Boca Rica Tapas Bar & Lounge (Jakarta)
By
Tibs
→
Boca Rica is an upper-class restaurant/bar/club located on the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel , which is inside Mangkuluhur City. The latter is a high-end mixed-use complex belonging to Tommy Soeharto and named after his son, Darma Mangkuluhur Hutomo (who happens to be the owner of Boca Rica). Since its opening at the end of 2018, it has become one of the hotspots of Jakarta nightlife. Its crowd is a mix between that of Léon (high-class, socialites, celebrities) and that of Basque (expats, travelers, businessmen). Because the entrance is free on most nights, it has also attracted a younger crowd who can't afford more established clubs like Dragonfly or Blowfish. I haven't tried the restaurant, so I won't comment on that. I just know that it serves a Spanish-inspired menu with around 20 types of Tapas (costing between IDR 75,000 and IDR 250,000 each). They also have the usual burgers, grilled chicken, steaks and fish. Drinks are pricey, like everyw
Note: I wrote this review 10 years ago but it is still up-to-date! Everybody was telling me about a place called "Louis" in Mega Kuningan, but I couldn't find where it was or what it was. It took me two months to realize that people were actually talking about Loewy, that you should pronounce like Loui (English speakers) or Louis (French speakers). Loewy is a retro-chic French bistro, with a cosmopolitan vibe: Half the customers are foreigners, and the other half Indonesians, usually between 30 and 45 years-old. Most of them are from the upper-class. It is owned by some of the folks behind Potato Head , from which they took the idea to partially open the restaurant to the air. This is quite bold for Jakarta, and you may feel hot inside when it is packed. Since it opened in 2008, Loewy has always been a happening venue, anytime of the day. People go there for lunch, for brunches, for an after-work drink, and finally to party. They have decent European food (i
Update Dec 2016: Lucy has been renovated due to noise complaints from neighbors. It is now covered by a large glass building (as in the first photo above). It looks more upmarket than before but it is still popular with the same crowd (young, trendy Jakartans). Located near Jalan Sudirman, in Fairgrounds (ex- Bengkel ), Lucy In The Sky is a rooftop restaurant/bar with an open-air garden terrace and a laid-back, close-to-nature atmosphere. It is probably partially owned by Tommy Winata, the ex owner of Bengkel and owner of the land of SCBD. The location of LITS is probably its best assets as it gives the feeling of escaping the city. Though in the heart of Jakarta's business district, it is surrounded with plants and flowers, which makes it relaxing, and a perfect spot to look at the skyscrapers around. Similar ambiance than SHY Rooftop but less expensive (80k for main dish) and with a better view.
Basque is one of the most happening new restaurants/bars to open so far this year in Jakarta. It is a Spanish restaurant / Tapas bar with a great design, good food and a trendy feel. Currently, I see that more and more expats are hanging out there instead of Loewy. It is a good pick-up place for girls also. The location on the 8th floor of Noble House offers a nice view on the surrounding buildings of Mega Kuningan. The food is not so expensive, you can get a decent meal for less than Rp200,000. It is open every day for lunch and dinner. After 11pm, they generally turn up the volume and it turns into a bar. The music is a mix of popular songs from the past 20 years. Basque Bar de Tapas - Spanish Restaurant 8th Floor, Noble House Building, Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta 12950 Phone number: +62 (0) 21 2978 3111-12 Website: http://basquejkt.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasqueJakarta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basquejkt/
Bluegrass Bar & Grill is located next to Epicentrum Mall, off Rasuna Said street. A good place to meet other expats, it became popular quite rapidly after opening and it still is. The food is American: Steaks, ribs, burgers, wings, nachos, etc... Hip atmosphere, on the expensive side (similar with other venues like Union , Loewy , etc..). Surprisingly, I realized that there wasn't such a big offer in Jakarta for this type of food for those who expect a stylish design and decent quality. Along with the 24-meter bar, I think this is what explains part of the success of Bluegrass. On the minus side, the service could be greatly improved, and in particular the friendliness of staff. Overall: I recommend a visit once in a while for a casual, after-work eat. It is a good place to bring a date. Update 2014: The new Bluegrass has opened, with a slightly different address inside the Bakrie Tower. It looks nicer than before I think and the service has improved! I'm c
Blowfish is one of the most popular club among the Jakarta elite, with Dragonfly and now Immigrant , and a classic of Jakarta's nightlife. Lots of Chinese people, some expats as well, and many beautiful girls with expensive dresses and perfect hair. It's glam until 3am, then everybody is drunk. It seems most people don't really go to Blowfish to have fun, but rather to be seen, a glass of Champagne (mixed with Sprite to make it more sweet) in the hand. The music is good though, usually Rnb and on weekends it's always crowded. The club has foreign DJs regularly, and good ones, making it a very happening night club. Apart from the bar and the club, there is an excellent italian restaurant , Puro, with a modern but expensive Italian menu.. It is owned by Ismaya group, who's also behind Dragonfly, Sushigroove, Social House and the future Ministry of Sound Jakarta . You can check their website for all events related to this nightlife spots: Ismaya Group Indonesia
Cork & Screw is one of the most popular lounges and restaurants in Jakarta. There are currently two locations in the city, one in Wisma Kodel, and a smaller one in Plaza Indonesia. Though their food is very average for the price, they are trendy places to have a drink, in particular wines. They have a large collection of bottles coming from Vin+ shops, most of them around Rp300k/400k. That's about twice as expensive as in Europe but unfortunately, this is the norm in Jakarta. Overall, I do not recommend Cork & Screw for eating, but you can share a bottle of wine with a few friends. It is quite busy so you may also want to book your table.
Updated 2019: Social House is currently under renovation. In the meantime, you can check Paulaner Brauhaus which is just one floor above. Social House is a restaurant and bar with a nice view of Plaza Indonesia's roundabout. The atmosphere is supposed to be the feel-like-home type, but it is actually one of the hippest venues in Jakarta, so you don't feel that comfortable. Many celebrities and models come here, literally dozens of them on any weekend night. I tasted the pizza there and it was not worth what I paid for it: It was very small and not well-cooked. Drinks are very expensive as well.
Opened at the beginning of July 2011, Union is the most happening bar in Jakarta at the time of writing. The owners are also behind Loewy and Cork and Screw , and they haven't changed their concept: Union has a retro setting, serves expensive "chic" food (but with average taste) and its atmosphere is both cosmopolitan and busy. The best thing about it is actually its location, with a view on the Plaza Senayan Courtyard, which I find quite unique in Jakarta: I visited on a Thursday afternoon, and it was so full that we had to wait about 10 minutes to get a table. The waiter was friendly, but visibly overwhelmed and still new to the job, which is normal only a few days after opening. The menu has something for everyone: Burgers (one of them with foie gras, yuk!), pastas, grilled meat, asian favourites, etc... Nothing very original. The prices are quite high: On average, a meal will cost you around Rp150,000k without drinks.
Update 2018: X2 is now closed. They will reopen shortly with a new name and new concept. Check their Instagram for more information: https://www.instagram.com/x2clubjakarta/ This review about X2 was updated in July 2011: The X2 club is South Jakarta's biggest night club complex, featuring in the same building one restaurant and four different party areas, each with a different theme and a different music. To me it is a more acceptable version of Kota’s big one-stop entertainment nightclubs, without the naughty side, but with the very same all-in-one concept and the same appeal among Indonesians. It is owned by the Lifestyle Unlimited Group, also the owner of the clubs Vertigo and X-Lounge (now closed), of the karaoke X-KTV, and of the restaurants Shabu Tei and Charcoal.