Cazbar (Mega Kuningan)
By
The Jakarta Team
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Cazbar is a long-standing expat hangout in Mega Kuningan. If you are a newcomer in the city, above your thirties, you may want to try going there to meet other people. It isn't as busy as it used to be, but there are many regulars who come for the laidback atmosphere, the friendly waitresses, and the decent pub food. Also quite many Indonesians among the customers. Upstairs of Cazbar, there is a area dedicated to watching sports, with mainly (each time I go there), English Premier League + Rugby. The bar also have free wifi and some imported newspaper titles.
Indonesians are really crazy about sports, and particularly football and MotoGP racing. Even in remote locations, you will meet taxi drivers and shopkeepers who know about your favorite team more than you do. Most of all, they love to cheer together or "nonton bareng" as they call it. This is why you will find at least a TV with sports in almost every bar in Jakarta (and even inside nightclubs sometimes). If you are interested in watching sports that are more popular among the expat crowd (Rugby, AFL, NFL, NBA, MLB, etc...), it is probably best to visit a proper sports bar. There are several in the city, many of which are located in the South (Kemang, Mega Kuningan). My 6 favourite venues for watching sports in Jakarta are the following: Masters Sports Bar (Bellagio Mall) Opened in 2015, Masters is one of the newest sports bars in Jakarta. It is owned by a group of expats (and one Indonesian) that you are likely to meet at their bar on weekend nights.
McGettigan's is a brand-new Irish pub and sports bar that had its grand opening on May 16th, 2017. Located in Mega Kuningan, in the basement of Menara BTPN, it is part of a larger group with 17 locations around the world (including Dubai , Singapore, New York, and of course Ireland - see more here: McGettigan's ). I had a chance to visit it a few weeks before their official opening on a Saturday night and what I saw looked promising. McGettigan's is easy to find, just across the road from the Ritz-Carlton, and walking distance from famous bars like Loewy or Basque. It is in a business district so it gets particularly busy for lunch and after office hours. It is built on one spacious floor, with several distinct spaces for customers to sit down: On the left corner, a quiet dining area with private booths and tables. In the back, a long and elegant bar that serves 9 kinds of draught beer. In the center, several high tables and chairs for more casual m
Just in time for the beginning of the Euro 2016, the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta has opened a sports bar within the famous B.A.T.S . The new venue is located right after the entrance, before you walk down the stairs to the live music area. It is laid-back, ideal if you want to have some beers in a more quiet atmosphere. They also serve some popular foods such as French Baguette, Pizza Margarita, Turkish Kebab, German Bratwurst or Fish & Chips. The most important games are displayed on a large screen by an LCD projector, while less important ones are on TV. There is also a pool table and a foosball table. June will obviously be focused on football/soccer games of the Euro 2016. You can also expect to watch NFL, AFL, NBA, MLB, Rugby, the Olympic Games, Formula One, Moto GP, etc when a special event will be scheduled.
An excellent bar, De Hooi was not in our listing until now only because it is located a bit far from the center, in Pondok Indah, where we seldom venture. In this part of town however, it is easily the most popular and the most happening bar, attracting a good mix of both expats and locals, in an easy going and welcoming atmosphere. Many regular customer crowd the bar and it seems like most patrons know each other already.. Live music , free-wifi, and a good menu featuring American, Indian, Dutch, Indonesian food (you can take a look at it here: De Hooi menu part 1 , part 2 , part 3 , they do delivery). If you live in Pondok Indah, this is the place where you want to go to have fun.
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.
Oh la la... Cilandak !! This is very far for us... but I’ve heard it’s a friendly place, with good, affordable food, pool table, beer garden and sports on TV. Very functional then, very not-french. A good place to meet expat since it is a very popular hangout place, especially for American, Australian and British older expats.
A newcomer in Jakarta's nightlife , Murphy's Irish Pub& Restaurant is the first of its kind in Kemang and it is actually owned by an Irish expat. Compared to other places in Kemang, Murphy is a little more "mature", not only attracting youngsters but a wider crowd of expats and locals from all ages. The warm interior and the friendly staff will make you feel comfortable upon entering the doors. Food is served all day, and I recommend you to try the house specialties: The Guiness Casserole, the Handut Chip and the Irish stew. If you come on Friday or Saturday night, a live band is playing starting 10pm. The rest of the week, you have a mix of Irish songs and classics.
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.