Must-see nightlife in Indonesia

  • Omnia

    Bukit Peninsula

    Perched at the base of the Bukit peninsula, Bali's hottest new day club is home to seekers of sunshine-fuelled revelry and house and hip-hop beats. The…

  • Bat & Arrow

    Padang

    Overlooking the river in the colonial quarter, this sprawling, graffiti-splattered 'ruin pub' feels a bit like a bombed-out building, but instead is…

  • Night Rooster

    Ubud

    From the same folks at Locavore, this neighbouring, 2nd-storey cocktail bar has a talented mixologist and some fascinating flavour combos. Inventive…

  • Tanamera Coffee

    South Jakarta

    A real contender for Jakarta's best cup of coffee is this third-wave roaster that offers a range of single-origin beans from around Indonesia. It now has…

  • Loewy

    South Jakarta

    One for those who take their booze seriously is this classy French bistro with a long bar you can prop yourself up at to order from a pleasing, ever…

  • Filosofi Kopi

    South Jakarta

    Immortalised by the Indonesian coffee-lover's movie Filosofi Kopi (the film itself was shot here), this busy cafe does a range of local coffees prepared…

  • La Laguna

    Canggu

    A sibling of Seminyak's La Favela, La Laguna is one of Bali's most alluring bars. It combines a beatnik look with Moorish trappings and sparkling tiny…

  • Acaraki

    Jakarta

    Hidden in a renovated building near Taman Fatahillah, Acaraki is the coolest cafe in the area. It's decorated with exposed brickwork and an enormous…

  • Sweet Orange Warung

    Ubud

    An idyllic location in the midst of a rice field a short walk from the centre of town makes this a wonderful spot for a drink or simple meal. You'll be…

  • Awan

    Jalan Jaksa Area

    Set on the top floor of Kosenda Hotel, this lovely rooftop garden bar manages to be both understated and dramatic. There's a vertical garden, ample tree…

  • Bamboo Beach Café

    West Java

    This old favourite has upped sticks and moved further along the beach (alongside a number of other warungs), but the beach-bum vibe and sunset sea views…

  • Sky Garden & Lounge

    Riau

    Escape Pekanbaru's grind and head up to the top of Sumatra's tallest building to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail with 360-degree city views. Its outdoor bar…

  • Hero Coffee

    Semarang

    This delightful cafe is one of several popping up in the old city area. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial terrace, with a pink awning and wrought…

  • Bridges

    Ubud

    The namesake bridges are right outside the Divine Wine & Cocktail Bar on the lower level of this bar/restaurant complex, which has sweeping views of the…

  • Dragonfly

    South Jakarta

    In the most unlikely of locations (the lobby of an office building), you'll find this top stop for visiting DJs to Jakarta. Lights are projected onto…

  • Double-Six Rooftop

    Kuta & Legian

    An infinity pool, suave lounges, a commanding location and tiki torches: this ostentatious bar above the Double-Six hotel could be the villain's lair from…

  • Brother Hood

    Gili Meno

    Part educational hub promoting a cleaner island through garbage pick-ups (each Sunday at 3.30pm) and part workshop where you can learn to make…

  • Colosseum Club

    Jakarta

    Next to the 1001 Hotel, this vast club with a huge dance floor and a 16m-high roof is the venue for what's easily one of the most impressive lighting…

  • Mrs Sippy

    Kerobokan

    This Mediterranean-style beach club pretty much has it all – booze, international DJs, a saltwater swimming pool and three levels of diving platforms. It…

  • Omang Omang

    Padangbai

    A loyal crew of Omangsters (regulars) joins a constant stream of blow-ins at this friendly eatery, bar and live-music venue. Nosh on toasties, tacos,…

  • Jenja

    Kuta & Legian

    A very slick, high-concept nightclub in the TS Suites hotel, spread over several levels. DJs rev it up with disco, R&B, funk, soul and techno. The crowd…

  • Bhineka Djaja

    Denpasar

    Home to Bali's Coffee Co, this storefront sells locally grown beans and makes a mean espresso, which you can enjoy at the two tiny tables while watching…

  • Velvet

    Kuta & Legian

    The sunset views can't be beat at this large terrace bar and cafe at the beach end of the Beachwalk mall. It morphs into a club after 10pm Wednesday to…

  • Wiki Koffee

    Bandung

    The best place for coffee on Jl Braga is this smoky cafe set in a restored old storefront and tastefully decorated with vintage furniture, art and fresh…

  • Sibu-Sibu

    Pulau Ambon

    Local heroes and stars of screen and song deck the walls of this ever-popular coffee shop and bar, which plays live Malukan and Hawaiian music while…

  • The Bus

    South Lombok

    Great tunes, colourful graffiti art and fab pizzas make this a must-visit come nightfall. Sit on pallet furniture in a rocky patch of central Kuta and let…

  • Kece Cafe

    West Kalimantan

    One of a line of open-fronted cafes opposte My Home hotel, Kece is also one of the only places in Sintang where you can legally get a cold beer. There's…

  • People's Place

    Kalimantan

    With 270 degrees of floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air porch overlooking the river and mosque, this is the best hang-out in town. Cold beer, Western…

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    Cloud Lounge

    Jakarta

    Gourmet bites in a decadent dining room, flaming cocktails, an indoor-outdoor lounge with views of the entire city from the 49th floor of the Plaza tower …

  • Le Pirate

    Labuan Bajo

    This colourful 1st-floor bar is a popular space for a drink after a day on the water. There's live music (8pm to 10pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) and…

  • Immigrant

    Jakarta

    By day this is a stylish art deco dining lounge high atop the trendy Plaza Indonesia mall. At night, the adjacent club serves crafted cocktails and…

  • One Fifteenth Coffee

    Jakarta

    Set in a stylish space within an attractive heritage house, this contemporary cafe is named in tribute to the ideal coffee-to-water ratio. It was one of…

  • Agenda

    Yogyakarta

    This Berlin-inspired bar has relocated from its former hip hotel rooftop location to this equally cool industrial space with atrium roof and concrete wall…

  • One Fifteenth Coffee

    South Jakarta

    This Indonesian Barista Championship–winning small chain, named after the perfect water-to-coffee ratio, is known for its minimalist style and exceptional…

  • Edu Coffee

    Sumatra

    One for coffee aficionados, Edu Coffee is a microroastery that sources arabica beans locally as well as from across the archipelago. It has all the tools…

  • La Favela

    Seminyak

    An alluring, mysterious entry seduces you into full bohemian flair at South Bali's most popular nightspot. Themed rooms lead you on a confounding tour…

  • St Ali Jakarta

    South Jakarta

    Getting onboard South Jakarta's burgeoning third-wave coffee scene is acclaimed Melbourne roaster St Ali. As well as Indonesian coffees, it does African…

  • Paradise Bar

    Labuan Bajo

    'Come to Paradise' is a common phrase in Bajo, referring to the bar-slash-nightclub famed for sea and sunset views. It's a preposterously lovely place for…

  • Potato Head

    Kerobokan

    Bali's highest-profile beach club is one of the best. Wander up off the sand or follow a long drive off Jl Petitenget and you’ll find much to amuse, from…

  • De'Flo Cafe & Ole-Ole

    Labuan Bajo

    Owned and operated by enthusiastic university graduates from Jakarta, this tranquil coffee shop a level down from Tree Top is the best place in Bajo for a…

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