Happy Hours, Free Flows and Ladies Nights in Jakarta (2017)

April 15, 2017, 9:49 am

≫ Next: 28 Best Shopping Malls in Jakarta

≪ Previous: 6 Best Bars in Cilandak - TB Simatupang - Lebak Bulus

This article is an update on all the promotions (Happy Hours, Ladies Nights, All-You-Can-Drink) that the best bars in Jakarta are currently offering.

The deals may change over time so I added the Facebook or Instagram of each venue for you to double check.

In general, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best nights to drink cheap in Jakarta (especially if you are a woman). If you are on a really tight budget, you can get a few bottles delivered at your home too (Read: How to Buy Alcohol Online in Jakarta).

Here are some of the best happy hours, free flow deals and ladies nights in Jakarta in 2017:

Flow

They don't have happy hours but different promotions every night:

Monday: Free flow wine from 7PM until 10PM for IDR249,000++

Tuesday: Ladies night (Buy 1 Get 1 on cocktails and strongbow cider, Heineken bucket IDR179,000++)

Wednesday: 3-hour free flow sangria (7P to 10PM) and Buy 1 Get 1 on Cocktails/Japanese beers all night long.

Thursday: All day promos (Buy 1 Get 1 Japanese Beer and Strongbow Ciders, Heineken bucket for IDR179,000++, discounts on Talisker, Dalwhinnie and Mortlach or Free Flow on Heineken from 7PM to 9PM for IDR249,000++).

Friday and Saturday: 15% off on all bottles except beer, wine and Japanese whisky (valid until 11PM)

More information: Flow Jakarta

Cloud Lounge

Everyday from 4PM to 8PM, buy 1 and get 2 on Plaga Rosé, Heineken Draught, Bacardi Silver, Gordon's Gin, Skyy Vodka, Mojito, Lychee Martini, Classic Margarita, ...

Buy 2 Get 3 on Bintang Radler

Buy 3 Get 4 on Albens Cider

Ladies night on Thursday: Free glass of Sangria if you come with high heels (from 8PM to midnight)

More information: Cloud Lounge

Bacco

Special price from Monday to Friday from 4PM to 7PM:

Heineken Draft: IDR50,000 for 1, IDR80,000 for 2

San Miguel Negra: IDR60,000 for 1, IDR100,000 for 2

Whisky: IDR85,000 for 1, IDR120,000 for 2

Rum: IDR80,000 for 1, IDR120,000 for 2

Gin: IDR80,000 for 1, IDR120,000 for 2

Vodka: IDR80,000 for 1, IDR120,000 for 2

More information: Bacco Jakarta

Karumba Rooftop Bar

Special "arisan" promotion - Ladies-only:

- 90-minute All-You-Can-Drink Sangria, Beer and Long Island for 5 girls with 2 free sharing plates and a IDR150,000 meal voucher: IDR750,000++ (or IDR500,000++ without alcohol)

- IDR125,000 for a set menu with 1 appetizer or dessert, 1 main course, 1 welcome drink.

More information: Karumba Bar Jakarta

Masters Sports Bar

Prices in Master are already among the cheapest you'll find in Central and South Jakarta. During their happy hours from 4PM to 9PM, they'll cut an extra 10% to 20% on beers:

More information: Masters Sports Bar

Café de Burse

All day happy hours until 8PM on draught beer.

Tuesday: 20% discount on cocktails

Wednesday: Happy hour all night on Bintang tower

Thursday: Happy hour all night on Bintang pitcher

Saturday: 50% discount on all drinks by the glass for girls.

More information: De Burse

Cazbar

Happy hour every day on Heineken and Bintang beer until 8PM

Monday: Flip a coin for a chance to win a double on all house pours

Wednesday: 25% discount on house pours and draft beers

Thursday: Ladies night: 50% off on selected drinks for girls only

Friday: Happy hour on Heineken tower all night long

Saturday: 15% discount on all house spirit by bottle + HH on Heineken tower/Brainwash pitchers

More information: CazBar

Eastern Promise and De Hooi
Ladies night on Thursday: 50% off for women

More information: EP and De Hooi

Loewy

Happy hour every day from 3PM to 7PM:

- Beer bucket: Buy 4 get 2 free Carlsberg or Heineken or Guiness Stout

- 20% off selected wines by the glass

- 2 house pours (Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Whisky, Rum) for IDR110++

More information: Loewy

Basque

Happy hour every day: Buy 3 beers and get 1 free.

More information: Basque

Lucy In The Sky

From Monday to Sunday (4PM to 10PM), Hippie Sundown:

- IDR175,000++ for 3 Coronas

- IDR250,000++ for 3 selected cocktails

Foundry 8

From 5PM to 9PM (Monday to Thursday):

- IDR30,000++ for spirits by the glass

- IDR25,000++ for beer

- IDR65,000++ for cocktails

More information: The Foundry 8

Bauhaus 1933
Happy Hours from Wednesday to Saturday (6PM-10PM): 3 cocktails for IDR250,000
Ladies night with free flow cocktails from 9PM to 11PM every Wednesday

More information: Bauhaus

Lola
Lark hour with a buy 1 get 1 promo on selected cocktails every day until 9PM.
Every Tuesday, free flow cocktails from 6PM to 12AM (IDR250,000++).

More information: Lola Senopati

H Gourmet and Vibes
Every Thursday: Free flow wine from 8PM to 10PM for IDR199,000++
Buy 1 get 1 free glass of wine every weekdays

More information: Gourmet and Vibes

Gia
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: Buy 1 get 1 on classic cocktails all day long.
Free flow from 5PM every Thursday for IDR249,000++

More information: Gia Restaurant and Bar

The Dutch
Every Wednesday from 7PM to 9PM: IDR250,000++ for all-you-can-drink Guinness Draught.
Every Friday: Buy 3 Get 1 Free Stark Beer

More information: The Dutch Jakarta

Casa Kemang

Every day, all day, a bucket of 6 Heineken or Carlsberg for IDR240,000++

More information: Casa

J Sparrows

Every day from 4PM to 8PM, 2 cocktails for IDR200,000 (classic or signature) and 6 Heineken bottles for IDR160,000++

More information: J. Sparrows

Crazy Uncle

On weekdays from 8PM to 10PM: IDR85,000++ for cocktails and free flow Heineken draught beer for IDR150,000++

More information: Crazy Uncle Jakarta

Savoi

Monday to Friday (4PM to 9PM): 25% discount on spirits and wine bottles. Buy 1 get 1 on cocktails.

Thursday: Free flow cocktails from 8PM to 11PM for IDR250,000++

More information: Savoi Senopati

Social House

They don't have a proper happy hour but two interesting promotions:

Every Monday: Free flow wine starting at 5PM for IDR249,000++.

Get a selected spirit bottle for IDR750,000++ starting 5PM from Tuesday until Friday.

More information: Social House

Paulaner Brauhaus

Happy hour from Monday to Thursday from 5PM to 7PM - Buy 1 beer, get 1 free.

More information: Paulaner Jakarta

Liquid Exchange
Happy hour every day until 8PM (and all day on Sunday): Around 15%-20% discount.

More information: Liquid Exchange

Fat Shogun
Ladies night: Free flow drinks from 8PM to 9PM + IDR50,000++ cocktails for girls only.

More information: Fat Shogun

Jenja Nightclub
Wednesday ladies night: Free entry to the club and free flow alcohol from 9PM to 11PM.

More information: Jenja

Photo: Safehouse Bar by SindhenApp.

Do you know a great promotion that is not listed here? Please leave a comment below to let me know about it!

↧

28 Best Shopping Malls in Jakarta

March 8, 2017, 1:21 pm

≫ Next: 11 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in Jakarta

≪ Previous: Happy Hours, Free Flows and Ladies Nights in Jakarta (2017)

Malls in Jakarta are much more than just shopping venues. They are privately-owned cities where you can find pretty much anything including offices, residences, cinemas, schools, hospitals, restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, mosques, churches, karaokes, games, banks, boutiques, supermarkets, etc. It is not surprising that many malls add the words "town", "village" or "city" to their names, for instance Kuningan City, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Kemang Village, etc.

The environment of Jakarta has become so hostile that malls are one of the only places where you can escape from the heat and the pollution. Living in Jakarta means that you will spend large chunks of your time visiting malls, whether you like it or not, because it is one of the very few things to do here.

The following review is a subjective list of my 28 favorite malls in Jakarta, starting with the best. I added a short description to explain the particularities of each and why you should visit them. I only wrote about malls I have been to within Jakarta (I could have listed over 50 but many are not really interesting).

Plaza Indonesia (called PI)

Plaza Indonesia has always been my favorite mall in Jakarta. It is the most expensive for renting retail space, before Plaza Senayan. Rich and beautiful Indonesians shop here, in one of the numerous luxury shops such as Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. It has two famous nightlife venues, Cloud Rooftop Lounge and Immigrant Nightclub. For day-time eating, I enjoy La Moda or Kitchenette because they are well-placed for watching people. The main Starbucks at the entrance is perfect for setting up dates. It is home to two 5-star hotels, the Grand Hyatt and Keraton at the Plaza.

Grand Indonesia (GI)

There is nothing more cliché than saying you'll meet your friends in Grand Indonesia. Much larger than Plaza Indonesia but not as luxurious, it has several department stores, including Seibu and Central. Indonesian girls from the middle to upper class enjoy it because they can buy from Zara, H&M and other popular fashion retailers. On the 4th and 5th floor, you will find an upmarket food court and trendy restaurants. The Blitz-CGV cinema is one of the largest in Jakarta. There are no nightclubs in Grand Indonesia but Social House and the rooftop Skye are two happening bars. The luxurious Kempinski hotel is within Grand Indonesia.

Pacific Place (PP)

Located right in the Central Business District of Sudirman, it is a medium-sized luxury mall with a lot of popular cafés, including Potato Head, Cork&Screw, TWG and Paul Bakery. It also has the French department store Galeries Lafayette (the most exclusive in Jakarta), the amusement center Kidzania and several luxury brands (Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Lamborghini, etc.). It is mostly busy during the week with office workers so I enjoy going there on weekends for a quieter atmosphere. The cinema in particular is rarely full. The Ritz Carlton SCBD is attached to Pacific Place.

Plaza Senayan (PS)

The third luxury mall in Jakarta with Pacific Place and Plaza Indonesia, it is managed by a Japanese company who also owns the boutique mall Senayan Arcadia, the luxury hotel Fairmont and the Sentral Towers. Luxury brands boutiques include Dior and Louis Vuitton. It has some interesting F&B venues like Union, Garçon, Rustique and Kayser. I also like to sit in Monolog or De Luca and watch the people go by. For party, there is the famous X2 nightclub.

Pondok Indah Mall (PIM)

The major mall in South Jakarta, it consists of several buildings (PIM 1, PIM 2) and an extension dedicated to F&B restaurants and cafés (Street Gallery). It has a luxury feel but the brands are mostly middle-class ones. Many expats visit it.

Senayan City (Senci)

Just opposite of Plaza Senayan, Senayan City is a mall targeting younger upper class Jakartans with several fashion boutiques and trendy F&B venues (Domain, Portico).

Mall Kelapa Gading 3 (MKG3)

One of the most popular and largest malls in North Jakarta. I generally go there to watch IMAX movies. It is a middle-class mall with all the local and international brands you can think of. The crowd is almost entirely made of Indonesians, particularly Indochinese. The food court is excellent.

Lotte Shopping Avenue

I was living near Lotte Shopping Avenue so I'm quite familiar with it. It is a modern, upmarket mall with popular fashion brands (H&M, Uniqlo), an art center, a duty free shop and a concert hall. There are also several bars and restaurants including Bacco, Revolution, Gonzo's and JJ Royal Bistro. It is part of the larger complex of Ciputra World I with DBS tower and the Raffles Hotel.

Central Park

With brands like Sephora, Bershka, H&M, Zara and Skechers, Central Park is the favorite mall of Jakartans in their late teens/early twenties. On the ground floor, there is a small park with regular events and several open-air cafés. The nightclub Nebula and the hotel Pullman are also there.

Kota Kasablanka (KoKas)

The first decent mall in the East of Jakarta, Kota Kasablanka is very crowded with people coming as far as Bekasi. It does not have anything special though apart from the usual mid-class brands and restaurants.

Gandaria City

Gandaria is a lifestyle mall in South Jakarta and the second one with an IMAX theater in Jakarta. Targeting young people, it has several trendy fashion boutiques, mobile phone shops and some larger stores like Gramedia, Metro and ACE. The best restaurants are Basilico, La Hoya and Eric Kayser.

Mall Taman Anggrek

One of Jakarta's most iconic malls, you cannot miss it if you come from the airport with its huge outside LED display. It is a massive complex with several residential towers and over 350,000m2 of retail space. One of its unique features is the ice rink on its 3rd floor.

Lippo Mall Kemang

Located within the complex Kemang Village, this medium-sized mall is noticeable for its Avenue of the Stars, an open-air area with cafés and restaurants including Colonial, Meat Me, White Elephant and Seribu Rasa.

FX Mall

This is a lifestyle mall for young people with mostly restaurants, coffee shops and bars. You also have trendy boutiques, fitness centers, a university (BINUS), a hotel (Harris Suites FX) and the Arab nightclub De Leila.

Epicentrum Walk

A small shopping center located next to Taman Rasuna complex, it is convenient if you live nearby, but not really interesting for others. It has the expat bar Liquid Exchange inside.

Cilandak Town Square (Citos)
A popular mall will many coffee shops and restaurants. It is a meeting point for expats living in the area. The nightclub Jenja will open there in the second half of 2016.

Puri Indah

This modern mall in West Jakarta is similar with Pondok Indah Mall. It is clean, with an upmarket feel and it is popular with expats. Since it is far from the city center, I've only been there a couple times.

ITC Kuningan/Ambassador Mall

Conveniently located in the city center, ITC/Ambassador is one of the oldest malls in Jakarta. It is very popular with middle-class Indonesians. It is recommended if you need to buy cheap clothes, electronic equipment and accessories. I also enjoy the food court on the 4th floor, especially the Manadonese food stalls.

Mall of Indonesia (MOI)

I've only been once to Mall of Indonesia, which is supposed to be one of the largest in Jakarta. It has several large tenants like ACE Harware, Centro, Sportstation, Payless, Carrefour. They only have chain restaurants. Mall Kelapa Gading is better.

Mangga Dua Square

A large mall with many unbranded and fake products (accessories, clothes). It is a popular destination for tourists from all over Indonesia because it is close from the airport and affordable. You have several hotels inside (Amaris, Ibis, Novotel).

ITC Mangga Dua

I used to be a regular of this mall 10 years ago because they had the best collection of pirated DVDs. I only go there now if I need to buy cheap electronic or photography equipment. It is connected to Mangga Dua Mall, Pasar Pagi (wholesale) and Harco Mas Mangga Dua. If you are a tourist, it is worth visiting for the local atmosphere.

Baywalk Pluit

The main reason to visit Baywalk is to hang out in the outside area where you have a nice seaview Apart from that, the mall is still a bit empty and lacks remarkable shops.

Citywalk Sudirman

Citywalk is a small shopping gallery with mostly F&B outlets, including a bar and a family karaoke. It is targeting the middle class with affordable prices and fast food joints. It is more busy during week days than weekends.

Ancol Beach City
While this mall does not have any interesting shops or restaurants, it is the only one in Jakarta that possesses its own beach. If you have kids and if you live nearby, you may enjoy it. See more here: White Sand Beach in Jakarta.

Pasar Tanah Abang
This huge wholesale complex is split into 7 "blocks". It is where Indonesians go to buy cheap fabric and traditional clothing (muslim wear). I don't go there for shopping, only as a tourist. You can read more about Pasar Tanah Abang on my review Top 25 Traditional Markets and Shopping Streets in Jakarta.

Artha Gading Mall
Each section of this middle class mall has a particular theme: Italian, Japanese, Arab, Chinese, etc.

Kuningan City

A new mall, it is walking distance from ITC Kuningan and opposite Lotte Shopping Avenue. It suffers from the area's tough competition and as a consequence, it is quite empty. I still visit it sometimes to go to Exodus nightclub and for the cinema XXI.

Emporium Pluit

This mall has mostly mid-range local and international brands like Body&Soul, Charles&Keith, The Body Shop, Sogo or Giordano. They usually have small events in the large atrium.

Source: All photos from Instagram.

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11 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in Jakarta

April 19, 2017, 3:45 am

≫ Next: How Dangerous Is It to Use Drugs in Indonesia?

≪ Previous: 28 Best Shopping Malls in Jakarta

Have you ever wondered where celebrities, foreign dignitaries and rich entrepreneurs sleep whenever they stay in Jakarta?

On this article, I listed the most expensive rooms and suites currently available in Jakarta. Most of them are generally not available on booking engines like Agoda so I contacted each hotel directly to enquire about the rates. The prices may fluctuate throughout the year so I asked a few dates and calculated an average price.

All prices are net (after tax and service charge).

Hotel Mulia Senayan - The Duke Suite - 15,730$ / Night

This is the most luxurious and most expensive hotel room in Jakarta. The suite occupies 595m2 split in two wings, one for living and one for entertainment. The master bedroom has a 3,5 meters long bed (almost twice as large as a normal king size bed) and a 55-inch TV. The bathroom has golden bath and shower fixtures from designer Sherle Wagner. A free bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne is included in the price.

Hotel Raffles - Raffles Suite - 12,100$ / Night

The 390m2 Raffles Suite features an all-marble bathroom, 2 bedrooms with king size bed and a massage room. It seems a bit overpriced compared to what the competitors are offering but this property is brand-new and has the highest ratings on Agoda for a Jakarta hotel (read comments here).

Dharmawangsa Hotel - Presidential Suite - 10,792$ / Night

The 443m2 suite is decorated with Javanese artifacts and furniture. Occupying the top floor of the hotel, it is actually a villa with its own plunge pool, two bedrooms, a working space, a living room, a kitchen and two terraces.

Ritz Carlton Pacific Place - Presidential Suite: 9,200$ / Night

On the 25th Floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place, the 340m2 Presidential Suite features its own dining and living room, an oversized marble bathroom with Bulgari amenities, a King master suite with a 360° view on Jakarta and a 46-inch LED TV with Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan - Presidential Suite: 9120$ / Night

The suite is similar to the one of its sister property in Pacific Place, except that it is larger at 401m2. You have an oversized jacuzzi, a 55-inch LED TV, robotic toilets and a luxuriously-appointed living room.

Four Seasons - Presidential Suite: 8,816$ / Night

The Four Seasons recently reopened in a brand-new location on Jalan Gatot Subroto. Their Presidential Suite is not available yet, but you can already book it for early 2017. Located on the 19th floor of the hotel, it is 330m2 and was decorated by the interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud from New York. It features a study, a living room, a dinner room with a massive crystal chandelier and an oversized bathroom with a deep-soaking tub.

Grand Hyatt - Presidential Suite: 8,800$ / Night

The best suite of the Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta is 315m2 large. It has its own covered terrace, a working area, separate dining and living rooms and an all-marble bathroom with a jacuzzi.

Mandarin Oriental - Suite Mandarin - 8,470$ / Night

On the last floor of the Mandarin Hotel, this relatively small suite (200m2) is decorated with refined taste. It boasts a kitchen, a state-of-the-art home theater, a study and a spacious bathroom with a soaking bath.

Kempinski Hotel - Presidential Suite: 7,538$ / Night

This huge 412m2 suite comes with a full kitchen, an entertainment center, a powder room and a lounge. The bedroom has a stunning view on Bundaran HI, one of Jakarta's iconic landmark.

Fairmont Hotel - Presidential Suite: 6,655$ / Night

The Presidential Suite of the Fairmont Hotel is 303m2. It features a living room, a gym, a marble bathroom, a small kitchen and a private massage room.

Shangri La - Presidential Suite - 6,547$ / Night

A 370m2 suite considered among the best hotel rooms in the city. It is located on the highest floors of Shangri-La with a huge bedroom, a bathroom with a jacuzzi, a dining area, a kitchen and a sitting room. President Obama slept there when he was in Jakarta in 2010.

You can also read: Where to Stay in Jakarta? Best Areas for Tourists.

↧

How Dangerous Is It to Use Drugs in Indonesia?

April 20, 2017, 7:41 am

≫ Next: Best VPNs in Indonesia- How to Access Blocked Websites

≪ Previous: 11 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in Jakarta

From time to time, I receive an email from a reader asking me if it is safe to use drugs in Jakarta. The obvious reply is that it is extremely dangerous, as even carrying a small joint might land you in jail.

But Indonesia is much more complicated than that, hence the need for a longer article to explain you the subtleties of drug use in the country.

Why foreigners should be extra careful when using drugs in Indonesia

From my personal perspective, the law in Indonesia only exists to give a pretext to powerful people to extort some money or benefits. Most often, it is used when the authorities want to target someone in particular, with some categories that are more at risks than others. The most vulnerable are poor people, ethnic and religious minorities, foreigners, or anyone without a network among government officials.

The laws of Indonesia, including drug laws, will normally apply to them with greater severity, meaning they will either receive harsher sentences or pay a bigger bribe.

Foreigners are particularly at risk for several reasons. They are considered rich (therefore prime targets), they don't know anything about the legal system and they rarely possess powerful connections.

More importantly, there is a creeping racism/xenophobia among a large portion of the Indonesian population. From an early age, they are taught a one-sided story about the morally-corrupt West, whose influence must be limited. Alcohol, homosexuality, crime, rape, communism, atheism, porn, and of course drugs are all considered imported vices. As a foreigner, if you get caught using, or worse selling drugs, you are guaranteed to make national headlines and become a matter of national security. Once your name appears in the media, it becomes almost impossible to buy your way out.

The statistics speak for themselves: In 2015-2016, among 18 persons executed for drug offenses, only 3 were Indonesian. This is in spite the fact that there are over 125,000 Indonesians in prison for drug offenses (70% of a total prison population of 180,000 inmates) for less than 100 foreigners.

Are some drugs more safe than others? Is there a risk if I have a very small quantity?
Indonesians do not see any differences between soft and hard drugs. They have no idea what drugs are, how they work, which ones are lethal and which ones are addictive. All they know is that it is a foreign-imported problem and that it is killing the youth of the country.

Judges will send heroin junkies to jail and people who take barely-addictive ecstasy and marijuana to rehabilitation center, depending on mysterious factors.

Even Budi Waseso, the head of the BNN (the Indonesian drug enforcement agency) once said that he saved 21 million lives by seizing a 2-ton shipment of marijuana, obviously not knowing that it is not a lethal drug. For this reason, don't assume that you are taking less risks by smoking pot instead of crack.

The quantity in your possession does not really matter as well: Marlon Eduardo Bezrutchaka was arrested with 0.13 grams of hashish and 0.14 grams of marijuana in 2014 and it made national news. A year after, Nicholas James Langan was sentenced to 1 year in jail for possessing 0.9 grams of marijuana. An American, Scott Wikoff O'Dowd was also sent to jail for 8 months for having 3 grams on his suitcase. There were several similar cases this year as well.

You won't be executed if you have small quantities, but you are still likely to go to jail.

Why people still do drugs despite the risks?

In spite of the risks, you would be surprised to find out that drugs are very easy to buy in Indonesia. If you are in Bali, it is offered on the street by dealers who are just a few meters away from policemen. Drugs are also very common in places like Akasaka or Deejay Café. In Jakarta, some nightclubs are notoriously filled with ecstasy and shabu-shabu (crystal meth). In Mille's, Golden Crown, Exotis, Illigals, Puja Sera or Sydney 2000, you can buy it easily by simply asking a waiter or the security. It was true when I first arrived in the city in 2004, and it is still true until today.

The police conducts raids from time to time, including urine tests, but the owners are tipped off beforehand so barely anybody is caught red-handed. If you look at who owns North Jakarta nightlife, you will understand why.

For those reasons, some Indonesians and expats may tell you that it is relatively safe to buy and use drugs within those clubs. They will recommend you to consume on the spot and never carry anything on your body. If you get caught, they will say that the key is to avoid escalation: While the policeman who arrested you might settle for a reasonable bribe, everything becomes more complicated once his boss is involved, and then the boss of his boss, and then the media.

Some people don't care about the risks because they benefit from connections and/or have enough money to pay their way out of jail.

It is rather common to read about police officers, prison guards or military personnel getting caught, at least once or twice a month. In South Sulawesi, the police itself considers that the involvement of its personnel in drug abuse is "alarming". Yet you rarely see those arrested in jails, and even less on the death row. The Head of the Jakarta Police for Drugs only recommends 1 month of counseling for such officers.

Similarly, there are many cases of celebrities, politicians or VIPs who manage to receive preferential treatment. A recent case is Ivan Haz, a politician from the Islamist party PPP and the son of ex-Vice President Hamzah Haz. He is accused of both abusing is maid and attending a drug party. His trial was delayed several times because he missed police questioning twice, saying he had work to do. I get the feeling he won't spend a lot of time in prison.

You can get more names of people who got away with drugs in my article 13 Illogical Facts About Drugs in Indonesia (check number 9).

Conclusion

My personal advice would be to forget about drugs and stick to alcohol when you are partying in Indonesia. Even though your chances of getting caught are thin, as a foreigner you are a prized target for the police and therefore you are more at risk.

Denunciation by neighbors are common, as well as traps set up by policemen themselves. Never buy from the street or from people you don't know well. Again, if you get caught, you must make a deal with the person who arrests you as soon as possible: Don't let others be involved.

The price for recreational drugs in Indonesia is high. For instance, you can expect to pay up to US$30 for just one ecstasy pill. Be aware that the quality is often poor. The dealers don't care if they sell you something poisonous as long as they get your money.

↧

Best VPNs in Indonesia- How to Access Blocked Websites

April 21, 2017, 4:00 am

≫ Next: 20 Sexiest Indonesian Dangdut Singers

≪ Previous: How Dangerous Is It to Use Drugs in Indonesia?

In this review, I will explain to 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 for 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 easier 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 whopping 700 servers in almost every country 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 (with 3 months FREE)

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 Vypr 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 April 2017: Vypr has been unblocked by Netflix.

NordVPN - Cheapest VPN (Good for Watching Netflix too)

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. The 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 anytime 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?

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!

↧

20 Sexiest Indonesian Dangdut Singers

April 21, 2017, 5:46 am

≫ Next: 12 Most Beautiful Indonesian Singers (2017)

≪ Previous: Best VPNs in Indonesia- How to Access Blocked Websites

Dangdut music is one of the most interesting aspects of Indonesian pop culture. While I can't say I enjoy it a lot, I've had a lot of fun dancing on it in nightclubs, bars, festivals or events all over Indonesia.

It is a music genre with an even broader appeal than Western pop music, especially among working class Indonesians. It is not surprising, for instance, that the most-followed Instagram account in Indonesia is that of Ayu Ting Ting, a dangdut singer.

Considering the importance of religion in Indonesia, it may seem paradoxical that the whole nation would love dangdut so much. Dangdut performers are known to wear sexy outfits and the most often, they sing about love, relationship, dating, seduction or sex. Logically, Islamist groups have declared it "haram" (forbidden), but until now they've failed to curb its popularity.

On TV, you will often see dangdut concerts where the crowd becomes hysterical, even the women who wear a jilbab. If permitted, guys will approach the singer and do the "joget" dance, which is the human equivalent to a courtship ritual in the animal kingdom. You can watch this video if you don't understand what I mean:

For some critics, the beauty of dangdut singers may be described as vulgar: They often have a few extra kilos, large breasts, high heels (wedges), a heavy dose of makeup (especially the eyebrows), and a skirt as short as possible. Most of them come from poor or middle-class families, and they've sometimes flirted with prostitution.

I will let you be the judge of that with this following ranking of Indonesia's 20 sexiest dangdut dancers (in random order). You can let me know in the comment section below if you think I forgot someone important.

Duo Biduan

Duo Biduan is a dangdut act with two sexy girls, Kiki Syarah and Elsatya Marschelina. They are famous for their hit "Aku Tak Bisa" and they are the ambassadors for the condom brand "Sutra".

Kiki's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikisyarah_dangdut/
Elsatya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsatyamarscelina/

Zaskia Gotix

26-year old Zaskia has been performing dangdut since she was a teenager. She regularly appears on mainstream TV shows and was married to the presenter Vicky Prasetio. Her fans are organized in communities of "Itikers".

Zaskia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaskiagotixreal/

Xena Xenita

Only 18 years old, she is more a sexy dancer than a singer. She is attracting male crowds in Yogyakarta for her famous moves, often wearing only lingerie.

Xena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenitaxena/

Maulidia Octavia (or Via Vallen)

She is a famous dangdut singer that frequently appears on TV. Born in 1990, she started singing when she was still in Junior High School. She is pretty but rather prudish in the way she dresses or dances. Here, she is on TV with Dewi Persik.

Via's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viavallen/

Uut Selly

The gorgeous Uut Selly has a strong fan base, nicknamed Kopassus: Komando Pasukan Uut Selly (Kopassus is actually the name of the Indonesian military elite force). She is only 23 and she was born in Magelang.

Uut's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uut.s.new

Cupi Cupita

Born in 1994, this sexy singer was at the heart of a scandal after she revealed she often escorted government officials to karaoke/dinner parties for a fee ranging between Rp10,000,000 and Rp20,000,000 (but she denied having sex with them).

Monica Selvia

She is not so famous, but I heard a remix of her song "Bukan Siapa Siapa a few times. Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaselvia.dangdut/

Selvi Kitty

Selvi Kitty, whose real name is Selvi Isti Apriani, is a 24-year old Sundanese dangdut singer. She was part of the now-defunct girls' band Super Girlies for a while.

Selvi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/selvikitty_

Sella Selly

Produced by the label Nagaswara, the young Sella Selly was born in Bandung in 1995. Her songs mix dangdut with electronic music:

Sella's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sella6741/

Duo Anggrek

This duo is formed by Devi Ayu Kirana (also called Devay - an ex-member of Duo Racun) and Mozza Kirana. One of their most famous songs is "Cikini Gondangdia":

Devay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devay_duoanggrek/

Dilza (Fadila Amalda)

Originally from Batam where she was modeling, Dilza is a newcomer on the national dangdut scene. Her first song was released in 2017 and it is called "Seseorang Dihatimu".

Dilza's official twitter: https://twitter.com/Dilza_official

Anggi Wardani
I couldn't find much information about Anggi Wardani except that she was born in 1993 in Bekasi. She is the singer of "Gara Gara Biduan":

Lina Marlina

Also a newcomer born in 1993, she released her first single in 2017: "Happy Aja".

Lina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linamarlina93

Devy Berlian

Devy, whose real name is Devy Septianingsih, was born in 1992 in Jakarta. An ex-member of the band "5 Bidadari", she launched her solo career in 2014.

Devy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devy_berlian/

Ayu Ting Ting

Also known as Ayu Rosmalina, she is one of the most famous Indonesian celebrities. Though she is only 24 years old, she's already had a 10-year career, releasing 3 studio albums. Her love life is often scrutinized in gossip news.

One of her songs worth noticing is "My Lopely". It may either be a spelling mistake, or a pun (Sundanese people pronounce "V" like "P").

Ayu's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayutingting92/

Dewi Persik

Another megastar of dangdut, you've probably heard of her if you've lived in Indonesia long enough. (and if you watch Indonesian TV!). She has a voluptuous body and a personality that reminds me of Kim Kardashian. She did a surgery in 2011 to restore her hymen and to be a "virgin" again.

Dewi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dewiperssikreal/

Julia Perez
Julia Perez, frequently called Jupe, is currently battling cancer in Jakarta. She's had a successful career as an actress, a model, a TV personality and a dangdut singer.

↧

12 Most Beautiful Indonesian Singers (2017)

April 21, 2017, 6:32 am

≫ Next: Where to Party in Jakarta - Nightlife Areas + Hotels

≪ Previous: 20 Sexiest Indonesian Dangdut Singers

The articles I wrote about the sexiest Indonesian models and the hottest Indonesian actresses are among the most popular on Jakarta100bars.com.

I should add a similar one today: Indonesia's most beautiful singers. I didn't include those who are inactive or those who only had a one-time hit.

If you are looking for something raunchier, you can read my ranking of Indonesia's 20 Hottest Dangdut Performers instead.

Here are the 12 prettiest Indonesian singers (in a random order):

Melody Alcassia

Melody is the current lead female vocalist of the indie-rock band Brand New Eyes and the girlfriend of Indonesian celebrity Axel Andaviar. She replaced Putri Wulan who, oddly enough, went from being a sexy tattooed and pierced singer to wearing the burqa.

More photos: https://www.instagram.com/melody.alcassia/

Isyana Sarasvati

One of the most famous Indonesian artists at the moment, she sings mellow pop songs. She is 24 years old.

More information: https://www.instagram.com/isyanasarasvati/

Cabrini Asteriska

What a weird name! Born in 1988, she is an indie/folk singer and songwriter who is a member of the band Barasuara.

More information: https://www.instagram.com/asteriska_/

Cita Citata (or Cita Rahayu)

The pretty Cita Citata is a 22-year old singer and sitcom actress. Her songs are similar to K-Pop or J-Pop: a mix of pop music and EDM (probably to hide the sound of her real voice).

More information: https://www.instagram.com/cita_citata/

Raisa Andriana

When I asked Indonesians who they thought was the prettiest Indonesian singer, 100% of them replied Raisa. I don't really agree with them, but I still add her to this list to be consensual. She was born in 1990.

More: Raisa (she is endorsing products on most of her pics)

Anggun

Anggun is the first Indonesian women I ever saw, on French TV, several years before I arrived in the country. I remember thinking that she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. For many foreigners like me, she is still the face of Indonesia abroad. She is also a great singer and a UN goodwill ambassador.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/anggun.official/

Aurelie Hermanshyah

The daughter of pop icon Krisdayanti and Anang Hermansyah, she was born in 1998.

More information: https://www.instagram.com/aurelie.hermansyah/

Bunga Citra Lestari

Born in 1983, she's had a successful career singing, acting and modeling. One of her most famous songs is a duet with Ari Lasso called "Aku Dan Dirimu".

More information: https://www.instagram.com/bclsinclair/

Dara The Virgin

Dara The Virgin (or Dara Rizki) is the queen of sponsored Instagram posts. I struggled to find one decent photo where she wasn't trying to sell beauty products or snacks. Part of Republik Cinta Management (Ahmad Dani's label), she forms a duo with Mita. They sing Indonesian love songs, often in bars and nightclubs.

More photos: https://www.instagram.com/darathevirgin/

Widy Vierratale

26 year-old Widy Vierratale (real name: Widy Soediro Nichlany) is the lead singer of the pop band Vierratale.

More photos: https://www.instagram.com/_widikidiw_/

Agnes Monica (or Agnez Mo)

Maybe the most famous Indonesian singer after Anggun, she released her first album in 1992 when she was only 6 years old. After that, she's had a successful career, in Indonesia and abroad (mostly in Asia). She also played in dozens of movies/sitcoms and she was a judge for Indonesian Idol/The Voice.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/agnezmo/

Melody JKT48

For those who don't know, JKT48 is an Indonesian Japanese-style idol band with more than 50 members. Most of them have limited singing skills but they are always cute. Melody Nurramdhani Laksani is one of the most famous and most talented.

More information: https://www.instagram.com/jkt48melodynl/

Brianna Simorangkir

Usually just called Brianna, this gorgeous singer with mixed blood Indonesian-Australian is also a sinetron actress (Jinny Oh Jinny Datang Lagi on ANTV).

More information: https://www.instagram.com/8rianna_/

If you are a fan of the Indonesian beauty, you can read my article Best Dating Apps and Websites in Indonesia for tips on how to meet a local girl online.

↧

Where to Party in Jakarta - Nightlife Areas + Hotels

April 21, 2017, 10:26 am

≫ Next: Colombo Nightlife - 20 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Sri Lanka)

≪ Previous: 12 Most Beautiful Indonesian Singers (2017)

If you are wondering where you can party in Jakarta, this review will guide you through all the most famous nightlife areas in the city. You can also read 10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta and Where to Stay in Jakarta for more detailed information.

I've circled in blue two main areas: South Jakarta and North Jakarta. Each has its own characteristics:

• South Jakarta is the most modern part of the city, with plenty of skyscrapers, luxury malls and upmarket houses. Naturally, this is where you will find the most high-end nightclubs and bars in Jakarta. Expats and rich Indonesians will normally party there.

• North Jakarta, or Kota Tua (Old Town) is the historical part of town. Most of the buildings are only a few floors high, and they may look shabby. The nightlife is often within large one-stop entertainment complexes comprising of a club, a massage parlor and a karaoke. Drugs and prostitution are common. The party crowd is local and you'll only spot a random tourist once in a while. It is not as safe as in the South, particularly for the taxis, but it is still OK compared to any other world capitals.

South Jakarta Nightlife

Where to Party in South Jakarta?

SCBD

SCBD, which stands for Sudirman Central Business District, is a mixed-use development with many prestigious offices, a luxury mall and high-end residences. It has been the most happening party area in Jakarta for a few years already, especially among hip Jakartans and younger expats.

The best location for party in SCBD is the Fairgrounds complex where Lucy In The Sky, Fable Nightclub, The Pallas and Hide & Seek are located. Other popular nearby venues include Empirica, Beer Garden and the restaurants on the Ground Floor of Pacific Place Mall (Potato Head, Cork & Screw).

Best Hotels Nearby:

→ 5-star: Ritz Carlton Pacific Place

→ 4-star: Harris FX Sudirman

Senopati

Just a kilometer South of SCBD, Senopati is the most expensive residential area in Jakarta. There, you'll find smaller clubs, lounges and restaurants catering to the elite. The trendy places change every year, but currently you can go to Monty's, Pao Pao, Lola, Branché and H Gourmet & Vibes.

Best Hotel Nearby:

→ 4-star: The Gunawarman (Boutique hotel, 120$/night)

Mega Kuningan

It is also a mixed-use development, similar to SCBD, but with more residences and hotels. This is where many single expats in their 30s choose to live.

There are no nightclubs but several busy bars and restaurants like Loewy, Basque, E&O or Bauhaus. All of these are walking distance from each other and they are great for meeting expats and Indonesian girls.

Mega Kuningan is bordered to the South by Jalan Gatot Subroto on which two famous nightclubs (Dragonfly and Blowfish) are located.

Read also: Best Bars in Mega Kuningan

Best Hotels Nearby:

→ 5-star: Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan or Oakwood (near Loewy)

→ 2-star: Favehotel Gatot Subroto or Amaris Satrio (35$/night both)

Senayan

Between Senopati and SCBD, Senayan is a popular shopping hub with 3 major malls: Plaza Senayan, Senayan City and FX.

Each of them has bars, restaurants and nightclubs. X2, the largest and most crowded nightclub in Jakarta, is located inside Plaza Senayan. Domain Club is within Senayan City.

Some other recommended venues are Union Lounge (for a date/drinks), CJs (for live music if you don't mind freelance prostitutes) and Prohibition (jazz bar).

Best Hotels Nearby:

→ 5-star: Mulia Hotel (with CJ's bar) and Fairmont (connected to Plaza Senayan)

→ 4-star: Harris FX Sudirman

Sudirman-Thamrin

The axis Jalan Sudirman-Jalan Thamrin is the most important thoroughfare in Jakarta as it connects the South and the North of the city. It is lined up with skyscrapers, most of which have a lounge, a rooftop or a restaurant.

Around the iconic Bunderan HI (or Hotel Indonesia roundabout - see photo above), you have some of the most exciting nightlife venues in Jakarta (most of which are within the malls Plaza Indonesia or Grand Indonesia): Immigrant nightclub, the rooftops SKYE and Cloud, and plenty of bars like Cork&Screw, Social House and Paulaner Brauhaus.

Best Hotels Nearby:

→ 5-star: Kempinski (Grand Indonesia) or Grand Hyatt (Plaza Indonesia)

→ 4-star: Pullman Thamrin

→ 3-star: Holiday Inn Express

→ 2-star: Favehotel Wahid Hasyim

Jalan Jaksa

300 meters from Sarinah, Jalan Jaksa is the backpacker street of Jakarta. There are some cheap, friendly, open-air cafés where you can easily meet travelers and young Indonesians. You can also go to the nearby Wahid Hasyim street to visit popular bars like Beer Garden Menteng or to the B.A.R.T. rooftop in Artotel.

Best Hotels Nearby:

→ 4-star: Morrissey Hotel

→ 3-star: A One (New property)

→ 1-star/backpacker hostels: It is better to go to Jalan Jaksa directly and ask around. You can get a room with a fan for 10$.

Kemang:

Kemang is a residential expat area with many of the best-value Western restaurants in Jakarta. The bars and nightclubs are affordable, some catering to foreigners (Eastern Promise) and some to Indonesian teenagers (Tipsy, 999, Venue, Nu China).

Colombo Nightlife - 20 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Sri Lanka)

April 25, 2017, 6:15 am

≫ Next: Troy 518 Pool and Lounge (Kelapa Gading)

≪ Previous: Where to Party in Jakarta - Nightlife Areas + Hotels

In April 2017, I stayed 2 weeks in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. I didn't really enjoy the city's nightlife, which was one of the worst I've ever experienced.

Before writing about the negatives, I will start with a few positive points:

- Sri Lankans are almost always very friendly and helpful. They speak good English too.

- Colombo is a rather clean and safe city, especially in the tourist and expat areas. New construction is happening everywhere, for instance near the Fort (5-star resorts, waterfront apartments, etc).

- There are several interesting things to do (parks, museums, markets, etc).

- You can go to the beach in less than 30 minutes.

- Most prices (except accommodation) are reasonable: Transportation (by Uber), mobile internet, food and drinks.

When it comes to its nightlife, Colombo is disappointing for several reasons:

- Sri Lankans go to bed very early. By 10 PM, the streets are empty and you may have to walk a long time just to find something to eat.

- Bars and nightclubs are hidden and they are spread out. They have an early curfew, usually midnight. After that, only a few places are still open.

- Colombo nightlife during the week is extremely quiet.

- There are barely any women in clubs or bars. It is similar to India where it is frowned upon for them to have fun with their friends. The ones you see in nightclubs are either "Westernized" Sri Lankan girls, girls who come with their husbands/boyfriends, or prostitutes.

- Overall, Sri Lankan women are not as attractive as Southeast Asian women and they are more conservative.

- Some nightclubs give commissions to tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. As a result, the latter will pressure you to visit them and you'll have to pay an overcharged entrance fee.

- Sri Lankan food, in my opinion, is terrible. Greasy and repetitive.

- Unbearable heat (at least in April) and massive traffic jams during day time.

Nightlife Areas

80% of Colombo's nightlife is spread out in one of these 3 neighborhoods: The Fort, Kollupitiya or Cinnamon Gardens (near the Town Hall).

The bars and nightclubs are rarely within walking distance from each other, though, so you'll often need to use taxis or Uber to get around.

Some entertainment complexes are convenient because they have several venues within one location:

→ The best one is the Dutch Hospital Precinct in the Fort rea. It is near the train station and the central business district. It is a good place for dinner and for after-work drinks, but it closes at midnight.

→ In the upper-class neighborhood of Cinnamon Gardens, the Gymkhana Club Complexis also recommended and it stays open until late. You can go after visiting the Dutch Hospital Precinct, for instance to 41 Sugar or to Floor by O.

→ In the same neighborhood, there are two more trendy complexes. The first one is called Independence Square Arcade and the second one isPark Mews.

Hotels Near the Nightlife:

The 3 neighborhoods mentioned above (The Fort, Kollupitiya or Cinnamon Gardens) are the best ones to choose for a stay in Colombo. They are near the nightlife and near the main tourist attractions as well.

The Fort (for tourists traveling by train)

This area is expensive but very convenient for tourists traveling by train or for businessmen working in the CBD.

I stayed there for 2 nights in a backpacker hostel called CityRest Fort. It had an ideal location within the Dutch Hospital Precinct (in front of Re.Pub.Lk) but average facilities considering the price (20$/night for a bunk bed and shared bathroom). The nearby Star Anise has better ratings for the same price.

If you can afford to spend a bit more, you can check the following properties in the Fort:
→ 50$ per night: City Beds - The Regent (rated 8.1 on Agoda)

→ 80$-90$ per night: The Steuart by Citrus (rated 8.1) or Fairway (rated 8.8)

→ Over 150$ per night: The Kingsbury (rated 8.4)

Kollupitiya

This is the trendy and modern area in central Colombo, at the crossroads between the Fort, Cinnamon Gardens, Bambalapitiya and the beachfront.

I stayed there for 14 nights in Clock Inn, a friendly hotel with both dorms (15$ per night) and single rooms (45$ per night). The location was great, walking distance from a few restaurants (including a McDonald's) and luxury malls.

Some of the best options for sleeping in Kollupitiya are:
→ Budget hotel - 35$ per night: CJ Villas (rated 8.2)
→ 100$ per night: Mandarina (rated 9.1) or Ocean Front Hotel (rated 8.4)
→ Over 200$ per night: Movenpick (rated 9.1) or Kingsbury Apartments (rated 8.4)

Naughty Hotel:
In Kollupitiya, the Hotel Sunhill has a 24-hour naughty spa and a Bollywood nightclub (with prostitutes). Its ratings on Agoda and Booking.com are quite poor though.

Cinnamon Gardens

This is an affluent neighborhood with a central location, but the choice of hotels is limited. Prices are higher than average.

→ Less than 50$ per night: Cool Colombo7 (rated 8.1)
→ 100$ per night: Jetwing Colombo 7 (rated 8.7)
→ 200$ per night: Paradise Road - Tingagel (rated 9.1)

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Colombo

Colombo nightlife is quiet on most nights except on Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday (if you go to the right venues).

On weekends, most nightclubs and bars will charge an entrance fee to men. The fare varies from 1,000Rs up to 2,500Rs and you'll get drink coupons in exchange. Before paying, try asking the bouncers if you can have a quick look inside to check the crowd situation.

Avoid wearing shorts and sandals in high-end venues. Also, be aware that it is not uncommon to be refused entry if you are a group of men without any women. This is especially true if you are Indian.

Here are the best bars and nightclubs in Colombo as of 2017 (Note that many have closed recently: Texas, Disques, Silk, Amuseum, Clique - all of them are dead):

Rhythm and Blues

This bar/club was one of the nicest I visited in the city. The indoor area is medium-sized, with a long rectangular bar in the middle, and sofas on the side. It is modern, well-designed and clean. The DJs or live bands play in one of the corners, in front of a small dance floor.

I was there on a Wednesday and it was crowded (90% Sri Lankans, 20% women). The music was commercial Rn'B/EDM and people were dancing enthusiastically. Different themes every night (Tuesday for Backpackers, 80/90s music, etc).

Drinks cost around 300-400Rs per glass of spirit (they charge the mixer separately 200Rs) and cocktails around 800-900Rs. Rs1,000 entrance for men only.

Facebook: Rhythm and Blues (R+B)

Which Way West

Inside the mall Liberty Arcade, it is one of the trendy bars and lounges at the moment in Colombo. The crowd is almost entirely made of young, chic Sri Lankans. Hip Hop nights on Wednesdays. Ladies nights on Fridays (Free shots for girls from 6 PM to 9 PM).

Prices are reasonable (the cheapest bottle of spirit costs 4,500Rs). Entrance fee of 1,000Rs on Friday and Saturday.

Facebook: Which Way West

41 Sugar
This is a small rooftop bar with either live bands (jazz, blues) or a DJs (deep house, nu disco, lounge). It is located within the Gymkhana Pool Complex (above Floor by O and Silk nightclub - currently closed). Chill atmosphere (soft music, dim lighting) but not too busy. 800Rs for a cocktail and 450Rs for a beer. This is where I would bring a date if I had one.

Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. 2,500Rs entrance fee on weekends.

Facebook: 41 Sugar
Website: 41 Sugar

Re.Pub.Lk
My first hotel (CityRest Fort) was just in front of this new bar, probably the best one in the Dutch Hospital Precinct.

Republk is built on two floors with a small garden/smoking area. Good selection of food/drinks. Eclectic music (Rn'B, reggae, electro, etc). Expat crowd with some rich Sri Lankans. It is the only place in the city where I felt it was possible to pick up a girl.

Be careful as they have a strict dress code: No shorts, no sandals, no skinnies after 7 PM on weekends.

Ladies night on Wednesdays. Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. Cocktails cost around 700Rs.

Facebook: REPUBLIK Colombo

Playtrix
I went to Playtrix sports bar to watch a Champions League game and I had a great night. Most customers were young, easy-going Sri Lankans. Prices are average (350Rs for a beer). The music is from a DJ mixing EDM and Top 40 tunes. Ladies nights on Fridays from 8 PM to 11 PM and Couchsurfing meetings every Thursday.

Beware: Playtrix is hard to find. First, you need to go inside the racecourse track, and then climb the stairs of the tribune. It is at the top, just above Disques nightclub (closed already).

Website: Playtrix

Love Bar and The Attic

Attic Club

Both are located within the Flamingo House, a chic restaurant in Cinnamon Gardens. Love Bar is open every day and it is famous for its cocktails (around 900Rs each). The music is laidback deep house and nu disco. The Attic is a small private nightclub with hip-hop/Rn'B music. It is better to visit it with a group of friends and order bottles. It is open only on Friday and Saturday.

Facebook: The Attic and Love Bar

Sopranos Karaoke
Sopranos is a high-end bar with a live karaoke located about 100 meters from the Gymkhana complex (41 Sugar, Floor By O). It is quite fun and you have a decent crowd from Tuesday to Saturday (until 3 AM). Men must pay Rs1,000 to get inside.

Facebook: Sopranos
Website: Sopranos Karaoke

Floor By O
One floor below 41 Sugar and one floor above Silk, this lounge-bar-restaurant was empty when I visited it. Apparently, it only gets crowded on weekends (entrance fee 2,000Rs for guys to spend on drinks).

Facebook: Floor by O (the same group also owns the beach club Shore By O in Mount Lavinia)

The Manchester Pub

This minimalistic pub is one of the main expat hangouts in Colombo (You also have a fair amount of backpackers and locals among the customers). Good for watching football, cricket or rugby. You can order Indian food from the excellent Agra restaurant next door.

Busy quiz night on Wednesday. Open mic on Tuesday. Live music on Thursday and Friday. Closes very early at 11 PM.

Facebook: The Manchester Pub

ON14 Rooftop Lounge
A rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the OZO Hotel. Not very big nor sophisticated, but decent enough for a relaxing time during sunset. Happy hour from 6 PM to 7 PM (50%). Small swimming pool. Average service and watered-down cocktails (900Rs each).

Facebook: ON14

Sky Lounge
Another famous rooftop bar, more expensive but with a better set-up compared to ON14. It is located in the 5-star Kingsbury Hotel, in the Central Business District area.

Happy hours from 5.30PM to 7 PM (usual price for a cocktail around 1200Rs each). Live music on Thursday.

Facebook: Sky Lounge

Asylum

Open from 11 AM to 11 PM, Asylum is a trendy bar and restaurant located in Arcade Independence Square. Salsa nights on Thursdays and Sundays.

Cocktails cost around 900Rs and local beers 300Rs. The food served is Western (around 2,000Rs for the main course).

Website (with full menu): Asylum Colombo

Facebook: Asylum LK

Barefoot

This beer garden is part of a small complex with a shop and a bookstore. It was recommended by a friend, but I was disappointed when I visited. Only a few guests, mostly older expat women (50+). Low prices. Popular on Sundays for their Jazz afternoon.

Facebook: Barefoot Colombo

Honey Beach Club

This place just opened when I left Colombo so I didn't get a chance to try it. Part of the Kingsbury Hotel, it is actually more a pool club than a beach club. Live DJ every day starting 5 PM. Open from 10 AM to midnight. Full menu and prices available here.

Facebook: Honey Beach Club

Curve
A tapas bar with live rock, soul or jazz music from Wednesday to Saturday. Odd and amateurish design. Lion beer for 300Rs and Mojitos for 720Rs. Located in Park Mews, an entertainment complex built from renovated warehouses.

Facebook: Curve Bar and Tapas

W Lounge

Previously known as The Kama, it looks fine but there weren't any customers when I visited.

Facebook: W Lounge

Cleopatra Bollywood Club

Cleopatra is a bit complicated to find as it is hidden in the basement of Liberty Arcade (same building as Which Way West). You won't see any signs indicating it from outside so you should ask one of the security guards for directions.

I was charged 2,000Rs to get inside, without any drinks. I accepted to pay because I had read on the Internet that it was the "ultimate underground nightclub" in Colombo. What a load of bullshit!

It is just a dirty bar with mostly overweight and old prostitutes. The music is horrible and the staff tried to short-change me. The only positive thing is the belly dancer show every hour.

Don't go there unless you belong to their core customer demographic: Indians, Middle Easterners, or Sri Lankans, in their 40s-50s.

Address: Basement, Liberty Arcade Mall, R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka

Beach Clubs in Mount Lavinia/Dehiwala

30 minutes from Colombo's city center, the suburb of Mount Lavinia/Dehiwala is a great getaway for a lazy afternoon.

There is a laid-back nightlife on weekends in a few selected beach clubs. The most popular are Shore by O, La Voile Blanche, Buba and The Station. Check their Facebook page in advance for special events (DJs, live music).

Spa/Massage Parlours Plus Plus in Colombo
I didn't try any naughty spas in Colombo, but I know they exist. Usually, the masseuses are either Thai or Chinese.

A famous one is located in the Sunhill Hotel (available on Agoda and Booking.com) and it is open 24 hours (Lush Bollywood Club and Spa).

On the same street, I also saw a Thai massage parlor called Kannika Spa which seemed dodgy as well.

Please leave a comment if you've tried any of these.

Meeting Sri Lankan Girls

My spontaneous advice would be "Forget about it" as there are very few Sri Lankan women in bars/clubs and also on dating websites/apps.

If you really insist, I would only recommend Tinder (many foreign girls). You may also have a chance in Re.Pub.Lk, Rhythm and Blues, Floor by O, Sugar 41 and Which Way West.

↧

Troy 518 Pool and Lounge (Kelapa Gading)

April 30, 2017, 6:23 am

≫ Next: Savoi Ultra Lounge (Senopati)

≪ Previous: Colombo Nightlife - 20 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Sri Lanka)

Troy 518 is a bar, nightclub and billiard lounge located in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. It is on the first floor of an office building, Harton Tower, next to McDonald's. Opened in mid-2016, I only heard of it recently and I visited it yesterday (Saturday, April 29th) at 2 AM.

It is a bit far from Jakarta's main nightlife district (SCBD), but at night, with no traffic, you can reach it in only 15-20 minutes.

It is shaped like an L with the pool lounge in one corner, the seating area in the other one, and the dancefloor/bar in the middle. At full capacity, you can probably fit at least 400 people inside.

Nothing too fancy in the design. The floor is raw concrete and the walls only feature alcohol brands merchandising. Their 4 pool tables are brand-new and it cost IDR60,000/hour to use them.

It was almost empty on that night. In total, there were less than 40 guests, all Indonesians, including around 10 girls. My impression was that some of them were hostesses working in Troy 518, maybe as pool companions.

The DJ was playing Stadium-style music (a particular kind of trance/house/techno from the now-closed Stadium nightclub). I enjoyed it even though it was a bit too loud. It seemed to have caused the waiters to go deaf because it took them 5 minutes to understand that I wanted a draught beer.

Prices are quite reasonable: IDR45,000 for draught Bintang. IDR90,000 for a cocktail.

Overall: Troy 518 is an alternative to places like Afterhours. You can play pool while partying and drinking at the same time.

Depending on their events, they may be really full from time to time. You can check their social media accounts below for more information about that.

Opening Hours:

From Tuesday to Sunday from 4 PM until 3 AM. If there is an event, it might close until 5-6 AM.

DJ every day. Live band on Wednesday and Friday.

Troy 518 Pool and Lounge

Jalan Boulevard Artha Gading

Harton Tower 1st Floor

Blok D No.3, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 245 214 37 or 08 12 81 71 10 000

Facebook: Troy 518

Instagram: Troy 518

↧

Savoi Ultra Lounge (Senopati)

April 30, 2017, 10:47 pm

≫ Next: Camden Bar (Cikini and Gandaria)

≪ Previous: Troy 518 Pool and Lounge (Kelapa Gading)

Savoi Lounge is a new boutique nightclub in Senopati, just in front of Monty's, in the building where Ms Choo used to be located. It is owned by the same people behind Empirica in SCBD (Enzo Group).

I visited it on Saturday 29th April 2017 at 1 AM.

It occupies 3 floors:

- The first one is a private room that I wasn't able to see.

- The second one is the largest. It has a DJ booth, a stage, a bar, and small tables filling as much space as possible. There is no dance floor and most people are sitting down with a group of friends. It is so packed that you can easily socialize and network with those around you. That's the whole point with a place like this.

- The third one is a mezzanine from where you can look at the main stage. It is a bit more quiet and relaxed, and the bar is larger.

The music is commercial EDM, Hip Hop and Top 40 at a bearable sound level. They also have live music on most days (see their Instagram).

As in Empirica, Savoi has a very specific clientele of young and rich Indo-Chinese who belong to the same friend circles. As a foreigner, you might feel out-of-place, especially if you don't book a table or if you go there alone. Some girls are spectacular, but they are the kind that rarely dates bules.

I had a few cocktails that tasted nice and that were not too expensive (IDR95,000++). They have a free flow cocktail every Thursday and a free flow wine every Wednesday (from 8 PM to 11 PM for IDR250,000++). After hour is from 4PM to 9PM every week day and you'll get 25% off on wine and spirit bottles.

Overall: Savoi is a fine place to party, but I would only recommend it if you belong to their demographic.

Opening Hours:

From Monday to Saturday from 3 PM to 1 AM (2AM on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Closed on Sunday.

Savoi Ultra Lounge

Jalan Senopati Raya No 65, Kebayoran Baru

South Jakarta

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5296 4960

Instagram: @savoiultralounge

Website: Savoi Jakarta

↧

Camden Bar (Cikini and Gandaria)

May 1, 2017, 4:44 am

≫ Next: Léon Restaurant and Goldstein Bar (Jakarta)

≪ Previous: Savoi Ultra Lounge (Senopati)

I had been to Camden bar in Bandung, but never to their two branches in Jakarta. I corrected this mistake last weekend by visiting both Camden Gandaria and Camden Cikini in one evening.

Both bars are very popular, almost any day of the week with a clientele of Indonesians in their early 20s. Cikini's crowd is more upper-class (including a few foreigners - backpackers and interns) while in Gandaria you have mostly young students. Typically, they will buy a beer tower (IDR250,000) and share it at a table with some snacks.

Both also have a similar setup and design (though Camden Cikini is bigger): Located within a house, they feature an inside area with air con and an outdoor beer garden. There isn't much decoration apart from alcohol merchandising. The atmosphere is quite dark and it is so packed you can normally meet people easily.

The music is Top 40 from the past 10 years. They have a live music schedule as well that you can check on their Instagram page.

Prices in Camden are cheap, that's actually the main reason it is so crowded. A draught beer costs around IDR40,000, a cocktail IDR80,000, a shot IDR30,000 and a spirit bottle IDR800,000. You can get additional discounts and promos on weekdays in case that's still too expensive.

Overall: Camden bars are among the most happening in Jakarta. I recommend them as a cheaper alternative to Beer Garden's properties if you need a simple place to hang out and drink beer.

Important: You need to present an ID to get in Camden Cikini.

Opening Hours:

Every day until 3 AM or 4 AM.

Address:

Camden Gandaria, Jalan Gandaria 1 No 336

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 7229737

Camden Cikini, Jalan Cikini 2 No 1

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 3101283

Instagram: @camdenjkt

Facebook: Camden

↧

Léon Restaurant and Goldstein Bar (Jakarta)

May 1, 2017, 6:22 am

≫ Next: Hue Nightlife - 18 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Vietnam)

≪ Previous: Camden Bar (Cikini and Gandaria)

Léon Restaurant and its speakeasy bar Goldstein are both located in the same building on Jalan Wijaya in South Jakarta (previously occupied by Nine Muses). As of 2017, they are among the trendiest nightlife venues in the capital, attracting the local elite, celebrities, models, etc. One advice if you go: Dress well and be prepared to be surrounded by hoards of beautiful people.

One reason it is so popular is because this is where the Anies-Sandiaga team celebrated their victory over Ahok-Djarot in the 2017 Gubernatorial Election. They threw a free-flow alcohol party that was mocked on social media, considering Anies had won the race by playing the devout Muslim card.

While some of my expat friends told me that Léon was not foreigner-friendly, we didn't get any problem getting a table for 3 bules. The private and hidden Goldstein Bar was more difficult to access, though, but it isn't surprising as it is supposed to be for members only.

We didn't try the food, which does not seem to be their strong point. Their menu is quite small and not really original (the usual mix of popular International dishes). It isn't too expensive (IDR150,000 for a main course), unless you choose a grilled steak (from IDR400,000 to IDR1,200,000).

Prices for drinks are quite high. You can't get a bottle for less than IDR1,500,000 and cocktails cost at least IDR150,000.

Overall: The design of Léon is great, and I enjoyed watching all the pretty girls around me. That said, it is quite superficial and pretentious. It is all about how much you spend, who you are with, and what you are wearing. I don't mind occasionally but not on a frequent basis.

Opening Hours:

Every day from 11 AM to 1 AM (2 AM on weekends)

León Restaurant and Goldstein Bar

Jalan Wijaya I No. 25

South Jakarta

Email: rsvp@leonjakarta.com 0217221188

Website: www.leonjakarta.com

Instagram: Léon Jakarta

Note: Léon is owned by the group behind Parc19 in Kemang.

↧

Hue Nightlife - 18 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Vietnam)

May 2, 2017, 11:08 pm

≫ Next: Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs (Lombok)

≪ Previous: Léon Restaurant and Goldstein Bar (Jakarta)

I was in Hue for just 2 days on a stopover between Hanoi and Hoi An. I thought it was a pleasant town, with a fun nightlife, a laid-back vibe, some world-class attractions and excellent food.

If I had known beforehand, I would have skipped Hoi An, probably the most overrated destination in Vietnam, and I would have stayed in Hue for a few extra days.

This review is a summary of what I learned about partying in Hue.

Nightlife Areas

Yes, this happened in Hue! (Phuong Nightclub)

Two nights were more than enough to visit all the major bars and nightclubs in the city. Almost all of them are concentrated in a small area between Doi Cung street and Chu Van An street, which also happens to be where most of the hotels are.

Within that perimeter, Pham Ngu Lao is the most happening nightlife street. It is crowded every night until 2 AM with a mix of backpackers, tourists and young Vietnamese.

Not too far from there, a few swanky nightclubs are scattered around and easy to reach by foot. They target almost exclusively Vietnamese, who often come in groups of males.

Hotels Near The Nightlife

Hue is one of the cheapest cities I've ever visited in my entire life. Prices for a double room start à 8$ in guest houses, and for 30$ you can get an excellent 3-star hotel.

To be close from both the nightlife and the Imperial City, I recommend you to stay near from Doi Cung street. The best ones are the following:

For Backpacker: Why Not Hostel (It is also a bar, see my review below). Rated 9,4 on Booking.com, they have dormitory rooms and single/double/triple rooms. Hotel guests get a 10% disount on food and drinks + 1 free beer every night.

10$/night: Minh Tam Guest House (rated 9.3 on Agoda)

20$/night: Hong Thien Ruby Hotel (rated 9.4 on Agoda)

30$/night: Moonlight Hotel (rated 8.9 on Agoda)

40$/night: Asia Hotel (rated 8.6 on Agoda)

Top 18 Bars and Clubs in Hue
You can visit almost all these bars and clubs by walking on foot - 80% of them are in Pham Ngu Lao street! Start early because most venues close at midnight.

Brown Eyes

Brown Eyes is the busiest bar/club in Hue. It is cramped and dark, with a pool table and a bar on the side. It is packed from 9 PM until 3 or 4 AM with mostly drunk backpackers and a small number of freelance prostitutes. Prices are cheap (VND30,000 for a beer, VND80,000 for a cocktail, VND30,000 for a shot). Great for meeting people, especially in their small outdoor terrace. Music is Top 40 songs from 1980 until now.

Facebook: Brown Eyes Hue

DMZ

DMZ is a 3-storey building with a bar on the ground floor, a restaurant on the 2nd floor, and a sky garden on the 3rd. It is one of the most happening bars in Pham Ngu Lao street, thanks to its strategic corner location and its cheap prices (VND20,000 for a beer, VND60,000 for a cocktail). Mostly Western customers with a few Vietnamese girls as well (maybe prostitutes). Pool tables and a karaoke room available. Good for watching sports.

Facebook: DMZ Bar

Why Not Bar

Also a hostel (great location for party-goers: check the reviews here), this is a small pub with a far-west theme (wooden interior, staff with cowboy hats, red bricks, etc). It feels ancient but it is actually only a year old. A diverse crowd of mostly tourists and backpackers. Good food (burgers, steaks). Happy hour on Mojitos from 5 PM to 10.30 PM (buy 2 get 1).

Facebook: Why Not Bar

Pro Phuong Nam Club

Hue has some very modern nightclubs, similar to those you can find in Hanoi or Saigon. Phuong is one of the best and biggest. It is built like a theater with 2 floors and a stage featuring hot sexy dancers. The music is either live Vietnamese pop or loud Vina House. Very friendly waiters. Few foreign customers. It closes at 2 AM.

Dress code: No shorts, no sandals, no singlets.

Facebook: Phuong Club Hue

New DTV

This crowded nightclub seems to be the favorite of young, under-18 local Vietnamese. Very loud Vietnamese techno and hot girls dancing with bikinis. In front of Huong Giang Hotel. Dress sharp.

Facebook: New DTV Club Hue

Asta Nightclub

A Vietnamese-style nightclub, similar to Phuong. Quite expensive (VND75,000 for a beer, VND120,000 for a glass of Whisky). Many chic Vietnamese ladies inside. Loud Vina House music or live bands, depending on the day. Sexy dancers. Closes at 2 AM.

Facebook: Asta Hue

Gecko

One of Pham Ngu Lao's trendiest bars. It is generally full, mostly with young Vietnamese. Nice balcony on the second floor. Average food, more expensive than average. Patience is needed to get served.

Facebook: Gecko

Taboo

Small friendly pub with nice music and a quirky atmosphere. Popular with both tourists and Vietnamese. Beer costs VND20,000 and cocktails VND60,000.

Facebook: Taboo

Vuvuzalo Beer Club

A copycat from the Vuvuzela chain, Vuvuzalo is a beer club with an outdoor garden and a closed, air-con indoor area. The latter is loud and full of young Vietnamese (not very different from a regular nightclub).

Facebook: Vuvuzalo Beer Club

054 Café

A "hipster" dive bar with a friendly owner. Hip-hop/jazzy music at a low level. Mostly Vietnamese clients.

Facebook: 054 Café

Allez Boo

This laid-back café belongs to the same owner as Allez Boo Saigon. Friendly and cute waitresses will invite you for a free beer there around 8PM.

Facebook: Allez Boo Hue

Tipsy
Similar to Gecko but less crowded. Narrow bar and restaurant on two floors with a pool table. Good value western food (pizza, sandwiches) available. Buy 1 get 1 free on Mojitos.

Facebook: Tipsy Pub and Restaurant

Victory Bar

Surprising underground nightclub in the middle of Pham Ngu Lao street. Maybe one of the loudest sound system on earth (bring earplugs). The DJs mix Vina House. A bit dark. Close at 2 AM.

Customers are 100% young Vietnamese, including a lot of guys (maybe gay?). I read online that some foreigners were denied entry but I had no trouble at all getting in. Maybe it helps if you wear a shirt and pants.

Facebook: Victory Bar

Century Beer Garden and Bar

This is an old-style, open-air Vietnamese beer club with loud techno music, giant screens (displaying sports) and sexy waitresses. Food is served but I would not recommend it because of the noise. It is next to the backpacker area so there seem to be always a few lost foreigners. Part of the Century Hotel Riverside.

Facebook: Century Beer Garden and Bar

Paradise bar restaurant.
Certainly not the most sophisticated bar in Hue, but perfect for chilling with a shisha and a beer. Pool table. It is in the open-air but there is an air-con room in the back. Average western food for less than VND90,000 per main course. Close at 12 AM.

Facebook: Paradise Hue

Le's Garden Bar
Not very crowded but relaxing and friendly. The crowd is mostly made of Vietnamese customers and older tourists who are only eating and having a quiet drink. Pool table and games available.

Facebook: Le's Garden Bar

The Hub Beer Garden

A restaurant/beer garden with pumping Vina House music and cheap beer. A bit old-fashioned. They sometimes have live singers as well.

Facebook: The Hub Hue

Xuan Trang Café
This local restaurant is also a bar that serves very cheap beer (VND10,000 for a local one). Two floors. Young, relaxed crowd sitting on tiny stools. Vietnamese and Western food (price between VND30,000 and VND90,000).

Address: 42 Chu Van An

Meeting Vietnamese Girls in Hue

As elsewhere in Vietnam, it is relatively easy to chat to girls online in Hue and to ask them out on a date. In general, very little happen next except an invitation for a second date, and then a third, a fourth and a fifth.

You can read my article Best Online Dating Apps and Sites in Asia and Best Countries to Meet Asian Women for more information about dating Vietnamese girls.

Red Light (Massage Parlors, Spas, Karaokes)

The red light district of Hue is located around Ngự Bình street, a 15-minute ride from the city center. I haven't been there but based on information available online (in Vietnamese), there are several karaokes and massage parlors plus plus along this street, usually located within (short-time) hotels.

The Hoang Tu Hotel is one of them. It is openly girl-friendly and they are not hiding the fact that they target unwed couples searching for privacy (discreet check-in and parking). They also have a spa. The only problem is that you cannot book it directly online. Another place is called RP Massage Ngự Bình.

If you have visited one of these (or another venue), please leave a comment below.

↧

Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs (Lombok)

May 9, 2017, 7:56 am

≫ Next: Dronk Bar and Club (Kemang)

≪ Previous: Hue Nightlife - 18 Best Bars and Nightclubs (Vietnam)

I wrote this summary of Gili Trawangan nightlife (Lombok) after spending 3 nights there in May 2017.

I had not visited the island in almost 10 years, and yet it didn't change much. It is just a bit more crowded, more expensive and dirtier.

Most visitors are young Westerners between 20 and 30 years old. Among them, many are couples on their honeymoon or backpackers on a 6-month Southeast Asia tour. The latter aren't as numerous as in Bali or Thailand, probably because of the prices (overall you'll spend twice as much in the Gili's). They tend to stay for a short period of time only, on their way to other parts of Indonesia. The ones who stay longer usually work in diving centers and form the only real expat community on the island.

Meeting girls on Gili Trawangan

I was surprised by the number of single Western girls on Gili Trawangan. If I had to give a figure, I would say that the ratio Girls-to-Guys is around 60-to-40. You will actually see more couples Western Girls-Indo Guys than Western Guys-Indo Girl.

Naturally, there aren't any difficulties to meet them. Ideally, try to chat a few girls during the day (on the boat, at your hotel, on the beach, etc), and then ask them out for partying in the evening. I found this method to be the most effective as it allows you to establish trust faster.

If you are looking forward to meeting with Indonesian girls, you will be disappointed. The few I saw during my stay were all accompanying a guy. There were a few prostitutes too (I guess) in Rudy's Pub.

The online dating scene is poor. Only Tinder works well.

Hotels Near the Nightlife

The nightlife in Gili Trawangan is concentrated on the Southeastern coast of the island between the Pier and the Villa Ombak. Unless you want to stay in a secluded area (North of Gili T.), it is best to choose a hotel within 500 meters from the Pier. You'll be able to walk straight to your hotel as you arrive by boat, and you'll have a convenient access to bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and travel agents.

Generally speaking, the mid-range accommodations are located North of the Pier, the luxury ones in its South and the cheapest guesthouses 2 or 3 streets deep into the island.

These are recommended hotels walking distance from Gili Trawangan nightlife:

- Scallywag Resort (Rated 8.8 on Agoda): 110$ per night (it has its own bar and a nice private beach but you might hear the music from the clubs at night)

- Villa Almarik (Rated 8.2 on Agoda): 90$ per night (in front of a snorkeling spot)

- Natya Hotel (Rated 8.4 on Agoda): 70$ per night

- The Beach House (Rated 8.0 on Agoda): 40$ per night to 130$ per night for villas

- Corner Hideaway Bungalow (Rated 8.0 on Agoda): 20$ per night

For backpackers (dorms), the best ones are Gili Castle and Broken Compass. Both have a pool bar where you can meet other travelers easily.

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Gili Trawangan

All the main bars and clubs in Gili Trawangan are pretty much next to each other, on the 500-meter beachside road that runs from the Pier to the Villa Ombak.

Alcohol is cheap by Indonesian standards, but you can expect that a high percentage of the alcohol sold is fake. Personally, I avoided cocktails/spirits and stuck to beers. Also, marijuana and mushroom sellers are everywhere and it is normally safe to buy from them (you may want to read How Dangerous Is It to Buy Drugs in Indonesia).

These are the main nightlife venues in Gili Trawangan (Lombok):

Jiggy Bar and Club

Photo from Jiggy's Boat Party (check their facebook for more)

Jiggy is one of the cheapest places to party in the Gili's (and Lombok). From 8.30 PM to 11.30 PM, they have a crazy happy hour with small Bintang priced at IDR15,000 and shots at IDR10,000. You can also choose their all-you-can-drink option at IDR150,000 for 3 hours.

Other than that, it has a nice set-up, inside a traditional bamboo hut, with psychedelic posters and a busy bar on the side. Hip-hop/Old School music. There is a beer pong tournament every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Mushrooms are sold literally just in the corner of the bar.

Jiggy is also the organizer of a weekly boat party. You can buy your tickets online starting 19$ (girls): http://boatpartygili.com/

Facebook: Jiggy

Evolution Bar

A rather large bar on two floors with live music or DJs, beer pong and sushis. Not the most crowded venue unless they have a special event. Happy hour all day on selected cocktails (buy 1 at IDR85,000 and get 1 free). They also have chairs outside on the sands. Large screen with football.

Facebook: Evolution

Sama Sama Reggae Bar

Unlike its name would suggest, they don't play reggae every night. Instead, the music, live or from a DJ, is often Top 40 (old and current hits). It looks quite rundown, but it is popular nonetheless, especially with Western girls. A small Bintang costs IDR35,000 and a cocktail IDR55,000. There are bungalows in the back (Sama Sama Bungalows).

Facebook: Sama Sama

Ombak Bar

This bar/nightclub was busy later in the evening. They have both an indoor and an outdoor area with a small sound system directly installed on the beach. Music was the same as everywhere in the Gili's (Top 40, retro, old skool). Happy hours from 7 PM to 10 PM with cocktails at IDR40,000.

Facebook: Ombak Bar

New Rudy's Pub

Don't tell my mom I'm drinking fake alcohol?

One of the largest and oldest pubs in Gili Trawangan. They added "New" to their name because a 19-year old from Perth died from methanol poisoning in 2013, from a drink that was possibly sold there. It has an older crowd, including diners who come to watch the live band. At 11 PM, half of them will be on the dancefloor. They sell mushrooms.

Site of their hotel: New Rudy's

Lava Bar

A small bar with a diver and backpacker crowd (many guests from the Gili Beach Bum Hostel). Small Bintang IDR25,000 and spirit + mixer IDR40,000. Old school and hip hop music (DJ).

Tir Na Nog Irish Bar

A foreign-owned bar with a happening Wednesday night (but quiet the rest of the week). Excellent happy hours from 4 PM to 9 PM (Bintang for IDR23,000). Ladies night on Sundays (Half-price cocktails). Other than that, you have the usual live music, DJ events, quiz nights, pub food and sports on TV.

Facebook: Tir Na Nog

Sunset Spots on Gili Trawangan

I was not very lucky with sunsets as I had rain every late afternoon. One place that I can recommend though is the Exile (part of the Exile Hotel). It is a bit isolated but perfect for your girl's Instagram pics (a bit overhyped, you'll have to queue for a while to take your pic on a swing). Bongo beats in the background.

Facebook: The Exile

↧

Dronk Bar and Club (Kemang)

May 11, 2017, 10:18 pm

≫ Next: 50 Best Bars in Jakarta (2017)

≪ Previous: Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs (Lombok)

Dronk Bar and Club is located on Jalan Kemang Raya 43A in the same spot where K43 used to be (and before that, Hangover, SF Club and Second Floor). It is managed by the same people behind Tipsy, which closed down recently.

The setting and the design of the club hasn't changed much so you can read my review of K43 for information about that. It is quite small, with a bar on one side, sofas on the other one, and a long table in the middle (this one is new). Customers face the DJ who is perched on a podium. A small stage allows for sexy dancers to perform occasionally.

Dronk is much more popular than K43 ever was because it gets the customers from Tipsy. Fridays and Saturdays are full and even some weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday).

The crowd is typical of Kemang: Very young (18 to 25), not particularly well-dressed, with only a handful of foreigners. Drink prices are low for Jakarta standards, but you have a IDR75,000 entrance fee on weekends.

The music is commercial EDM and top 40 remixes.

Overall: Worth a try if you are looking for a place to party in Kemang.

K43 Pub and Club

Jalan Kemang Raya No.43A

Bangka, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta

BB Pin: D72OC717

↧

50 Best Bars in Jakarta (2017)

May 14, 2017, 12:16 am

≫ Next: McGettigan's Irish Pub and Sports Bar (Jakarta)

≪ Previous: Dronk Bar and Club (Kemang)

The following article is an update on the most happening bars in Jakarta as of 2017. I visited them at least once this year and I'm ranking them starting with my favorites.

You can just click on the name of each bar to see my full review (if I have one).

For more information about where to drink in Jakarta, you can also read:
Jakarta Nightlife Explained in 500 Words
10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta
Where to Party in Jakarta?
Best Beer Garden and Beer Houses in Jakarta
Best Expat Bars in Jakarta
20 Best Happy Hours and Ladies Nights in Jakarta

Currently, my favorite bars in Jakarta are:

Basque

A recent addition to Jakarta nightlife, Basque is already one of the most happening venues in the city. It is very popular with young expatriates and Westernized Indonesians. There is also an increasing number of unattached ladies looking for foreigners. The restaurant serves Spanish Tapas.

Facebook: Basque

Léon

Opened in early 2017, Léon is a serious competitor to Basque, but it attracts mostly rich Indonesians (and a lot of sexy girls trying to get them). It actually consists of two venues: The main one, a huge room with a high ceiling, a long bar and a garden, is open to anyone (as long as you dress properly). The second one, smaller, is a member-only speakeasy.

Instagram: Léon

SKYE

The most famous rooftop in Jakarta. The view is not as good as in Cloud but the atmosphere is less "business-y" and more relaxed. A must for tourists. Strict dress code in evenings: No shorts.

Facebook: SKYE

Cloud Lounge

Another rooftop near SKYE in the Plaza Building (Plaza Indonesia). It is conveniently located in the heart of the city and it offers fantastic views of Jakarta by day or by night. Below Cloud, you'll find some chic but expensive restaurants (Gaia, Salt Grill, etc). It used to be my favorite bar but it has become a bit touristy and their prices have jumped 30% last year.

Facebook: Cloud

Lucy in the Sky

Lucy in the Sky started as a laid-back, unpretentious open-air café. Today it is a hip bar, rather expensive, attracting all the cool kids in the capital. Recommended if you are 20-25 years old hipster. Entrance fee of IDR150,000 on weekends.

Facebook: Lucy in The Sky

Loewy

Walking distance from Basque, Loewy has lost some of its customers in the past year. It is still happening though, and a great place to eat casual French food and to hang out any day of the week. If you are alone in Jakarta, the bar area is an easy place to socialize (and also to meet girls). Most clients are expats.

Facebook: Loewy

Safehouse

Recently renovated, Safehouse is a small bar/club/restaurant catering to a small community of trendy expats and upper-class Indonesians. It used to focus on electronic music, but now they have more eclectic events (hip-hop, old skool, new wave, etc).

Facebook: Safehouse

J. Sparrows

J. Sparrows is a busy bar and grill in the basement of Noble House building (the same as Basque). Nice interior design (1930s Art Deco). I recommend it for a date.

Facebook: J. Sparrows

Pao Pao

Located in Senopati, Pao Pao is a narrow restaurant (serving dim-sun) and bar (mostly whiskeys and rums). 1930's Shanghai interior design with a dim red light atmosphere. It is usually quite full with Indonesian customers.

Facebook: Pao Pao

Monty's

Monty's occupies a whole 3-floor building in Senopati. The third floor is a hidden speakeasy lounge with live music and an elite crowd of Indonesians. It's better to go there with a group of friends (with a reservation) and to order bottles. Very expensive.

Facebook: Monty's

Flow

Discreet but sleek lounge with large bay windows overlooking the Mega Kuningan roundabout. Popular with girls more than guys. Not too crowded but fine for chilling. DJs or live music from Wednesday to Saturday.

Facebook: Flow

Hide and Seek

Located in the vicinity of Lucy in the Sky, the Pallas and the nightclub Fable, Hide and Seek is not as busy as its neighbors but it has more interesting events and DJs (tech-house mostly). Young crowd.

Instagram: Hide and Seek

Savoi Ultra Lounge

Just recently opened, Savoi is halfway between a nightclub and a bar. It is built on two floors, usually full of mostly rich Indonesian-Chinese guests. Tasty cocktails. Live music and DJs.

Instagram: Savoi Ultra Lounge

H Gourmet and Vibes

Popular hangout on Senopati. During the day, it is an American restaurant with a diverse crowd (including a lot of middle-aged jilbabers). At night, it is famous for hosting Rn'B and Hip Hop events (by that time, the jilbabers are replaced with young Indonesians).

Instagram: H Gourmet and Vibes

Eastern Promise

Slowly becoming one of the oldest bars in Jakarta, EP is a hangout for the expat crowd in Kemang. Very large with several rooms (restaurant, sports bar, pool tables, beer garden with live music), it manages to be busy every night.

From the same group, you can also check their sister properties, all part of the Bugil's Group: Cazbar (Mega Kuningan), Double Doors (Puri Indah), De Hooi (Pondok Indah), De Burse (SCBD) and Frank's (Kemang).

Website: Bugils Group

BATS and CJs

Some people prefer BATS, some people prefer CJs. Both are quite similar if not identical: They are 5-star hotel bars with imported live bands and a crowd of husbands having fun away from home. Recommended for older visitors/businessmen who not too comfortable exploring the city. Both are very pricey.

Websites: BATS and CJs

Social House

The restaurant and bar Social House is not a really exceptional place, but it has such a strategic location within Grand Indonesia that I often end up there by convenience. Average food but a wide selection of drinks. It is normally crowded every day. Nice view on Bunderan Hotel Indonesia.

Facebook: Social House

Cork & Screw

There are 3 Cork & Screw in Jakarta, but the only one I've been to recently is the Pacific Place's branch. This wine lounge and restaurant is possibly the busiest nightlife spot in the whole mall, even more than Potato Head and Hard Rock Café. Most customers are Indonesian-Chinese in large groups. You can also buy wine bottles. It's better not to visit alone.

Facebook: Cork & Screw

Union

Also a restaurant/café, Union is very popular with a diverse crowd, from office workers to socialites. Recommended for after-work drinks or for first-time dates (easy to find). It's better to make advance reservation as it is often full.

Facebook: Union

Camden

There are two Camden in Jakarta, one in Cikini and one in Gandaria. Both are very popular and busy almost any day of the week. They have an outside beer garden and an indoor area. Cheap prices, perfect for students or backpackers.

Instagram: Camden

The Dutch

Owned by the same people behind Union, The Dutch is a restaurant specializing in cold cuts and sausages. After 10 PM, the music gets louder and you start to see a crowd of drinkers at the bar. Live music on Friday.

Instagram: The Dutch

Paulaner Brauhaus

The famous chain of German restaurant is just above Social House in Grand Indonesia Mall. Live music every night and the famous Paulaner beer on tap.

Website: Paulaner Brauhaus

McGettigans

The newest expat bar in Jakarta, it is part of the famous International chain of Irish bars of the same name (they also have branches in Singapore, Dubai, New York, etc). Modern, with affordable food and drinks, perfect for watching sports.

Facebook: McGettigans

Prohibition

The original 1930s' speakeasy bar in Jakarta. It has a secret entrance leading to an intimate bar with live jazz every night. Great atmosphere.

Instagram: Prohibition Jakarta

Bluegrass

Popular with expats. The single ones go there hunting for girls, the attached ones go there on dates. Good food (steaks) but a bit expensive.

Facebook: Bluegrass

Lola

Underground speakeasy bar with a hipster theme (if that's a thing). Young, artsy crowd. Busy only when they have events.

Website: Lola

Masters Sports Bar

A hidden, expat-owned sports bars with the largest screens in Jakarta and 5 professional pool tables. Probably the cheapest prices in the Mega Kuningan area for beer.

Facebook: Masters

Aphrodite

An expat bar near Taman Rasuna. Dozens of TV screens on which you can catch any sporting events. Pool tables. Good value Western food.

Facebook: Aphrodite

E&O

Primarily a restaurant, their stylish bar can be a great place to go for a drink if you choose the right evening (too quiet on weekdays). They are serving some of the best cocktails in Jakarta.

Facebook: E&O

Potato Head

Potato Head used to be the hottest bar in Jakarta, but that was almost 10 years ago. It is not empty yet, but it would certainly need a refurbishment of some sort to make it exciting again. Great location in Pacific Place. Overpriced.

Facebook: Potato Head

Molly Malone's and Murphy's

Two authentic Irish pubs that were opened by an Irish-Indonesian couple (I'm not sure if they are still the owners as I had heard they were planning to move back to Ireland). One is in Kemang, one is in Senayan. Both are friendly, affordable and busy. They have sports on screens, pool tables and live music.

Facebook: Murphy's and Molly Malone's

Beer Garden

A group of affordable beer gardens (duh...) with 4 locations in Jakarta: Menteng, Radio Dalam, Kemang and SCBD. Usually, they are happening every night (at least the ones in Menteng and Kemang).

Facebook: Beer Garden

Queen's Head

One of the best venues in Kemang to have drinks. Beautiful design, delicious food and an interesting crowd.

Facebook: Queen's Head

Burgundy

Burgundy bar in the Hyatt Hotel (Plaza Indonesia) is generally quiet, but I really enjoy it simply to look at the view of Thamrin/Sudirman. Live low-key music.

Website: Burgundy

Parc 19

Same owner as Léon, Parc19 is a restaurant and bar in Kemang with live music or DJs depending on the day of the week. I find it expensive.

Facebook: Parc19

Liquid Exchange

The closest bar from the Taman Rasuna apartment complex (at least 18 towers), it is generally busy all week long. Indoor and outdoor area. Nothing special but good enough for an affordable drink while watching sports or listening to live music. Same owner as the expat bar Aphrodite (200 meters away).

Facebook: Liquid Exchange

Motion Blue

Jazz bar featuring different artists every week. Entrance fee around IDR150,000 inclusive of one drink. Check their Facebook for the updated event schedule.

Facebook: Motion Blue

Bauhaus

Bauhaus is a speakeasy with a bohemian/hipster design (but quite expensive and popular with the elite). Not too busy on weekdays but they have good parties on weekends. Same owner as Lucy in the Sky.

Instagram: Bauhaus

Super Loco

Mexican restaurant and bar with DJs on Wednesday and Friday. Next to Hard Rock Café.

Facebook: Super Loco

Halfway

From the same owner behind Camden, this is another student bar with very cheap prices (IDR25,000 for a beer during happy hour from 5 PM to 8 PM). Cheerful, yet messy, atmosphere. Located in Gandaria.

Instagram: Halfway

Hooters

Sports bar, part of the famous American chain, with hot waitresses who stop their work every 30 minutes to dance. Expensive but fun to try.

Facebook: Hooters

Hard Rock Café

The Hard Rock Café in Jakarta is just outside the mall Pacific Place, sandwiched between Super Loco and Cork&Screw. It looks modern and it is spacious, with a large stage for bands to perform. Not as packed as the Balinese branch, especially during weekdays, and a bit touristy (out-of-town Indonesians).

Facebook: Hard Rock Café

Mixology

If you are in PIK, Mixology is one of most happening bars in the area. It serves Soju, which is popular among the young Indo-Chinese community in Jakarta. Not suitable if you come alone, bring at least a friend.

Facebook: Mixology

Vin +

A group of wine lounges with four locations in Kemang, Senayan, Central Park and Pondok Indah. It never gets crazy but it is fine for sharing a few bottles of wine with a group of friends.

Instagram: Vin +

Melly's Garden

This giant beer garden in Menteng (walking distance from Jalan Jaksa) is an all-time favorite of middle-class Indonesians, young or not, who enjoy the daily live music and the cheap prices. Number one bar for backpackers in Jakarta.

Facebook: Melly's Garden

Proof

Another elite speakeasy bar with live music and a hidden entrance. Next to the Senayan Golf Course.

Instagram: Proof

Missing a Bar?

If you think a bar should be included here, please drop me a comment and I will visit the place (if I haven't done it already).

Photo source: All of them were taken from the Facebook/Instagram of the venues mentioned. If you want one to be removed, just ask me!

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McGettigan's Irish Pub and Sports Bar (Jakarta)

May 20, 2017, 10:01 am

≫ Next: Atlantis Gym & Sauna (Gay)

≪ Previous: 50 Best Bars in Jakarta (2017)

McGettigan's is a brand-new Irish pub and sports bar that had its grand opening on May 16th, 2017. Located in Mega Kuningan, in the basement of Menara BTPN, it is part of a larger group with 15 locations around the world (including Dubai, Singapore, New York, and of course Ireland - see more here: McGettigan's).

I had a chance to visit it a few weeks before their official opening on a Saturday night and what I saw looked promising.

McGettigan's is easy to find, just across the road from the Ritz-Carlton, and walking distance from famous bars like Loewy or Basque. It is in a business district so it gets particularly busy for lunch and after office hours.

It is built on one spacious floor, with several distinct spaces for customers to sit down: On the left corner, a quiet dining area with private booths and tables. In the back, a long and elegant bar that serves 8 kinds of draught beer. In the center, several high tables and chairs for more casual meals and drinking. On the right, a few VIP booths and tables for larger groups, next to the live music stage. Finally, there is an outdoor terrace with a view of a small courtyard. At full capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if it can accommodate 300 people.

The first thing I noticed was that it certainly doesn't look like your typical Irish pub. In fact, McGettigan's is much more modern, in a good way.

It seems to have been designed to be halfway between classy and cozy. They've kept the leather sofas and the Guinness but got rid of the traditional décor and antiques. Not a bad idea in 2017.

The menu is more conventional and features all the classic crowd-pleasers: Western ones like Burgers, Fish and Chips, Pies, Bangers and Mash, and Indonesian ones like Nasi Goreng, Sop Buntut, Iga Bakar. They also serve imported 200-gram and 300-gram Black Angus beefsteaks. If you are watching your weight, there are more healthy options like the Grilled Salmon and the Salads. In case you are wondering, pork is available.

They have added a family-friendly Kids' Menu, which is normally rare in bars in Jakarta.

The entertainment in McGettigan's is primarily sports-watching. Flat-screen HD TVs are everywhere (I counted at least 10 of them), featuring any live events worth cheering about: Football, NBA, Rugby, Moto GP, Formula 1, etc.

From Wednesday to Saturday, they also have live bands and DJs in the evenings. The current ladies night is on Wednesday (3 free drinks for girls from 8.30 PM to 11.30 PM). They also have an Irish promotion every Thursday from 7 PM to 10 PM with IDR75,000++ for a pint of Kilkenny or Guinness., and IDR65,000++ for a Jameson Whiskey).

Overall:

Mega Kuningan has seen several interesting new openings this year and it is clearly becoming the most happening nightlife destination in Jakarta. McGettigan's is great addition

Opening Hours:
Every day from breakfast to dinner.

McGettigan's Irish Pub and Sports Bar

Menara BTPN, Basement 1,
Jalan DR. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Kav.E.1.1 No. 1

12950, Jakarta, Indonesia

Email: jakarta@mcgettigans.com
Phone number: 021 29880461

Facebook: McGettigan's Mega Kuningan

Twitter: McGettigan's Jakarta

Instagram: McGettigan's Jakarta

Website: McGettigan's Group

Photo: Lucky Christianto

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Atlantis Gym & Sauna (Gay)

May 3, 2017, 2:25 am

≫ Next: Jakarta Travel Guide - For Single Guys (2017)

≪ Previous: McGettigan's Irish Pub and Sports Bar (Jakarta)

Update May 21st, 2017: Atlantis was raided by the police and 141 men were arrested for taking part in an alleged "gay sex party". Homosexuality is not supposed to be a crime in Indonesia, but I guess that's the way it goes when religion guides politics.

I haven't been to Atlantis, but Rhico the manager send me his own review that I have decided to post here. The management is the same with Apollo Bar in Mega Kuningan area....

Please feel free to comment if you agree or disagree with it!

Atlantis Gym and Sauna is a newly opened (September 2013), men-only sauna located in one of the trendiest areas in North Jakarta. Atlantis features modern interiors with super clean facilities including a fully-equipped 60m² gym, a 150m² sauna, steam room, whirlpool, 150m² dark area, 16 private cabins, internet room with free WiFi and a rooftop bar. Special events include ‘No Towel’ on Fri-Sun (5pm until closed) and the following:

Monday - Twinkie
Only 50k for under 25 years old.

Tuesday - Chubby Day
Only 50k for size XL.

Wednesday - Yakuza
Only 50k for tattooed body.

Thursday - Spartaniac
Only 50k for any valid gym member card.

Friday - Triple X
Best selection movies all day long.

Saturday - Dare 2 Bare
'No Covers' from 5-8pm

Sunday - Groupies
Group entry of 4 persons under 25 only 50k/person

Promo entry fee :
Monday-Thursday 100k
Friday-Sunday 125k
Friday-Sunday 100k ( North Jakarta ID )

Atlantis Gym & Sauna (Jakarta Gay)
Address : Rukan Kokan Permata Blok B 15-16, Kelapa Gading - Jakarta Utara
Phone : +6221-95573107
Web : www.atlantis-jakarta.com
Facebook : Atlantis Jakarta
Twitter : @atlantisjakarta

Another gay sauna is T1 in Harmoni and Senopati area.

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Jakarta Travel Guide - For Single Guys (2017)

May 18, 2017, 2:43 am

≫ Next: Meeting Indonesian Girls with Cheers App (Sponsored Post)

≪ Previous: Atlantis Gym & Sauna (Gay)

In this article, I will explain you everything you need to know about traveling to Jakarta as a single guy.

I tried to keep it as concise and short as possible. For more details, you can email me directly at thibaud@jakarta100bars.com.

If I wrote something inaccurate, please leave me a comment and I'll correct it.

Visas for Indonesia

The citizens of almost every country on earth can enter Indonesia without a visa for at least 30 days. This visa is non-renewable and non-extendable so you'll have no choice but to leave the country after it has expired. Overstaying is currently charged IDR250,000 per day.

For staying as a tourist for more than 30 days, you have 4 options:

→ Make a 60-day tourist visa in any Indonesian consulate abroad (I did one in Saigon, Bangkok, KL, Singapore and Paris). It takes 3-4 days and costs 50$. This visa can then be extended 4 times 30 days for about 40 dollars (you must use an agent).

→ If you have a sponsor (any Indonesian friend or an agent), you can apply for a Sosial Budaya visa in any Indonesian consulates (60$). It is valid for 2 months and it can be extended 4 times for 30 days as well. The extensions are easier and cheaper to process (25$ each).

→ Purchase a 30-day visa-on-arrival/VOA (35$) at the airport in Jakarta, and then extend it for another 30 days (IDR450,000) at any immigration office. The process takes about a week and you'll have to make 3 trips to the immigration. The VOA is not extendable a third time.

→ If all of these are too much hassle for you, flying to Singapore and back to Jakarta on the same day is a popular option as well and it can be done for less than 70 dollars. If you do it too frequently though, you might get into trouble with immigration officials from both sides.

Transfer from the Airport to the City

The airport is located in the city of Tangerang, 20 kilometers from Central Jakarta. An airport rail shuttle is currently being built and it should be ready by 2018. In the meantime, these are the 3 best ways to make the transfer:

→ Traditional taxis: There are plenty of them, mostly from small companies who paid bribes to occupy the most strategic spots in the airport. They are safe to use as long as they put on the meter. They will cost the same as more reputable taxi companies like Blue Bird, Express or Gamya which can be difficult to catch, especially during peak hours.

Cost to city center: Around IDR120,000 taxi fare + IDR16,000 toll road.

Duration of the trip: 45 minutes without traffic / at least 1h30 minutes with traffic

→ Uber, Grab and Go-Jek: Drivers from these transportation apps can be booked from Jakarta airport. They offer much cheaper prices compared with taxis (at least 20% less). The taxi mafias mentioned above are naturally unhappy so you have to be discreet when taking them. In case someone asks you, just say that you are waiting for your personal driver. Never mention Uber/Grab/Gojek.

Before downloading these apps, it is a good idea to get a local phone number (see below).

→ Public buses (operated by DAMRI): Budget travelers and backpackers may use those buses which are available in each terminal. They reach at least 10 destinations in Jakarta and its suburbs, but the most convenient for you should be either Mangga Dua (North Jakarta), Gambir (Central Jakarta), or Blok M (South Jakarta).

Cost: It is cheap if you are alone (IDR45,000 for the city center), but for two persons it isn't worth it (IDR90,000 + you'll still need to take a taxi to your hotel).

Duration: Between 1 hour and 2 hours.

Where to Stay in Jakarta

I wrote an entire article about the best areas for a stay in Jakarta that you can read for further information.

Here is a short summary: If you only come as a tourist or for partying, stay anywhere along Jalan Sudirman between Sarinah Mall and Senayan Mall. Beware of good deals on hotels located far away from the major points of interests. What you heard about traffic jams in Jakarta is real and probably worse than you imagine.

Here are some hotels recommendations (all of them are girl-friendly):

→ 5-stars (more than 150$/night): Kempinski, Shangri-La (has a bar), Mulia (has a bar), Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons (New), Fairmont (New)

→ 4-stars (more than 100$/night): Oakwood Premier Cozmo (Great location near Loewy), Morrissey, Kosenda, Artotel, The Gunawarman, Fraser Residence, Fraser Place, Ascott Kuningan

→ 3-stars (more than 40$/night): Harris FX, Ayaka Suites, Liberty Hotel, A-One, Ashley

Under 40$ per night: Dreamtel, Cipta, MaxOne

→ Backpackers: You can just ask to be dropped in Jalan Jaksa and find a guest house by walking around. Price around 100,000 per night.

Some hotels in Jakarta have "naughty" massage parlors inside them (more info on Hotels with Spas Plus Plus in Jakarta).

Cost of Staying in Jakarta

Staying in Jakarta is not as cheap as in other Asian cities. Even a backpacker in surviving mode needs to spend at least 15$ per day (8$ for a room without AC, 4$ for food and 3$ for transportation).

A more reasonable minimal budget is 45$ per day (25$ for a double room with AC, 10$ for food and 10$ for transportation).

To be really comfortable, though, and to be able to afford some luxuries (alcohol, inviting a date in a classy restaurant, spas, etc), you probably need at least 150$ per day.

Prices of selected items (single guys stuff):

Beer in a bar: 3-5$

Alcoholic drink in a bar: 6-9$

Booking a sofa for 8 people in a nightclub: Minimum spending of 250$-350$
Spirits bottle in a club: 100$

Street food: 1$ (no meat) to 3$ (with meat)

Indonesian meal in a casual restaurant: 5-7$

Western meal in a chic restaurant: 15-20$

1-hour "massage" in a medium class spa: 30$
1-hour "massage" in a high-end male spa: 70$

15-minute taxi ride: 3$

15-minute motor taxi ride: 1$ (with Go-Jek or Grab)

TransJakarta bus ticket: 0.3$

How to Get Around?

Moto-taxis are the fastest way to get around in Jakarta

Getting around is the worst thing about staying in Jakarta. Unless you can afford a helicopter, you'll have to spend a considerable amount of time in traffic jams (fortunately, less on weekends and after 9 PM).

Transportation Apps

The applications mentioned above (Uber, Grab and Go-Jek) are a must in Jakarta. They allow you to order private cars, taxis or moto-taxis from your mobile phone for cheaper than what it normally costs.

Moto-taxis are not comfortable to use, especially when it's hot outside, and they can be dangerous. Still, they are extremely popular because they cost almost nothing to use and they can beat the traffic.

I don't have a favorite app. I've installed all of them and I use whichever is the cheapest for a particular ride.

Buy a local sim card so the driver can call you to ask about your exact location (except if you use Grab as they have an in-app messenger). You can pay your fare in cash, by credit card, or by loading credit in advance (at a convenience store for instance). With the latter option, you will normally get special discounts.

Taxis
Rather cheap and plentiful. Avoid those parked right outside nightclubs and you'll be fine. Blue Bird is the most reputed company.

Walking

Walking in Jakarta is almost impossible except for very short distances (less than 1 kilometer). If you wonder why, please just try and have fun.

Buses

Public transportation is confusing for newcomers. I don't recommend it unless you are on a very low budget (in that case, just use a moto-taxi). The line 1 of the TransJakarta - a fleet of buses with their own dedicated lanes - is useful as it goes from the North (Kota) to the South (Blok), passing through all the major attractions of the city. You must buy a prepaid card to ride it (IDR40,000) and the cost is IDR3,500 per trip (deducted from your IDR40,000 credit).

Internet/Mobile Phone
Even if you stay in Jakarta for a couple days, buying a sim card is the first thing you should do upon arriving. It is available in most convenience stores like 7/11 and it costs between 5$ and 10$ (including an internet package). Simpati is the best one. XL is also fine and slightly cheaper.

Many expats complain about the internet speed in Jakarta. It is slower than in Thailand or Singapore, but faster than in the Philippines, China, Vietnam. Video streaming is usually possible in most circumstances. If you need to download movies, wait until after 12 PM.

Almost all porn, torrent and gambling websites are blocked in Indonesia. Modifying your proxy can solve this problem, or you can subscribe to a VPN instead. I've used several and I'm making recommendations here: Best VPNs in Indonesia.

Dating Indonesian Girls Online

Indonesia might be the easiest country in the world to meet girls and this is nowhere more obvious than in Jakarta. Its slogan could be: "The city where white privilege comes true".

The best way to meet someone is online. You can read my guide Best Dating Apps in Indonesia for a comparison between each.

Broadly speaking, Tinder works great in most situation (especially if you are a white, handsome, young).

For an older guy who is average looking, I recommend more traditional websites like IndonesianCupid as you can write a longer profile bio and engage in less superficial conversations. IndonesianCupid works also well for guys wishing to chat with girls a few weeks before visiting Indonesia. Most girls who use it don't mind the long distance as long as there is a chance to meet in the future. It is a smart way to plan a trip if you are alone.

Best Bars and Nightclubs to Meet Girls
In the real world, there are plenty of opportunities to meet girls in bars and nightclubs. Beware, though, some may already have boyfriends somewhere in the world. Hint: If a girl spends a lot of money without having a job, you can be sure she has one or more sugar daddies backing her. Even if she has a regular job, it is very rare that she will earn more than 500$ per month. Just do the math if that's something you care about.

As of today, the best nightlife venues for meeting girls in Jakarta are Basque, Loewy, Immigrant, Dragonfly and X2. You can also try Eastern Promise (older girls), Liquid Exchange, Bluegrass, Lucy in the Sky, Foundry 8, Jenja, Dronk (younger girls).

You can read my two updated guides:
- 10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta
- 50 Best Bars in Jakarta

Single Guys on a Bachelor Party?

Read my travel guide: Bachelor Party in Jakarta

Best Places to Hangout During the Day

Jakarta can be quite boring during the day, especially if you don't know anyone there. I wrote several articles that you might find helpful such as:

- Best Things to Do in Jakarta
- Best Museums in Jakarta
- Best Malls in Jakarta
- Best Cinemas in Jakarta
- Best Markets in Jakarta

Best Spas and Massage Parlours
Another way to quickly spend an afternoon in Jakarta is to go to a spa. You have 3 options:
→ A regular/traditional massage. Some recommended ones, from cheap to expensive, are Bersih Sehat, Relax Living, Martha Tilaar Spa, Zen Spa, Taman Sari Royal Heritage. All of them are in Central Jakarta.
→ A massage with a happy ending. Two famous spa companies are Delta and My Place. Each of their branches has a jacuzzi, a pool, a hammam, a sauna.
→ A happy massage. You can read 10 Best Spas in Jakarta for the popular addresses (Alexis, Malioboro, Emporium, Illigals, etc).

Is Jakarta Safe?
I spent about 5 years in Jakarta and I never had any particular issues apart from a minor motorbike accident (read Why You Need Travel Insurance in Indonesia).

→ Crime is rare, even in infamous neighborhoods like Mangga Besar. I've never felt unsafe walking around and there are no reasons you should.
→ There aren't any scams I'm aware of, probably due to the low number of tourists in Jakarta. This does not mean you won't be bothered with touts in touristic places (Taman Fatahillah, Jalan Jaksa, Monas). The only thing you risk is buying some overpriced crap.
→ The terrorist threat exists, like in any other worldwide metropolis.
→ If you get arrested by the police (it is rare but it can happen), you will be asked to show your passport. They might ask for some money if you don't have it with you (IDR100,000). If you haven't done anything wrong, just wait and they'll let you go after a few minutes.
→ Don't do drugs (read Is It Dangerous to Buy Drugs in Indonesia).

More on this subject: Is Jakarta Safe?

Do you think I forgot to mention something important in this Jakarta travel guide for single guys? Please just leave me a comment below.

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