Jakarta Nightlife

Where to Go after Dark in Jakarta

Although the country is predominantly Muslim, there is no shortage of nightlife and entertainment. As you might expect, the city’s five-star hotels feature upscale nightclubs and wine bars, where live entertainment accompanies immaculately put-together drinks. These include the ‘Fountain Lounge’ at the Grand Hyatt. Like Bangkok, Jakarta offers, or some would say suffers from a juxtaposition of upscale establishments and venues laced with sleaze and a dash of sauciness.

Tourists can be found knocking back beers in Bintang in one of the cafés at the Jalan Jaksa, a popular choice due to its chilled-out ambience and appealing prices. Kenanag is considered to be a fashionable area favoured by trendy young professionals and media types. Ancol offers a beach-bar like setting, a welcome respite from the chaos of the city. Kota is a district you will either avoid at all costs or go out of your way to discover on your first evening in town – the equivalent of Bangkok’s, Patpong… it’s a tad seedy to say the least.

Jakarta has a huge concentration of live music venues, with grunge, jazz, ballads classic rock and soul bands. 

Blok M, South Jakarta

D's Place Disco

Less developed and modern than other areas of Jakarta, Blok M is home to the city’s biggest bus terminus, thus easily accessed. Due to the low rents in the area, there are favourable prices for drinking and eating here. Popular with backpackers and those looking for a cheap night out, the vivacious area basically revolves around Falatehan Street, where there are many venues.

To say that this area is relatively lawless might be an exaggeration but this is definitely the place to go if you like to drink until the sun comes up. Situated near Kebayoran Baru, finding Blok M is easy as almost every cab driver knows it.  For a more off-the-beaten-track experience head a few blocks down to Jl. Melawai 6 (opposite Plaza Blok M), Jakarta's de-facto Little Japan with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke joints.

Kota

Kota is home to Chinatown and is also known as Old Jakarta and Batavia, it spans both North and West Jakarta. This part of the city is host to a motley assortment of nightclubs, and is the area you are most likely to find Indonesia’s ‘ayams’ (prostitutes). There are a handful of good clubs with spacious dance floors where you can dance the night away to some of the best DJs in town while experiencing some obscure social encounters. However, the area does not revolve solely around vice; it is atmospheric and something to try, survive, and live to tell the tale.

Stadium

One of the most famous, biggest and popular clubs in Jakarta, this is the place to head for international DJ and a loved-up crowd.
Address: Hayam Wuruk 111 FF, GG, HH, II JJ, West Jakarta

Golden Crown

Popular with Indonesians, this club has one huge Techno Kota room and a lounge with live music and house/progressive DJ. Expect a mixed crowd and the usual madness you would get from an up-tempo club in Asia.
Address: Glodok Plaza 5th-9th FL, Pinangsia Raya St., Pinangsia Village

Ancol, North Jakarta

Ancol is popular with tourists and expats for its serene location and resort-like atmosphere. Fairly contained by day, Ancol is Indonesia’s largest and most frequented recreation park and by night it doubles as a charming nightlife spot. A million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city, the sea breeze and zesty cocktails accompanied by the sound of live music make this a unique find in Jakarta and understandably a popular one.

Plaza Indonesia's EX annex

One of the most popular nightlife areas with locals, tourists and expats, it is something of a commercial zone, where you will find a broad range of imported beers and spirits, so expect higher prices. Situated in the very centre of Jakarta, this is the place to head for controlled nightlife and a relatively tame crowd but it's nonetheless a great place for a night out. The area comprises nightclubs, bars and pubs and is considered to be the haunt of the Indonesian young, rich and beautiful. To sum up; expect a cosmopolitan crowd in ultra-modern surroundings.

Address: Jl. MH Thamrin No. 28-30 (Right by the Grand Hyatt, Central Jakarta)

Emporium

Comprising a spa, disco and karaoke, this is a good place to head with a group. Great service and an upbeat ambience make it a popular choice. 

The Hard Rock Café

More than just a burger joint, this place is packed out with revelers on a weekend. Live entertainment and a vast assortment of drinks make it Party Central come Friday evening.

Kemang

Reminiscent of Bali’s Kuta Beach, the area is formed by a myriad of unique galleries, funky bars playing live music, chilled out people and trendy shops selling various clothing options. It has an extremely original air to it and is best described at being an 'outside-the-metropolis' experience. The price range here is reasonable and the crowd are decidedly friendly, definitely an area to check out for those searching for a cool experience amongst both locals and tourists. The area is favoured by Jakarta’s arty types and is similar to Greenwich Village in New York.

Barcode

A funky club, with an interesting approach to design. The venue features an open-air kitchen and great DJ’s, who play on to the early hours.
Address: Jalan Kemang Raya No.8 3rd Floor

Café Amor

Open 24 hours a day, this place has a relaxed ambience and reasonably priced wine. Perfect for sitting back and listening to the chilled tunes while testing out the varied food and drink options.
Address: Jl. Kemang Raya No. 67

Salsa Club

A great place to learn or practice your salsa moves. Friendly and lively, the venue has one of the best atmospheres in the city.
Address: Jl. Kemang Raya No. 10A

Theatre

Jakarta maintains its love of performing arts through various street and stage performances and this is a great way to understand the cultural dynamics of the city and explore the cultural evolution of the metropolis. Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Cener and the Bharata Theatre are two of the most famous venues.  We highly recommend that you check out some of Indonesia’s theatre, it is one of the best in Asia.

The Bharata

Address: Jl. Kalilio 15 Jakarta 10410 Central Jakarta
Tel: (62 21) 692 9560, Fax: (62 21) 692 9560
email: bharata@angelfire.com

Jakarta Arts Center

Address: Jl. Gedung Kesenian 1, Pasar Baru, Jakarta 10170 Central Jakarta
Tel: (62 21) 380 82 83; 344 1892

Live music

Bats at the Shangri La Hotel

Live music plays a huge part in Indonesian cultural life so expect it at every turn. Both locals and the migrant population have a penchant for performing and they do it very well too. There are a huge number of bars, restaurants and venues solely for the purpose of live music, with blues, jazz, grunge, soul, pop and traditional music. Here are a few of many, which we recommend you venture out to.

Bats

The Shangri La Hotel – Showcasing imported bands from across the globe, guests can wine and dine and then dance off the excess. A popular joint, especially on weekends it usually gets going about 21:30.
Address: Kota BNI, JL. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1, Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Tel: (62 21) 570 7440

Oreilys

The Grand Hyatt – Originally a venue for foreign bands, now you can catch the best of the local talent here. What really shines about this venue is the lively atmosphere and you will be hard pushed to see the actual dance floor once things get into swing.
Address: Jalan M. H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30, Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 390 1234   

Hard Rock Café

Bands playing the old classics and some modern numbers for good measure play on a nightly basis. Always lively and in the midst of a party – definitely worth checking out.
Address: Plaza Indonesia - Entertainment X'nter, Jl. MH. Thamrin Kav. 13, Unit L2#EX-07
Jakarta 10350

Jamz Jazz Club

The Aston Hotel

One of Jakarta's  premier jazz lounges, the venue for some of the world's top jazz musicians and a great place to eat and drink, any night of the week.
Address: JL Garnisun Dala, Jakarta South
Tel: +62 21 251 5151

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