Currently, PIK is one of the favorite spots for wealthy, young Indo Chinese to hang out in Jakarta. Many among them live in the Pluit area and they are looking for an alternative to going to South Jakarta's hot spots in SCBD or Senopati. The type of food available is also the one most popular with this community. In particular, the availability of pork on the menu of a restaurant in PIK is the key to success.
Before Party: Where to eat?
Typically, many restaurants in PIK will fall into one of these categories:
- Korean Barbecue: Kimchi GrandMa, Gomawo, Seorae, Born Ga, Mapogalmaegi, Han Ok.
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| Korean Barbecue Restaurant Kimchi Mama |
- Thai Food: Thai Jim Jum, Bangkok Garden, Silky Thai.
- Japanese Ramen: Hakata Ikkousha, Ikkudo Ichi, Kazan, Hajime, Hachimaki.
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| Hakata Ikkousha is always busy |
- Steaks and Ribs: Carnivor, Smokey Ribs, Wine and Meat Co, Steak Gunting, Kemang Steak, Street Steak, Holycow.
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| Steak Gunting, the Scissors Steak |
- Chinese food (in particular Dim Sum, Seafood, Bak Kut Teh) and any Indonesian restaurants serving pork: Naughty Nuri's Warung, Little Ubud, ROA Manadonese Food.
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| Balinese food in Little Ubud, PIK |
- Taiwanese desserts: Sumoboo, Hong Tang, SnowBowl, BlackBall.
- Bubble Tea: T2, Bobabits, A Gantea, The Lab, Ochado.
- Ice Cream: Shirokuma, Wooyoo, BC's Cone.
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| Wooyoo Milk Ice Cream |
You have new trends every year so this is likely to change as well. When a new restaurant opens, especially if it is the branch of a foreign chain, you can have queues for several months. This is what happened when Sumoboo or Ikkudo Ichi opened.
About 25% of PIK restaurants close every six months. If a new one is worth mentioning, please just write a comment below.
About 25% of PIK restaurants close every six months. If a new one is worth mentioning, please just write a comment below.
Prices are usually kept reasonable, on par with what you would pay in Kemang for instance. The quality of the food goes from poor to average. Based on my experience, the best choice for Western food would be Carnivor.
Nightlife in PIK
Most of the popular places are located in the streets surrounding the Damai Indah Golf course, namely Jalan Marina Indah and Jalan Pantai Indah Kapuk (near the Jakarta Outer Ring Road).
The nightlife in PIK is similar to the nightlife in Kemang 10 years ago: The bars/clubs are more like beer gardens or cafés with loud music and an improvised dance floor. You won't pay an entrance fee and there is no strict dress code.
There is no naughty nightlife or girls bars like in Kota but there are a few massage parlours with plus plus such as Dragon Spa, Foxy Spa or Grand Magnolia.
If you are in the area and you need to know the best places to party or grab a beer, I'll recommend the following:
Locale
The closest thing from a club in PIK is the second floor of Locale restaurant which has a DJ booth and a small dancing area. Locale used to be opened 24h but it is now closing at 3h30. On weekends, it will be packed and your best choice to have fun.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 29033162
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 29033162
Facebook: Locale Pantai Indah Kapuk
Tongue 'N Groove
Centrally located in PIK and relatively new. They are happening at the moment with regular events and promotions. Popular with shisha smokers.
Phone number: +62 (0) 878-8721-8752
Facebook: Tongue and Groove Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 878-8721-8752
Facebook: Tongue and Groove Jakarta
The Playroom
The Playroom was the happening bar of PIK when they opened earlier this year, but now it seemed to be more quiet. They would have the potential to be a good club on weekends if they get more crowded. In the meantime, you can still go there to play darts or billiard.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 22510077
Facebook: Playroom Bar Pantai Indah Kapuk
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 22510077
Facebook: Playroom Bar Pantai Indah Kapuk
Hangover
Hangover is a soju bar, a popular alcoholic drink from Korea. It has another location in Kelapa Gading as well. Note that the Hangover in Kemang is not related to this brand. What a strange name for a bar, I'm surprised there are two companies fighting over this name. It is like a restaurant that would call itself Diarrhea.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5698 3686 or +62 (0) 214523525 for Kelapa Gading
Facebook: Hangover Soju
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5698 3686 or +62 (0) 214523525 for Kelapa Gading
Facebook: Hangover Soju
Hugo
Hugo is also a soju bar. Recently opened, it is dim-lighted and often packed. It is too small to be really fun though and it's best to visit it for pre-party drinks.
Minus 2 Beer Bar
Minus 2 is a rooftop beer garden with a very minimalist décor. You just have some tables/chairs and beer ads on the walls. Not much more. They have a rather large selection of imported beers, in particular Japanese and Taiwanese ones. You have some western and asian food cooked with the usual terrible standards found almost everywhere else in Jakarta. Indoor and outdoor al-fresco area available.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 9310 0101
Address: Ruko Crown Shopping Arcade Blok D/62-63
Address: Ruko Crown Shopping Arcade Blok D/62-63
Replay Lounge and Karaoke
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| Drinking contest in Replay Lounge |
D'llyst Café and Restaurant
D'llyst is a restaurant quite similar to its neighbour "Tongue and Groove". Empty during the day, it can be more crowded at night on weekends with groups of friends.
Facebook: D'llyst Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 2942 4824
Overall, even though there are many hangout spots in PIK, I would not recommend it for party unless you are staying in North Jakarta and you are looking for "clean" venues to have a drink with friends.