Browsing "Older Posts"

Bintan Nightlife - Tanjung Pinang & Lagoi Bay [2024]

By Tibs →
Bintan nightlife is very limited. The island, located about 1 hour from Singapore, is not exactly popular with party-goers but with families, couples, or golfers. Most of the tourists stay in the north of the island, in an area called Lagoi Bay, in resorts that are isolated from one another. They are all several kilometers away from the two main cities in Bintan (Tanjung Pinang and Tanjung Uban). Many visitors will never leave their hotel as they will find everything they need there: Beach, pool, spa, restaurants. Some of the biggest resorts, such as the Club Med , may have a bar, but don't except anything happening there unless you are staying for New Year. If you are desperate for partying while in Bintan, there are a few options, though. All of them are located in the capital of Bintan, Tanjung Pinang. The city is not that small with over 200,000 inhabitants, but it isn't very developed yet. There aren't any modern malls, and not even a Starbucks yet as of today. Most r

Best Bars to Meet Expats and Foreigners in Jakarta [2024]

By Tibs →
The expat/foreign population in Jakarta is smaller than that of other Asian capitals, both because of government regulations making it harder to hire low-skilled foreigners, and because of the lack of attractiveness of the city. Tourists rarely visit Jakarta, and if they do, they usually only spend a few days here. The upside of this situation is that the expat community is compact, rather homogeneous, and friendly. Most of the foreigners in Jakarta come from a few industries or jobs such as IT, oil & gas, banking, NGOs, multinational companies, teaching, etc. Newcomers are generally welcome and they can quickly integrate to expat circles. Note: If you are single, you can also read  Best dating sites in Indonesia . Best expat bars in Jakarta Below is a list of the best venues to socialize with expats or foreigners in Jakarta: Eastern Promise (Kemang) Also called EP, Eastern Promise is certainly the most famous expat bar in Jakarta. It has 4 distinct rooms: A small

What to do in Jakarta in 24 hours?

By Tibs →
Many tourists stay in Jakarta for only 1 night, usually before heading to Bali. If you are in the same situation, you might be wondering what are the best things to do in the city in 24 hours or less. To help you, I have written this one-day itinerary that covers the town's best attractions. It is a bit rushed but it is realistically doable in 24 hours. Of course, you can skip some of the steps to make your day more relaxed. Choosing the right hotel in Jakarta for a short trip A hotel near  Plaza Indonesia  would be perfect or, alternatively, near  Sarinah . To reach the airport faster, you could also stay near Semanggi, Taman Anggrek or Pluit, but then you would be further away from the attractions I will recommend below. You should be aware that every Sunday is car-free day in Jakarta. This means that Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Thamrin will be closed to cars from 6 AM to 11 AM. Recommend Hotel Near Sarinah/Plaza Indonesia for a 24-Hour Stopover in Jakarta → 5-stars (more than 150$/

Guide to Karaokes and KTV Bars in Jakarta [2024]

By Tibs →
Karaoke and KTV bars in Jakarta are used for a multitude of purposes. Singing is one of them, but it is definitely not the only reason. Commonly, they are used for prostitution, drugs, private parties, striptease and sometimes orgies. As a foreigner (especially a Westerner), it took me several years to understand what was truly going on behind those doors. It is only after discussing with girls, clients and club owners, that I finally realized what karaokes were for and why Indonesians are so crazy about them.

Khon Kaen Nightlife - Best Bars and Clubs [2024]

By Tibs →
In this review of Khon Kaen nightlife, I will give you tips about the best areas to party, where to stay near the clubs, my favorite venues and how to meet people. Khon Kaen is a medium-sized Thai city about 1 hour away from Udon Thani. There are few tourist attractions there, but it is a pleasant town with great street food and very cheap accommodation. It also has a small, but fun nightlife, which caters mainly to young clubbers (students make up a quarter of the population).  What I really enjoyed about Khon Kaen nightlife is that almost all the bars and clubs are located within a small area. Even better, within just a few streets, you will find a mix of different types of venues, including expat bars, student cafés, sports bars and live music clubs. You can try several of them in one night simply by walking from one to another.

Kemang Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs [2024]

By Tibs →
Kemang is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Jakarta, especially for foreign families. Contrary to SCBD or Sudirman, it is mostly low rise and it retains a certain village vibe. It also has a vibrant nightlife that caters mainly to two distinct crowds: - Young Indonesian in their late teens and early 20s - Foreigners living in South Jakarta The nightlife in Kemang is always changing. The typical lifespan of new bars, clubs and restaurants rarely exceeds more than 2-3 years, which means you shouldn't be surprised if some of the venues listed below have closed already. Warning: Kemang is known for its horrible traffic jams. Avoid going there after office hours, especially on Fridays between 5 PM and 8 PM. During heavy rain, the traffic will be even worse as some areas often get flooded. Kemang nightlife: Where to Party + Hotels nearby Most of Kemang nightlife happens in Jalan Kemang Raya, especially near the intersection with Jalan Taman Kemang. There are several popular venues