Jakarta’s nightlife scene is often underrated. When you think of Southeast Asia’s buzzing nightlife capitals, cities like Bangkok, Singapore and even Ho Chi Minh City spring to mind. But you might be pleasantly surprised, there are several spots in Jakarta that are right up with the best in the region.
Sky bars are a great way to take in the city’s impressive, ever-changing skyline. The Sky Pool Bar Café (Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, Jl. MH Thamrin No.1, 2358-3800 ext. 3889) is a beautifully landscaped watering hole perched on the 17th floor of the Ramayana Wing of this sophisticated hotel. With 360-degree panoramic views of the city, head here for sundowners before making a beeline elsewhere (the bar closes at 8pm).
Although a mere five floors up, the SHY Rooftop (The Papilion, 45AA JalanKemang Raya, 719-9244) is one of the most popular rooftop venues in Jakarta. It’s popular with celebrities, models and the who’s who of Jakarta’s high society. Martinis and other cocktail variants are the order of the day here as are vintage chardonnays, rieslings and chablis bottles flown in from France and Australia.
The Singaporean IndoChine (fX lifestyle X’nter f8, Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Pintu I Senayan, 3003-0330) group brings a touch of chic and opulence to Jakarta’s nightlife scene. This exciting four-outlet destination sits high up inside the popular lifestyle mall fX lifestyle X’nter. It boasts 30,000 square feet of space which includes the Restaurant + Supperclub, IndoChine Beach Club, Bar Opiume and Siem Reap Café. Bar Opiume is where you’ll want hang out if you like progressive house and electro beats.
