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Surabaya Nightlife: Best Nightclubs, Bars and Spas

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I have always enjoyed Surabaya nightlife even though the options for nightclubs and bars are limited and somewhat provincial.

3 million people live there, making it the second largest city in Indonesia. Compared to Jakarta, it still feels laid-back and unsophisticated. The streets are rather clean, you can walk on the sidewalks and the traffic is not horrible. There are several modern malls, but none of them as chic as Plaza Indonesia or even Grand Indonesia.

Few expats live in Surabaya and even fewer tourists visit it. As a result, you may get more attention than usual from the people. If you are a single guy, it is nice to see girls smiling at you in the streets or in the malls. On Tinder and other dating apps, expect to become quite popular.

Meeting a normal girl is fairly easy in certain clubs and bars like Desperados, Jimmy's, Eclectic or Colors Pub. In other venues, you may have either a lot of "lady companions" or just younger girls who are partying in groups.

I've written dozens of reviews about Surabaya already, you can read them here: Surabaya Nightclubs, Surabaya Bars, Surabaya Spas and Massage Parlours and Surabaya Live Music.

Hotels Near Surabaya Nightlife
Surabaya is a huge city without an obvious city center. The most interest nightlife venues are near Tunjungan Plaza (Jalan Basuki Rahmat) or near Surabaya Town Square (Jalan MayJen Sungkono). I created a map of all venues that you can see here: Surabaya Nightlife Map (also visible at the bottom of this article).

My hotel recommendations to enjoy Surabaya nightlife are the following:

Luxury and 5-star hotels:
JW Marriott and Shangri La both have expat bars within their walls, respectively Jimmy's and Desperados. Shangri La is the most expensive and nicest one.

The Sheraton is located within the new Tunjungan Plaza Mall extension, walking distance from the famous Coyote Top 10 Club.

Hotel Ciputra World is also within a luxury mall and it is brand new. The location is not as central but you have a few bars and clubs around like Capital Lounge and M1.

Hotel Majapahit is often considered the best hotel in Surabaya. It is near Tunjungan Plaza and it is perfect for a romantic weekend.

4-star hotels
TS Suites is located within the Surabaya Town Square. It is the best 4-star hotel in the city.

Aria Centra is a brand new hotel near Tunjungan Plaza. You still can get great opening prices (under 50$).

Mid-range
Midtown Hotel and Swiss Belinn Tunjungan are both walking distance from Tunjungan Plaza. They offer the best compromise between comfort and price.

Budget
If your budget is under 25$ per night, you can try Favehotel MexCitihub Sudirman and Citihub Tunjungan.

Hotels with spas inside
The 4-star Rich Palace Hotel (where Veneno Club is located) has a men's spa. 

Best Nightclubs in Surabaya
Most nightclubs in Surabaya are targeting a local crowd. The most popular are male-oriented, with lady companions or GROs available. People usually stay around a table and order bottles of alcohol. If people dance, it is between friends and not on the dancefloor.

Top 10 Coyote Bar and Karaoke
Part of the Top 10 Group (also behind 360 and Station), this small club is one of the most happening in Surabaya. Easy to access in Plaza Tunjungan, it features DJs and sexy dancers all night long (including girls from Thailand). No nude striptease, at best they'll wear a bikini. Most of the crowd is Indochinese, Singaporean and Malaysian.

It is the most expensive venue in Surabaya with a first drink charge of Rp200,000 on most nights.

Read a full review here: Coyote (Ten Club and Karaoke)

Foreplay
Located just above Eclectic Bar in Surabaya Town Square (Sutos), Foreplay is a popular nightclub with a young student crowd. Contrary to other venues in the city, there are no prostitutes or escorts.

It has events every night of the week and it is recommended on Mondays (Campus Night), Wednesdays (Ladies Night) and on weekends.

Read a full review here: Foreplay Surabaya

M-One Nightclub
M-One (or M1) is a more recent addition to Surabaya nightlife. It has an older crowd compared with Foreplay, but the concept is similar. The music is EDM or hip-hop depending on the night.

Read my full review: M-One Surabaya

Club 360
Owned by the same group behind Coyote, Club 360 is a large, round-shaped nightclub located in Royal Plaza Mall. It is part of a complex featuring a sexy spa (Celsius) and a karaoke. Club 360 is not so busy during the week unless there is a special event. Most girls inside are either escorts (lady companions) or part of a larger groups of friends (thus difficult to approach).

More information: Club 360 Surabaya

Penthouse Club and KTC
Penthouse is similar to 360 and Coyote. There are quite many girls but almost all of them are working as lady companions in the huge 56-room karaoke.

If you are ready to pay for company, it is a fun place. The club is quite busy any day of the week with all kinds of events: Guest DJs (usually sexy FDJs, sexy dancers, fashion shows, live bands, etc). Check their website: Penthouse International Business Club.

Veneno Nightclub
This is a new, small club located in the basement of the Rich Palace Hotel. It is not really busy until now.

See my review: Veneno Nightclub

Local Nightclubs
There are also several very local nightclubs that I don't think you would enjoy as a foreigner. If you are curious and looking for seedy spots with prostitutes and drugs, you may want to go to Kowloon, LCC, Station and Club Deluxe.

Best Bars and Live Music Venues in Surabaya
Jimmy's
Jimmy's is the bar of the JW Marriott Hotel (which used to be Vertical Six). It has live bands every night, with a DJ mixing during breaks. There may be a few working girls, but most of the crowd is normal.

Read a full review: Jimmy's Surabaya

Colors Pub
This bar is similar to Jimmy's: It features live bands, DJs or special shows every night. It is not as crowded as it used to be. Decent pub food available.

Read my article about it: Colors Surabaya

Eclectic Bar
Eclectic Bar is almost always busy, probably because of its location in the entrance of the popular Surabaya Town Square mall. If you need to have a drink during the week, this would be my first recommendation as you can be sure you won't be alone. Near Eclectic are several other bars and cafés like RUI lounge, Stonehead and Tiga Tuan.

More information: Eclectic Bar

Desperados
Desperados is the sports bar of the Shangri La Hotel. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of expats and foreigners in the city, mostly guys above 40. Some girls go there to find a boyfriend (and others to find money). Live music every evening.

Full review: Desperados Shangri La

Buro
Part of the Society Complex on Jalan Sumatra (walking distance from Colors Pub), this is the hipster bar of Surabaya. It is the kind of bar you wouldn't be surprised to find in SCBD or Senopati in Jakarta.

I went there twice and had two very different experiences. The first time was during the week and it was completely empty. The second time was during an event and it was packed with upper class Indonesians.

My advice would be to check their Instagram for events before going there. There is also a restaurant and a coffee shop.

Best Spas and Massage Parlours in Surabaya
If you are looking for the best spas in the city, please read my individual reviews here: Spas and Massage Parlours in Surabaya.

Surabaya Nightlife Map
To get a better idea of where are the nightclubs, bars, KTVs and spas in Surabaya, you can look at the map below:


VINS Lounge, Spa and Karaoke (Pondok Indah)

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VINS Lounge, Spa and Karaoke is a new "naughty" venue in Pondok Indah. It will officially open after Ramadan in July 2016.

It features a lounge with live music and DJ every day. They also promise sexy dancer shows but I don't know yet if the girls will be naked like in Kota.

What is for sure is that both the karaoke and the spas are naughty, with plenty of lady companions and therapists.

The spa in particular is looking a lot like a blowjob bar. They propose a 30 minutes package without massage, straight to a handjob or a blowjob. The price is only Rp160,000 net (Rp195,000 in VIP room). I'm certain that if they don't have problems with the police, they will become very successful with this offer.

If you want a massage, you can extend the treatment to 60 minutes and pay Rp185,000 net (Rp220,000 for VIP room). Finally, they also have a double blowjob option (threesome-like with 2 girls) for Rp320,000 or Rp350,000 in VIP room (60 minutes).

Prices are all included: Tips are not required.

New VINS Lounge, Spa and Karaoke
Jalan Sultan Iskandar Muda 7D, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta

More information (also WA and Line): +62 (0) 8 22 11 46 22 48
BB Pin: 5F8EBF15

Su International Business Club and Karaoke (Senayan)

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Su is one of the largest karaokes in South Jakarta. It is located in STC Senayan on the 5th floor (the now-closed Hyu Karaoke was on the 7th floor). It targets mostly Korean customers.

It is clean and modern, but not as luxurious as other karaokes like Paragon. The main attraction here are the 150 girls that can accompany you in your room while you sing. In particular, if you ask for 2 or more LCs (Lady Companion), you can request them to wear a kimono or sexy lingerie. They won't have any bras then. Depending on how much you tip the girls or how drunk they are, you may do some kissing and groping. Some girls may be willing to go home with you after they finish their work but it's not automatic. Most are looking for a boyfriend or at least a sugar daddy.

Prices are rather expensive. You can expect to pay at least Rp600,000 per person including alcohol and a LC. Tips to the girl between Rp200,000 and Rp300,000.

See the drink list below:
Su International Business Club
Executive Lounge and Karaoke
STC Mall Senayan, 5th Floor
Jalan Asia Afrika, Jakarta 10270
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5793 17 00

Website: SU VIP

Grand Velvet Spa (Gandaria)

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Grand Velvet is a spa/massage parlour that you can see on Jalan Arteri Pondok Indah just before arriving to Gandaria mall. 

There are no "special" services included in the price of the room, but the girls usually agree to provide handjobs, blowjobs and sex. For this reason, it was raided by the police in May (but surprisingly it reopened just a few days later).

You can choose between 3 types of room: Standard (no toilet, Rp230,000/90 minutes), Deluxe (with shower, Rp280,000/90 minutes) and VIP (with bathtub, Rp310,000/90 minutes). If you want an extra, you will have to negotiate with the girl. In general, she will ask Rp100,000 for a handjob, Rp200,000 for a blowjob and Rp300,000 for sex.

You can also use the facilities only for Rp100,000. These include a sauna, a steam room, a jacuzzi and a pool.

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 10am to 11pm (It is one of the spas that open earliest in Jakarta)

Grand Velvet Spa and Massage Parlour
Jalan Iskandar Muda 68 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 720 9925 / 21 - 720 99 28
BBM: 2BADBEC7 and 5F5EDB50

Website (includes pictures of the girls): Grand Velvet Spa

Chamber Whisky and Wine Bar (Pacific Place)

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Chamber is a whisky/wine bar and restaurant squeezed between Potato Head and Cork&Screw in Pacific Place mall. It replaces Capocaccia.

It is intimate and comfortable, with an outdoor and an indoor area. The design follows the current 1930s vintage trend that you can see in several speakeasy bars in Jakarta. It is a bit over the top for my taste. They target rich Indonesians by advertising a large collection of wines and spirits. Most items can only be ordered by bottle so avoid if you come alone.

The food is quite disappointing. It is expensive (10$ for a Nasi Campur or Spaghetti) and yet I don't feel they put a lot of effort into it. Most dishes are actually Indonesian, which does not really match with the theme of the restaurant. This may be due to the fact that their kitchen is small.

Overall: I think that Chamber is not on par with the competition in Pacific Place. While the design is nice, it seems to be lacking substance compared to nearby Paul, Cork&Screw and Potato Head. 

Chamber Food and Spirits
Pacific Place Mall, Ground Floor 51B, SCBD
Reservation is recommended: +62 (0) 21 5797 31 28

Opening Hours:
From Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 12am
From Friday to Saturday from 10am to 2am
Brunch every Sunday

Instagram: ChamberJKT
Twitter (where the photos come from): ChamberJKT
Website: Chamber Jakarta

Baxter Smith (Senopati)

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Baxter Smith is a bar and restaurant that opened in Senopati mid-2016. I only went there once for a special event on a Friday night, so I'll keep my review short until I can try again. 

The bar is on the 3rd floor and it was quite busy, with an all-Indonesian crowd. It seemed people where visiting for the first time, out of curiosity. The DJ was playing good, non commercial tunes between progressive and tech house. The bartenders were fast and the drinks cheaper than the average for Senopati.

There is a dining area on the 2nd floor of the building, but I didn't try it. They serve common dishes such as burgers, salads, pasta, roasted chicken, etc.

Baxter Smith (or Baxtersmith) Jakarta
Jalan Suryo 28, Senopati, Jakarta

Phone number: +6287886027475


Opening Hours:
From 11am to 2am (more or less)
Happy hours from 5pm to 7pm = Buy 2 get 1 free

Jember Nightlife: E-Club

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Jember nightlife is very quiet as you could imagine. The only decent nightclub I could find is E-Club which is located about 1,5km from the city center (I was staying in Aston Jember).

It is a small venue with a 200 pax capacity. Nothing luxurious there, just the walls, a stage, a bar and high tables on the dance floor. Entry was free but some busy nights it can reach Rp50,000.

The crowd was mostly made of guys, not particularly dressed up for the occasion. There were less than 10 girls.

A band was playing a mix of Indonesian and famous English songs. After midnight, it stopped and was replaced by a DJ (house music).

The staff was nice and seemed quite excited to have a foreigner. They told me the schedule was as follow:
- Monday night: 25% discount on all food and beverages
- Tuesdays: Campus night - 25% discount with student ID
- Wednesdays: Ladies night
- Fridays and Saturdays: They will normally have a famous Indonesian Female DJ

Overall: Don't expect a crazy night in Jember. 

E-Club Jember
Jalan Gurami 75, Mangli, Jember
Phone number: 08 13 35 88 84 05
Email: eclubjember.event@gmail.com

BB Pin:
5C647380 for Donita
5457327 for Sandra
5874DCA4 for Vamel

Facebook: EClub Jember
Twitter: E-club Disco
Instagram: e_clubjember

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 8pm to 2am (until 3am on weekends)

Jakarta Nightlife During Ramadhan

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BATS is usually the best bar in Jakarta during Ramadhan.
Nightlife in Jakarta during Ramadan is quiet and rather boring. For expats, it can be nice to rest for a few weeks because partying in Jakarta can be exhausting. It is a great way to save money too.

For those who don't want to wait until the end of Ramadan, you can still have some fun, but the atmosphere is different than usual. Each year, the government announces new rules concerning the opening/closure of entertainment venue: The more often, during the first 2 days following the beginning of ramadan, everything is closed and you should really avoid going out. After that, the nightlife start again slowly, with shorter opening hours, for the following venues:

- All the clubs, bars, karaokes, spas that are located inside "hotels". This is the reason why many clubs/massage parlours in Jakarta are calling themselves hotels: Alexis Hotel, Malioboro Hotel, Illigals Hotel, Classic Hotel, Fortune Hotel, Orchardz Hotel, Sun City hotel, Colosseum, Hotel Tematik, etc... All those venues will be open, but they shall not be very busy.

- All the bars in 4 or 5-star hotels, in particular:
  • BATS in Hotel Shangri-La : I would say BATS is the best place to go in Jakarta during Ramadan as it will always be a bit crowded and you won't lose time going from one bar to another hoping to see one that's not closed.
  • CJ's Club in Hotel Mulia would be my second best choice.
    - Nightclubs that are usually open but close early:
    • Mille's Club in Lokasari (but apparently, the entrance is hidden so you need to know how to get in)
    Other venues can be a hit and miss:
    • MO bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel
    For all this places, it usually closes earlier than usual, not more than 2AM in any cases. They may also forbid electronic music, to allow only live bands. 2 days before the end of Ramadhan, the clubs should close again completely, and they may not reopen until a few days after Lebaran/Idul Fitri. The few venues that may still operating will not be very happening anyway as the city is deserted. On the contrary, nightlife in Bali is usually very busy during that time.

    If you know of any venue not mentioned here, please comment.
    • Important: On the 17th day of Ramadhan is Nuzulul Quran, the most religious day of the month. On that day, ALL bars and clubs will be closed.
    • Last year, I have been to quite a few places during Ramadhan, and most of them were open and quite crowded. I guess things are much less strict that what they used to be. Golden Crown, Top Gun, Aphrodite, Hard Rock Café and Loewy in particular were all fine.

    Sports Bar @ B.A.T.S (Shangri La Hotel)

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    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.

    The bar opens every day at 5pm and you have a happy hour until 10pm (50% off from selected drinks). On Mondays, you have 20% off on liquor bottles and on Tuesdays, all alcoholic drink mixes are priced at Rp100,000 net. Stay up to date on the current promotions by visiting Sports Bar @ B.A.T.S.

    Overall: It is a nice addition to the main room of B.A.T.S, which tends to be so packed and noisy that I need a few drinks beforehand to enjoy it. My main concern is that the number of seats is limited so you should get there early to make sure you can sit. If the bar proves to be popular, they may have to add a few tables.

    Sports Bar @ B.A.T.S 
    Shangri La Hotel Jakarta
    B.A.T.S. Jakarta
    Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta (Level 1)
    Kota BNI
    Jalan Jend. Sudirman Kav 1

    Phone number: +62 21 29 399 562

    Indonesians Cheering at the Orlando Shooting on Social Media

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    I had already written about my surprise after reading Indonesian Facebook comments regarding the Paris attacks in November 2015.

    I was even more surprised today reading the comments on the Orlando gay nightclub shooting. I checked the Facebook page of mainstream Indonesian media (not the religious ones) and found out that a lot of people were actually cheering at the event. Not everyone, but at least between 30% and 50% of the comments. Not only are they cheering about it, they are also calling for more murders and more attacks on gays.

    My Indonesian is not perfect but I translated a few here:
    Sane shooting, I applaud! If the shooter comes to Indonesia he will be my honored guest!!!
    1= Thank God those who died are gay!
    2= Thanks God 50 contaminated by the disease are dead, I hope there is more poison for the rest
    3= Hope that gays can learn from this event...

    What a happy event... hoorah...
    Waiting for the next shooting... hopefully in Indonesia next time... Hahahaha....
    Great so LGBT people can go to hell as soon as possible... Because they always refuse and challenge Allah and so they can see by themselves what will happen to them for Judgement day... they must be afraid now of their punishment, etc...
    Kill them all until the last... so there are no more LGBT...
    Great... please continue... so the earth goes back to normal...
    I'm sad why the shooter killed only 50 people... it should have been all...
    hhmmm lgbt destroyed... that's a lesson for the other ones, why don't you get together again? Anyone else wants to get shot?
    Too bad the shooter can only kill only 50 people why not all
    It's ok to shoot them, if needed just bomb them... they are useless people...
    It needs to be done again... hopefully next time it can be thousands... so the gay community can die
    I could go on and post thousands more. Really. Again, they are not just one or two isolated comments but a huge part of the reactions. You can check for yourself on the facebook pages of Merdeka, VOA Indonesia, Tempo, Kompas, Tribunnews, Detik, Liputan 6, etc.

    Actually, for most of the articles regarding the shooting, one of the two dominant emojis is the "Haha" face (sometimes with the sad face as well).
    Facebook Haha Emoji
    For instance on Merdeka, VOA America and Liputan 6 (and unfortunately many more - virtually every Indonesian language news site):
    On Detik.com, the most popular news website in Indonesia, 71% of the people who expressed their feelings after reading the main article about the shooting said they were "Senang" (happy).
    A big contradiction is that those who are cheering are also the ones talking about a conspiracy. So they seem to want people to die, they call for more murders, yet they don't believe that one of them could possibly do it?

    To what extent do these comments represent the opinion of Indonesian people is something I don't know. But it is certainly troubling and scary. It is obvious that the government's constant bashing of LGBT is not helping.

    Taiwan Nightlife: 12 Best Nightclubs in Taipei

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    Taipei nightlife is considered by many expats as the one of the best in all Asia. It is a combination of the best things the region has to offer: Modern venues, reasonable prices, friendly people and approachable girls.

    The number of nightclubs is limited though. Many are only open 3 nights a week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Wednesdays are actually getting more and more quiet, even with lower entrance fees.

    There are surprisingly few Westerners in Taipei and as a result you will get more attention from normal girls compared to Singapore or even Bangkok (not to the level of Jakarta though).

    Another particularity of Taipei's nightlife is that almost all the interesting bars and nightclubs are located in the central area, near the Taipei 101 Tower. Two complexes have several clubs: ATT4FUN and NEO19. This is very convenient and if you choose a downtown hotel you will be able to walk easily to many of the places listed below.

    If you need hotel recommendations, you can search for hotels near the nightlife on this page: Taipei Hotels Near 101 Tower.

    Even if you stay further, you have an efficient MRT system that can take you there quickly. Make sure you are within reach of Taipei City Hall Station or Taipei 101 Station.

    Quick Tips on Taipei Nightlife
    Smoking
    At the time of writing, it is allowed for people to smoke inside clubs. I noticed tons of girls are smoking in Taipei, which is uncommon in Asia.

    Dress code
    Even though some clubs allow it, don't wear shorts and sandals. You will be immediately branded as a tourist. It will not help you with girls nor to socialize. Some venues like Wave will also give you a discounted entrance fee for wearing a collar shirt (or a one-piece skirt for women).

    Prices:
    Mixed alcoholic drinks on average: 200 TWD, Cocktails 300 TWD, Entrance Fee between 500 TWD and 1000 TWD (with 1 or 2 free drinks). You can often get a free entry by showing up before midnight or 11pm. Most ladies nights are on Wednesdays.

    Several nightclubs like Wave or Babe 18 have cheap all-you-can-drink entrance.

    Bottles and tables
    Many Taipei nightclubs will suck if you don't have your own table, particularly Myst, Elektro and Omni. You have a minimum charge system, meaning to get a table you must spend at least a certain amount of money.

    The best venues will ask around 15,000 TWD for 10 people on weekends. If your budget is tight, you can go during the week instead and pay half of that.

    If you drink a lot, bottles are really an economical way to spend the night. It is also a huge plus with girls since many are just dying to get invited to a table and drink for free.

    Prostitution
    Taipei nightlife is quite clean. Few prostitutes, few naughty places. Fortunately, most clubs have sexy dancers.

    ID
    Important - You should bring always bring an official photo ID with you, even if you look 45. Bouncers will ask you for it. Police ID checks also happen from time to time.

    Drinking
    Taiwanese, both girls and guys, get pretty wild inside clubs. They often drink until they pass out. It is not rare to see someone throw up because he couldn't make it to the toilets.

    As a foreigner, you should behave if you want to avoid problems, particularly in the streets.

    Recommended Weekly Schedule
    If you are in Taipei on a particular day, these are my party recommendations:

    Monday: Vogas
    Tuesday: Bravo
    Wednesday: Elektro
    Thursday: Lava, Brass Monkey (it's a bar but you have a ladies night with a DJ)
    Friday and Saturday: You can take your chances anywhere.
    Sunday: Babe 18 or Lava

    Recommended Bars and Lounges for pre-party drinking:
    Marquee, Barcode, WOOTP

    Expat Bars for Older Guys:
    Carnegie, Brass Monkey

    Best Nightclubs in Taipei:

    Korner
    Korner is the only club I know in the city that does not play EDM, Top 40 or Rn'B. As such, I feel it deserves to be on top of this personal list.

    If you are an occasional clubber who wants to see beautiful people, spend money on bottles and listen to famous songs, you will not enjoy Korner (try instead Omni, Elektro, Myst or Room 18).

    If you love hearing a good DJ who plays techno/minimal, then Korner is your place. It is similar to small clubs you would find in Europe, with a hipster design and an underground feel. The crowd is mixed with many expats, a few pretty girls and some Taiwanese guys as well. Most people come for dancing. I would guess that it's popular with LGBT.

    Since Korner closes a little late, it can be considered Taipei's unofficial after club.

    Contact:
    B1, No. 200, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan 116
    Email: info@korner.com.tw

    Facebook: Korner Nightclub Taiwan
    Twitter: Korner Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday and Thursday from 10pm to 2am
    Friday and Saturday from 11.45pm to 5.30am

    Entrance Fee:
    From 100 TWD to 600 TWD depending on events. One drink included.

    Elektro
    Located in the ATT4FUN building, just in front of Taipei 101 Tower, Elektro is a huge and modern nightclub, one of the hottest in Taipei at the moment.

    Previously called Sparks, it is often the first venue people will recommend for party in the city. The crowd is a mix of rich Taiwanese and expats, with plenty of sexy and open-minded girls. It is a place to show off so make sure you dress well and bring some cash.

    Since the dancefloor is small and crowded, it is preferable to book a table and to fill it with drinks. You can expect to pay at least 10,000 TWD on weekends for a group of 10 people. If you are alone or you can't afford a table, expect to be squeezed and to wait a while to get your drinks at the bar.

    The best time to go to Elektro is after 2am, so you can try a few other nightclubs before visiting it. The DJs will play commercial EDM and you'll have sexy dancers every 30 minutes.

    Contact:
    ATT 4 FUN, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
    Phone number: +886 27737 9887


    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday and Thursday from 10pm to 3.30am
    Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4.30am

    Entrance fee:
    700 TWD with 2 free drinks on weekends
    Ladies night on Wednesday. Free for girls.

    Room 18
    This club was renovated in 2014 and it is the best one in the Neo 19 building. It is not as crowded as Myst or Elektro so it can be a good alternative to ATT4FUN if you are looking for a more laid-back club.

    You have a main room with a very impressive design where most people party. The DJs play EDM and commercial songs there. You also have a more quiet lounge and a rooftop.

    Contact:
    Songshou Road No22, Xinyi District, Taipei 110
    Phone number: +88 6 958 1111 88

    Facebook: Room 18 Taipei
    Website: http://www.room18.com.tw

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4.30am

    Entrance Fee:
    700 TWD with 2 free drinks. Ladies night every Wednesday (Free entry for ladies and free drinks before midnight).

    Myst
    Located inside ATT4FUN, it is one of the most famous nightclubs in Taiwan. So famous that it was actually featured in the movie Lucy with Scarlett Johansson. It is expensive, yet it manages to be completely packed on weekends. Wednesdays (ladies night) is a busy night as well (you can get in for free before 11pm). 

    Crowded with foreigners, Myst has 3 rooms: The main one has the largest dancefloor in Taipei and DJs who play EDM, Top 40, House music. The second one is more intimate with mostly sofas and a bar. They have hip hop, Rn'B and old school music. Expat tend to prefer that one. The third one is a VIP room.

    If you are more than 7-8 people, order a bottle to avoid being squeezed on the dancefloor. You'll also save money. Minimum table spending on Wednesdays is 6,000 TWD (10 people) and on weekends 15,000 TWD (10 people).

    A few times during the nights, you will see amazingly sexy dancers perform on the podium. It might be the closest thing to gogo dancing in Taipei. They even have male dancers.

    Contact:
    9F, No. 12, Song Shou Road, Taipei, Taiwan 110
    Phone number: 09 83 803 388
    Email: info@omni-taipei.com

    Website: Myst Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday from 10pm to 4am
    Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4.30am

    Email: kevin@club-myst.com
    Phone number: +88 6 958914 777

    Entrance Fee:
    Wednesdays: 600 TWD for men and free for ladies. Girls get free cocktails before 12pm.
    Weekends: 700-1000 TWD (with two drink included).
    Alcoholic drinks from 250 TWD.

    Omni
    Omni is a very impressive nightclub with an award-winning design (360° LCD panel circling the club, plenty of lasers and fog, etc), an amazing sound system and a list of already several famous guest DJs (Hardwell, Skrillex, Dash Berlin, etc...).

    It is a money-making business though, and money comes from tables/bottle service. If you are just a dude by yourself ordering whisky-coke at the bar, you won't feel very special and comfortable. I'd recommend Omni if you are coming with friends and don't mind spending a few hundred US dollars for the night. Bottles at 150US$. When you order champagne, sexy sailor girls will bring it to you with firecrackers.

    Music is almost always EDM/trance/house. For DJs, their reference is the DJ Mag Top 100. They have some hip hops nights too. Many foreigners and foreign-friendly girls. 

    Contact:
    106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, 201
    Phone number: 09 83 803 388
    Email: info@omni-taipei.com

    Website: Omni Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday from 10.30pm to 4.30am
    Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4.30am

    Entrance Fee:
    800 TWD (on average)

    Halo
    This nightclub in ATT4FUN is free and more easy-going than nearby Myst or Elektro. I'd recommend it if you are alone as you don't really need to book a table to enjoy it. Also, you have a nice balcony with a great view on the Taipei 101 Tower where it's easy to meet other people.

    The music is not really my thing though as they play mostly Rn'B and Top 40 hits. It's not so busy on Wednesdays.

    Contact:
    8th Floor, ATT4FUN, Taiwan 110
    Phone number: 02 7737 9908

    Facebook: Halo Taipei
    Website: http://www.halo-taipei.com.tw

    Opening Hours:
    Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10pm

    Entrance Fee:
    Normally free except for special events. Drinks inside around 300 TWD for cocktail.

    The Beat
    In the location of the Roxy bar, The Beat was opened in mid-2016 and it is specializing in hip-hop, Rn'B, old school and retro music. They also have house and latin themed nights. It's already popular. Many girls looking to meet foreigners. Prices are cheap.

    Contact:
    Fuxing S Rd, 27, B2, Taipei, Taiwan 106
    Phone number: +88 6 925 177477

    Facebook: The Beat Nightclub Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am

    Entrance Fee:
    300 TWD after 11pm (200 TWD before) with 1 free drink.

    Best All-You-Can Drink Nightclubs in Taipei

    Taipei has several nightclubs where you can drink for free all night when you pay an entrance fee. It is only valid for some of the drinks and you should be careful not to lose your glass. The crowd in such places is generally younger and not so sophisticated. In terms of value, it is excellent if you are a heavy drinker.

    Babe 18
    Located in Neo19 complex, Babe 18 is a club popular among younger Taiwanese, mostly because of its all-you-can-drink concept. Many foreigners on a budget go there as well. It is quite messy and not really stylish. You'll probably see a few people pass out during the night. If all you want is to get crazy drunk and dance, it's not a bad place. The best night is on Sunday as other clubs are closed. Music is hip hop and Rn'B.

    Contact:
    Songshou Road No22, Xinyi District, Taipei 110
    Phone number: +88 6 930 78 5018

    Facebook: Taipei Babe 18

    Opening Hours:
    From Wednesday to Sunday from 10pm to 4am

    Entrance Fee:

    Wednesday:
    Ladies: Free before 11.30pm, 300 TWD after
    Guys: 400 TWD before 11.30pm, 600 TWD after

    Thursday:
    Ladies: Free before midnight, 200 TWD after
    Guys: 600 TWD all night

    Friday and Saturday:
    Ladies: 400 TWD
    Guys: 700 TWD

    Sunday:
    Ladies: Free before 11.30pm, 250 TWD after
    Men 550 TWD (200 TWD discount for Taiwanese students before 11.30pm)

    Vogas
    Vogas is one of the hottest nightclubs for young, rich Taiwanese. It is busy every night, including on Mondays. One of their best features is their sexy shows (by both girls and guys). Many sexy girls but most don't seem to be into foreigners. 

    Contact:
    B1, Songde Road, 171, Xinyi District, 
    Phone number: +88 69 09 600 123

    Facebook: Vogas Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am

    Entrance Fee:
    800 TWD for men and 500 TWD for women

    Bravo
    Bravo is another venue with an all-you-can-drink offer. It is mostly crowded with students, almost all of which are Taiwanese. The main reason to visit is that it is the busiest club in Taipei on Tuesdays (ladies' night). Sexy dancers and gogo boys.

    Contact:
    No. 217, Section 3, Nanjing E Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan 104
    Phone number: 0938-128-188

    Opening Hours:
    Tuesday from 10.30pm to 4am
    Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4am

    Entrance Fee:
    Tuesdays: 600 TWD for men and 200 TWD for women with free flow alcohol
    Weekends: 800 TWD for men and 500 TWD for women

    Wave
    Self-proclaimed the best open bar in Taipei, Wave is one of the nightclubs located ATT4FUN (next to Myst). It isn't that crowded and happening, but if you are hoping to get drunk with a small budget, this is the place. Mostly a Taiwanese male crowd.

    The music is EDM and house. Sometimes hip hop. Sexy dancers.

    Contact:
    No. 12, Songshou Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
    Phone number: 0911 439 897

    Facebook: Wave Club Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    From Tuesday to Sunday from 10pm to 4am

    Entrance fee:
    The entrance fee allows you to a free selection of drinks. They offer a discount if you come before 11pm. The trick is that you have to be inside the club at that time, which can be difficult considering the queues.

    Every day before 11pm: Free for ladies, 400-500 TWD for men
    Weekdays after 11pm: 700 TWD for men and 400 TWD for women
    Friday and Saturday after 11pm: 800 TWD for men and 500 TWD for women
    You can get a small discount on Saturdays if you dress up (collar shirts for men and one piece dress for women)

    Lava
    Lava is an upmarket version of Babe 18, but with much less foreigners. They have commercial music. Sexy dancer competition on Saturdays.

    Contact:
    B1, Songshou Road No22, Xinyi, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Phone number: +88 6 922 500 420

    Website: Lava Taiwan Nightlife
    Facebook: Lava Nightclub Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30pm to 4am
    Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4.30am

    Entrance fee:
    During the week, all you can drink for 700 TWD for guys and 400 TWD for girls (100 TWD discount on Sundays)

    During the weekend, 700 TWD for 1 drink, 1000 TWD for 3 drinks

    Box
    Previously called Wax, Box has a terrible reputation for being low-class, yet it is quite popular. It is a small, foreigner-friendly nightclub, especially to the young ones studying in the nearby National Taiwan University. It's not very sophisticated but still decent in terms of design and facilities. The crowd gets drunk quickly and by the end of the night, the club turns into a total mess.

    I would only recommend if you are in your early 20s and on a strict budget. Music is Top 40 and Rn'B. Single guys may find opportunities for one-night-stands.

    Contact:
    67 Roosevelt Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan 106
    Phone number: 02 3365 30 41

    Facebook: Box Taipei

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday from 10.30pm to 4am
    Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 5am

    Entrance Fee:
    The normal fee is 700 TWD for guys and 500 TWD for girls. If you come before 11pm, you will get a 200 TWD discount. They have other promos for students and foreigners so bring your ID and student cards. Ladies night on Wednesday.

    H69 Spa: Naughtiest Bordello in Bali

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    H69 Spa is one of the naughtiest massage parlors in Bali. Contrary to other places that try to be discreet, H69 is clear about the services it can provide: Handjob, Blowjob (with CIM), bondage/BDSM (as a slave or master), nude massage, nuru body to body massage, "raped sensation (the guy or the girl is the one pretending to be raped), private striptease,  lesbian shows, threesome (2 guys and 1 girl or 2 girls and 1 guy), foursome (2 girls and 2 guys or 3 girls and 1 guy), etc.

    The girls can also wear costumes inspired by Japanese porn (Jav) and some of their rooms have a theme (prison, hospital, office...).

    The price goes from 550,000rp for the naked body to body massage with happy ending, to 2,500,000rp for the foursome with three girls. You can see the whole price list on their Facebook page below.

    I wonder if they are aware that those services are illegal in Indonesia. If not, they are either crazy or extremely well connected.

    Opening Hours:
    Every day from 13.30 to 21.00

    H69 Spa Bali
    Jalan Bedugul, Gang Tirta 11A,
    Sidakarya, Denpasar (about 30 minutes from Kuta/Seminyak)

    Facebook: H69 Sex Spa Denpasar
    Instagram: H69 Photos

    Here is a map with the location:

    16 Best Museums in Jakarta

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    I visited almost every museums in Jakarta this year (I'm only missing the TNI Satria Mandala Museum and the Galeri Nasional Indonesia). The idea of this review is to give you my recommendations on the best museums to visit and the ones to avoid. I also wrote individual articles for each with a full description, just click on the name of the venues to read it.

    Contrary to what people might tell you, most are interesting and worth your time. They are a good introduction to Indonesian history and culture, and at the same time they give you an opportunity to explore authentic neighborhoods.

    The entrance ticket for each museum is very cheap, usually between Rp2,000 and Rp20,000. You can refer to the opening and closing hours on each separate reviews. All museums are rather small and you'll often need only a couple hours to visit them.

    English explanations are not always available. I don't think it's a big problem: Just take pictures and notes, then find out more on wikipedia from home. You can also visit the museums with a guide. The best tours are organized by the Indonesian Heritage Society. For more information: Jakarta Museum Tours.

    Which Jakarta museums to visit in 1 day?
    If you have only 1 day of sightseeing available, I would advise you to visit in priority the National Museum first and then head to Kota Tua (the Old City) where you'll find the Bank Indonesia Museum and the Jakarta History Museum. Both areas can easily be reached with the Transjakarta busway.

    This is the ranking of the best museums in Jakarta, based on my visits:

    Easily the best museum in Indonesia. It features quite a large collection of statues, masks and artefacts from all over the archipelago. A great introduction to the different cultures of the country. You'll need at least 3-4 hours inside to see everything properly.

    I didn't have any expectations when visiting this museum, yet it turned out to be one of the most interesting I've been to. Don't be turned off by the word "bank". The museum is more about the history of trade in Indonesia, starting from before the colonization. It is just 100 meters from Taman Fatahillah.

    This is the main museum on Taman Fatahillah square. It is housed in a beautiful colonial building that served as the City Hall of Batavia during Dutch times. As the name suggests, it is about the history of Jakarta, starting from prehistoric times. The visit is a bit short and hopefully they'll add more things to see in the future.

    4) Museum of the Indonesian Constitution (at the Supreme Court)
    Opened by President Jokowi in 2015, this is the newest and most modern museum in Jakarta. It is a nationalist museum, telling the story of how the Indonesian constitution was created. Still, you'll learn a lot about Indonesia's recent history. It makes you realize the profound gap between the hopes of the founders of the Nation and the harsh reality. You'll also get to see the Indonesian Supreme Court. Advanced reservation is required.

    This museum is similar in its purpose with the Indonesian Constitution Museum. It focuses on the history of the birth of the Indonesian independence movement. It is located in the ex-STOVIA doctors' school and as such, you'll also find information about the early medicine in Indonesia.

    The main art museum in Indonesia, with a collection of paintings from contemporary and older artists. Too many replicas unfortunately. It is part of the museums of Taman Fatahillah square.

    Considering Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, the Museum Bahari (or Maritime Museum) could probably be improved. Currently, it feels it is in need of refurbishment. Still, I enjoyed my visit, which was a quick stop on my way to Sunda Kelapa, because of the location in an old Dutch warehouse and because I learned quite a few things about the history of Indonesia. The neighborhood was great too (fish market of Luar Batang) but the government evicted local residents recently and I haven't been there again since.

    I did visit this museum but I haven't written a review about it yet. It is set in a beautiful property with a relaxing garden. There are some explanations on how Indonesian fabrics are made, particularly batiks. You can see a large collection of beautiful ones but it can be quite repetitive after a while. It is not too far from Central Jakarta, just after Tanah Abang Market.

    This is a small museum with barely anything on display, yet it is worth a stop as the building is one of the nicest in Jakarta. It used to be the residence of the Governor General of the VOC.

    The Museum Wayang is recommended by most tourist guides but I found it quite boring. There are almost no explanations in English and the place is not well-maintained. Not recommended unless you have a fascination for wayangs, puppets and masks.

    The only positive thing about the Bank Mandiri Museum is its location, inside a Dutch colonial building. Apart from that, most of the things on displays are old ATMs, old typewriters, old computers, etc.

    12) Museum Taman Prasasti
    I still have to write this review as well. Anyway, this "museum" is actually an old Dutch graveyard and not a proper Museum, despite its name. It's not a bad place though and if you pass by, it won't hurt you to have a look.

    Not visited yet:

    Museum Galeri National Indonesia: This museum of art will be next on my list when I go back to Jakarta in September.

    Musée Satriamandala: A military museum that belongs to the Indonesian TNI (Army). Apparently it's fun for kids.

    A1 Museum: A private contemporary art museum.

    Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN): As announced by the NY Times, the MACAN is set to open in 2017. It is owned by the billionnaire Haryanto Adikoesoemo and will feature its private collection of artworks. It can probably become the best museum in Jakarta then.

    Bistecca Milano (SCBD - Jakarta)

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    The Union Group (behind Union, Loewy, Cork&Screw, Benedict, Casa, E&O, The Dutch, Canteen, etc...) opened Caffè Milano almost 2 years ago. Following its success, they are opening a sister restaurant called Bistecca Milano.

    This new venue is still under project and it will open in August 2016. It will be located next to The Dutch restaurant, one of the trendy spots in Jakarta nowadays.

    As the name suggests, the food will be mostly steaks and grilled meat, Italian-style. They will also sell fine Italian wines. The Head Chef is still Luca Pezzera.

    I will add information about prices, menu, opening hours, etc. when I receive them. Please comment if you know something!

    Bistecca Milano Jakarta
    18 Parc Place Tower E, GF SCBD
    Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 52-53
    South Jakarta

    Phone number: +62 (0) 21 515 2828
    Website (not active yet): Bistecca Milano Jakarta

    15 Sexiest Vietnamese Models in 2016

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    Vietnamese girls are among the sexiest in Southeast Asia. They have the body type of Thai girls, the fair skin of Chinese girls, the exotic traits of Indonesian girls, and the plastic surgery addiction of Korean girls.

    The models below are beautiful and hot, but I can assure you that you'll see girls just as amazing everywhere in the streets or in Saigon nightclubs (check Saigon Nightlife for more information).

    Unfortunately, there is no FHM edition in Vietnam. So unlike my previous reviews FHM Sexiest Indonesians and FHM Sexiest Filipinas, the girls listed below are from more various background, including singers, actresses, DJs, TV hosts and playmates.

    Born in 1987 and 168cm tall, Elly is one of the hottest Vietnamese model of all time. Her Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts have a strong Asian following.

    French-Vietnamese Kim Lee was voted as the sexiest girl in the World in 2011 by FHM. When she is not busy being hot, she is also a DJ under the name Kimkat and she played in the movie Hangover 2.

    This absolutely perfect beauty was Miss Vietnam in 2006. Now 27, she is a student in RMIT University in Saigon. 

    A 21 years old Vietnamese model/actress who is a contestant in Miss World Vietnam 2016.

    There are several famous Vietnamese models living in the US, but Jennifer is probably the prettiest of all. She was Miss Asia USA in 2006.

    Famous model and playmate who is sometimes considered as "Asia's sexiest DJ". She spent time in an American jail for abducting her own daughter. She did a lot of nude pics that you can easily find on google.

    This classy model was the winner of Miss Ao Dai in 2016. She will represent Vietnam at the Miss World Pageant this year.

    Though a bit older than many hotties on this list, Ha Anh Vu is one of the most famous models in Vietnam. She is also a TV host.

    Born in 1984, she is a famous Vietnamese actress, model and singer. Mixed with French blood, she was a judge on the local edition of The Voice.

    Ngọc Trinh must be pretty close from the ideal type of women for Vietnamese guys: Petite, with round boobs and a pale skin. She is quite a celebrity in the country.

    A famous model and beauty pageant from Saigon, she was born in 1987 and measures 1,70m.

    Jennifer is a sexy Vietnamese model based in the US. She has an impressive 1,500,000 followers on her Facebook! Most are Indonesian I think as she did a commercial there for the condom brand Fiesta.

    22-year old Elizabeth is a Vietnamese Chinese living in the US. She is specializing in sexy bikini and lingerie shoots.

    A Vietnamese model and photographer living in Miami. She is not the finest beauty but she is certainly super hot.

    Living in Los Angeles but born from Vietnamese parents, she is a model and video blogger with really hot photos (often topless though you cannot see much). Her Instagram account is one of the most followed among all the girls listed here.

    If you are looking for pornstars with Vietnamese blood, you can check Katsumi, Sharon Lee and Tila Tequila.

    Choosing a Travel Insurance for Indonesia

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    When I speak with short-time travelers in Indonesia, I am baffled to realize only a few have a proper travel insurance or a medical evacuation insurance. Among long-term residents and expats, there are also many who do not have health insurance, particularly among those without a working permit.

    The objective of this article is to convince you that spending a few dollars per day on an insurance is not a waste of money. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can get a cheap one (as low as 3$ per day if you take a yearly subscription - check here) that will at least save your ass in case of a serious illness or accident. If you cannot afford it, then you probably should not travel to Indonesia.

    6 reasons you need a travel insurance in Indonesia
    While you certainly need insurance everywhere, there are even more reasons to get it when you travel in Indonesia:

    You are exposed to more risks
    There are several risks specifically related to being in Indonesia. Some are unfortunately too common: Dengue fever, malaria, dog bites, food poisoning or motorbike accidents are really not that rare. If you've lived in the country long enough, you probably know a few people who had these problems.

    There are generally lower safety standards in everything in Indonesia: Construction, food, transportation, roads, activities, etc. This increases the likelihood of an unfortunate event as well. You can read more tips about this topic here: WorldNomads Travel Safety Tips.

    Medical care in Indonesia is very expensive
    According to the AAMI, a day in an intensive care unit in Indonesia can cost up to 3,000$. Even in the cheapest hospitals you can expect to pay 800$/day.

    Facebook groups like Bali Expats or Jakarta Expats are full of horrible stories of people who had their lives ruined in a few minutes because they did not plan their trips properly. Here are just a few examples (click on the photos for the whole story):
    Some of them actually had an insurance, but they didn't read the fine prints. Not having a a motorbike license is often a reason for not being reimbursed for instance. I will give you tips later in this review on what you should be looking for to make sure your risky activities are covered.

    More banal problems can be quite costly as well. Among my friends, several ended up in shitty situation for common accidents or diseases:

    First one hit his head by diving into a pool: 1000$ in Sanglah Hospital (local one) for a few stitches and X-rays.

    Second one got bit by a street dog in Legian: 3,000$ including anti-rabies medication.

    Third one got a very bad case of dengue fever combined with malaria. He went into a coma and he had to stay 4 weeks in hospital. Total bill: 25,000 dollars. Luckily, he was covered and everything was paid for. It was after this unfortunate event that I rushed to get an insurance actually.

    Private hospitals will never accept you if you cannot pay
    In Indonesia, the decent hospitals are run as a strict business and not a charity. If you arrive bleeding to death after an accident, the doctors will not treat you until they make sure you can pay. If you can't, you'll be left outside. It's as simple as that.

    An American will probably understand that. For a French, this concept is a bit hard to grasp as we are used to get healthcare for free.

    Hospitals will overcharge you
    You should know that as a foreigner with or without a working permit, you will be charged more for medical treatment in Indonesia. Expect to pay at least 2 times more than locals, more if you don't have a resident visa.

    Many doctors have a poor ethic. If they can find a way to inflate your final bill, they will probably do it. It is a bit like going to a random auto repair shop in Europe: Most likely you will be charged for stuff you don't need.

    Serious accidents will need a medical evacuation
    Since many hospitals cannot treat the most serious patients, medical evacuation is often needed. To give you an idea of current prices:

    Evacuation from Indonesia to Singapore: From 25,000$ to 50,000$
    Evacuation from Indonesia to Australia: From 40,000$ to 70,000$
    Evacuation to Europe: Up to 100,000$

    Don't expect compensatory damages
    The concept of third party responsibility is foreign to most Indonesians. If you are hit by an Indonesian drunk driver, don't expect you'll get any money from the person who was responsible. Actually, even if he is at fault, he could possibly still manage to get money out from you if he is a well-connected assh*le. The same thing apply if you have an accident within your hotel or while doing an activity with a company. If you are dealing with a local company, don't even think about getting compensatory damages.

    What types of insurance do you need in Indonesia?
    The type of insurance you need in Indonesia depends on your activity (working, retired, tourist, etc), your length of stay, your activities and your area of travel.

    Travel Medical Insurance:
    An insurance that will cover your medical bills for a limited duration (usually less than 90 days) when you are traveling outside of your home country. If you are traveling to Indonesia, it is the minimum you should get. For expats it is not necessary as long as they have an expat insurance.

    Travel Insurance:
    A generic term for an insurance that will cover several aspects of a trip: Medical problems, but also flight cancellation, theft, lost luggage, etc.

    There are several websites where you can get a price estimate for your travel insurance in Indonesia. You can check WorldNomads which is a partner of Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. Among the famous ones you also have SmartTravel from AXA and Travel Guard from AIG.

    You can find more options in your home country. The advantage of WorldNomads is that it is very easy to apply online and you do it even if you've already left home.

    You can also search through the comparator Insure My Trip.

    International Health Insurance or Expat Medical Insurance:
    Travel insurance is for travelers and covers emergency situations. If you live permanently in Indonesia, you need coverage for regular health expenses such as dental care, optics, medical check ups, pregnancies, cancer treatment, etc. Those are typically not included in Travel Insurance policies.

    Expats working in Indonesia should subscribe to the mandatory BPJS health insurance scheme. It is cheap, but don't expect to much from it. Many will also have their employer's insurance.

    For the other expats without a company plan, you can either purchase a normal travel insurance for long term travel (but then you won't be covered for non-emergency situations) or purchase a dedicated Expat Health Insurance from a private company.

    The latter is usually more expensive, but you should consider that you'll get more reimbursements as well. Reputed companies include Allianz, April-International, AXA, GMS, etc.

    Repatriation/Medical Evacuation Insurance: An insurance that guarantees your medical evacuation will be paid for if needed.  The cost is usually reasonable, as little as 150$ per year, and it can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Remember that for serious injuries, you will not be able to be treated properly in Indonesia. This insurance is particularly needed if you plan on visiting remote areas.

    If you purchase an insurance from WorldNomads, it is already included.

    Things to check before purchasing a travel insurance

    The obvious first step before purchasing a travel insurance is to make sure you don't already have one. You are probably aware that when you buy your plane tickets with a Visa or Mastercard, you are entitled to some kind of (limited) insurance. If you are traveling on a tour group, you may also already have one automatically added (though you can refuse it and buy your own instead).

    Once you know for sure that you will need a travel insurance in Indonesia, you should be careful to check the following:

    What is the maximum payable amount that I can get?
    I think 200,000$ is the minimum amount to get considering how high some hospitals bills can be in Indonesia.

    Is the medical evacuation included or not?
    If not you will have to pay extra with another company. This is an essential part of your insurance and you need a high ceiling as well (minimum 150,000$).

    Can you contact your insurance company 24/7? Can they approve a quotation 24/7?
    This is a must in case of a major emergency. If you cannot prove quickly that you can pay for your treatment, the best hospitals may refuse you.

    Do you have to advance the money?
    Some insurance can give a guarantee to the hospital that your bill will be covered so you don't need to pay upfront.

    Are there any exclusions?
    There are always a lot of exclusions (things that the insurance does not cover). Read carefully to avoid any surprises. If you are planning to do dangerous sports and outdoor activities in Indonesia, ask for instance if surfing, scuba diving, diving, rafting, hiking, jet-skiing or paragliding are included.

    What is the motorbike situation?
    Motorbikes are a major cause of accidents for foreigners in Indonesia. Be careful as almost all insurers require a valid international license for the driver (even if you are a passenger). A specific motorbike license is also required for vehicle with more than 150cc. If you were drunk, high or not wearing a helmet at the time of your accident, you can also say good-bye to any potential claims.

    What if you hurt someone?
    Check if you can get reimbursement for third party damages.

    The website of WorldNomads provides a lot of great tips to help you choose the right insurance. You can also make a simulation for your trip so you'll know exactly how much it will cost you and how long you will be protected. Don't forget to read the fine print very carefully to make sure you won't have any unexpected surprise.

    How to save money on travel insurance?
    The companies I've mentioned before are quite affordable. You'll only pay a few dollars per day for coverage. You can try to make a test on WorldNomads to see how much you will pay depending on your age, your country of origin, and the number of people you want to protect.
    Click to get a a travel insurance quote from WorldNomads
    If the amount is really to big for you, there are a few ways to lower the price even more:

    Buy longer
    This need some commitment, but naturally the longer you purchase, the cheaper it get. I made a test on WorldNomads for myself and got the following:

    • 7 days travel insurance to Indonesia (for a French): 26.70 euros (3.8 euros per day)
    • 4 weeks travel insurance to Indonesia (for a French): 93 euros (3.3 euros per day)
    • 365 days travel insurance to Indonesia (for a French): 804.30 euros (2.2 euros per day)

    Make your own simulation here: Quote from WorldNomads.

    Buy for several people at once
    If you travel with your girlfriend or your family, you should choose the same reputed company for everybody.

    Don't insure flights and valuables
    This is what I do. Considering I travel alone with cheap flight tickets, last minute hotels bookings and few valuables, I don't really care about getting reimbursements on those things. The only thing I care about is not jeopardizing my whole life with an accident I can't afford to have.

    Choose high deductibles and excess
    Your insurance deductible and your excess are minimum amounts your insurance will charge you on any claims, not matter what. If your deductible for an accident is 1,000$, the insurance will reimburse you any medical expenses above 1,000$.

    The philosophy of choosing a high deductible is the same as the previous point: It is for people who only want help if they are in big trouble. Having to pay 1,000$ from your own pocket sucks, but you can always find the money.

    Don't buy it from your airline
    When you book a flight, your airline or your tour operator will offer you to buy an insurance. Those are usually pretty bad deals and the prices are not interesting.

    Compare
    You can use Insure My Trip to search for the best deals. Be careful with cheap insurance companies though. If they can give a very cheap price, it probably means they don't reimburse much. You cannot have it all.

    Rely on your credit card insurance only
    This is possible but you must know the limitations of this strategy. In general, when you pay your trip with a classic Visa or Mastercard, you get 3 months of insurance with maximum reimbursement of less than 15,000$ (please check again with your banker to be sure). This ceiling is really too low in my opinion. You also have a lot of restrictions on what you can claim as well as high deductibles.

    What insurance do you use?
    This article would be greatly improved with your input. Which insurance did you choose for traveling to Indonesia? Did you succeed in making claims? If you are an expat, do you have a health insurance? Do you recommend it?

    Personally, I have an expat insurance company that only insure French nationals. The name is CFE, if you are French and need more information about it you can email me thibaud@jakarta100bars.com. I pay 100 euros per month and I've made 2 claims that went well. The main one was for a gallbladder infection that kept me a week in Kasih Ibu hospital in Denpasar. The total bill was 7,000$ for 8 days and I had 5,000$ reimbursed.

    30 Best Bangkok Nightclubs in 2016

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    There are so many nightclubs in Bangkok that it may be hard for first-time visitors to decide where to party. The objective of this review is to give you a basic understanding of Bangkok nightlife to help you plan your nights out better.

    All the best nightclubs and party spots in Bangkok are listed below. For clarity purposes, I inserted them into categories as follow:

    - Tourist Nightclubs in Bangkok
    - Expat Nightclubs in Bangkok
    - Backpackers Nightlife
    - Hi-So Nightclubs in Bangkok (for Rich Thai)
    - Middle-Class Thai Nightclubs
    - Hip Hop Nightclubs in Bangkok
    - Late Night/ After Hour Nightclubs in Bangkok
    - Free Nightclubs (No Entrance Fee) in Bangkok
    - Ethnic Nightclubs (Russian, Arab, African) in Bangkok
    - Gogo Bars in Bangkok
    - Gentlemen's Clubs in Bangkok
    - Best Venues to Pick Up Girls
    - Best Nightclubs for Each Day of the Week
    - Best Ladies Nights in Bangkok

    For each venue, I included a link to their Facebook page. I encourage you to check the opening hours, event and entrance fee there directly. In general, most clubs are open until 2-3am and they will charge you between 250THB and 400THB for the first drink/entry. The most expensive, Onyx and Cé La Vi cost 500THB.

    Beware! Not every hotel in Bangkok will accept if you bring a girl to your room. If you want to avoid an embarrassing moment, you can book the following guest-friendly hotels (that are also close to the nightlife): Heaven @ 4Ambassador BangkokRuamchitt Plaza HotelSukhumvit 12 Suites and Sofitel Bangkok.

    Tourist Nightclubs in Bangkok
    I will start with the nightclubs you should actually avoid. Tourist nightclubs are the worse, but unfortunately many visitors only go to these places. One of the reason is that they ask for advice to taxi drivers who get a commission on each person they bring (200THB). This is why some taxis will even offer you a free ride.

    In this category, you have the following nightclubs: Shock39, Spicy, Climax, BossyEQ. CM2 was one as well but it reopened under the name Play by CM2 and I haven't been back there since. Those places are all pretty much the same: They are rather dirty, have no design, rarely organize special events, rely on an endless supply of tourists and have 99% prostitutes. The only positive thing is that they stay open later than usual (until 5am-6am). The ratio guys/girls is terrible, meaning you may struggle to find a decent looking girl, even if you are willing to pay.

    You should cross them from your clubbing list unless you fit into one of these categories:
    • You love commercial music (Top 40, Hip Hop)
    • You want to find an average-looking, yet expensive hooker
    • You want to party after 3am
    • You want to party in short pants and flip flops
    • You are a 20-year old countryside boy on his first trip abroad
    • You come from a country where clubbing is forbidden
    Some tourist clubs are a bit better though. In particular, you can try Mixx or Insanity. They have a similar concept (Freelancers + Tourists + Stay Open Late + Commissions to Taxi) but they are classier.

    Insanity is very near from Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza so all the girls working in gogo bars tend to visit after they finish their work. It has a nice set up, it is modern and you may meet some normal girls as well. The music is not too bad, mostly house and EDM. I like the set-up with the central podium.

    Mixx is OK as well, but quite expensive. You have two rooms there, one of which has hip hop music. It is located in the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel so the crowd is upmarket and the prostitutes more like high-class escorts (some are Russian). It closes at 5am. It is popular with expats as well.

    Expat Nightclubs in Bangkok
    Those bars and nightclubs are preferred by richer expats and travelers who are already familiar with the city.

    Levels (on 6th Floor of Aloft Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 11)
    This nightclub almost made the tourist clubs lists. It has lots of prostitutes (pretty ones I must admit) and a mixed crowd of 30-something expats and travelers. You may still meet normal girls though, especially if you say you have a good job in Bangkok. The music is EDM and House with a hip-hop night on Sundays. A nice feature is the garden rooftop from which you can smoke. The entrance is free but drinks inside are pricey.

    Cé La Vi (on 39th Floor of Sathorn Square)
    Used to be called Ku De Ta. Sister branch of Cé La Vi in Singapore. This is the top high-end nightclub for expats in Bangkok at the time of writing. You need to dress sharp and bring money. It's a good place to meet other people and possibly some upper class Thai girls. If you are looking like a tourist, you can forget about it though. Hip hop ladies night on Wednesday. The music style changes often depending on guest DJs or events. There are probably high class escorts but they are discreet.

    Glow (Sukhumvit 33)
    A small nightclub on two floors with European techno and electronic music. It is a favorite of Bangkok expats. You will barely see any tourists or Thai people (apart from the expat's girlfriends). Glow is recommended if you want to experience European-style clubbing.

    Beam (Thonglor)
    I have mixed feeling with Beam. It is a beautifully designed nightclub, with impressive lighting and smoke effects. I've rarely seen something similar elsewhere. It also has a great variety of DJs who play non-commercial electronic music and hip hop. On the negative side, it is pricey (400THB entrance) and the crowd not so friendly to be with. If you like it, you can also go to Dark Bar which is similar.

    Mustache (Ratchadaphisek)
    Under Belgian management, this alternative bar is one of the current hotspots in Bangkok. It is not exactly in the city center but 15 minutes away by taxi from Sukhumvit (it's a new location). The music there is similar to that of Beam or Glow but the crowd is younger and more laidback. You have two floors, including a rooftop bar. It closes late and the entrance is free.

    Sing Sing TheaterMaggie Choos and Iron Fairies
    Those 3 bar-clubs are similar as they all have world-class design, a chic expat crowd, good cocktails and non-commercial music. Each are worth a visit, ideally just after eating and before heading to bigger nightclubs.

    Live RCA (Royal City Avenue)
    Live RCA is a clubbing event space attracting major International DJs (techno, tech-house, house, EDM). They will have something different each week so it's better if you check on their Facebook beforehand. The crowd can be more or less expat depending on the DJ. Open only on weekends.

    Other bars you may want to try to meet young expats: Revolucion and Oskar.

    Backpacker Nightlife
    Backpackers and expats on a budget normally party on Khao San Road. It is not classy but it can be fun once in a while. It is the best location to meet Western girls in Thailand.

    You cannot go there directly with the BTS or MRT. It's a 120THB taxi ride from Sukhumvit. The advantage of Khao San Road is that everything is in one spot. You can just go from one bar to the other, buying cheap buckets of booze in-between.

    The main nightclub is simply call "The Club". It is next to a bar called Golf which is always packed. If you cannot afford the club entrance (250THB), you can just party in the street, it's pretty much the same crowd and atmosphere. For a more rustic option, you can go to GulliverBrick Bar is also popular, but the crowd mostly Thai.

    Hi-So Nightclubs in Bangkok
    Hi-so (for High Society) is a popular term in Thailand to describe the richest Thais, the top 1%. If you are a 20-year old kid who owns a Porsche and dates a famous actress, then you are hi-so.

    Hi-so Thais party in only a few locations in Central Bangkok: Royal City Avenue (Onyx) and Thonglor/Ekkamai (Funky Villa, Demo, Do Not Disturb). Thonglor is also where you'll find most hipster and trendy bars of Bangkok.

    You will see the most beautiful Thai girls in some of these clubs, but you have very little chances with them unless you're part of a group. These girls are scared of tarnishing their reputation by mingling with foreigners. So you need to get the approval of the group first, and then you might get the approval of the girl.

    In most Thai nightclubs (including the ones listed below), people party Asian/Chinese style: They book a sofa, order expensive bottles, stay within their small groups of friends, get drunk until they pass out and show off their wealth as much as they can. If you cannot book a table, you'll be squeezed and you'll struggle to get a drink from bartenders who are too busy to take care of VIP guests.

    Booking a table means that you agree to spend a certain amount on alcohol. For instance, if the minimum spend to get a table is 300$, it means you can spend 300$ on bottles, mixers and food. If you are splitting the bill with several friends, it is often a better deal than buying drinks individually. Bottles in those clubs are not that expensive, THB2,000 is largely enough for a good whisky.

    Dress code are enforced (and anyway you don't want to look like a tourist): No shorts, no sandals, no singlets. They always check IDs so make sure to bring your passport with you, even if you look 40. Some places will charge you more if you are a foreigner (Farang), but you'll get free drinks with your entry. 

    Onyx is one of the poshiest nightclubs for Thai. It is pricey (500 THB entrance fee with a drink), yet so crowded you'll barely be able to move around. Go with friends and order bottle service. An ID is necessary to enter.

    Funky Villa was one of the most famous nightclubs for rich Thai but it burnt down just a few days ago (end of June 2016). They had live Thai music with famous local bands.

    Next to Funky Villa (same owner), they have EDM and a smaller bar  called "Dirty Bar" with hip hop.

    Very young rich Thai crowd listening to live bands. Similar to Funky Villa.

    Do Not Disturb Club (DND Club): Similar to Demo, located behind Nunglen. They have live Thai bands and EDM DJs.

    You may also want to check Myst, Safehouse and Falabella.

    Nightclubs for Middle Class Thai
    Unlike nightclubs like Funky Villa or Onyx, you'll be more welcome here as a foreigner. Those places are among the most fun to party in Bangkok as long as you don't mind commercial music.

    They are also excellent for meeting regular, non-prostitute Thai girls. Typically, this is where students and office workers party. Don't expect that everything will be easy though. The main problem is that girls are often already accompanied by some guys who are paying for their drinks. Because of this, they may not be so comfortable spending time with you within the club. The solution is either to befriend other members of her group and join the table, or to exchange numbers. The next day she should be more relaxed.

    Many tourists avoid these clubs because they cannot get laid instantly. You will only have 5%-10% foreigners on average, most of which are younger expats.

    I am only listing places with DJs and Western music. If you are adventurous and looking for a local experience, you'll also find many other nightclubs with a 100% Thai crowd and Thai live music, especially outside the city center.

    Route 66 in RCA
    Route 66 is the place to go to for down-to-earth, normal clubbing in Bangkok. It is really big, with several rooms including an EDM zone, a hip-hop room and a live music area. The crowd is middle to upper class. It has become more popular with expats because it is always crowded and easy for meeting people.

    Clubs of Ratchada 4
    Ratchada 4 is a small entertainment complex 10 minutes away from Sukhumvit. There are several nightclubs, bars and karaokes in one spot. Among them, you'll find Snop, Embassy MBS, HollywoodNext 7 Pub, etc.

    Not too far, on Ratchada 4, you can visit the brand new MAD, which used to be Mansion7.

    Brick Bar
    This is a good place to party with Thai if you are in the Khao San Road area.

    Narz is one of the oldest clubs in Bangkok. It used to be the place to go for hip hop but now they play mostly EDM/Trance. It is not as crowded as it used to be but on Weekends it's still OK.

    Hip Hop Nightclubs in Bangkok
    Bangkok has the largest hip-hop and Rn'B scene in Southeast Asia. On every given night, you have at least 5 venues to choose from that are either dedicated to hip-hop or having a special hip-hop event.

    The best one is Sugar, conveniently located on Sukhumvit Soi 11. This is a NY-style nightclub where the Bangkok hip-hop community meets. There is a good mix of expats and Thai people. The entrance is quite cheap, 200THB, inclusive of a drink. Another popular choice, more high-end, is the Dirty Bar within Demo club in Thonglor.
    G Club is the favorite club of the African community in Bangkok. They play hip-hop, Rn'B, Reggae and Afro music.

    There is a recently new hip-hop club I didn't visit called Vibe. They stopped updating their Facebook a few months ago so I don't know if they are still open or not.

    Some large nightclubs in Bangkok also have smaller rooms with hip hop or Rn'B. It is the case of Route 66 and Mixx.

    Finally, Cé La Vi has a great hip hop ladies night every Wednesday and Levels has one on Sundays.

    Late Night/ After Hour Nightclubs in Bangkok
    The curfew policy of many Bangkok nightclubs is a big turn-off for me. The rules seem to have eased a bit the past year (you can party until 3am now), but I still find it too early.

    Don't start your nights out late in Bangkok, even more so during the week. I recommend you to eat around 6pm, find a nice bar at 8pm, and hit the clubs at 11pm.

    A recommended after hour club is Scratch Dog (until 6am) inside Windsor Suites Hotel. It is a place with many prostitutes but if you're lucky you can meet some normal girls as well. There is a good mix of Thai and foreign guests, including some Asian nationalities. You must pay 400THB to get in with a drink.

    Even though I'm not a big hip hop fan, I would say that Sugar (mentioned above) is one of the best places for late clubbing. It closed at 8am when I went there and it had a great atmosphere with no so many hookers. People were friendly and happy to meet talk to strangers.

    Mustache is closing at 6am and it is where many expats are heading for underground music. There are no prostitutes at all so if you're horny and trying to score, you should avoid. It is also a bit far.

    If you are looking for a female partner, go to Insanity where you'll have the largest choice of affordable freelancers + a few normal girls. Mixx closes at 5am and have a lot of (high-class) working girls too.

    Finally, tourist nightclubs like Shock39SpicyClimaxBossy and EQ are also closing late.

    Free Nightclubs (No Entrance Fee) in Bangkok
    If you are a guy, you must pay to get into most nightclubs in Bangkok. Girls can get for free during the ladies night (see below for a list of the best ones).

    There are 2 nightclubs with free entrance that I know of. Levels and Mustache. Some Thai nightclubs like Demo are also free during the week, but they may charge a first drink to foreigners (apparently to filter the weed). Cé La Vi is free during the week but it costs 500THB on weekends.

    If you are really a cheapo, you can party for free in the streets of Khao San Road. Many bars are packed with people who bought their drinks in 7-11.

    Ethnic Nightclubs (Arab, African, Russian) in Bangkok
    There are a few ethnic nightclubs in Bangkok, near Nana Plaza in particular. I haven't been inside but I passed in front of some several times.

    Arabs/Middle Eastern visitors will go to Dino Club inside Graceland Hotel (which is a girl-friendly hotel). Needless to say, it's full with hookers there. They also love to go to Shock39.

    The African community gathers in G-Terminal Club that I mentioned above.

    There are also some nightclubs and lounges with many prostitutes from Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For instance in Rajah Hotel, Bossy or Mixx Disco.

    Japanese visitors tend to stay near Sukhumvit Soi 33 as there are several Japanese style massage parlours there (nuru massage). They also go to Thermae in the basement of the Ruamchitt Plaza Hotel where many freelancers can be found.

    Asian clubbers from Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong tend to stick to the Thai nightclubs in RCA or Thonglor.

    Gogo Bars
    Almost all the gogo clubs in Bangkok can be found in just 3 locations: Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Patpong. If you are confused about where to go: Nana Plaza is the largest complex, Soi Cowboy is the hottest, Patpong is the trashiest. You can walk from Soi Cowboy to Nana Plaza in 15 minutes, and go from both to Patpong in 15 minutes by taxi (or public transport).

    In each of these, you have dozens of gogo bars, one after the other. To the undiscerning visitor, they may all look the same, but a regular could tell you the differences between each. Some will feature topless girls, some will have naked girls, some allow you to touch the girls, some have special shows, some have ladyboys, some have older girls, some are for Japanese, etc.

    You are usually sitting down in a circle and looking at the girls. You can ask to talk with one and buy her ladies drink. She may also go home with you if she agrees. In this case, you must compensate the bar with a bar fine. It is best to visit gogo bars early in the evening, ideally around 7pm or 8pm, because the prettiest girls haven't been booked out already.

    I've listed the hottest gogo bars in Bangkok in the following review: Top Nude Gogo Bars in Bangkok. If you are too lazy to open the link, I recommend you to try Baccara and Crazy House in Soi Cowboy, Spanky's in Nana Plaza, Black Pagoda in Patpong.

    High-Class Gentlemen's Clubs in Bangkok
    If you have both money and a taste for exceptionally gorgeous ladies, you may want to avoid the average gogo bars scene of Nana Plaza, Patpong or Soi Cowboy. Bangkok has several high-class gentlemen's clubs spread all over the city where you are almost assured to lose your head at the sight of dozens of scantily-clad hotties.

    In Bangkok, the term "Gentlemen's Club" is used to describe a kind of hostess bars with coyote shows, where most clients are "members". To become a member, you must buy in advance several bottles of alcohol that you can use within a year. The prices aren't that high if you are a regular: At The Pimp for instance, with 550$ you get membership + 12 whisky bottles. If you go there with 4 friends and drink 2 bottles in total, you will have spent less than 30$ each on alcohol for your night out (and then you have to do it 5 more times during the year).

    Without a membership, it is unfortunately expensive. In the best gentlemen's clubs, a non-member can expect to spend up to 200$ between the entrance fee, the drinks (for you and your hostess) and the tips. Again, you'll save a lot of money if you buy a bottle so go there with a few friends.

    Girls in those clubs usually make enough money with commissions they get from drinks so they aren't really interested to sleep with you. Your chances of taking one back home are slim, or you'll need to spend a crazy amount of money. 

    If your budget is limited, you can go to an upmarket gogo bars instead like Baccara or Black Pagoda. The best ones have a great selection of girls and a luxurious atmosphere. It is much easier to barfine someone there as well.

    Here are a few recommendations for gentlemen's clubs in Bangkok: Kush Mansion, Sherbet & Pianoforte, The Pimp, Monte Carlo and Vegas.

    Best Venues to Pick Up Girls
    It really depends on what you are looking for: Paid sex, free one-night stand or relationship.

    For paid sex, the best places are certainly the gogo bars, Mixx club and Insanity.

    For one night stand, you need to find Westernized Thai girls. I'd recommend Cé La ViSugar and Levels.

    For relationships, the best places are Route 66, Live RCA and the clubs of Ratchada 4.

    Best Nightclubs for Each Day of The Week
    Best Nightclubs for Monday: OnyxInsanityMixx
    Best Nightclubs for Tuesday: LevelsSugar
    Best Nightclubs for Wednesday: Cé La ViDemo
    Best Nightclubs for Thursday: Route 66Levels, Ratchada 4
    Best Nightclubs for Weekends: Anywhere is busy
    Best Nightclubs for Sunday: InsanityLevels

    Best Ladies Night in Bangkok
    The best ladies4 night in Bangkok is on Wednesdays at Cé La Vi from 9pm to midnight. Girls get a free flow of sparkling wine. They also have a Free Flow wine on Saturday from 9pm to 11pm.

    Levels has a great one on Sundays: Girls get 3 free drinks before midnight and all-night-long 99THB cocktails.

    Insanity has a ladies night on Sundays: Girls get 2 free drinks and if they come by 4, they get a free bottle of sparkling wine.

    In Hi-So in So Sofitel Bangkok, girls get a free glass of Champagne from 8pm to 11pm.

    In Bangkok Betty, girls get 3 free drinks before 9pm

    Any questions about clubbing in Bangkok? Please write a message below and I'll try to answer it. Photocredit: Win Photos.

    30 Hottest Khmer and Cambodian Models

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    Khmer beauty is very unique: If you are familiar with Cambodia, you should be able to easily recognize a Cambodian girl among any other Asians.

    Unfortunately, there are not so many sexy Cambodian models because the country is still conservative. Famous actresses and singers are usually shy with their bodies. Showing too much skin, for instance with bikini or lingerie photos could draw criticism from the public. Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, forbids his country to participate in international beauty pageants like Miss Universe.

    As a result, most of the hot models listed here are Cambodian girls from mixed heritage and/or Cambodian girls living abroad. Among them, there are several "Khmerican", a term to designate American girls from Cambodian origin.

    I was still able to find several beautiful Cambodian models who are based in Cambodia and not abroad. Some were discovered with the TV show. Cambodia's Next Top Model or the popular contest Freshie Girls. There are also two men magazines that regularly feature Khmer ladies: The Man and Les Hommes. It's the closest thing from FHM Cambodia.

    If you are planning a visit to Cambodia, don't forget to read my guide: Phnom Penh Nightlife.

    Here are the 30 hottest Khmer and Cambodian models in 2016. Click on the name of the girl to open her Facebook/Instagram account.

    Possibly the prettiest Khmer girl alive, she is a model and an actress who played in "Sbek Kong" and "Dream Land".

    A gorgeous Khmer model who was featured in FHM Singapore, FHM Thailand and Maxim Philippines. She left Cambodia as a child refugee and now lives in the US. She also gives yoga classes.

    Marie Madoré
    Khmer/Viet/Chinese model from Dallas, TX. She was named one of America's 100 hottest girls in 2014 by Maxim. She was also Miss Hot Import Nights Dallas (HIN). Her Instagram is very popular with over 600,000 followers.

    Briya, also called Briya BeeBee or Biriya is a young and beautiful model with Khmer, Chinese and Indian blood. Born in 1991, she frequently appears on TV and she was the face of the brand Lux.

    This model, singer and actress studied in Phnom Penh in Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia. She is very representative of Khmer beauty.

    Nou Tim Sreyneat
    A cute and thin 20-year old beauty pageant who won the popular vote in Miss Grand International in 2014. Her bikini catwalk became viral on social media because she looked so cute doing it.

    She won the beauty pageant Miss Khmer Angkor USA in 2014.

    Khmer-American model living in Seattle, she is also a DJ and holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Aged 30, she was featured on FHM Philippines in 2013.

    Liz Hing is a sexy Cambodian girl who is currently pursuing a modeling career in Paris.

    Monika Tep Sorn
    A Cambodian model and author who was born in Phnom Penh in 1985. Naturalized American, she is currently living in LA and attending acting classes. She also uses the name Moniq Sorn.

    Also called Sothy's, this chic Cambodian model is based in Phnom Penh but studied in Malaysia.

    She was a participant in the first season of Cambodia's Next Top Model TV show. She stopped in Episode 12. She is a typical Khmer next-door-girl.

    24-year old Chan was the winner of Cambodia's Next Top Model in 2014. She is from North Cambodia.

    One of the most famous supermodels in Cambodia, she often appears in tabloid and gossip news. She triggered an uproar in 2013 for posting some bikini photos on her Facebook page. She had to remove them and apologize.

    She is French but her dad was Cambodian. She is one of the most famous persons on this list as she played a James Bond girl in the movie Skyfall in 2012.

    Nicknamed Danich, she is an icon of Khmer beauty and one of the few Cambodian models who had an international career. She is currently a judge on Cambodia's Next Top Model. She was born in 1989.

    This 22-year old model is a stunning beauty from Koh Kong.

    Born from Cambodian parents in a Thai refugee camp, she moved to the US as a child and lived there since. She did sexy photoshoots for several male magazine, often topless or semi-nude. She has her own website: http://www.siraykongonline.com/

    Debbie Sath
    A Melbourne-based cover model, she was born from Cambodian and El Salvadorian parents. She worked with Penthouse, HIN and she was featured in the calendar of Australia's most glamorous models.

    A hot model who was a playboy bunny in Macau, China. She is mixed Khmer, Chinese and Thai. She is also a DJ under the nickname Sublu and a gogo dancer.

    A stylish girl who was a contestant of Cambodia's Next Top Model. She made it to the 14th episodes before being eliminated.

    She is a famous TV presenter for Bayon TV. She also won the Freshie Girl contest in 2007.

    She is a Cambodian-born American model who was featured in Maxim and Stuff magazine with nude/topless pics. She is from 1983. She also goes by the nickname Princess Sayuri when she performs girl-on-girl wrestling with RingDivas. 

    Kelleen Lim Chea
    Trained to become a chemist, she became Miss California in 2014 and Miss National US in 2015. Since then, she is pursuing a career in acting with a first role in Furious 7. Her parents emigrated from Cambodia to the US when she was a kid.

    This hot girl was featured in male magazines as a topless and semi topless model.

    Lyla Dee
    This inked model is also a dancer in US nightclubs. She did some very provocative photo shoots, borderline porn.

    She was Miss Cambodia-America (American girls from Cambodian descent) in 2015 and the first runner up to Miss Global 2015.

    Truong Thi May
    Born in 1988, the 172cm tall Truong was Miss Universe Vietnam in 2013. She is originally from Phnom Penh and migrated to Vietnam as a child.

    She is mixed Cambodian, Thai, French and Chinese. She started her career as a gogo dancer and did modeling too. She currently works in nightclubs in Las Vegas.

    This model with generous curves is a regular of motor shows like HIN. She is mixed Vietnamese and Cambodian.

    This petite Cambodian-Swiss girl is a famous personality in Phnom Penh. She is a DJ, dancer, model, radio host and TV presenter.

    Jess Hien
    With her piercings and tattoos, Jessica Hien is a bit too trashy for my taste. She is popular in the US though where she can frequently be seen on car and motor shows around the country.

    Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?

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    There are barely any tourists visiting Jakarta. Most foreigners you see are expats or businessmen. In the backpacker street of Jalan Jaksa, you will have a maximum of 50 travelers on any given night. For a capital city with 10 million inhabitants, this is exceptionally small. 

    It is not difficult to understand why most people avoid Jakarta: It is noisy, smelly, dirty, polluted, hot and messy. Getting around is difficult with massive traffic jams, no sidewalks and bad public transportation. There are no spectacular tourist sights and the attractions are disappointing compared to those in Bali, Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. 

    Things are not as bad as they seem though. If you can get past your first negative impression, you will discover that Jakarta is home to museums, modern malls, authentic neighborhoods, traditional markets, monuments, religious buildings, parks, cultural centers, art galleries, a beachfront and of course one of the best nightlife in Asia.

    As the most diverse and liberal city in Indonesia, it is the best place to meet Indonesians from various background. You'll be surprised how easy it is to start a conversation with anybody in Jakarta. It often starts even before landing, when you're still on the plane. Unlike in Bali, most people are genuinely interested in you and not trying to sell you something.

    It is also in Jakarta that you will find the best Indonesian food. All the cuisines of the archipelago are easy to find, from the ubiquitous warung Padang to fine dining restaurants.

    For all these reasons, I would say that yes, it is worth visiting Jakarta for at least 2 days. On the first, you'll have enough time to visit the National Museum, the Monas, the Istiqlal Mosque and Taman Fatahillah. In the evening, you could try some local street food, have a drink at a rooftop bar and end up in a nightclub.

    On the next day, get a massage in a luxury day spa and wander in huge malls like Grand Indonesia. If shopping is not your thing, an exciting experience is to walk inside smaller streets, also called "gangs", where Indonesians live in a surprisingly peaceful, almost rural atmosphere.

    If you choose a strategic location, you can do all of the above without suffering too much from the traffic. You can read Where to Stay in Jakarta for more details. It is best to come during the weekend as the streets will be more quiet. You'll also have the opportunity to try one of the city's numerous weekend brunches. Sunday morning is also car-free day on Sudirman street (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th photos of this article were taken during that day).

    Jakarta is not for everybody though. To enjoy it, you need to have an open and positive mind. The standards are lower than in any Western countries for almost anything you'll do (except the malls and the cinemas). If you compare it with other cities, you'll keep on being disappointed. You should also be a bit adventurous, particularly if you are on a budget as you'll rely on public transport.

    If you are preparing a trip to Jakarta and need more informations about things to do, hotels and general advice, don't hesitate to drop me an email thibaud@jakarta100bars.com. Jakarta is safe but you should get a travel insurance for the duration of your trip. Read my advice here: Choosing a Travel Insurance for Indonesia.

    10 Best Things to Do In Jakarta

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    Many tourists hate Jakarta because they visit it the wrong way. They check the things to do in a guidebook or on the internet, and then try to do as many as possible in a short time.

    Since they are not familiar with the city, they get stuck for hours in traffic, walk in the heat from one sight to the other, and spend more time bargaining than actually talking with Indonesians.

    I am not saying that Jakarta is perfect, but if you know what to do, you can definitely have a good time.

    Below is my list of the 10 most recommended things to do in Jakarta, starting from the best. An alternative title for the article could probably have been "How Not To Hate Jakarta". Your suggestions are welcome, please just write a comment at the end.

    You can also read Is Jakarta worth visiting? for more information.

    1) The best thing to do in Jakarta is to date a local (at least for guys)
    Let's be honest here. Would Jakarta be as interesting for expats as it is today without Indonesian girls? Certainly not.

    Dating local girls is the main activity of most guys I know who live here, and even for those who already have a Western wife. Apart from the obvious bedroom benefits, it is a fascinating introduction to Indonesian culture and the best way to learn the language. Leaving Indonesia without this experience is a bit like leaving Italia without eating pizza.

    As a traveler, an easy way to get a date is to use online dating apps like Tinder. I wrote an article with the best services you can use: Online Dating Apps and Sites in Indonesia. Many girls in Jakarta will be suspicious about your intentions if you are a tourist though. If online dating does not work, you can read more advice in How to Meet Girls in Jakarta.

    2) The second best thing to do in Jakarta is to party
    The nightlife is one of the few areas where Jakarta can compete with Bangkok or Singapore. If you go to X2 on a Saturday night, you have at least 200 tourists. I don't think there are as many visiting the National Monument (Monas) over the whole weekend.

    Clubs in Jakarta are not perfect but they are fun. Foreigners get a special treatment as long as they dress well and, unlike in Europe, you stand a chance with girls.

    My whole website is about Jakarta nightlife. If you are not familiar with it already, start with Best Nightclubs 2016, Jakarta Nightlife 2015 and Jakarta Nightlife Guide.

    3) The third best is to eat Indonesian food
    I advise you to do the same when you visit Jakarta. You can go to Sabang street in Central Jakarta or Mangga Besar street in Kota (for more ideas, read Street Food in Jakarta) and choose one of the crowded food stalls. The prices are low: A dish without meat usually costs around Rp10,000, a dish with chicken or fish about Rp20,000 and a dish with beef or lamb between Rp30,000 and Rp50,000.

    Don't make the mistake of only trying Nasi Goreng as you'll miss hundreds of delicious specialties. My personal favorites are Gudeg (cooked jackfruit), Ayam Gulai (chicken with Indonesian curry), Beef Rendang (slow-cooked beef with spices), Bebek Mercon (duck with extra spicy sauce), Grilled Fish with Dabu-Dabu (Manado spicy sauce), Lawar (minced vegetables and meat), Konro (ribs soup), etc.

    You can also read: How I Became Fat in Indonesia.

    4) The fourth best is to get a massage

    Indonesia is one of the best countries in the world to get an excellent massage.

    In Jakarta, for just US5$ you can have a professional masseuse at your door who will massage you for an hour. The easiest way to find a therapist is to download the app Go-Jek and to use the feature "Go-Massage". Alternatively, almost every hotels in Jakarta with more than 3 stars have an in-house spa or 24/7 massage services.

    You can also check independent spas. The prices are between 15$ and 30$ for a 90-minute treatment in a decent venue. For a luxurious one, you can read my article: Best Luxury Spas in Jakarta.

    To find the spa nearest from your place, you can use my guide Finding A Spa In Jakarta. Beware as I'm also mentioning plus plus spas (that are also quite an experience... you can try Delta if you are curious).

    Expat women would tell you that Jakarta is a great place to have an inexpensive creambath, a nail polish or a scrub. Beauty salons are not expensive and they can be found everywhere.

    5) The fifth best is to do nothing 
    "Nongkrong" ("hanging out" in English) is the trademark hobby of Indonesia. Basically, it means doing nothing with other people.

    You can hangout pretty much anywhere: In a coffee shop, on top of a rooftop bar, in a restaurant, in front of a 7-eleven, in the street, at a friend's place, at the mosque, etc. All you need is at least another person. You may also add a beer, a kretek, a coffee and some snacks. A chair is not required as you can see on this photo:

    You may feel it is a waste of your time but it's not. It is a time for relaxing, eating, drinking, socializing and adapting to a new environment. In such a hectic city, slowing down is essential to avoid going mad.

    6) The sixth best is to walk around
    As surprising as it may seem, my favorite day-time activity in Jakarta is simply to walk around in normal Indonesian neighborhoods. It is a free and simple thing to do, yet very rewarding.

    Whenever I have guests coming to Jakarta, I always take them for a walk and they love it. It allows them to discover the softer, slower-paced side of the city, where regular folks live.

    This is something you can do almost anywhere as long as you understand how Jakarta is organized. Most of the malls, offices, luxury residences and hotels are located along huge streets like Rasuna Said, Sudirman or Gatot Subroto. As soon as you venture behind those skyscrapers, you have smaller and smaller streets (also called "gangs"), where only motorbikes can enter. The atmosphere changes completely: It becomes almost rural with no traffic, low-rise houses, chicken running wild and women going to the mosque with their daster (a sort of daytime pajamas).

    This drawing may (or may not) help you understand:
    Three nice areas for walking around are Glodok (Jalan Kemenangan, near the Chinese temple Vihara Dharma Bhakti), Tanah Abang (you can go to Jalan Kebon Kacang I, II, III, etc) or Pasar Baru (Jalan Kelinci).

    7) The seventh best is to visit the tourist spots
    Some tourist spots in Jakarta are interesting, but it would be a mistake to visit them before doing the things listed above.

    My most recommended attractions are the Istiqlal Mosque, the National Museum, Taman Fatahillah (a square in the Old Town with several museums and coffee shops) and Sunda Kelapa (the old harbour). All of these can be done within a day if you start early and if you choose a hotel in a central area (Where to Stay in Jakarta).

    Other sights that you can skip:
    Monas is not that special and the surrounding park is not well maintained.
    Taman Mini is too far from the city center so it will take you the whole day to visit it.
    Waterbom and DuFan are two themed parks that are only interesting if you have kids.

    If you need more ideas, I have been to most tourist attractions in Jakarta and I reviewed them on Jakarta100bars here: Things to Do in Jakarta. You can also check my ranking of the best museums: 16 Best Museums in Jakarta.

    8) The eighth best is to learn Indonesian
    Indonesian is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is easy to learn because there are no verb tenses or declensions (noun modifications). You can make sentences just by putting up words together. The pronunciation is also simple: Every letter has a sound.

    A traveler I know managed to reach a conversational level within two weeks only. All he did was to memorize 200 words, then seize any opportunity to start a conversation with Indonesian people. He was dating a girl also, that helps.

    If you stay in Jakarta more than a few weeks, or if you live in Southeast Asia, I recommend you to learn at least a few words. It will make your Indonesian experience richer and more enjoyable.

    9) The ninth best is to go shopping
    Indonesia is a protectionist country. This means anything imported or requiring imported components will be expensive, and anything that can be made local is (normally) cheap.

    Shopping in traditional markets and shopping streets is a great local experience. I've written a complete article about these here: 25 Best Markets and Shopping Streets in Jakarta.

    Shopping in middle class malls is also fun and you may find a few bargains (though not as good as in Thailand or Vietnam). Indonesian-made clothes and accessories are generally cheap. Electronic equipment, mobile phones, computers and cameras with a local brand don't cost a lot as well, but the quality can be poor. There are always a lot of fake products too. Some of the best middle class malls are ITC Mangga Dua, Mall of Indonesia, Mall Kelapa Kading, Mall Ambassador and Mall Taman Anggrek.

    Shopping in luxury malls like Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan or Pacific Place is not really interesting in terms of prices. Most items sold are more expensive than elsewhere. Those malls are still worth a visit if you want to see the glitzy side of Jakarta. It is also where you will find the most popular cafés, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cinemas.

    10) The tenth best thing to do in Jakarta is to get out
    If you don't get out from Jakarta once in a while, you will start to hate it. There are flights from Jakarta to most airports in Indonesia, making it the best base to visit the country. 50$ will take you thousands of kilometers away to white sand beaches, world-class reef corals and indigenous tribes.

    Get some travel ideas here: 11 Indonesian Islands You've Never Head Of.
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