happened to Alexander Aan or Florence Sihombing.

Since about a year ago, I decided to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in Indonesia. This allows me to visit any websites I want on the internet without anyone knowing about it. It is 100% legal, secure and safe. Actually, according to this 2015 study, Indonesia is the country with the most VPN users in the world: 23% of its Internet users are bypassing censorship by using a VPN.

The cost is cheap (less than 10$ per month) and it works great. If you travel a lot in Asia, it is also very useful in heavily-censored countries like Vietnam or China.

Since VPN companies usually give you a free trial for a few days up to 1 month, I tested several of them to make sure I was choosing the best. There are so many different companies that you could probably get a free VPN for at least a year just by changing provider once in a while. The prices are really reasonable though so once you've found one that works well, it's really more simple to just pay.

Here are my top 3 recommendations for best VPNs in Indonesia (I used the 3 of them and they worked great):

Hide My Ass (HMA) - Best VPN in Indonesia
Hide My Ass is often considered the best VPNs in the world here because they have a massive 700 servers in almost every countries on earth, including in Indonesia. This means your connection is fast and smooth anywhere you go. If you can afford the extra dollars to get full speed (compared to free VPNs), HMA is an excellent choice. Remember that in the end, it is still only 60$ per year.

Hide My Ass is the VPN recommended by the Wall Street Journal to access blocked websites in China and it was also selected as the best VPN by the Guardian, Bloomberg and Forbes.

You can now try Hide My Ass for FREE! Just open the following link Hide My Ass Free and click on "Free Trial". You need to give your credit card details so don't forget to cancel after one month to avoid being charged.

If you decide to keep the paid version, it is much more interesting to choose a full year:

Pricing:
4,99$ per month with 1 year plan
7,49$ per month with 6-month plan
9,99$ per month without plan

The set up is super easy even if you are not good on computers and they are really fast to answer your questions of you have any.

Golden Frog - Vypr VPN - Fastest VPN Indonesia
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I found that Golden Frog's Vypr VPN was even faster compared to Hide My Ass. They also have a server in Jakarta and a strong presence in Asia. The support is excellent (ask any question and they will answer you within a few minutes). You can pay with Alipay or PayPal and you can use up to 5 devices (smartphone, tablet, laptop, TV, etc).

NEW! You can do a free trial for 3 months by opening this link: Promo Deal for Ivacy VPN - Indonesia!!!

If you choose to keep it after the free trial period, you will pay the following:

Pricing of Basic Plan:
3.75$ per month (billed annually)
9.75$ per month (billed monthly)

Pricing of Premium Plan:
5$ per month (billed annually)
12.95$ per month (billed monthly)

Update 2017: Vypr has been unblocked by Netflix.

This is often considered the best VPN on the market as they have a great support team that will help you with any of your requests. If you are planning on using US Netflix, this is your an excellent choice too as they have not been banned yet. This means you can use NordVPN to watch Netflix if you position your IP in the US. Only problem for Indonesian web users, they don't have a server in Indonesia at the moment so the speed is slower than the VPNs listed above. It is still good enough for most people (you can still download from torrents, watch movies, etc).

To try their services for free, you can just visit the following link: Nord VPN - 30-Day Money Back Guaranteed.

Since you can cancel and get your money back any time within the first month, I advise you to choose the 1 year plan directly to save on the long term.

Pricing:
NEW: 2 Years Deal for 3.29$ per month - Click here to get the offer: 72% Off Nord VPN
4$ per month with 1 year plan
5$ per month with 6-month plan
8$ per month without plan

Express VPN: The VPN I'm Currently Using
Update February 2017: I saw a 1-month free trial by Express VPN and I decided to try it. One of the reasons I changed was that they had servers in Myanmar and Laos where I was traveling. Both countries censor internet heavily, particularly porn websites.

Express VPN advertise itself as the fastest VPN in the world, but since the speed of internet is very slow in Laos and Myanmar, I cannot really confirm.

That said, it worked great and I managed to open any websites I wanted in those two countries (using a server location in Singapore). They are also compatible with Netflix and you can use it to download torrents.

If you want to check their claim that they are the fastest, you can make a free trial by clicking on this link: 1-Month Free Express VPN.

Pricing:
1 Month = 12.95$
6-Month Plan = 9.99$ per month
12-Month Plan = 8.32 per month

How Do You Access Porn/Blocked Websites in Indonesia? Do You Use A VPN As Well?
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There are a lot of new VPN providers entering the market every month. If you are using a different VPN in Indonesia or if you have another way to visit porn/blocked websites in Indonesia, please leave a comment below to share your experience!
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