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PIK Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs

December 26, 2015, 9:48 am
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Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) nightlife barely existed until a few years ago. The bars and clubs I will mention in this review were opened in the past 2 years. The scene is most likely to change a lot more as new residences, hotels, malls and offices open there.

Currently, PIK is one of the favorite spots for wealthy, young Indo Chinese to hang out in Jakarta. Many among them live in the Pluit area and they are looking for an alternative to going to South Jakarta's hot spots in SCBD or Senopati. The type of food available is also the one most popular with this community. In particular, the availability of pork on the menu of a restaurant in PIK is the key to success.

Before Party: Where to eat?
Typically, many restaurants in PIK will fall into one of these categories:
- Korean Barbecue: Kimchi GrandMa, Gomawo, Seorae, Born Ga, Mapogalmaegi, Han Ok.
Korean Barbecue Restaurant Kimchi Mama
- Thai Food: Thai Jim Jum, Bangkok Garden, Silky Thai.
- Japanese Ramen: Hakata Ikkousha, Ikkudo Ichi, Kazan, Hajime, Hachimaki.
Hakata Ikkousha is always busy
- Steaks and Ribs: Carnivor, Smokey Ribs, Wine and Meat Co, Steak Gunting, Kemang Steak, Street Steak, Holycow.
Steak Gunting, the Scissors Steak
- Chinese food (in particular Dim Sum, Seafood, Bak Kut Teh) and any Indonesian restaurants serving pork: Naughty Nuri's Warung, Little Ubud, ROA Manadonese Food.
Balinese food in Little Ubud, PIK
- Taiwanese desserts: Sumoboo, Hong Tang, SnowBowl, BlackBall.
- Bubble Tea: T2, Bobabits, A Gantea, The Lab, Ochado.
- Ice Cream: Shirokuma, Wooyoo, BC's Cone.
Wooyoo Milk Ice Cream
You have new trends every year so this is likely to change as well. When a new restaurant opens, especially if it is the branch of a foreign chain, you can have queues for several months. This is what happened when Sumoboo or Ikkudo Ichi opened.

About 25% of PIK restaurants close every six months. If a new one is worth mentioning, please just write a comment below.

Prices are usually kept reasonable, on par with what you would pay in Kemang for instance. The quality of the food goes from poor to average. Based on my experience, the best choice for Western food would be Carnivor.

Nightlife in PIK
Most of the popular places are located in the streets surrounding the Damai Indah Golf course, namely Jalan Marina Indah and Jalan Pantai Indah Kapuk (near the Jakarta Outer Ring Road). 

The nightlife in PIK is similar to the nightlife in Kemang 10 years ago: The bars/clubs are more like beer gardens or cafés with loud music and an improvised dance floor. You won't pay an entrance fee and there is no strict dress code.

There is no naughty nightlife or girls bars like in Kota but there are a few massage parlours with plus plus such as Dragon Spa, Foxy Spa or Grand Magnolia. 

If you are in the area and you need to know the best places to party or grab a beer, I'll recommend the following:

Locale

The closest thing from a club in PIK is the second floor of Locale restaurant which has a DJ booth and a small dancing area. Locale used to be opened 24h but it is now closing at 3h30. On weekends, it will be packed and your best choice to have fun.

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 29033162

Tongue 'N Groove

Centrally located in PIK and relatively new. They are happening at the moment with regular events and promotions. Popular with shisha smokers.

Phone number: +62 (0) 878-8721-8752
Facebook: Tongue and Groove Jakarta

The Playroom

The Playroom was the happening bar of PIK when they opened earlier this year, but now it seemed to be more quiet. They would have the potential to be a good club on weekends if they get more crowded. In the meantime, you can still go there to play darts or billiard.

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 22510077
Facebook: Playroom Bar Pantai Indah Kapuk

Hangover

Hangover is a soju bar, a popular alcoholic drink from Korea. It has another location in Kelapa Gading as well. Note that the Hangover in Kemang is not related to this brand. What a strange name for a bar, I'm surprised there are two companies fighting over this name. It is like a restaurant that would call itself Diarrhea.

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5698 3686 or +62 (0) 214523525 for Kelapa Gading
Facebook: Hangover Soju

Hugo

Hugo is also a soju bar. Recently opened, it is dim-lighted and often packed. It is too small to be really fun though and it's best to visit it for pre-party drinks.

Phone number: +62 (0) 878 8388 8727
Facebook: Hugo PIK

Minus 2 Beer Bar

Minus 2 is a rooftop beer garden with a very minimalist décor. You just have some tables/chairs and beer ads on the walls. Not much more. They have a rather large selection of imported beers, in particular Japanese and Taiwanese ones. You have some western and asian food cooked with the usual terrible standards found almost everywhere else in Jakarta. Indoor and outdoor al-fresco area available.

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 9310 0101
Address: Ruko Crown Shopping Arcade Blok D/62-63

Replay Lounge and Karaoke

Drinking contest in Replay Lounge
Replay is a lounge and family karaoke. Downstairs is the Vape ministry which I believe belongs to the same owner.

Facebook: Replay Lounge PIK
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 2942 4881

D'llyst Café and Restaurant

D'llyst is a restaurant quite similar to its neighbour "Tongue and Groove". Empty during the day, it can be more crowded at night on weekends with groups of friends. 

Facebook: D'llyst Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0)  21 2942 4824

Overall, even though there are many hangout spots in PIK, I would not recommend it for party unless you are staying in North Jakarta and you are looking for "clean" venues to have a drink with friends.
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10 Weird Stuff Indonesians Typically Post on Facebook

December 29, 2015, 4:00 am
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Indonesia has the fourth largest number of Facebook users in the world, but the way Indonesians use Facebook is sometimes unique. From a Westerners perspective, some posts will appear to be weird, if not totally inappropriate.

Here is my top 10 of weird things I regularly read on my Facebook newsfeed:

1) The "I'm on my period" status

Short translation: "I'm on my period and you should all know about it"
Being on your period in Indonesia is not something you keep for yourself. If you work in an office, you will probably be informed of every details of your colleagues' periods, either by looking if there is a bottle of Kiranti on their desk, or by checking their facebook/twitter/instagram statuses.

2) The "I look like a cat" photo

This photo trend actually comes from Korea but it is very popular in Indonesia too. The idea is to add some cat features to one of your photos so you will look like the lady above. 

3) Look Who's Dead


Posting a photo of a deceased person on Facebook is oddly common in Indonesia. 

4) Violent, Graphic Photos of Accidents

Translation: "I hope you are having your breakfast when you see this"
The above picture is the last thing I want to see on my Facebook. Yet if you looked closely, it has over 120,000 likes and thousands of shares. Note that I am the one who pixellated the image as the original was too horrible to look.

5) Photo of the hand with intravenous needle in hospital

This is a classic. When an Indonesian goes to a hospital, it seems he always ends up with an "infus" (intravenous therapy), whatever his sickness is. I suspect that it is a way for hospital to charge their patients a bit more. Patients are happy too because it gives them the opportunity for a Facebook post.

6) Photo of friends jumping on a beach

There is a rule that if more than 4 Indonesian friends go to a beach together, they will take a picture of themselves jumping at the same time with their hands up in the air.

7) The selfie wall with the same photo duplicated a 1000 times

This is particularly common among Indonesian teenage girls. Basically, they will post hundreds of a very similar selfie replicated dozens of times. Popular poses include the duck face, the peace sign, the annoyed look, the silly eyes, etc. I have seen some profiles with thousands of those pictures.

8) Look What I'm Eating

Posting about the food you are eating, even if it is just a nasi goreng is a must in Indonesia.

9) Ground Zero Selfie

The Ground Zero (the memorial for the 2002 Bali Bombing Victims) is full of people taking selfies or "foto narsis". This is a very special photo which is usually the highlight of any trip in Bali, better than the beach, the temples or the rice fields.  

10) Look I met a Bule


Translation: "I went to the zoo and look what I saw"

There are quite many other typical things Indonesian post on Facebook like the blackberry advertising, the conspiracy theories, the save Gazas, the Jilbab or the over-exposed selfies, etc. If you think I forgot one, please leave a comment below and I'll update the post.
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Jakarta Party Bus: Best Way to Enjoy Jakarta Nightlife with Big Groups

December 31, 2015, 12:03 am
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If you are planning to party in Jakarta with a group (starting 6 people), you should spend some time considering your transportation options.

Clubs in Jakarta are rather far from each other and you'll most likely need to spend a couple hours in traffic to go from one point to another. Until a few years ago, what I was doing with friends was to rent a minivan for the weekend, load it with beers and music, and go from one place to the other with it. It is not that practical if you are more than 6 or 7 though and it is not perfect in terms of facilities (no fridge) and music (poor speakers).

Since last year, you have a great alternative in the form of a proper luxury party bus. Created by the team behind the website WhatsNewJakarta.com, it is by far the best options for bachelor parties, bachelorettes, birthdays or any other events with a large group of people.

The bus, called Royale VIP Bus, can accommodate up to 25 people easily. The price depends on the number of hours you intend to use it. For a typical night out in Jakarta, I would say you need at least 8 hours from 8pm to 4am when clubs are closing. For more details about the pricing, you can check their website www.royalevipbus.com.

For 8 hours, the cost is IDR5,5M, which can be split evenly between the group members. The price includes a driver, gasoline, an assistant, a butler, a karaoke system, a fridge, ice cubes, plastic cups and a toilet. As the driver is familiar with nightlife venues in Jakarta, you won't have to think about orientation as well.

The interior of the bus gives you the impression to be inside a nightclub with disco lights, a surround sound system and 2 dancing poles. Fortunately, it has curtains and it is discreet from the outside so you don't have to worry about attracting too much unwanted attentions.

My recommendation would be to start your night out with a few drinks in Kemang, then head to Mega Kuningan for dinner (Loewy for instance), then move to one of the clubs in Gatot Subroto (Blowfish or Dragonfly), move again to Immigrant, and finally visit Colosseum in Kota.

Be sure to prepare enough bottles of wines, beers or spirits, and also a playlist on your iphone that you can connect to the speakers. They also have their own selection of songs in case you don't want to bother with that part.

Contact Details:
If you need more information or want to look at more pictures, you can look at the Royale VIP Party Bus social medias:


You can also call 021 98792877 or email info@royalevipbus.com.

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12 Best Nightclubs in Bali

January 2, 2016, 11:54 am
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I already wrote last year a complete review of Bali nightlife which I recently updated. I'm adding this ranking of the top 12 hottest clubs on the island. This list of the best party places should help you choose where to go for your night out. The $ sign indicates the average price category for a standard alcoholic drink.

The following venues are all the busiest party spots in Bali at the time of writing. Please feel free to comment!

1) Jenja $$$: Best overall
Photo source: Jenja Bali
Where is it? Jenja is located on the basement of the Town Square Suites on Jalan Nakula. It is just between Kuta and Seminyak and 3 minutes away from Double Six beach. There has been several cases of robberies in front of the hotel so be careful late at night.
Who goes there? Expats 60%, tourists 20%, Indonesians 20% (among which some prostitutes)
Why should I go? Jenja is popular for having the right dosage between chic and underground. Good resident and guest DJs. European-style electronic music.
Why should I avoid it? You might feel claustrophobic on the dancefloor as the ceiling is pretty low and the club packed at peak hours.
When is the best time to go? Every nights from Wednesday to Saturday, after 1AM. Read more: Jenja.

2) La Favela $$: Best bar in Bali
Photo credit: http://jberginc.com/
Where is it? More a bar than a nightclub, La Favela is located in the heart of Seminyak, on Jalan Oberoi. It is just in front of Red Carpet Champagne Bar, and next to Le Bistro.
Who goes there? 50% tourists, 30% expats, 20% Indonesians.
Why should I go? The interior design of La Favela is really amazing, a real work of art. The place is rather big, with a nice, quieter outdoor area. Trendy, hippie kind of crowd.
Why should I avoid it? The music is a hit or miss, usually old-school with popular pop and disco songs. Not a sleek, modern place as it is made almost entirely from recycled materials and antiques. Popular with Westerners, much less with Indonesians. They give you plastic cups instead of real glasses.
When is the best time to go? La Favela is open all day as it is also a restaurant. The place becomes lively only after 11pm, almost any night of the week. Complete review here: La Favela Seminyak.

3) Sky Garden $$: Best nightlife spot in Kuta
Photo credit: Club Sky Garden
Where is it? Sky Garden is located in Jalan Legian, Kuta. The street is often clogged with traffic so it's best to walk if you don't stay too far away. Beware of pickpockets outside and inside, especially at the end of the night.
Who goes there? Australians (50% Bogans), teenagers and backpackers from all over the world, Javanese prostitutes, 20-something Jakartans on their first trip to Bali, some younger expats.
Why should I go? The biggest club in Bali with a fun, mixed crowd in terms of age and nationalities, different music on every floors and rooms (electro, old school, rnb, live) including a rooftop and a huge main dancefloor with the best sound system in Bali (SkyDome), some great shows including sexy dancers. Girls can get free selected cocktails on ladies nights. Every day, cheap 5$ all-you-can-eat barbecue. Drinks are very reasonably priced.
Why should I avoid it? If you don't like college style parties, then you will hate it. There are also quite many prostitutes operating in the club but they are rather discreet. You may also not feel too safe as it is just a few hundred meters away from Ground Zero where the first Bali bomb went off. Many expats hate it because it is too mainstream and because it attracts quite many singlet-wearing Australians.
When is the best time to visit? Because it is always packed early in the night, SkyGarden is recommended any day of the week, after 9pm. Complete review: Sky Garden Kuta.

4) Mint $$$: Best venue in Seminyak for electronic music
Photo source: Mint
Where is it? Mint is located on Jalan Petitenget, in the heart of Seminyak. It is not far from W Hotel or Potato Head Beach Club. It is just in front of another popular bar, Mantra, which is a good option for pre-party cocktails.
Who goes there? Single male expats above 30 (from Bali and Jakarta), Javanese girls (among which many working girls), some gays, some Western girls, some tourists.
Why should I go? Intimate club with many regulars. Great electronic music. Drinks not too expensive. A fairly easy pick-up place for guys and girls.
Why should I avoid it? You won't like Mint if you are too young. It is a closed air-conditioned club that has no "Balinese" feel. Western girls might not be comfortable with the number of prostitutes.
When is the best time to go? I would only advise to go to Mint on weekends or when they have special DJs. 1AM is the perfect hour. More on Mint on Jakarta100bars.com: Mint Nightlife Bali.

5) Mirror $$$: Best new nightclub 
Photo source: Mirror
Where is it? Mirror is located in the back of Gardin Bistro on Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak.
Who goes there? The latest trendy club in Bali, Mirror attracts mostly people from the Seminyak expat community. Since the owner of the club is also behind the popular Fable in Jakarta, you also have a lot of Jakartans.
Why should I go? Unique décor, good crowd, full on weekends. They have also been bringing some famous DJs. People tend to dress up more than usual in Mirror.
Why should I avoid it? Mainstream electronic dance music. The club is made to look like a church. Personally I don't like it, it feels creepy. Others say it's a Harry Potter theme, which is even worse.
When is the best time to go? There are events from Wednesday to Saturday. You can go starting midnight. More info: Mirror Bali.

6) Bosche $$$: Best club for Asian party-goers
Photo source: Bosche VVIP
Where is it? Bosche VIP is in Kuta on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai. You will need a 10-minute taxi ride to reach it from Jalan Legian and 20 minutes from Seminyak.
Who goes there? Asians, mostly Indonesians (Javanese, Indo-Chinese, some Balinese), Malaysians and Singaporeans
Why should I go? Most people go to Bosche for the girls. They have some sexy lady companions and a popular karaoke. The events are usually quite fun: They have rather good local live bands and an excellent sound system. After the live music, you usually have a DJ playing electronic music. There is a really cool dressing code for the staff: All of them have dyed hair, tattoos and a rock attitude.
Why should I avoid it? Bosche is almost 100% Asian. Guys usually book a table or a sofa, pay for some girls to accompany them, and get drunk. There is not much interactions in the crowd. It is more difficult to meet a "normal" girl too. The live bands play a lot of Indonesian songs which can be boring if you are not familiar with them.
When I should visit it? Bosche is decently crowded during the week, and it is busy from Wednesday to Saturday night. If you want to hear the live music, come from 8am to midnight. For their latest events: Bosche Bali.

7) Pyramid $$$: Best club for late-night expat clubbers
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/bali.tonight
Where is it? Pyramid is on Jalan Dewi Sri, easy to reach from both Seminyak and Kuta (10 minute ride by taxi). The area is one of the worst in Bali in terms of safety. There have been countless reports of motorbike riders (females mostly) having their handbags snatched. Be very careful.
Who goes there? People usually go to Pyramid after all the other places (Jenja, Mirror, Mint, SkyGarden, etc) have closed. It is a mix of different crowds, but mostly you will find male expats and prostitutes.
Why should I go? The electronic music is usually excellent. Past a certain hour, it is the only decent place opened apart from DeeJay Cafe (see below).
Why should I avoid it? You may not like the 80% male crowd, 15% prostitutes, 5% normal girls.
When is the best time to go? I would only advise Pyramid on weekends as most of their events are on Friday and Saturday nights. 4AM is a normal time. Complete review here: Pyramid Bali.

8) Hu'u Bar $$$: Best club for Jakartans
Photo source: Hu'u Bar
Where is it? Hu'u bar is centrally located in Seminyak, Jalan Petitenget, near the new Alila Hotel. It is 2 minutes away from Ku De Ta or Potato Head.

Who goes there? Mostly Indonesians from Jakarta and Indonesian residents of Bali. The rest is 25% expats and 15% tourists.

Why should I go? Hu'u has a Bali vibe with its large garden and swimming pool. Good crowd and one of the best pick up places on the island.

Why should I avoid it? The music is mainstream unless they have events. Since the opening of Mirror, it is not as happening as it used to be.

When is the best time to go? Weekends only, midnight. For a complete review: Hu'u Bar.


9) Hypnotized $$: Best club for under 25

Photo Credit: VH Kuta
Where is it? Hypnotized and the Velvet Lounge, also called VH, are located in Beachwalk Mall in Kuta. Easy to find, but the traffic can be horrible on weekend nights. Some taxis may actually refuse to take you there and will drop you instead at Kartika Plaza (10 minutes walk).
Who goes there? The picture is misleading as most clients of Hypnotized are Indonesians living in Bali (but not Balinese). You also have some tourists from Jakarta and other countries.
Why should I go? Hypnotized is a rather clean club with less prostitution compared to other venues mentioned in this review. Guys looking to meet normal Indonesian girls could try it.
Why I should avoid it? Mainstream music. Younger crowd.
What is the best time to go? Weekends only unless they have special events or guest DJs. It starts to fill up around midnight. More information: Velvet Hypnotized Bali.

10) Akasaka / A-Club $$: Best underground club in Bali
Photo Credit: A-Club Bali
Where is it? Akasaka and A-Club are both in the same complex, in Denpasar, on the Simpan Enam roundabout. Every taxis will know where it is. If you don't have a taxi, you just have to follow Jalan Imam Bonjol from Sunset Road, then Jalan Teuku Umar. It is a 15 minutes drive from Sunset Road.
Who goes there? Mostly Indonesians, Balinese and Javanese living in Bali. There are also some long term expats who are used to Jakarta nightclubs. 95% of the girls in Akasaka are prostitutes, freelance or not.
Why should I go? Akasaka is the most popular nightclub in Bali with Indonesians. It is also one of the craziest and at the centre of Bali prostitution scene: It's the only place in Bali where I have seen nude striptease. They have some good events with DJs from Jakarta and even international ones.
Why should I avoid it?: As a typical underground place, you have a lot of drugs including ecstasy. Very limited chances of meeting a normal girl. The techno music played in the largest room can only be understood by Indonesian ears.
When is the best time to go?: Read more: Akasaka Bali.

11) DeeJay Club $$: Best after in Bali
Photo Credit: Paradiso Hotel
Where is it? DeeJay Café is located in Kuta, in Paradiso Hotel. It is not far from Discovery Plaza Mall on Jalan Kartika.
Who goes there? Though not a gay club, I would say that most of the crowd is made of gays or ladyboys. The guys to girls ration is terrible, probably 10 to 1, and most girls are prostitutes. There are always some foreigners, usually expats, but most people are Indonesians.
Why should I go? DeeJay Café is one of the only two after-hour club in Bali (with Pyramid) so you don't have much choice. The music is rather good, in general hits by famous Jakarta DJs (Bobby in particular).
Why should I avoid it? You should always avoid DeeJay café unless you are too drunk or too high to make smart decisions. You may also not want to pay the entrance fee (from Rp100,000 to Rp200,000). A lot of drug inside.
When is the best time to go? Saturday and Sunday morning after 5AM until 10AM. More information: Bali DeeJay Club.

12) Koh $$: Most promising nightlife spot in Seminyak
Photo credit: Umalagon
Where is it? The newest club in Bali, Koh is on Jalan Dyana Pura, Seminyak. It is not far from the gay nightlife area.
Who goes there? Expats and Bali residents 70%, tourists 30%.
Why should I go? The main reason to go to Koh is for the music, which promises to be on par with nightclubs in Europe.
Why should I avoid it? Underground clubs in Europe are popular because you can take ecstasy safely. I'm not sure the safe concept would work in Bali if people are just drunk on beer.
When should you go there: For now, weekends only, 1AM. Check if they have special events for the other nights of the week: Koh Bali.

Conclusion: The Best Clubs in Bali

As the beach is more polluted and the rice fields in Kuta and Seminyak have vanished, the nightlife has become one of the few reasons for staying in South Bali nowadays.

Clubs, bars and restaurants are sprouting like mushrooms but only a few manage to be busy and successful. Just two years ago, Townhouse was the hottest party place in Seminyak. Today? It is closed down and forgotten.

For this reason, I would really be grateful if you could comment below in case a new clubs open or one gets shut down. Thanks in advance!

Photo credit main picture: Bali Tonight

Are you traveling in Asia? Check also my review about Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife.
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5 Best Budget Hotels in Central Jakarta For Under 25$

January 10, 2016, 5:20 pm
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The best budget hotels in Central Jakarta offer incredible value for money. For less than 25$, you will get your own clean room with private shower, AC, hot water, quality mattress and flat screen TV.

If you are looking for the cheapest room price for a stay near the Golden Triangle (Gatot Subroto - Rasuna Said - Sudirman streets), your best option is to book through RedDoorz, a fast-expanding budget hotel management chain. RedDoorz hotels are usually independently-owned small residences (kos in Indonesian) that were until now very difficult to book from internet.

They offer limited facilities and amenities, but if you are just hoping to sleep well, shower and watch TV, they will do the job just fine. All of their properties have a service guarantee that includes free wifi, 24-hour support, free water and toiletries, sanitized washrooms and quality linen. You can get an additional discount by booking directly with them on http://www.reddoorz.com or by downloading their app on Android store for a 50% cashback.

Scroll down below to see my list of the best-priced hotels in Jakarta's city center as well as a short description.

Since this is a blog about nightlife, I also made sure that the hotels I chose were located near Jakarta's best bars and clubs. All of them are also guest-friendly to a reasonable extent.

RedDoorz near UOB Plaza
RedDoorz near UOB Plaza is good choice for a pocket-friendly hotel in Jakarta. It is right in the center, next to the Transjakarta bus station and walking distance from Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia. It is a small property with 20 rooms only, a restaurant and a friendly staff.

The amenities provided are minimal and you need to pay a Rp300,000 deposit at check-in, but you can hardly beat their price with this location.

You can book from here: RedDoorz near UOB Plaza.


RedDoorz Hotel Near WTC Sudirman
This is a basic hotel but again, with a great central location. Jalan Bek Murad is just behind Sudirman street, which can be easily accessed through the World Trade Center office park. In terms of nightlife, you are just a few minutes away from Mega Kuningan and from the malls Kuningan City, Ambassador and Lotte Mall.

You can book here: RedDoorz Near WTC Sudirman.


RedDoorz @ Guntur Setiabudi
This hotel is not as centrally located as the two other mentioned above, but it is still within 10 minutes taxi from Plaza Indonesia and 15-20 from Senayan. You can also walk to Jalan Rasuna Said pretty easily. It is in a nice, quiet neighborhood with quite many street food options and a few authentic markets (for instance Pasar Rumput). Another good point is that the hotel is very affordable. It is a small, cozy property with only 10 rooms.

You can book here: RedDoorz at Guntur Setiabudi.


RedDoorz @ Karet Setiabudi
Karet in Setiabudi is famous for having dozens of cheap residences for young executives and students. It is not far from Rasuna Said street, and particularly from Pasar Festival Mall, Taman Rasuna, Epicentrum and Setiabudi One. It is also very strategic for long stays as you have some internet cafés, laundries and plenty of street food.

RedDoorz at Karet Setiabudi is a bit more expensive than the other hotels mentioned here, but still reasonable at around 25$ per night. Its rooms are really comfortable with a large bed, clean linen, hot water, flat screen TV and free WIFI.

You can book here: RedDoorz at Karet Setiabudi

RedDoorz @ Sarinah
Sarinah is a great location for travelers to Jakarta. It is close from Jalan Jaksa, Monas, Gambir train station, Plaza Indonesia, Bunderan HI, the National Museum, etc. It is also a great place to get street food, in particular on Jalan Sabang.

RedDoorz @ Sarinah costs around 25$ (including the discount from directly booking on their website). Rooms have large beds, AC, fridge, plenty of storage space, free WIFI and satellite TV.

You can book here: RedDoorz Sarinah.
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Karaokes and KTVs in Jakarta (Complete Guide)

January 28, 2016, 7:43 am
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Karaoke and KTV bars in Jakarta are used for a multitude of purposes. Singing is one of them, but it is definitely not the only reason. Most commonly, they are used for prostitution, drugs, private parties, striptease and sometimes orgies.

As a foreigner, it took me several years to understand what was truly going on behind those doors. It is only after discussing with girls, clients and club owners, that I finally realized what karaokes were for and why Indonesians are so crazy about them.

The main appeal of karaoke in Indonesia is the need for privacy. The Indonesian society is quite hypocritical in the sense that it is officially religious and traditional, but in real life, many people (especially in Jakarta) behave in a liberal way. A good illustration is the lawmaker from PKS Arifinto, a conservative Muslim who was caught watching porn during a parliamentary session. If you've lived in the country long enough, that should not surprise you a lot.

This clip is from the movie Iseng (2016) and it gives a pretty accurate description of how parties end in some karaokes in the red light areas of Jakarta:
Many Indonesians love to party and love sex, but they need to hide this because it is not considered appropriate by the rest of the population. Karaoke bars and clubs are the perfect place for that because they are ambiguous. Unlike a bordello or a massage parlour, you can never be sure of what happens inside unless you are also inside yourself.

Not all karaokes have prostitutes and drugs though. You will find two broad kinds of karaokes in Jakarta:

Family Karaokes (Karaoke Keluarga):
As the name indicates, these are legit venues for clean fun between colleagues, friends and family members.

Nothing really special here. People are sitting in a room, requesting songs and singing. Usually they can order food and drinks as well.

There are 3 famous companies in Indonesia with locations everywhere: Happy Puppy, Nav and Inul Vizta. Nav is usually the cheapest with less songs and less eating/drinking options. Happy Puppy is in the middle. Inul Vizta is the most expensive with the best locations in mid-to-high-end malls. They also serve alcohol (at least in the outlets I've visited).

You also have several smaller chains and boutique karaokes. For instance, X-KTV in Senayan City, Diva Karaoke, T-Rex Karaoke in Grand Indonesia, Zodiak KTV in Citywalk and The Boutique KTV in Arcadia, etc.

To my knowledge, there is not one mall in Jakarta that does not have a family karaoke inside or at least within walking distance from it.

Naughty Karaokes:
Real photo from inside a Jakarta karaoke (taken by a friend and censored by me)
Naughty karaokes are much more numerous and diverse. You will find them everywhere in the city, even in central Jakarta where I can count at least 10.

According to dozens of girls I've talked to, the majority of the customers are government officials using government money. In the accounting books, it is recorded as "entertainment expenses". Since Ahok and Jokowi have been elected though, it seems there is a tighter control on such expenses and some karaokes are struggling to make as much money as before.

The second most important group of customers are business people who need to entertain their clients. If you wonder how companies choose their suppliers in Indonesia, you have your answer: They "entertain" the key people of that company with booze, sex and drugs. An ex-boss once told me he spent 8,000$ on a night out in Kota to impress a CEO who was 70 years old.

How does it work: Rooms
You either pay for the room a certain amount, or you have a minimum spending for using the room. For instance, in Alexis hotel, the President VIP Suite costs IDR15M for 3 hours, which means you must spend at least 15M on drinks and girls to be allowed there. If you spend less, for instance 10M, you have to pay an additional 5M.

In high-end karaokes, you must generally spend at least IDR2,5M to 5M for 6 hours for a room that can accommodate up to 8 people.

How does it work: Girls
The karaokes will provide guests with lady companions, also called hostesses or Public Relations (PR) or Guest Relations Officers (GRO) or models. Girls are usually ranked by desirability, which includes beauty, age, personality, singing skills or flirting skills. The more desirable the girl, the more expensive she is.

Some places allow you to choose the girl you want through a contest, meaning all available girls will come to see you and you can pick the one you prefer. Some do not allow you to choose, but you can give your preferences to the mamasan who will then suggest someone for you. 

The price of a girl also depends on what the she agrees to do or not. In North Jakarta, most guests want a girl who is willing to take ecstasy and drink alcohol. Girls will get a commission on drinks, but also on the number of pills she takes.

There are several types of naughty karaokes in Jakarta:

- Hostess Karaokes: These are all the karaokes with lady companions, but without any rooms nor any arrangement for guests to have sex with the girls. It does not mean that girls are not available for sex and it does not meet that sex is not possible. It depends on the willingness of the girl, which is influenced by how nice you are, how many ladies drink you buy her, and how much tip you give.

There are no rules for how much you must pay to get laid. I know a guy who bought a house to a lady companion just to sleep with her. Others will get a blowjob in the toilets for Rp300,000. Some girls will only give their phone numbers, some may go straight to the guests' hotel.

Some famous addresses: Roxy karaoke in SCBD (next to Lucy in the Sky), Grand Manhattan Karaoke or the chain Roppongi Papa.

- Japanese and Korean Karaokes (KTV): They are hostess karaokes targeting those specific communities. You can usually find them in South Jakarta, particularly in Jalan Melawai (Little Tokyo) and Dharmawangsa. Girls know some Korean/Japanese songs and they will usually look younger (between 18 and 22). Popular places include Cantik, Mitsubachi, Yujiro, Jawa Jawa, Chameleon and Geisha. You can also check those two websites for more information: jktlife.com and j-spot.info. 

- Bordello Karaokes: Most karaokes are hidden bordellos where sex is on sale. You will find the most famous ones in big one-stop entertainment complexes that also include spas and clubs. If you take girls and pay the right price, you will get an attached bedroom. The most luxurious may also have a jacuzzi inside.

Famous addresses include:
- High-end: Grand Paragon Hotel (the most expensive and luxurious karaoke in Jakarta), Illigals, Sun City, Alexis, Malioboro, Club 36, 1001, Emporium, Diamond, Sense, Zen, V2

Sex is not automatic though. It depends on what the client negotiates and what the girl is willing to do. The difference with the hostess karaokes mentioned above is that if you want to have sex, it will happen on the spot for an amount decided by the management of the karaoke.

In some karaokes where a room is provided, sex is included in the package without having to negotiate. You generally have a voucher system: The more vouchers you buy, the more you get from the girl.

For instance, in a famous spa in North Jakarta, 1 voucher costs IDR600K. For 1 voucher, the girl will only accompany you sing. For 2 vouchers, she sings wearing sexy lingerie. For 3 vouchers, she sings topless. For 4 vouchers, she is naked. For 5 vouchers, you can have sex with her.

You must ask the mamasan in each venues about what you can get, and which girl is up for what (some girls will only accept 1 voucher).

- Clubbing Karaokes: Within the karaokes listed above, some of them cater especially to clubbers. It is what Indonesians call "open room". This is one of the most interesting aspects of Jakarta nightlife.

Even though it is still called a karaoke, people are not paying to sing, but to party with their friends. They ask for a specific mix or they get a DJ specially for them included in the price of the room.

There are several reasons for people to party within a karaoke room. One of them, as I mentioned before, is the need for privacy. Some people do not want to be seen inside a club drinking alcohol, taking drugs or flirting with prostitutes. This is especially true for married men, VIPs and government officials. Surprisingly, I also know some girls wearing jilbabs who only party with other girls in karaoke rooms as they do not want to go to clubs.

Another reason is that some karaokes have very flexible opening hours. Some are open 24-hour like in Mille's and therefore attract all the hardcore clubbers, usually those who take ecstasy. Those open in the afternoon may attract young jakartans who are still living with their parents and have a curfew. They will pretend to go to the mall, and instead drop a pill in North Jakarta.

Drugs are usually easy to buy from the staff or from the security, but you won't get the same protection everywhere. For instance, Illigals and Paragon have the reputation to always pay the police to avoid razzias, but Mille's does not.

For a full list and reviews of all karaokes in Jakarta, please click here: Karaoke Jakarta.

I tried to make this review as easy to understand as possible. If you need more details, please leave a comment below!
Photo Credit: Main photo from Roppongi Papa Karaoke
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11 Sexiest Indonesian Actresses in 2016

February 5, 2016, 4:53 am
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In this article I will give you the names and photos of the 11 sexiest and most beautiful Indonesian actresses who are still active in 2016.

I selected only natural beauties: No girls with color contact lenses, weird eyebrows, botox injections or lips enhancements. I also chose girls who are still young with a promising career ahead. For the "old" ones, you can check my review 10 Sexiest Indonesian Women.

As it is often the case in Indonesia, many of the following actresses are also models and singers. You can know more about them by clicking on their name, it links to their instagram accounts (from where I took most of the photos).

If you ask an Indonesian girl why she wants a mixed blood baby (Indonesian/Bule), there is a big chance she will tell you it's because she want it too look like Pevita Pearce. The 23 year old actress is from England by her dad and Borneo through her mom. She will star in the movie "Aach... Aku Jatuh Cinta" in 2016.

Anggika is another beautiful mixed-blood Indonesian actress. The 20-year-old was born in Jakarta in 1995 from a Swiss dad and Indonesian mum. She starred in the popular movie "Youtubers" in 2015.

Alexa Key, not to be confused with Alicia Keys, is an up-and-coming Indonesian actress who played in several high-budget movies in 2015, among which "Romeo + Rinjani" and "Garuda Superhero". She is 21, from Denpasar, with German blood.

23-year-old Manda Cello is an actress, singer and model originally from Bandung. After roles in TV films and sinetrons, she will make her debut in a feature film in 2016 in the movie "Iseng":

Acha is a pure blood Indonesian with already over 10 years of experience in the film industry. She is considered to be one of the highest paid actresses in Indonesia.

Also known as Adzana Bing Slamet, she is the daugther of Adi Bing Slamet and the grand-daughter of Bing Slamet, both famous Indonesian entertainers. Most of her career has been on TV on sinetron. The soon-to-be 23 years old will play in "Ketika Cinta Jatuh Cinta" in 2016.

OK don't get too excited here as Natasha is not 18 yet. Born in December 1998, she is one of the most popular actresses in Indonesia at the moment. She played in "Relationshit" in 2015 and she already has a long experience playing on Sinetron.

The leading role in the critically-acclaimed movie Siti, Sekar Sari won the Best Performance for Silver Screen Award at the Singapore International Film Festival in 2014. The young Javanese has both beauty and brains: She is currently a news presenter in TVRI after studying international Affairs in UGM and in the UK.

One of the most famous Indonesian actresses at only 20, Yuki Kato has a Japanese dad and an Indonesian mom. She appeared in over 20 sinetrons and more recently in the movie "This Is Cinta" (2015).

Dinda started acting when she was only 10 years old in the sinetron Monyet Cantik. Now 19, she stars in RCTI's "Aku Anak Indonesia".

Did I forget your favourite girl in this list of the 12 sexiest and hottest Indonesian Actresses of 2016? Let me know if there is a beautiful and hot woman that you think I should include here!
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Manila Nightlife: Best Clubs and Bars

February 6, 2016, 11:26 pm
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Manilla nightlife is one of the best in Asia: Clubs and bars are crowded almost every night of the week. Pretty girls are everywhere, alcohol is cheap and foreigners are welcome.

This review will cover everything you need to know about partying in the whole Metro Manila, a huge urban area which is made of several cities including Manila, Makati, Pasay, Taguig and Quezon City.

I will answer the following questions: Why choosing Manila? Where to stay and party? What are the best clubs and bars in Manila? Where to meet Filipino girls? Where are the red light districts, massage parlours, strip clubs and gogo bars? 

If you need more information or if you feel I missed something, please just leave a comment below at the end of the review.

Is Manila Recommended for Party?
I would recommend Manila nightlife for the following reasons:

- Cheap prices for alcohol, entrance fees and taxis: Even high-end nightclubs like Revel only charge  a 10$ entrance with 2 strong drinks included. You can easily get yourself drunk for 30 dollars in Manila, which is the price for one cocktail in some bars in Singapore.
- Foreigner-friendly: English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis. Filipinos are open-minded and easy-going. Dress codes are almost never implemented.
- Girl-friendly hotels: There are no issues with bringing girls back to your hotel in Manila.
- Rather easy to meet pretty girls that are not prostitutes: While prostitution is big in Manila with several red light districts, you also have a great dating and flirting scene with normal local girls.
- Clubs and bars open late and every day: You can go out any night of the week in Manila, you'll always find a crowded bar or nightclub. Sunday nights can be spent in B-Side, Mondays in ZZYZX and Tuesdays in Privé. The rest of the week is busy almost everywhere. There are no real curfews: Many clubs close at 6am, a few keep going until 8am.

There are a few negative sides about Manila though. The city is still developing and you won't see the kind of sophisticated bars and clubs as you would in Singapore, Bangkok or Jakarta (except maybe for Chaos). 

Hotels are usually a bit more expensive than elsewhere in Southeast Asia and their quality is average. The internet is terrible, even when advertised as being fast. During the day, you may spend a lot of time in traffic (not as much as in Jakarta anyway). There is a metro but it is packed and hot. The food is not great unless you are a fan of junk food/American food.

If you are into paid sex, be aware that Manila is rather expensive too: Bar fines can reach almost a 100$!. Finally, security is an issue but it is quite exaggerated in my opinion. As long as you stay in safe neighborhoods  and use reputed taxi companies, you are not particularly at risk.

Where to Party in Manila?
Metro Manila is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. You cannot visit everything in one night of course.

The nightlife is active in the following areas, by order of personal preference:

- Makati is the first business district in Metro Manila and it is home to many expatriates. It is the most interesting place for party because there are both high-end clubs and bars + a lively red light district. It is also centrally located with many options for hotels and apartments. Go to Makati Avenue for coffee shops/bars/clubs, Burgos Street for gogo bars and brothels and near Havana Café in Greenbelt 3 for freelancers.

- Bonifacio Global City (BGC or The Fort) is a newer business district that currently competes with Makati. It is more modern and attracts younger Filipinos and expats. It is built on a grid, meaning it's easy to go from one place to another. It's probably the safest area in Metro Manila. Accommodation is hard to find, especially in the budget segment. Go to The Fort Strip or to The Palace for trendy bars and clubs.

- Ermita/Malate are two districts of Manila located next to each other near the Manila Bay. They attract budget travelers, backpackers, tourists and Koreans/Japanese businessmen. It is also where most government buildings are. The area can be considered a red-light district with its Korean-style karaokes and its pubs with freelance prostitutes. You also have some street prostitution and a few popular expat bars. Go to Adriatico and nearby streets.

- Quezon City is actually the most populated city in the Philippines, before Manila. It is very authentic, mostly residential, with at least 10 good nightclubs, dozens of bars and a few karaokes/massage parlours. The crowd is usually young and almost 100% local. Prices are low. There used to be a red light area with naked striptease but it was closed down by the Mayor a few years ago. You can go to Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Avenue, Quezon City Avenue and Cubao X (for hipsters).

- Pasay/Parañaque are two municipalities located around the airport, south of Manila. It is not the most recommended area except if you are looking for sex. In particular, you have the EDSA International Entertainment Complex, a sort of smaller local version of Nana Plaza with 6 bars lined up next to each other. You also have a few bordellos and gogo bars scattered around, for instance Universe Strip Club or Air Force One KTV. Finally, this is where the mall City of Dreams is located, with its 2 luxury nightclubs (Pangaea and Chaos).

You have secondary nightlife areas like in the Ortigas Business District (Metrowalk). The ambiance there is good natured with live music and families. 

Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila
I have written reviews about each nightclubs in Manila and Quezon City. You can find the full articles here: Best Nightclubs in Manila and here: Best Nightclubs in Quezon City.

I list here my 11 favorites starting with the best. I usually go clubbing with 1 or 2 persons maximum so I tend to prefer when there is a dancefloor, a nice bar area and where it is easy to meet new people.

1) Black Market
The current trendy club in Manila among expats and hip Filipinos. Music is anything but EDM. Lots of pretty girls but not so easy to chat with them.

2) Valkyrie
Located in The Palace in Bonifacio Global City, it is huge and modern with a great party atmosphere. If you are new in Manila, Valkyrie is my first recommendation as you can meet girls easily. It is also connected to the Pool Club and Revel.

3) Chaos
Chaos is located in the mall/casino City of Dreams. It looks neat with a perfect sound system and high-end crowd. It is best enjoyed if you book at least a small table near the dancefloor.

4) Time
This small underground nightclub is famous for staying open until late in the morning. It has also the best DJs playing techno, minimal and electro-tech. Many expats.

5) Prime
Located in Quezon City, about 30 minutes from Makati without traffic, Prime is worth a visit if you want to experience another side of Manila nightlife: Younger, cheaper and more relaxed.

6) Revel
Revel is crowded with 30+ years old executives and expats. It could be a fantastic club but there is almost no dancefloor so unless you book a sofa, you don't really feel comfortable. It is connected to Valkyrie and The Pool Club. Easy for meeting girls.

7) Pangaea
Pangaea is the sister nightclub of Chaos in City of Dreams. It is rather intimate with a low ceiling and an NY-underground vibe (though it is a luxury place). They play mostly Rn'B.

8) Privé
Maybe the most exclusive nightclub in Manila, it is located in the Fort in BGC. You have a good crowd of expats and rich Filipinos. Some celebrities as well. They have a popular retro night every Tuesday.

9) Gramercy 71
Located on the 71st floor of the Gramercy tower in Makati, you have an indoor and an outdoor area with a nice view over Manila.

10) ZZYZX
This little club in Malate is packed every night of the week. Though targeting mostly Koreans, it is still one of my favorite places for party in Manila, especially on weekdays. You have a lot of pretty girls but 90% of them are freelance prostitutes.

11) URBN
URBN is more like a pub turned nightclub after midnight. Located next to the Fort Strip, it is considered to be a pick-up joint by many expats.

Clubs usually close around 5am-6am. If you want to keep going after that, you can go to Time, LA Café (open 24-hour with many freelance prostitutes) or Bronx (also a bar with working girls).

Best Bars in Metro Manila
You have hundreds of bars in Manila, from low-class joints in working-class neighborhoods to luxury rooftop bars in Makati.

I listed a few of them here: Best Bars in Manila.

Among my favorites, I like Cable Car, Borough, El Chupacabra and Draft. They are busy, they serve food and they get you all pumped up before party.

There are some more sophisticated venues targeting mainly expats and high-class Filipinos. The best ones are Hooch, famous for its cocktails, and Finders Keepers (next to Black Market).

Speakeasies are so trendy in Manila that it is kind of ridiculous to see so many bars having the same concept. Finders Keepers is the best. The other good ones are The Curator, ABV (Alcohol by Volume) or Blind Pig.

If you need alternative/hipster places, you can visit Today X Future and Fred's Revolucion in Quezon City (Cubao X). B-Side in Makati is great on Sundays for reggae lovers.

Manila is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for live music. You can listen to any genre in hundreds of bars, but these are the current top spots:

Rock Music: Craft, The Brewery @ The Palace, Handlebar
Oldies/Retro: Strumm's
Indie Rock/Acoustic: 12 Monkeys, Saguijo, Tomato Kick, Route 196
Jazz, World Music, Reggae: Tago, The Bar @ 1951, B-Side

Where to Meet (Normal) Filipino Girls?
Filipino girls are very friendly and they are interested to meet with foreigners. Most are quite religious though (Catholic), and living with their families. For this reason, one night stands and hook-ups are not that common unless you go to the right clubs and bars.

A good idea is to download a few dating apps like Tinder, Badoo or Skout. If you fill your profile with an honest, witty description and nice pictures, you should get a fair number of matches.

The big problem with those apps is that most girls are looking for expats who actually live in the Philippines. If you are in Manila for a few days only, they will see you as a tourist hungry for casual sex and they hate that. Those girls might be ok to meet with you, but they will act cold and they will make you waste your time. Personally, I filter girls to meet only the ones who enjoy going to clubs and who drink alcohol. Girls who don't like those are usually uptight and still looking for their Prince Charming. Avoid at all cost unless you're looking for a wife.

If you are looking for one night stands, then clubs and bars are probably your best options. You can either invite a date from a Tinder/Badoo or find someone directly there.

If you are an expat, I would say your best chances to meet with a Filipino girl are in the following venues: Valkyrie, Chaos, Revel, Pangaea, Privé, URBN and Paradis. Quezon City is a bit more difficult compared to Manila nightlife because girls are not used to be approached by foreigners. You may try Guilly's there.

Gogo Bars, Striptease, Red Light Districts, Massage Parlours:
There is a lot of prostitution in Manila (though less than in the city of Angeles). For foreigners, you have 3 main red light districts:
- Burgos Street in Makati (mostly gogo bars, massage parlours and street prostitution)
- EDSA Entertainment Complex in Pasay: A similar, yet cheaper alternative to Burgos
- Malate/Ermita: A mix of everything from street prostitutes, Korean KTVs, spas and freelance bars

In the past 10 years, the local governments of some municipalities have put pressure on venues owners in an attempt to curb prostitution. This can be seen in Malate/Ermita and Quezon City where most gogo bars and naughty massage parlours have shut down. Police raids are rather common on such establishments.

You also have some very local places in working class neighborhoods but for safety reasons, I would strongly advise you to avoid unless you are familiar with the city.

In the past few years, a lot of the action has moved online, particularly on WeChat. The app is full of prostitutes and escorts that are quite easy to contact using the "Look Around" feature.

Massage Plus Plus:
In terms of quality, massage parlours in Manila cannot compare with those in Bangkok or Jakarta. They are mostly disguised brothels without a real massage. You usually pay for the room a certain amount and then pay a tip to the girl depending on the service. It is rather pricey: The decent ones will cost you at least 50$.

The most high-end massage parlour in Manila is probably Flight 168, which is attached to the KTV Air Force One. Several services are included there for a price starting 90$.

The best-value massage parlours plus plus in Metro Manila are located in Quezon City on Quezon Avenue. The famous ones are Kremlin, Wilderness and Pegasus.

Nuru massage / Thai Massage / Soapy are available in Starfleet in Parañaque, not too far away from the airport.

For 24 hour massage parlour in Manila, there used to be Palacio Don Pedro in Makati but it was shut down by the police.

Many street girls will offer you massage on the streets of Burgos in Makati. The quality is usually poor.

Gogo Bars:
Gogo bars in Manila are quite similar to those you can find in Bangkok in places like Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza. The main difference is that prices are much higher, in particular for the bar fine which can reach between 50$-80$ in Burgos street. This does not include what you pay to the girl, usually another 50$. The best ones are Kojax, Ringside Bar (a kind of blowjob bar too which features Midget Boxing) and G-String (very friendly). More venues: Best Gogo Bars in Manila.

Some of the bars have rooms where you can have sex. I'll recommend Plan B for that. Price is the same as the bar fine + tip for the girl.

EDSA Entertainment Complex has cheaper prices, but the bars are not as numerous and the quality of girls is lower.

You can also look at my list of the Best Girlie Bars in Manila where I included all the gogo bars and the venues with a high proportion of freelancers.

Stripclubs:
In terms of striptease, there is only one place that I could find with full nudity in Manila. It is called Universe and it is located in Pasay. Horizon Gentleman's VIP Club has real pole dancing shows, Las-Vegas style, but the girls don't strip naked.

Some gogo bars in Burgos street are hotter than others. In particular, Bottoms Bar where ladies' drinks can create miracles and make bras disappear.

Karaoke and Digital KTV
Popular family karaokes in Manila include CenterStage (Pasay and Makati) or the chain Music 21 (several locations).

My guess is that you are more interested in sexy karaokes with hostesses and hot lady companions. In this case, most of them are in Ermita/Malate (Korean and Japanese). You also have a few in Burgos Street (Makati), in Quezon City and around the airport.

In Ermita/Malate, you can just walk on Adriatico, Mabini, Bocobos and Remedios street and you'll see a lot of of them with girls waiting outside in sexy dresses.

In general, you pay an entrance fee of 500PHP. This gives you access to free booze and food for a certain amount of time in the common area. The common area is quite similar to any bar with hostesses/bar girls except that you can sing. There might be a show sometimes (just singing). You can call the girl you like, chat with her and buy her ladies' drinks. You can also get some private time with her in a room, but this generally does not include anything sexual. The girl will usually give you her phone number and you can meet her outside for lunch or dinner. What happens next is just between you and her.

The famous ones are Room 526 (the most luxurious with the hottest girls), Subaru (but girls there are mostly interested with Japanese and Korean customers), Mysterious Lady Angel KTV Bar, Vogue KTV and Upstage.

KTVs in Malate rarely have bedrooms inside. If you want sex, you must go to other municipalities:

In Quezon City, check Classmate, Pegasus and Heartbeat.

Around the airport, the best one is Air Force One (next to the massage parlour Flight 168). You also have Liberty Island and Universe Strip Club. Other good places to check are Genie Magic KTV but it is far in Rizal municipality and East Asia KTV in Roxas. Some other names mentioned on internet are Studio 69 and Apeira but I cannot confirm if there are still open or not.
If you think I missed something in this Manila nightlife review about the best clubs and bars in the city, please leave a comment below!

Photo credit: Goks.
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Graha Spa (Tambun - Bekasi)

October 21, 2015, 5:15 am
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Graha Spa is a small chain of massage parlours with currently 4 locations in 4 Indonesian cities: Yogyakarta, Tambun, Semarang and Surabaya.

They provide massage services that are quite similar with those you can get in Delta or My Place Spas: A range of professionally-executed treatments that end up with a handjob. It is normally not possible to get more as the girls are forbidden to have sex.

The branch in Tambun (Bekasi) is their newest to date. It still looks new and it is clean.

Facilities are complete. They include a sauna, a steam room, 3 whirlpools (10°, 40° and normal temperature) and a small fitness room. The treatments available are all the classics such as shiatsu, traditional massage, aromatherapy, thai massage, hot stones and ear candles. They also have a hot blanket massage that I haven't tried.

Prices are quite high for Bekasi, from Rp350,000 for the cheapest room (with shower) to Rp550,000 for the suite (with bathtub). This price includes 3X45 minutes massage session.

Overall: Graha Spa is recommended for a good quality massage but not the best if you are looking for sex or even HJ.

Graha Spa (Tambun)
Jalan Sultan Hasanudin No. 263 - 265 (in front of Plaza Metropolitan and next to Imel Healthy Massage)
Tambun City, Blok RE 6-17
South Tambun, Bekasi, Indonesia

Phone number: 021-8951 0051/ 0052
Fax number: 021-8951 0056
Email address: grahaspabekasi@gmail.com

Website: Graha Spa (corporate website for all branches: Tambun, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Semarang)

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 11am to 11pm
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Revolution Vodka Party Bar (Lotte Mall, Jakarta)

February 9, 2016, 11:52 am
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Revolution Vodka Party Bar is supposed to be the new Red Square, which closed down over a year ago after the management of Senayan Arcadia decided not to renew their lease.

For those who don't remember, Red Square was one of Jakarta's best bars for expats. It was wild, packed with hot girls (many of which were prostitutes though), with usually good DJs playing a mix of commercial and underground music. I personally had a lot of fun there and I was sad when it closed.

I didn't really believe they would open again but they finally did. Revolution Vodka Party Bar is located in Lotte Avenue Mall, next to their sister Mexican restaurant Gonzo's Tex Mex Grill.

I only had a look when it was empty and I haven't had a party there yet. I'll write a complete review soon.

From the photos I've seen on their Facebook page (and that I'm posting here until I make my own), the interior design looks very similar to the old Red Square, with a long central table/podium, sofas in a corner and a DJ above the crowd. It is the same group of people behind it: Expat management (Paul Counihan, Yos Malelak) and mysterious Indonesian owners.

I'm pretty sure every expat in Jakarta will be curious to visit Revolution at least once. The big question is whether they will come back or not. The crowd of Red Square has moved to Dragonfly, Blowfish, Cloud or X2 and I'm not sure they are ready to change again.

They have some special nights. The most interesting is the ladies' night on Wednesdays. On that day, they have bikini dancers and girls get a free martini if they come before 12am.

Revolution Vodka Party Bar (Jakarta)
Lotte Mall - Shopping Avenue LG No. 58, Ciputra World 1,
Jalan Prof Dr. Satrio Kav 3-5, Kuningan, Jakarta, Indonesia 12940

Phone number (bookings, sofas, table reservation): +62 (0) 21 2988 8986
Email: reservations@revolution-jakarta.com, socialmedia@revolution-jakarta.com

For events, party photos and latest informations, you can check:
Facebook: Revolution Jakarta
Website: Revolution Bar Lotte

Opening Hours:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 4.30pm to 1am
Wednesday and Thursday from 4.30pm to 3am
Friday and Saturday from 4.30pm to 4am
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Sex Hotels and Girl-Friendly Hotels in Jakarta

December 15, 2015, 7:46 am
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Many of the Jakarta hotels listed on this review are hidden brothels with plus plus spas, karaoke and nightclubs inside.

I also wrote about hotels with freelance prostitution bars and those located in red-light districts or walking distance from famous naughty nightlife spots (brothels, massage parlours, karaokes).

Regarding short-time and girl-friendly hotels in Jakarta, as I mentioned in my Jakarta Hotel Guide, almost all of them are guest-friendly. The only exceptions are family-run guest-houses with shariah rules. Apart from these, the main difficulties you may face are limited to the "walk of shame" and the need for your girl to bring an ID card with her.

Sex Hotels with Massage Parlours Plus Plus
Sexy Dancers in B'Fashion Hotel
Those are true bordellos. You go there and you can basically either go to their spas or ask for a girl to go directly to your room (when available).

Orchardz Hotels
Orchardz Hotels are one of the best options for sex hotels in Jakarta. There are currently 4 in the city with each a good spa that includes hot pools, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam. The massages provided are very hot: Body-to-body massage, Nuru, Ice and Fire Blowjobs, etc...

Book Now:Orchardz Hotel Bandara near airport, Orchardz Industri in Mangga Dua and Orchardz Pangeran Jayakarta in Glodok.

B'Fashion Hotel
This hotel has a busy spa, a karaoke and a nightclub called Oppai. Massage services are similar to those you can get in Orchardz properties. For the lounge, you have regular sexy dancers and striptease where the girls go full nude.
Book Now: B Fashion Hotel

Tematik Spa
Another naughty hotel, you can go to their club to see naked dancers or have a topless massage in the spa. Facilities are not as nice as in B'Fashion and Orchardz.
Book Now: Tematik Spa and Hotel

Twin Plaza Hotel
The Twin Plaza Hotel is considered an "entertainment hotel". It is a bit run-down and the spa/karaoke is not so busy anymore. It is in a relatively good location though, just between the airport and the city center.
Book Now: Twin Plaza Hotel

Hotel Grand Mercure Harmoni
Named Sparadise, the spa in the Grand Mercure Harmoni Hotel is reputed for its plus plus massages. It seems some therapists are willing to have sex with customers too depending on the tip they get. Note that none of the sexual services are part of the SOP, everything is under the table.
Book Now: Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni

Hotels with Karaokes (and Ladies)
These hotels have karaokes where you can choose a lady companion or LC. 

Hotel Grand Paragon
Paragon Karaoke is one of the most exclusive in Jakarta. They have a huge selection of rooms, some of which include a bedroom where you are free to do whatever you want. Lots of very sexy and pretty girls too.
Book Now: Grand Paragon Hotel

Sparks Life Hotel
Sparks Hotel used to have the first thematic spa in Jakarta but they closed it down a year ago. They still have a karaoke which is quite popular. Note that the owner is the same as both Alila hotel and Illigals club.
Book Now: Sparks Hotel

Hotel Whiz Prime
Level V is owned by the same group behind King Cross and Malioboro. It is a luxury karaoke with many pretty hostesses. Some karaoke rooms have beds.
Book Now: Whiz Prime Kelapa Gading

Golden Boutique Hotel
You have two Golden Boutique Hotels in Jakarta, one in Melawai (also near from the karaokes of Little Tokyo's red light district) and one in Angkasa in Gunung Sahari. They both have girly karaokes.
Book Now: Golden Boutique Hotel Angkasa and Golden Boutique Hotel Melawai

You can also check: Grand Asia Hotel (the KTV is called The Dragon Phoenix) and Hotel Coin in Sunter.

Hotels near Girlie Clubs, Bars and Karaokes
Thai girls line-up in Club 36, next to Jayakarta Hotel
Located next to famous party spots within red-light areas, they are naturally all girl-friendly hotels.

Glodok Plaza Hotel
This hotel is located in the same building as the one-stop entertainment complex Golden Crown, one of the most famous nightclubs in North Jakarta with drugs, prostitutes and a 24h karaoke. There is also a spa.

Jayakarta Hotel
This hotel is next door to Club 36, a small bar and karaoke with striptease and Thai prostitutes.
Book Now: The Jayakarta Jakarta

Fave Hotel LTC Lindeteves
It is on the same floor as the spa in Sun City. Go down one floor and you can go to the club and karaoke.
Book Now: Favehotel Ltc Glodok

Novotel Mangga Dua/Neo Mangga Dua/Amaris Square/Ibis
Mangga Dua Square has many hotels and it also has Sense, one of Jakarta's best karaokes.
Amos Cozy and Hotel Neo Melawai
Both are within the small Japanese red light district of Little Tokyo in Melawai, near Blok M.
D'Cozie Hotel by Prasanthi and Amazing Hotel
Both are next to Falatehan Street, famous street with a lot of girlie bars full of expats.
Hotels Walking Distance from Massage Plus Plus and Brothels
D'Prima Hotel Mangga Dua
Just next to Delta Spa in Mangga Dua.
Book Now: D'Primahotel Mangga Dua

7 Days Hotel
Next to Lokasari and its massage parlours, karaokes and clubs.
Book Now: 7 Days Hotel Taman Sari

Hotel 88 Mangga Besar 62
Next to the massage parlour Oasis, where you can order a body to body, Thai-style massage.
Red Top and Alila Hotel
Both are just 100 meters from the strip-club Tease and the the massage parlour Emporium.
Hotel 88 Mangga Besar VIII, Royal Regal, Red Star Hotel
They are in the same street as two brothels: Kimochi and Travel Hotel.
Book Now: Hotel 88 - Mangga Besar VIII, Royal Regal Hotel Jakarta and RedStar Hotel

Mirah Hotel
In front of Fashion Spa. You also have a karaoke and a lounge with striptease there.
Book Now: New Mirah Hotel

Antoni Hotel
It is in a dark alley not far from Illigals and from several small brothels (called Panti Pijat in Indonesian)
Book Now: Antoni Hotel

The BnB Kelapa Gading
About 200m away from several massage parlours, clubs and bordellos, including King Cross, Sumo and Delta.
Book Now: The BnB

Hotels with Freelance Prostitutes Bars
The hotel bars of these hotels are known to have working girls.

Shangri-La
It has a bar called BATS in its basement. It's also a steak restaurant and a live music venue.
Mulia Senayan
Home of CJs bar. It is similar to BATS but slightly larger. Many prostitutes and high-end escorts.
You also have bars with girls in Kristal Hotel and Le Meridien (Tiga Puluh). Burgundy Bar in Grand Hyatt Hotel and Tempus Club in The Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan always have a few prostitutes too.

Short Time Hotel - Girl-Friendly Hotels
Most short time hotels in Jakarta are part of the same group (Menteng Group). They have a range of old hotels in poor shape and they often have a karaoke and bar. The most famous are Oasis Amir, Kaisar, Maharadja, Sentral, Maharani, Menteng 1 and Menteng 2. The price is around 200,000 for 6 hours. Some require a KTP and some don't. Call in advance to check with them as the short time is not official and it can change anytime.

Another interesting transit hotel is Pondok Citra Grogol Service Apartment (known as PCG) where you can park you car right below your room in case you need privacy. A similar feature is available in BI Executive Hotel in Ancol (rooms have mirrors and porn movies as well).

You also have the C'One Hotel Plaza in Pulomas - Cempaka Putih and many hotels in Mangga Besar, for instance Hotel 55 and Hollywood Hotel. This area is probably the best if you are looking for girl-friendly or sex hotels in Jakarta. Their quality is low though and I would recommend booking a full night in a normal budget hotel instead as it would not be much more expensive.
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How to Buy Sex Toys in Indonesia?

February 2, 2016, 2:41 am
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Buying sex toys in Indonesia used to be very difficult, but today it has become more easy thanks to the internet.

In this review, I will answer a few questions: Are sex toys legal in Indonesia? Can I import them from abroad? Where can I buy some?
AliExpress by Alibaba.com

Are Sex Toys Legal In Indonesia?

NB: I am not a lawyer and I didn't study laws. The following is only my personal interpretation of the law based on internet research. If you can read Indonesian, I recommend you the following: The Legality of The Sex Toys Business in Indonesia. If you think I'm wrong, please leave me a comment below.

Officially, there are no laws specifically forbidding sex toys in Indonesia. Possessing a dildo, importing it or carrying it with you when you enter in Indonesia is not explicitly prohibited in any text or regulations.

However, as often in Indonesia, the law is subject to interpretation.

According to the Pornography Law No 44 of 2008, pornography is defined as any "images, drawings, illustrations, photos, writings, voices, sounds, movies, cartoons, poetry, discussions, body gestures and any form of communication through mass media or public display that can cause sexual desire or that violates moral values".

This article was widely condemned because it is very vague. The way I see it is that a simple cone-shaped dildo with no resemblance with an actual penis could hardly be considered as porn. With a sex doll, things get more complicated as you could say it is the drawing of a women on a plastic.

Anyway, it is not so important because the bill does not actually forbid personal possession of pornographic material. What it forbids is the diffusion, sale, storage, creation, public display, etc of porn.

This is confirmed in the article 282 of the Indonesian Penal Code (see English translation) which states that "any person who (...)  imports (...) an object known to him to be offensive against decency (...) with the aim of distributing it or showing it in public (...) shall be punished by a maximum imprisonment of one year and four months or a maximum fine of three thousand rupiahs.

It is clear that selling sex toys in Indonesia could be considered illegal, especially if they come with racy packaging. That's why you don't see any sex shops around. But owning a sex toys is clearly not illegal.


Can I Import Sex Toys in Indonesia?

I checked on the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Commerce the list of items that are forbidden or limited for importation (LARTAS) and they do not include sex toys. Their own rule (article 4 here) is that: "Any goods can be imported except those on the restricted list and those on the forbidden list".

The problem is that you may have to deal with officials or customs employees who are not aware of the law and who, based on their ignorance, consider that the sex toys are illegal. For this reason, they may decide to confiscate them. This will just be an annoyance for you, but you won't be fined nor go to jail as long as the items are for your personal use.


Where to Buy Sex Toys in Indonesia?

Buying on the streets or in shops
As we just saw, it is illegal to sell sex toys in Indonesia as most of them could be considered pornographic material. For this reason, you will not see any proper sex shops in the country.

In some stores like Carrefour or even 7-11, you can buy Durex Play Vibrations, a sort of vibrator which is the only sex toy sold openly in the country. You'll notice that there are no images on the packaging and that the product itself does not resemble any part of the body.

In red light districts, particularly on Jalan Gajah Mada and Jalan Mangga Besar in North Jakarta, you have many street sellers of viagra, cialis and other "obat kuat" (medicine to make a man strong). They usually also have weird imported condoms too and small vibrators/sex toys.

Buying Sex Toys Online:
The easiest way is actually to look for online stores.

The best one is probably AliExpress, which is part of the group Alibaba. AliExpress is a marketplace with thousands of Chinese companies selling their products abroad. The website is easy to navigate and you will get the best prices, even after adding the cost of delivery, and the largest choice.

There are two risk though: The first one is to order from a bad vendor. For this reason, make sure that the seller has enough reviews, if possible from Indonesian customers. AliExpress has a "Buyer Protection" program and they will refund your order if it is not delivered or if it does not fit its description.

The second risk is that your order might be confiscated at the customs. To avoid that, you can ask the seller to hide/remove any images on the packaging of the sex toy that could be deemed provocative. You should also buy only a few items so that you won't be considered as a a reseller.
AliExpress by Alibaba.com  
You can also try Tokopedia by typing "sex toys" in the search function (or "permainan seks"). This "online mall" is similar with AliExpress but with Indonesian sellers. Most of them do not have reviews and even Tokopedia warns about buying products from external vendors. You can try your luck but personally I would avoid.

Finally, Lazada and MatahariMalls also have a few sexy items and man's medicine, but no real sex toys.

Buying from abroad
The last solution is to buy them abroad and bring them with you in Indonesia. In Singapore, you have a famous shops on Orchard road called U4Ria where you can buy pretty much anything from BDSM latex fetish kits to anal plugs.

There are no reasons for the customs to confiscate the objects but follow the same precautions mentioned above: Remove/hide any erotic images (if possible take out the packaging) and only buy a few items to make it obvious that the objects are for your private use.
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LOLA Lounge (Gunawarman - Senopati - Jakarta)

February 13, 2016, 2:01 am
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Lola is a new bar and lounge that just opened in December 2015 near Senopati, on Jalan Gunawarman. It is a bit hidden, below their sister Japanese restaurant FŪJIN. It is owned by the Biko Group which is also behind Beer Garden.

They are following the worldwide trend for speakeasy bars, started in Jakarta by venues like Prohibition, Artoz, Bauhaus and Nip & Dram. Since last year, you also have Hemingway and Proof.

LOLA is probably one of the best in terms of atmosphere. It looks a bit like La Favela in Bali for the dark, almost religious, latino-chic décor (though much less sophisticated). You also have some elements that resemble Potato Head Garage in SCBD.

The crowd and the music is hip and trendy. If you are a bit hipster or attracted to anything alternative, you will probably enjoy it. If you are a tourist or in Jakarta for just a few days, I think it's best to avoid though. It's quite hard to meet people and in particular girls.

They serve Southern food and specialize in Tiki cocktails. For the live music/DJ/event schedule, please check their intagram: Lola - Espiritu Y Libacion. This is also where I took the pictures.

Note: It is totally unrelated to Colette and Lola on Jalan Senopati.

Lola
Jalan Gunawarman No. 21
Senopati, Jakarta Selatan

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 27 51 3500 / 3600
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Proof (Senayan Golf Course - Jakarta)

February 13, 2016, 9:39 am
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Proof is a high-end lounge located in the main building of the Senayan Golf Club, about 200m after Senayan City and on the opposite side of Plaza Senayan.

I visited on a Friday night and it was full with a wealthy crowd. I recognized several socialites and at least one heir from one of Indonesia's richest families. There was also a Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini parked outside if you need a better idea of who goes there. People were almost all between 30-50 except for  a few very hot-looking girls in their early 20s.

The entrance is similar to that of Hemingway lounge in Senopati: The bar is hidden behind a glass door located inside a tailor shop. I give them an F for originality.

Designed by Alex Bayusaputro, the interior is elegant but not really spectacular. Basically it looks like the lobby lounge of a any 5-star hotel, nothing more. The leather sofas are very comfortable if you manage to get one (advance reservation is advised). The best place to sit is probably the outdoor area with a view on the golf course, but it was reserved by a group that day so I couldn't see it very well.

The service was poor: The waiters were focusing almost exclusively on the large tables and they were ignoring the rest of the crowd. I actually didn't manage to get a drink and that the main reason I left after 30 minutes. The prices were high but still OK for Jakarta: Grand Marnier was Rp100,000++ and premium cocktails Rp150,000++. They also serve some food but I didn't try it.

There is a live band on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They usually play jazzy or soul tunes. You also have a DJ on Wednesdays.

Overall:
Proof is happening at the moment because it is where rich Indonesians meet and socialize. For an expat, it can be an interesting place to visit but you must book a table and buy a few bottles to make sure you fit with the rest of the crowd. I would not recommend going there alone.

Opening Hours:
From Tuesday to Thursday from 2pm to 1am
From Friday to Saturday from 2pm to 2am

Proof Lounge / Speakeasy Bar
Senayan National Golf Club,
Jalan Asia Africa Pintu IX, Jakarta

Phone number: +62 (0) 838 996 68 766

Facebook: Proof Jakarta
Instagram: Proof Photos

The photos above are from their instagram account. The ones below from my cellphone:
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13 International Movies Shot in Indonesia

February 15, 2016, 6:56 am
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There aren't that many international movies shot in Indonesia, either from Hollywood or Bollywood. The main problem is that the country does not offer tax incentives at the moment so film producers usually prefer shooting in Malaysia or Thailand. Indonesia is also considered more bureaucratic when it comes to getting permits delivered.

Still, there are a few movies with famous actors that were either entirely shot in the country or with some scenes only. I managed to download and watch all the following movies from internet (legally of course). They provided me with an interesting look at how Indonesia is perceived abroad.

Blackhat (2015) - Hollywood
Chris Hemsworth, wisata di Sunda Kelapa
One of the best international movies to have ever been filmed in Indonesia, Blackhat stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and was directed by Michael Mann. The last 20 minutes of the movie are in Jakarta in locations such as the airport, Tanah Abang, the Papua Freedom Monument or Sunda Kelapa.

Eat, Pray, Love (2010) - Hollywood
I don't think it's necessary to introduce Eat, Pray, Love as it is the most successful movies to have ever been shot in Indonesia. Starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, it is so popular that you have tours in Bali where customers can visit the locations used in the film. Most scenes were taken in the surroundings of Ubud and Padang Padang Beach.

Java Heat (2013) - Hollywood
Kellan Lutz and Ario Bayu in Yogyakarta
Starring Kellan Lutz from the Twilight movies and Mickey Rourke, Java Heat was entirely shot in Indonesia in Yogyakarta and Magelang. Locations of the movie include the Station Leumpuyangan, the Tamansari palace and Borobudur.

A funny scene is when Kellan Lutz ask a police officer who is having a nasi goreng: "How do you eat that shit?"

After the Dark (2013) - US/Indonesia
The movie, initially released under the name "The Philosopher" was entirely shot in Indonesia with an international cast. The main actors are not big stars but they all had minor roles in famous Hollywood productions:  Sophie Lowe, Freddie Stroma, Rhys Wakefield, Katie Findlay, Bonnie Wright, James D'Arcy and Daryl Sabara. The beautiful Indonesian actress Cinta Laura also played a part.

The funny thing about this movie is that it opens with a semi-nude love making scene and you also have a nude gay sex scene in the middle. Both of them could be considered as porn according to the 2008 Pornography Law. The director, the actors and the Indonesian producer (SCTV) risk up to 12 years in jail for that.

I could recognize several locations in the movie such as The National Archive Museum, the Monas, Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Belitung Island and the Bromo.

Rogue Trader (1999) - UK
Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel having a bintang and mie goreng
Starring Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel who can both be seen in Jakarta for about 10 minutes, it tells the true story of the trader Nick Leeson who caused the bankrupt of Barings Bank. During a street food dinner somewhere in the city, they have this conversation: "Anna Friel: When they told me I was going to Jakarta I had to look on a map. Ewan McGregor: As a matter of fact so did I".

Iseng (2016) - Malaysia/Indonesia
Shot entirely in Jakarta with Indonesian actors but a Malaysian director/producer, Iseng is one of the few films in Bahasa that are being released with English subtitles. It will premiere in March 2016 and I advise you to watch it. It follows several characters in Jakarta who are flirting with the limits of morality, living their life without thinking about the consequences: Prostitutes, gangsters, lovers or cheating husbands. Slowly you see the stories getting more complicated until they take a more tragic turn.

The cast of the movie includes Donny Alamsyah, Donny Damara, Fandy Christian, Zuli Silawanto, Yayan Ruhian, Tio Pakusadewo, Dayu Wijanto, Ayu Shita, Wulan Guritno and Manda Cello.

Alex Cross (2012) - Hollywood
Jean Reno: "Ini Siapa"
This movie, directed by Rob Cohen who did the first Fast and Furious, stars Tyler Perry as Alex Cross, Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Jean Reno and Rachel Nichols. One of the final scenes is in Bali in a villa on Pantai Jasri, Candidasa.

You can see the character played by Jean Reno being wrongfully arrested for drug smuggling by the Indonesian police. On the phone, Alex Cross, who framed him says: "Do you have any idea what the punishment is for drug smuggling where you are? It's death by firing squad". You can also hear Jean Reno speaking a few sentences in bahasa.

The Fall (2012) - Hollywood/India
There are two scenes of the movie that are set in Bali with the actors Leo Bill and Julian Bleach. The first one is a panorama of the famous Tegalalang rice field (at 41'30) and the second one shows a kecak dance ceremony in the Gunung Kawi temple at Tampaksiring (at 42'00).

The Salt of The Earth (2014) - France/Brazil
The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015. It also won the prize "Un Certain Regard" at the Cannes Film Festival 2014. The film is a documentary presenting the work of the Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado and was directed by German filmmaker Wim Wenders.

At 7'30, you can see Sebastião Salgado taking pictures of the Yali tribe in Papua.

Bheja Fry 2 (2011) - Bollywood
Part of the film is set on Bintan island, particularly on Lagoi Bay where two of the protagonist get lost. It stars Vinay Pathak and Kay Kay Menon. 

Savages (2012) - Hollywood
Blake Lively in Sumbawa
Most of the movie is shot in California, but the final scene is in Indonesia, in Moyo Island on Sumbawa. You see the three main characters, all drug dealers, starting a new life there. The three actors are Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Blake Lively. The film was directed by Oliver Stone and also stars Benicio Del Toro, John Travolta and Salma Hayek.

Toute La Beauté du Monde (2006) - France
This French movie is mostly shot in Bali and Lombok. It tells the story of a French woman played by Zoé Felix who goes to Bali to forget the death of her husband. She falls in love with both the island and a French guy (Marc Lavoine). It's a bit similar to Eat, Pray, Love.

Bali is filmed as a paradise on earth, which is quite far from the reality. For instance, you can see the actors in Seminyak with no noise, no pollution and no traffic. You also see the girl meditating in Tanah Lot with barely any tourists.

An odd scene is when one of the actors buys a ring for Rp10,000 and later complains: "I paid it double the normal price, you could have helped me bargain harder".

Pijnstillers (2014) - Holland
I didn't get the subtitles for this movie so I didn't really understand the plot. You have two scenes in Jakarta where you can see actor Raymond Thiry alone taking pictures.

War Photographer (2002) - Switzerland
This documentary is about the work of James Nachtwey, one of the world's most famous war photographers and photo journalists. You can see him shooting in Jakarta and in Kawah Ijen.

Other International films shot in Indonesia:
Car chase in Jakarta in The Raid 2
The three movies of Gareth Evans can be considered international as they had a worldwide release. They are: "Merantau" (2009), "The Raid: Redemption" (2011) and "The Raid 2" (2014).

The two movies "Baraka" (1992) and "Samsara" (2011) have scenes in Indonesia among several other locations on earth.

The two critically-acclaimed movies from Joshua Oppenheimer "The Act of Killing" (2012) and "The Look of Silence" (2014) were both shot in Indonesia, in particular in Medan, Sumatra. Both films were nominated for Best Documentaries at the Academy Awards.

Films with a story in Indonesia but not shot in Indonesia:
Nick Nolte is the main character in Farewell to The King
"Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid" (2004) is supposed to take place in Borneo but the location of the shooting was in the Fijis.

"Paradise Road" (1997) with Glenn Close, Frances McDormand and Julianna Margulies. Even though it is a movie about the internment camps of Sumatra during WW2, it was shot in Malaysia for "technical reasons".

"Farewell to the King" (1989): Shot in Borneo, Sarawak, Malaysia and not in Indonesia as some people think.

"The Year Of Living Dangerously" (1982) with Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver was shot in the Philippines and Australia but the plot is in Jakarta during the fall of Soekarno.
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Eating Dog Meat in Jakarta

December 8, 2015, 9:56 am
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Contrary to what many could believe, most of the restaurants serving dog meat in Jakarta are not Chinese, but Manadonese (North Sulawesi).

Just to clear any confusion, I am not talking about hot dogs/sausages, but the meat of the following animal:
One of the best locations in Jakarta for Manadonese cuisine is the food court of the mall Ambassador, on Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio. Dishes are usually so spicy that you'll have a hard time eating them if you are not so used to it. Another particularity is that they serve some rare animals including wild pigs, bats and dogs.

In the food court, the cleanest and best restaurant serving dog meat is called Ragey. They have a huge buffet with no tags so you'll have to ask the waiters for information about the food displayed.

The prices are cheap, you can choose several items and you won't pay more than Rp50,000. My advice is to take a lot of rice to limit the feeling of spiciness.

The taste of the meat is really not that special but it isn't bad either. In my case it's a one-time experience that I probably won't renew.
This is the dog meat
Note: Dog meat is sometimes called  RW for "Rintek Wuuk" (which means "soft hair" in Manadonese).

Ragey Manadonese Restaurant
Mall Ambassador 4th Floor No 03A Food Court
Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio, South Jakarta 12940

Phone number: 0812 88 47 66 33

Opening Hours:
Every day from 10AM to 9PM

If you are into more weird culinary experiences in Jakarta, you can read: Eating Snakes in Jakarta.
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Top 30 Hottest Filipina FHM Models

February 14, 2016, 7:23 am
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This ranking of the 30 Hottest Filipina FHM Models is a follow-up to one of my most read articles Top 20 Hottest Indonesian FHM Models.

I also wrote it after spending a few weeks trying Manila Nightlife. We often say that Indonesian girls look similar to Filipinas but, as you can see below, they are actually rather different. They tend to look more "European" and to have a fairer skin. The country is less conservative as well so it is not rare for some of the models below to do nude or topless shots.

I took most photos from the girls' Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account. Here are the 30 girls, ranked in no particular order. Don't hesitate to add a name in the comment section below if you think I forgot someone.

AJ Sachi
Born in 1989, AJ Sachi is from Manila. She was FHM Babe on August 2012. She has some plastic surgery done and she did some nude shoots.

Instagram: ajsachi

Nicole Alexandria
She is certainly one of the hottest FHM models of all-time in the Philippines. She was the FHM 100% Hottie in January 2014 and appeared in several male magazines since, sometimes semi-nude. She is half Malaysian and she has been modeling since she was 15.

Lhea Bernadino
The 20 year-old model is one of the country's most beautiful women. She has already done some topless pictures and she is a ring girl for the Asian MMA competition PXC. Her first photoshoot with FHM was in 2013 when she was just 18.

Instagram: lheabernardino

Sam Pinto
Sam Pinto is a model who appeared on several ads on print and TV. She became famous as a participant of Pinoy Big Brother in 2010 and then she has been a regular in several other shows, sitcoms and movies. She was voted twice the Sexiest Women in the Philippines by FHM. She was born in 1989.

Instagram: sampinto

Ellen Adarna
Ellen Adarna was born in 1988 and she has been modeling for over 10 years already. With her perfect face, she was in the Top 10 finalists of the FHM Sexiest Filipinas for 5 years in a row. She is also an actress who appeared in over 30 movies and telefilms.

Instagram: maria.elena.adarna

Solenn Heussaff
30 year-old Solenn is mixed French (by her dad) and Filipina. She has done a bit of everything from TV hosting, reality shows, acting, modeling, singing, designing and painting. She was FHM cover girl in March 2011.

Instagram: solennheussaff

Crizelda Roberts
Born in 1996, 20-year old Crizelda is one of the most pretty Filipina girls I've ever seen. Not only that, she has a slim, tight body with a beautiful cleavage. She was featured on FHM magazine when she was just 18 as "New Crush".

Twitter: crizeldaroberts

Cindy Miranda
The super slim and classy Cindy was crowned Miss Filipina Tourism in 2013 (Binibining). Born on December 18th, 2013, she also appeared on the reality show Big Brother. She was the cover girl of FHM magazine on October 2015.

Instagram: mscindymiranda

China Roces
China Roces was born in Makati in January 1993. She is a smart girl who is a radio host on several popular shows in the Philippines. She is also an actress and model. She appeared in FHM in June 2014.

Instagram: chinaroces

Shane Ramos
Born in 1990 in Bulacan, she was FHM's January 2016 New Crush and Girl of the Month. A girl-next-door kind of beauty, she has been doing mostly modeling on motor shows and expositions until now.

Instagram: shaneramos14

Ann Mateo
Originally from Quezon City where she was born in 1993, Ann was FHM New Crush in May 2015. She does mostly product endorsing for a living.

Instagram: annbmateo

Maica Palo
She was FHM online Babe in February 2014 at 21 and FHM Idol in January 2016. I don't really like the face, but the rest is pretty awesome.

Instagram: maicapalo

Kim Domingo
Half French and half Filipino, Kim is a model and endorser for several products. She made the front page of FHM magazine in December 2015.

Instagram: therealkimdomingo

Alex Moreno
Openly a lesbian, she declared that she never slept with a man and that she was still technically a virgin. Men still love her apparently as she has done already 4 shoots with FHM!

Instagram: ladykisser082

Ashley Cayuca
She is the hot girlfriend of the basketball player Chris Lutz and the mother of a son. She is beautiful with sexy curves. She has at least 2 visible tattoos.

Facebook: ashley.cayuca

Aiko Climaco
Aiko Climaco was born in Quezon City in 1989. She appeared several times on the pages of FHM in 2014 and 2015. She is a popular figure in the Philippines as a part of the show Banana Sundae. She was also a singer in the band SexBomb Girls.

Instagram: aikolicious06

Kookai Sarmiento
The FHM 100% Hottie from August 2014 had the great idea to do some nude and topless shoots that can easily be found on Google. She still do some modeling and she is the owner of Habits by Kookai beauty salon.

Instagram: kookiisarmiento

Jahziel Manabat
Jahziel is hot beyond reasonable. She usually makes sure in her photos that you can see her enormous rack. If she became a pornstar, she'd probably be world-famous overnight. She actually did a few topless and semi-nude shots. She was born in 1987 in Quezon City and was a participant in the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother (2011).

Instagram: zajruiz

Abby Poblador
Abby sparked a controversy and generated a lot of interest after she publicly declared having "anal sex" with her lover, an executive in the Philippines Basketball Association. Apart from arousing almost every Filipinos, she is also a model, a playmate, a dancer and she made several appearances on TV. She did several nude pictures too.


Danielle Castaño
One of the most famous girls on this list, she is half American and half Filipino. She has been doing everything including TV, films, reality TV and modeling. She is also a beauty queen who went to the Miss World competition in 2008.

Twitter: lovedanicastano

Nina Saputil
Primarily a DJ, Nina Saputil was featured in FHM in March 2015 and August 2015 as an FHM Idol. She may have done some plastic surgery.

Instagram: iamdjnina/

Liza Soberano
The insanely gorgeous Liza Soberano just turned 18 in January 2016 and she already has a long career as an actress and model. She is half-American and she was born in California. 

Instagram: lizasoberano

Angela Gabrielle
Angela did the world a favor by doing some topless shoots that I won't post here but that you can easily find on internet. She is a small-sized hottie with a cute face who was FHM Model in November 2013.

Facebook: dubidudumdummm

Tricia Santos
Born in 1995, Tricia is a multi-talented woman who first rose to fame by appearing in the local version of Big Brother's reality TV show. She then became a university volleyball player and was featured in the online version of FHM in March 2015 as New Crush.


Andrea Torres
Andrea Torres is widely considered as one of the sexiest actresses in the Philippines. Her face is average so I think it mostly has to do with her generous boobs. She was born in 1990 and she has been in over 20 movies and TV shows so far. She was twice finalist of the FHM Top 100 Sexiest Women in 2014 and 2015. She was a runner-up to Jennylyn Mercado on that year.

Instagram: andreaetorres

Ritz Azul
More a cutie than a hottie, Ritz Azul is still very sexy, particularly if you look at her generous bra size (maybe a result of surgery?). She is very popular on TV and she appeared on dozens of shows since 2011. She was featured 3 times in the rankings of FHM sexiest Filipinas.

Instagram: ritz_azul

Maja Salvador
Maja Salvador is among the most famous actresses and models in the Philippines. Born in October 1998, she won the national award for Best Actress in 2011 for the movie Thelma. In total she has appeared in over 40 films and television shows. She also released two albums. Though not an FHM model, she was among the finalist of FHM Top 100 Sexiest Women twice.

Instagram: iammajasalvador

Micah Sosmeña
Micah is a beautiful girl with the body of a catwalk model. Currently working in the nightclub Valkyrie, she did shoots for FHM in May 2014 and September 2015. Her measurements are 32-24-33.

Instagram: itsmayka

Rachel Anne Daquis
Born in 1987, Rachel is a volleyball player who participated in the SE Asia Games while still a student. She was also a cover model for FHM in October 2014. She is thin, tall with beautiful legs and a cute face. She placed 8th in the Top 100 FHM models of 2015.

Instagram: rachdaquis13

Jennylyn Mercado
Though I'm not a huge fan, I must include Jennylyn Mercado here because she was voted FHM Sexiest Filipina Girl Alive in 2015. Born in 1987, she has been acting and singing for over a decade. She was 12 years in a row in the Top 20 Finest Filipinas rankings of FHM.

Instagram: mercadojenny
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Popular Mansion - Club and Bar (Jakarta)

February 8, 2016, 12:14 am
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Popular Mansion is a bar and nightclub located on Jalan Gatot Subroto, not far from Dragonfly Club. It is owned by the company who published Popular Magazine, a male magazine similar to FHM. 

In case you don't know, many models in such magazines in Indonesia are very sweet and friendly, yet borderline prostitutes. If you flash your money around them, you have a big chance of getting a date and probably more. The cost is very high though as you will compete with some Indonesians loaded with cash and who are ready to spend hundreds of millions to satisfy their egos. They are actually mostly looking for rich boyfriends/husbands/sugar daddies, not one-night stands.

Popular Mansion is usually not really happening except when they have special events with Popular girls. During those events, you can be introduced to the girls you like if you ask one of the waiters or the manager. Show you have money and you're about 80% sure to get a number (if she came alone and if she is single).

If you visit during a normal day, most likely you will see just a few groups of people but not more.

They also serve your usual Western-Indonesian popular dishes like pasta, nasi goreng, sandwiches, fish and chips, cordon bleu, etc. Average taste but cheap prices. They are open for lunch and dinner. Unless you stay nearby, I don't really see any reasons to go to Popular Mansion for eating.

Overall: I think you should check their schedule on their facebook or instagram page below. If you see a special event with dancers or fashion show, you can give it a try, otherwise it's best to avoid. Another reason to visit is that they have rather cheap prices, especially if you take 2 or 3 bottles. Please see the prices on their website below.

Opening Hours:
Restaurant from 10am to 9pm
Bar and club from 10pm to 3am

POPULAR Mansion - Restaurant, Bar and Club
Menara Global Ground Floor
Jalan Gatot Subroto Kav.27, South Jakarta

Phone number: 08 52 88 88 11 68 

If you want to see pictures of hot and pretty girls, you can check: Sexiest FHM Models Indonesia and Sexiest FHM Models Philippines.
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Bonobo Bar & Grill (Jakarta)

February 18, 2016, 11:54 am
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Bonobo is a bar and restaurant located in the ground floor of the Landmark building tower, near Nip & Dram. Recently opened in February 2016, it is part of the Stupa F&B group (behind Umbra in Kemang) and it replaces the late Downtown Bistro.

They haven't changed many things compared to the old venue. Bonobo looks simple and cozy, with a nice bay window running from one wall to the other.

It is too early to say anything about the crowd and the atmosphere, but we can expect trendy Jakartans and expats. The guest DJs they've had so far were excellent, playing hip-hop, soul and house.

Overall: Interesting to try on weekends for a pre-party drink but better to wait until they have a special event (see on facebook below). I don't know about the food taste yet as I didn't eat there. Prices are standard for Jakarta: Rp100k++ for drinks, Rp120,000++ for food.

Opening Hours (they are likely to change after the grand opening in March):
From Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm
Friday: 9am to 3am

BoNoBo Bar & Grill Jakarta
Gedung Landmark Ground Floor,
Jalan Jendral Sudirman No. 1, Jakarta

Phone number: 0821 1000 6000
Email: bonobo@stupagroup.com

Facebook: bonobojakarta
Twitter: BoNoBojkt
Instagram: bonobojkt (all photos above from there)
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The Dutch Gastropub (Jakarta)

February 19, 2016, 9:43 am
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The Dutch restaurant is a new gastropub set to open early 2016 in the SCBD area. Owned by the Union Group, it will be headed by Chef Chris Moes, a Dutchman who previously worked for Casa in Kemang and Canteen.

The restaurant will follow a smokehouse concept: Cold cuts, cured meats, smoked meats and sausages will be prepared in-house. You will also have comfort food and some BBQ specialities.

There is a big chance that it will become a popular hangout place even if the taste of the food is not good. Please leave a comment below if you've tried it. I'll make a full review a few months after the opening.

For the location, The Dutch is in the same spot as Entrada, the Spanish restaurant which closed down last year.

The Dutch Gastropub
18 Parc Place Tower E, GF SCBD
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 52-53
South Jakarta

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 515 2828

Instagram: thedutchjakarta
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