Even though Jakarta is the capital of a conservative and Muslim-majority country, it has a fun and diverse nightlife that comprises some of the best bars, nightclubs and spas in Southeast Asia.
As you can see on my Jakarta nightlife map, most of the trendy venues are located in the South of the city while "naughty" spots can be found in the North. For this reason, it is ideal to stay in the city center around Plaza Indonesia or Sarinah Mall (Where to Stay in Jakarta?). Budget hotels in this area cost around 40$ per night and 5-star properties around 200$.
The only way to get around at night in Jakarta is to use taxis or apps like Uber/Grab. A 30-minute midnight ride from the nightclub X2 in the South to Colosseum in the North will cost about Rp60,000 (5$). Taxis are cheap and safe as long as you use companies like Blue Bird or Express.
South Jakarta Nightlife:
This area corresponds to the business district. If you decide to party there, you are more likely to meet normal girls (non-prostitutes), rich Indonesian-Chinese, expats and business travelers.
I recommend you to start around 8pm with a dinner in a bar/restaurant. Current hotspots include Basque, Loewy, E&O, Bluegrass, Social House, Cork&Screw, Union and Potato Head. They are very similar as they all belong to the same groups.
After eating, you can head to a bar for more drinks. My favorites are rooftop venues like Cloud or Skye. Young and trendy expats may prefer Safehouse, Lola or Bauhaus while rich Indonesians will hide in speakeasies like Hemingway, Monty's or Proof. If you are on a budget, Beer Garden is a good option. If you are looking for girls, try Jalan Falatehan, B.A.T.S or CJs.
Most nightclubs get busy at 1am and close after 4am. Dress codes are strictly implemented: Men should wear a shirt and women should wear high-heels. All the best nightclubs have a first-drink charge between Rp150,000 and Rp300,000 on weekends. You can avoid it if you reserve a table and order bottle service. Smoking is normally allowed inside. The best nightclubs in Jakarta are Immigrant, Dragonfly, Empirica, Blowfish, Domain, Fable and X2.
Kemang has cheaper nightclubs that are popular with a younger crowd (999, Nu China or Tipsy).
North Jakarta Nightlife
North of the Monas (National Monument), you will find large one-stop entertainment venues that have nightclubs, karaokes and spas in the same building. They are filled with prostitutes, freelance or not, and the clients are mostly locals.
The famous ones, from most expensive to cheapest are: Alexis, Malioboro, 1001, Illigals, Emporium, King Cross, Golden Crown, Classic. Each have striptease/sexy dancers. The spas are hidden brothels. If this is too hardcore for you, have a massage plus-plus instead in Delta or My Place.
Clubbers in North Jakarta often take drugs in karaoke rooms or inside after-hour clubs like Mille's. Punishment for drug use is harsh in Indonesia, it's best to abstain.
495 words. Still confused? Please leave a comment below and I'll do my best to answer.
As you can see on my Jakarta nightlife map, most of the trendy venues are located in the South of the city while "naughty" spots can be found in the North. For this reason, it is ideal to stay in the city center around Plaza Indonesia or Sarinah Mall (Where to Stay in Jakarta?). Budget hotels in this area cost around 40$ per night and 5-star properties around 200$.
The only way to get around at night in Jakarta is to use taxis or apps like Uber/Grab. A 30-minute midnight ride from the nightclub X2 in the South to Colosseum in the North will cost about Rp60,000 (5$). Taxis are cheap and safe as long as you use companies like Blue Bird or Express.
South Jakarta Nightlife:
This area corresponds to the business district. If you decide to party there, you are more likely to meet normal girls (non-prostitutes), rich Indonesian-Chinese, expats and business travelers.
I recommend you to start around 8pm with a dinner in a bar/restaurant. Current hotspots include Basque, Loewy, E&O, Bluegrass, Social House, Cork&Screw, Union and Potato Head. They are very similar as they all belong to the same groups.
After eating, you can head to a bar for more drinks. My favorites are rooftop venues like Cloud or Skye. Young and trendy expats may prefer Safehouse, Lola or Bauhaus while rich Indonesians will hide in speakeasies like Hemingway, Monty's or Proof. If you are on a budget, Beer Garden is a good option. If you are looking for girls, try Jalan Falatehan, B.A.T.S or CJs.
Most nightclubs get busy at 1am and close after 4am. Dress codes are strictly implemented: Men should wear a shirt and women should wear high-heels. All the best nightclubs have a first-drink charge between Rp150,000 and Rp300,000 on weekends. You can avoid it if you reserve a table and order bottle service. Smoking is normally allowed inside. The best nightclubs in Jakarta are Immigrant, Dragonfly, Empirica, Blowfish, Domain, Fable and X2.
Kemang has cheaper nightclubs that are popular with a younger crowd (999, Nu China or Tipsy).
North Jakarta Nightlife
North of the Monas (National Monument), you will find large one-stop entertainment venues that have nightclubs, karaokes and spas in the same building. They are filled with prostitutes, freelance or not, and the clients are mostly locals.
The famous ones, from most expensive to cheapest are: Alexis, Malioboro, 1001, Illigals, Emporium, King Cross, Golden Crown, Classic. Each have striptease/sexy dancers. The spas are hidden brothels. If this is too hardcore for you, have a massage plus-plus instead in Delta or My Place.
Clubbers in North Jakarta often take drugs in karaoke rooms or inside after-hour clubs like Mille's. Punishment for drug use is harsh in Indonesia, it's best to abstain.
495 words. Still confused? Please leave a comment below and I'll do my best to answer.