Best Bars in Jakarta

This is my updated ranking of the best bars in Jakarta (2022).

Because of COVID-19, many venues have closed down, permanently or temporarily, but the majority of them are still open. Even better, I have added quite a few names here such as Caspar, Chao Chao, Holywings, and Black Pond Tavern. I'm sure there are plenty more that I forgot so don't hesitate to drop me a message/comment with your recommendations.

For more information about where to party in Jakarta, you can also read:
10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta
Jakarta Nightlife Guide
Best Beer Garden and Beer Houses in Jakarta
Best Expat Bars in Jakarta

Currently, the top bars in Jakarta are:

Basque

Basque is not the most impressive or the most beautiful bar in Jakarta, but it is the most happening at the moment.

This is especially true on Friday and Saturday when the dance floor gets so packed you can barely move a finger. On those days, there is a first-drink-charge of about IDR200,000 if you come after midnight.

Many customers are foreigners, either expats or tourists, and there are also a fair amount of Indonesian girls. Many are just office girls who want to have fun, but there are some "professional girlfriends" as well (the kind you would meet on the dating site Sugarbook.com).

The music is usually a mix of famous pop, rock and hip-hop songs.

On weekdays, from Sunday to Thursday, it is much quieter. Then, the focus is on the restaurant, which serves Spanish food from the Basque region, and Tapas. It's still fine for a drink, but don't expect a party vibe.

Instagram: Basque

Léon

Opened in early 2017, Léon is a serious competitor to Basque, but it attracts mostly rich Indonesians instead of foreigners. It actually consists of two venues:
- The main one: A massive square room with a high ceiling, a long bar and a garden, is open to anyone (as long as you dress properly)
- The second one, smaller, is a member-only speakeasy.

To enjoy Léon, it is much better to book a table ahead and to buy a few bottles.

Instagram: Léon

Henshin

This rooftop bar on top of the Westin Hotel is one of the most expensive in the city, but also one of the most classy. Superb atmosphere and view, with a fantastic service. Not too crowded, probably because of the price.

Instagram: Henshin

SKYE

The most famous rooftop in Jakarta. The view is not as good as in Cloud but the atmosphere is less "corporate/expat" and more relaxed. A must for tourists. Strict dress code in evenings: No shorts.

Instagram: SKYE

Lucy in the Sky

Lucy in the Sky started as a laid-back, unpretentious open-air café. Today it is a hip bar, rather expensive, attracting all the cool kids in the capital. Recommended if you are a 20-25 years-old hipster. Entrance fee of IDR150,000 on weekends.

Instagram: Lucy in The Sky

Loewy

Walking distance from Basque, Loewy has lost some of its customers in the past year. It is still happening though, and a great place to eat casual French food and to hang out any day of the week. If you are alone in Jakarta, the bar area is an easy place to socialize, especially with foreigners living in Mega Kuningan.

Instagram: Loewy

Caspar (Sudirman)

This Spanish restaurant is great for having a drink. It has a whisky and cigar bar in its mezzanine, as well as a garden. Late in the evening, on weekends, it turns into a club with a DJ and a packed dance floor.

Instagram: Caspar

Eastern Promise

Slowly becoming one of the oldest bars in Jakarta, EP is a hangout for the expat crowd in Kemang. Very large with several rooms (restaurant, sports bar, pool tables, beer garden with live music), it manages to be busy every night.

From the same group, you can also check their sister properties, all part of the Bugil's Group: Cazbar (Mega Kuningan), Double Doors (Puri Indah), De Hooi (Pondok Indah), and De Burse (SCBD).

Website: Bugils Group

Black Pond Tavern

This Deep South-themed bar is located inside a wooden cabin in the Maj (Senayan Golf Club). Quite unexpected for Jakarta and worth trying for those looking to experience something different.

Instagram: Black Pond Tavern

Chao Chao

This rooftop bar on top of the Alila Hotel SCBD replaced Hakkasan after it closed in 2020. It is an expensive place with only a tiny bar area. Most customers are required to book sofas (2,5M of minimum spend for 4 people). The view is ok but not exceptional. Good electronic music.

Instagram: Chao Chao

BATS and CJs

Some people prefer BATS, some people prefer CJs. Both are quite similar if not identical: They are 5-star hotel bars with imported live bands and a crowd of husbands having fun away from home. Recommended for older visitors/businessmen who are not too comfortable exploring the city. Both are very pricey. Beware as they both have many working girls inside.

Websites: BATS and CJs

Social House

The restaurant and bar Social House is not a really exceptional place, but it has such a strategic location within Grand Indonesia that I often end up there by convenience. Average food but a wide selection of drinks and wine. It is normally crowded every day. Nice view of Bunderan Hotel Indonesia.

Instagram: Social House

Cork & Screw

There are 3 Cork & Screw in Jakarta, but the only one I've been to recently is the Pacific Place's branch. This wine lounge and restaurant is possibly the busiest nightlife spot in the whole mall, even more than Hard Rock Café. Most customers are wealthy Indonesian-Chinese in large groups. You can also buy wine bottles.

Facebook: Cork & Screw

Union

Also a restaurant/café, Union is very popular with a diverse crowd, from office workers to socialites. Recommended for after-work drinks or for first-time dates (easy to find). It's better to make advance reservations as they are often full.

There are now several locations in Jakarta apart from the original branch in Senayan: In PIK Avenue, in Pondok Indah Mall and in Mall Kelapa Gading 3.

Instagram: Union

Holywings

The New Holywings Dragon Club in PIK

This is a chain of bars and clubs that you can now find everywhere in Jakarta: PIK, Epicentrum, Mega Kuningan, Kemang, Senopati, Kelapa Gaging, Senayan, etc. The full list is available here.

I don't really understand what makes them so popular. The ones I've been to were messy, with appalling service, and not even so cheap. They had average live bands (singing mostly Indonesian songs), and the air was so full of smoke that it was unbreathable.

The crowd is mostly Indonesian, middle to upper class, and young. Not many foreigners.

Instagram: Holywings Indonesia

Camden Cikini

Camden is very popular and busy almost any day of the week. They have an outside beer garden and an indoor area. Cheap prices, perfect for students or backpackers.

Instagram: Camden

Beer Hall (SCBD)

This is not my favorite bar, but I often go there because it is almost always busy. Part of the Beer Garden group, it is a bit more upmarket and more expensive. Daily live bands play a mix of Indonesian and International songs. The crowd is mostly local.

Instagram: Beerhall

Flow

Discreet but sleek lounge with large bay windows overlooking the Mega Kuningan roundabout. Popular with girls more than guys. Not too crowded but fine for chilling. DJs or live music from Wednesday to Saturday.

Instagram: Flow

McGettigans

This expat bar is part of the famous International chain of Irish bars of the same name (they also have branches in Singapore, Dubai, New York, etc). Modern, with affordable food and drinks, perfect for watching sports.

Instagram: McGettigans

J. Sparrows

J. Sparrows is a busy bar and grill in the basement of the Noble House building (the same as Basque). Nice interior design (1930s Art Deco). I recommend it for a date.

Facebook: J. Sparrow

Pao Pao

Located in Senopati, Pao Pao is a narrow restaurant (serving dim-sum) and bar (mostly whiskeys and rums). 1930's Shanghai interior design with a dim red light atmosphere. It is usually quite full with Indonesian customers.

Instagram: Pao Pao

Safehouse

Recently renovated, Safehouse is a small bar/club/restaurant catering to a small community of trendy expats and upper-class Indonesians. It used to focus on electronic music, but now they have more eclectic events (hip-hop, old school, new wave, etc). Also serves healthy food.

Instagram: The Safehouse

Paulaner Brauhaus

The famous German restaurant is just above Social House in Grand Indonesia Mall. Live music every night and the famous Paulaner beer on tap.

Website: Paulaner Brauhaus

Bluegrass

Popular steakhouse with a long bar. Quite many foreigners as it is centrally located near Epicentrum mall.

Instagram: Bluegrass

Beer Garden

A group of affordable beer gardens with 3 locations in Jakarta: Radio Dalam, Kemang and SCBD. Usually, they are happening every night.

Because of COVID-19, the branches in Radio Dalam and Kemang are now closed.

Instagram: Beer Garden

Queen's Head

One of the best venues in Kemang to have drinks. Beautiful design, delicious food and an interesting crowd.

Facebook: Queen's Head

Liquid Exchange

The closest bar from the Taman Rasuna apartment complex (at least 18 towers), it is generally busy all week long. Indoor and outdoor area. Nothing special but good enough for an affordable drink while watching sports or listening to live music. Same owner as the expat bar Aphrodite (200 meters away).

Instagram: Liquid Exchange

Halfway

From the same owner behind Camden, this is another student bar with very cheap prices (IDR25,000 for a beer during happy hour from 5 PM to 8 PM). Cheerful, yet messy, atmosphere. Located in Gandaria.

Instagram: Halfway (they also have a branch in Puri Indah now).

Hard Rock Café

The Hard Rock Café in Jakarta is just outside the mall Pacific Place, 50 meters from the main entrance. It looks modern and it is spacious, with a large stage for bands to perform. Not as packed as the Balinese branch, especially during weekdays, and a bit touristy (popular with out-of-town Indonesians).

Instagram: Hard Rock Café

Mixology

If you are in PIK, Mixology is one of the most happening bars in the area. It serves Soju, which is popular among the young Indo-Chinese community in Jakarta. Not suitable if you come alone, bring at least a friend.

Instagram: Mixology

Melly's Garden

This giant beer garden in Menteng (walking distance from Jalan Jaksa) is an all-time favorite of middle-class Indonesians, young or not, who enjoy the daily live music and the cheap prices. Number one bar for backpackers in Jakarta.

Instagram: Melly's Garden

Greyhound

Part of the Arena group (Seribu Rasa, Penang Bistro, Hacienda), Greyhound is a fusion Thai/Western café centrally located in Grand Indonesia. During daytime, it is a perfect hangout spot to meet friends while in the evening, it is more like a stylish lounge, ideal for a date.

They now also have a branch in Gunawarman.

Instagram: @greyhoundcafe.id

Cloud Lounge (Currently closed)

Another rooftop near SKYE in the Plaza Building (Plaza Indonesia). It is conveniently located in the heart of the city and it offers fantastic views of Jakarta by day or by night. Below Cloud, you'll find some chic but expensive restaurants (Gaia, Salt Grill, etc). It used to be my favorite bar but it has become a bit touristy and their prices have jumped 30% last year.

Facebook: Cloud

Prohibition (Temporarily Closed)

The original 1930s' speakeasy bar in Jakarta. It has a secret entrance leading to an intimate bar with live jazz every night. Great atmosphere.

Instagram: Prohibition Jakarta

The Dutch (Temporarily Closed)

Owned by the same people behind Union, The Dutch is a restaurant specializing in cold cuts and sausages. After 10 PM, the music gets louder and you start to see a crowd of drinkers at the bar. Live music on Friday.

Instagram: The Dutch

Lola (Temporarily Closed)

Underground speakeasy bar with a hipster theme (if that's a thing). Young, artsy crowd. Busy only when they have events.

Website: Lola

Proof (Temporarily Closed)

Another elite speakeasy bar with live music and a hidden entrance. Next to the Senayan Golf Course.

Instagram: Proof

Aphrodite (Temporarily Closed)

An expat bar near Taman Rasuna. Dozens of TV screens on which you can catch any sporting events. Pool tables. Good value Western food.

Facebook: Aphrodite

Vin + (Temporarily Closed)

A group of wine lounges with four locations in Kemang, Senayan, Central Park and Pondok Indah. It never gets crazy but it is fine for sharing a few bottles of wine with a group of friends.

Instagram: Vin +

Motion Blue (Closed Temporarily)

Jazz bar featuring different artists every week. Entrance fee around IDR150,000 inclusive of one drink. Check their Facebook for the updated event schedule.

Facebook: Motion Blue

Burgundy (Temporarily Closed)

The Burgundy bar in the Hyatt Hotel (Plaza Indonesia) is generally quiet, but I really enjoy it simply to look at the view of Thamrin/Sudirman. Live low-key music.

Website: Burgundy

Parc 19 (Temporarily closed)

Same owner as Léon, Parc19 is a restaurant and bar in Kemang with live music or DJs depending on the day of the week. I find it expensive.

Instagram: Parc19

Missing a Bar?

If you think a bar should be included here, please drop me a comment and I will visit the place (if I haven't done it already).

Photo source: All of them were taken from the Facebook/Instagram of the venues mentioned. If you want one to be removed, just ask me!

Post Tags:

Bar/Lounge Indonesia Nightlife Jakarta Nightlife