Artoz Whisky and Cognac Bar (Jakarta)
By
Tibs
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Artoz is a whisky bar/lounge located in the Energy Building in SCBD. It replaced Marley's Bar which closed down a while ago. It claims to be the largest collection of Whisky and Cognac in Jakarta, but I am not sure it is true as I believe there is quite an extensive spirit menu in Nip & Dram as well. I visited Artoz during Ramadan, probably not the best time to do so and unsurprisingly it was empty. Artoz is similar with Nip and Dram actually, both in terms of concept, size and setting: You have comfortable leather sofas and chairs spread across a windowless room, with a bar on on side and a live music stage on the other one. The main difference I saw is that Artoz is not as dark and it seems they don't have those crazy minimum spend amounts. The prices are pretty steep still, about USD15 for a standard cocktail. You are also given the menu of the French Restaurant Amuz , which belong to the same person (Chef Gilles Marx, also behind Auroz).
Expensive drinks (Beer = Rp 60k), but classy bar with live music everyday (including Jazz ) and businessmen talking. Not a hotspot of Jakarta nightlife and rather quiet, it attracts the capital's most upmarket crowd. Definitely not a girls' bar comparing with BATS in Shangri La hotel or CJs bar in Hotel Mulia, but unexpected meetings are not impossible since some rich, older indonesian women come here. There are a few working girls as well that always hang out in Burgundy and I suppose they are up for grab. Awesome view on Plaza Indonesia, making the experience quite enjoyable.
Eastern Promise is a friendly, laid-back expat pub with several rooms, each with a particular atmosphere. You have a quiet bar in the entrance, then a dining room for eating British and Indian food , and in the back a beer garden with live music for partying. Also on the side, a billiard/darts room, and a sports-watching room. Eastern Promise is usually very crowded, especially on weekends, with a lot of expatriates mostly above 35.
Shanghai Blue 1920 is a chic restaurant and bar owned by the Tugu Group, who possesses various hotels and restaurants in Indonesia. The objective of the bar is to bring you back to the golden era of Shanghai (apparently in 1920 was the time to be there…). I give a 10/10 for the settings, really beautiful and impressing. The food is a mix of Chinese , Betawi and Peranakan, that of the first Chinese migrants who came to Indonesia. It is excellent and creative, but very expensive: At least Rp. 150,000 per person with wine. There is a live band playing old jazz tunes almost every evening, with a focus on Mandarin Jazz. Occasionally, you also have guest singers and musicians. You can check their website for more information.