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…
Must-see nightlife in Sumatra
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…
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…
Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh’s most famous coffee house has been doing business since 1974. It’s an excellent place to try kopi sanger (coffee with condensed milk) –…
West Sumatra
Around 4km west of Bukittinggi is this tranquil cafe set in an attractive thatched building overlooking ridiculously picturesque countryside – complete…
Medan
Offering respite from the horrendous traffic is this two-storey pub with an outdoor Astroturf terrace for enjoying cocktails and cold beers (including…
Medan
Channelling a hip Jakarta rooftop bar is this vibrant open-air space that's a great spot for a balmy evening with Balinese craft beers, wine and well…
Sumatra
Jambi's finest spot for a drink is this rooftop bar atop the Aston Jambi Hotel. Enjoy fantastic city views while sipping on cocktails, beer or wine, or…
West Sumatra
De Kock has a smoky salon atmosphere that's popular with both locals and tourists who come here for beers and a mixture of Western pub food (pizzas, steak…
West Sumatra
This hip little cafe is an unexpected find along this dusty road, and makes a good place to sample local Kerinci beans. It does pour-over filter coffee as…
Sumatra
In a town where a beer isn’t always easy to find, this spot is a bit of an oasis, opening up to a smart, leafy decor where you can prop up a stool at the…
West Sumatra
Grab a beer and make yourself comfortable amid the wooden carvings and pop-culture posters and chat to the friendly youthful staff. There's a menu of…
North Sumatra
Pull up a rugged bar stool and enjoy a strong coffee (12,000Rp to 25,000Rp) and the hum of locals in conversation. There's plenty of choice, from filter…
Danau Toba
One of a handful of genuine bars in Tuk Tuk, with pool tables and occasional live bands, that gets particularly lively on weekends. Happy hour is a…
Sumatra
Comprising no more than a couple of chairs, a turntable and a cassette deck, this hipster coffee shop specialises in beans from across Sumatra. Get a…
Medan
Head up to the top floor of the Grand Swiss five-star hotel for cocktails (from 97,000Rp), beers (48,000Rp) and shimmering city views. There's live music…
West Sumatra
A great spot to grab a quick coffee for the road is this 24-hour cafe that does V60 pour-overs and espresso using local beans. It shares space with Hotel…
Bukit Lawang
For something different, check out this cafe that's built within a natural grotto, with murals on the walls and strong Gayo Aceh coffee and cheap beers…
North Sumatra
This cool little cafe plays local indie music and serves excellent coffee using beans sourced locally (and from across Indonesia), made by friendly…
Medan
With its long and glamorous list of cocktails (135,000Rp) and equally glamorous people, swanky Traders is the place to be seen in Medan. There are cold…
West Sumatra
This excellent coffee shop gives Sungai Penuh a cool, urban touch. Here you can sample quality beans from all over Sumatra and beyond, and there’s local…
Aceh
This cool little coffee roaster by the beach serves A-grade Acehnese brews along with simple food items. It rents out surfboards too (per half-day 70…
Sumatra
One of Palembang's few options for a drink is this fairly uninspired Hard Rock Cafe–style bar in the north of town. It has a stage for live music and long…
Banda Aceh
A good downtown choice for those looking for a modern cafe with air-con and wi-fi to catch up on emails, Gaster has excellent Acehnese coffee from the…
Medan
Not only does it roast its own beans, this cafe is a magnet for connoisseurs wanting to sample some of Sumatra’s best – single-origin Mandheling Arabica…
Padang
This reliable Sumatran coffee chain is a great place to sample Indonesian beans (coffee from 17,000Rp) in modern, tasteful surrounds, with the luxury of…
Padang
Teebox is a fairly tacky entertainment complex with a bar, DJs, bands, karaoke, pool tables and restaurants, but it's an option if you're looking to kick…
Medan
Street-facing but part of the Centre Point Medan complex, Healy Mac's is a typically convivial Irish bar with Guinness on tap, big servings of Western…
