De Leila (Arabic Nightclub) - FX Sudirman
By
Tibs
→
De Leila is an Arabic nightclub located on the 8th floor of FX Sudirman. It is a popular party spot for tourists from the Middle East and particularly Saudis, Qatari and Emiratis. You have a few other nationalities such as Egyptians, Iranians, Turkish and Omanis. Even though most customers are Muslims, alcohol is served. The new De Leila was opened in 2015 (the previous one was on Jalan Gatot Subroto). It is still partly owned by the Ahmad Fahmy family (also behind Tanamur ). It is now more modern and spacious, with an upmarket feel. I have to warn you though that is a place of prostitution, with at least 50 freelance working girls from Indonesia, China, and Morocco. The music in De Leila is Arabic, either from their live band or from the DJ. It is best to book a sofa so you can enjoy the show with the best possible view. You can order shisha as well. There is also a mezzanine with pool tables and a smaller bar area. The entrance fee is Rp150,000 and it incl
Masters Sports Bar and Restaurant is located on the ground floor of Bellagio Mall in Mega Kuningan. The place looks unassuming from the outside and you may have already walked past without noticing it. Should you decide to step inside, you'll be surprised to find a spacious 350m2 area with a long wooden bar, a 50-seat dining area, 2 professional electronic dart boards and 5 full-size tournament pool tables. Unlike the trendy venues nearby like Loewy or Basque, Masters has a much more laid-back atmosphere, perfect if you are looking for a quiet place to chill after work. Later in the evening, it gets a bit more loud and busy, especially on Friday and Saturday as they have a live band. It is one of the few dedicated sports bars in Jakarta and it features at least 8 different TVs, including two massive HD projector screens near the entrance. It must be among the largest ones I've seen anywhere in Asia. If there is any live sports event in the world, you are prett
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub opened in August 2012 on the ground floor of Plaza Arcadia Senayan. It is one of two authentic Irish bars in Jakarta, the other one being Murphy's in Kemang (same owners actually). Molly’s is divided into two separate sections, a traditional Irish pub and a live music venue Overall: With its location one floor below the infamous Red Square, it is ideal to kick start your weekend. There also have three comfortable VIP booths available to rent if you want a semi private area to enjoy the live music and soak up the party atmosphere.
Afterhour is a famous pool-themed bar opened in Jakarta in 2001. Similar in the concept with Score or La Forca , you have quality tables and quite a lot of special events that make it a popular venue for playing pool as much as for hanging out with friends. You have a DJ every night so if you are not used to it, beware because it can be quite loud and disturbing while playing. Afterhour is more expensive than the average pool venues in Jakarta, especially the drinks at the bar.
Face Bar, part of the Face group, is one of the oldest bars in Jakarta. It is still popular, especially with expats and tourists, in spite of being expensive and even though dozens of similar lounges have opened all around the city. The secret of Face Bar is undoubtedly its interior design, which combines old antiques with more contemporary paintings and sculptures. It is quite small, and there are always some regulars, in particular foreign journalists. There is a pool table too but it is rarely used. There are two fine dining restaurants in the same building, each one with a theme: Lan Na Tai (Thai food) and Hazara (Indian cuisine, reviewed on this blog here ) Face bar is usually a recommended nightlife spot by many magazines/websites about Jakarta. Myself, I like to take my friends there when they come to Jakarta, because it is the kind of venue that would be popular in Europe. Don't expect something very happening though, it is a bar to chill and relax, not to party.
Fez is a popular expat bar in Kemang, owned by the same people behind Aphrodite . It is usually quite crowded, especially during sporting events. As in Aphrodite , you have some decent food (for around Rp100,000 a meal), and always a few pretty girls. You can check the food here: Menu Fez Kemang . You also have two pool tables. It is not my favourite in Kemang (I prefer Murphy's or Eastern Promises ), but still a good venue. Price for one small Heineken: Rp50,000 with taxes. Opening hours: Everyday, from 3pm to 2am (3am on weekends)
After 8 years living in Jakarta, I finally visited Jaya Pub, the oldest expat bar in the city (since 1976). It is really a shame I never came before because the place would have deserved a review on this blog a long time ago. Owned by Rima Melati and her husband (also behind Le Bistro and La Bodega), Jaya Pub looks like a survivor. Not only has it been around for 35 years, it also hasn't changed during that time: Toto for instance, one of their employees, has been working here since the beginning. He is now 70 years-old, probably the oldest bartender in Jakarta. The decoration is nothing but the accumulation of all the souvenirs and photos gathered over time. You cannot help but feel nostalgic in Jaya Pub, especially if you've been an expat for a while already.
Kemang had the reputation of being a place for high school kids, but with more pubs and expat hangouts opening, it is no longer true.
Old-style expat bar, one of the most popular in South Jakarta with De Hooi . Very similar actually but a little less funky in my opinion. Food is ok, mostly greasy/hard to digest stuff. Good atmosphere with many loyal customers playing pool or watching sports. There is live acoustic music on Wednesdays and Fridays. No more ladies night though.
Star Deli is a popular venue for snacks and beer in Kemang, with a Hollywood theme. American owned and American food (burgers, sandwiches, etc.). You'll notice that they usually hire friendly and sexy waitresses... Recommended for an easy-going early night out. It is also a good place to meet other expats. They have a pool table as well and live music on weekend nights (Top 40). Prices are more expensive than the average for Kemang, but still reasonable: Around Rp30,000 for beer and Rp50,000 for hard drink. Happy hours from 5pm to 7pm. Open every day.