Entertainment in Jakarta
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Eastern Promise
A classic British-style pub in the heart of Kemang, with a pool table, a welcoming atmosphere and filling Western and Indian grub. Service is prompt and friendly, the beer’s cold and there’s live music on weekends. It’s a key expat hang-out.
reviewed
-
A
Face Bar
Part of the Lan Na Thai, Hazara and El Wajh venue, this hip lounge bar has plenty of subdued reds and dark woods.
reviewed
-
B
Café Batavia
The place for a cocktail or just a cool Bintang in north Jakarta.
reviewed
-
C
Stadium
The big daddy of Jakarta’s scene, this club has the heritage (established in 1997), the reputation (DJs including Sasha and Dave Seaman have spun here), the capacity (around 4000), the sound system and the crowd. There are four levels, but the main room is where the prime dance-floor action is – a dark, cavernous space of pounding beats full of clubbers in sunglasses. This ain’t no disco – alcohol is not the drug of choice, and Stadium has a distinctly underground vibe. Its weekend session is totally hardcore – beginning on Thursday evening and running until Monday morning.
reviewed
-
Tabac
Perhaps Jakarta’s most unusual bar; the lobby to this place is actually a cigar store, and the bar is located behind a secret entrance (hint: push the door of the telephone kiosk). Inside it’s like a private club, all wood panelling and comfortable seating. Pricey (a small Bintang is 40,000Rp) and draws a good mix of locals and expats.
reviewed
-
Melly’s
The best bet in the Jaksa area for a couple of drinks, this quirky little place attracts a good mix of locals and Westerners, has cheap snacks and beer (a large Bintang is 22,000Rp), and plenty of loungy sitting areas. It’s open-sided (so it doesn’t get too smoky) and there’s a popular quiz here every Wednesday.
reviewed
-
Bakoel Koffie
Occupying a fine old Dutch building, this is a really relaxed and atmospheric cafe, with vintage furniture, art on the walls and lots of little corners with Jakartan professionals tapping away on their laptops. Only the finest beans from Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra are used, and snacks and cakes are served.
reviewed
-
D
Bugils
Bugils (an abbreviation of Bule Gila - crazy Westerner) in Taman Ria Senayan is packed with expats. There are tables outside and a pub atmosphere inside. Dutch beer comes as standard and the pommes frites are served in little plastic containers with mayonnaise, Amsterdam-style.
reviewed
-
E
Red Square
A hip, lively and fashionable vodka bar, Red Square has floor-to-ceiling stocks of Russia’s favourite tipple. It even has a walk-in freezer for knocking back slammers. There’s hip electronic music in the early evening and harder progressive house later on.
reviewed
-
F
Taman Ismail Marzuki
TIM is Jakarta’s principal cultural centre, with a cinema, theatres (performances include Javanese dance, plays and gamelan concerts), two art galleries and several restaurants in the complex. The tourist office and listings magazines have program details.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
BB’s
Really popular with students, this scruffy multi-storeyed bar showcases emerging acoustic, blues and reggae bands. Drinks are quite reasonable, especially if you order beer by the pitcher. Friday night is the big night here; entrance is 30,000Rp.
reviewed
-
H
Cork & Screw
Seriously swanky bar-cum-restaurant with the city’s best selection of wine – just choose your vintage from the hundreds of bottles on display. As wine is very heavily taxed in Indonesia, make sure your wallet is suitably stuffed.
reviewed
-
X2
Huge upmarket club with futuristic lighting, three dance zones (house and R&B/hip hop and trance/progressive sounds) plus a cocktail lounge. Entrance is a hefty 100,000Rp on weekend nights.
reviewed
-
I
Burgundy
One of Jakarta’s most upmarket drinking haunts, with spectacularly expensive cocktails, avant-garde decor, a cigar humidor and more beautiful people than you can shake a daiquiri at.
reviewed
-
J
Retro
In the Crowne Plaza Hotel, this slick number draws a young, hip and largely clean-cut crowd at the weekends. The dancing goes on until the wee hours, which seems to suit the punters.
reviewed
-
K
Embassy
One the most respected clubs in the city, its three levels include the main room for house and R&B, and the basement for techno and tribal sounds.
reviewed
-
Nine Muses Club
Upmarket European-style bar-restaurant where the jazz artists, pianists and Latin bands draw an older crowd.
reviewed
-
L
West Pacific
Hosts indie/alternative bands and also has an extensive restaurant menu. It’s below Jaya Pub.
reviewed
-
M
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
Hosts traditional dance and theatre, as well as European classical music and dance.
reviewed
-
N
Blowfish
A very happening and exclusive bar where DJs spin the latest club tunes till late.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
O
Erasmus Huis
This cultural centre holds regular cultural events and exhibitions.
reviewed
-
P
Centro
A huge club that attracts international DJs on a regular basis.
reviewed
-
Q
BB’s
Really popular with students, this scruffy multi-storeyed bar showcases emerging acoustic, blues and reggae bands. Drinks are quite reasonable, especially if you order beer by the pitcher. Friday night is the big night here; entrance is 30,000Rp.
reviewed
-
R
Jaya Pub
This Jakarta institution has been around for more than 30 years and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Expect an older crowd and live bluesy rock performers.
reviewed