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Taiwan Nightlife: 12 Best Nightclubs in Taipei (2016)

September 1, 2016, 12:29 am
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Taipei nightlife is considered by many expats as the one of the best in all Asia. It is a combination of the best things the region has to offer: Modern venues, reasonable prices, friendly people and approachable girls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expat Bars for Older Guys:
Carnegie, Brass Monkey

Best Nightclubs in Taipei:

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Korner Nightclub Taiwan
Twitter: Korner Taipei

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: Myst Taipei

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: Omni Taipei

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

Entrance Fee:
800 TWD (on average)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: The Beat Nightclub Taipei

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

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

Best All-You-Can Drink Nightclubs in Taipei

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

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

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

Facebook: Taipei Babe 18

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

Entrance Fee:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Vogas Taipei

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Wave Club Taipei

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

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

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

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

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

Website: Lava Taiwan Nightlife
Facebook: Lava Nightclub Taipei

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Box Taipei

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

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

September 1, 2016, 2:10 am
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Deejay Café is an institution of Bali nightlife. It is a bit of a miracle that it hasn't been closed yet by the police, considering it is clearly a place to buy drugs and get high. I would be curious to know who the owners are.

Located in Kuta Station Hotel in a dirty street off Jalan Kartika Plaza, not far from Discovery Mall, Deejay Café starts to get busy after all the other nightclubs in Seminyak and Kuta close, around 4-5am. It peaks at 6-7am, then slowly dies at 9-10am.

I visited several times but never with a clear state of mind. The place is quite large, with rarely a full crowd. You normally have around 20 people on the dancefloor and twice as many sitting around it on high tables and sofas. The clients are overwhelmingly males, among which a lot of gays and transgenders. There are always a few women as well, but many are freelance prostitutes. I would say that most people in DJ Café are on drugs. The DJs play good non-commercial music labeled as progressive techno. It is similar to what you can hear in A-Club in Denpasar or Mille's in Jakarta.

Even though it seems like an easy thing to do, I recommend you to avoid taking drugs in Indonesia, especially in Bali.

The entrance fee is quite high, from Rp100,000 up to Rp200,000 depending on the DJ, with one free drink. They have special guest DJs occasionally, from Jakarta or from abroad.

Overall: Deejay Café is OK as an after-hour club. My only concern is that there are really too many guys inside.

Deejay Café or Deejay Club
Jalan Kartika 8x Plaza
Kuta, Bali 80361

Phone number: +62 361 75 8880
Blackberry: Pin 5A9B774F
Email: smm@kutastationhotel.com

Facebook: DeeJay Bali or Deejay Club (old Facebook)
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7 Best Nightclubs in Bandung (2016)

September 1, 2016, 9:28 am
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My last review of Bandung nightlife was written in 2010. Since then, I've noticed that all the most popular nightclubs are new ones that have either popped up from nowhere, or replaced existing venues.

For a general understanding of Bandung nightlife, you can still read it here: Bandung Nightlife for Expats. The city is still fun for party, with a young crowd, a lot of pretty Sundanese girls, and affordable prices. It is more conservative than Jakarta though, so don't expect crazy and messy nights out. 

The current 7 best nightclubs are the following (click on the name for a complete review):

Cheap and popular nightclub with a relaxed, hipster crowd. Near ITB Bandung.

Recently reopened, the new Southbank is a lounge that turns into a club after midnight. It is more upmarket compared to the competition.

A fun nightclub with a mix of ayam and students, they play EDM, Rn'B and Trap.

A small club with mostly hostesses and older customers (over 30).

Fame Station
This club/live music lounge is located far from the city center, so you should make sure they have an event before visiting it.

Amnesia is one of the veteran of Bandung nightlife. It is not as trendy as it used to be but it still have some good nights. Not so many students inside but a lot of lady companions.

I haven't been back to Hollywood since 2010, meaning my review dates from before it was renovated in 2015. At the time, it was a low-class karaoke with nothing special. Today, it is a bit more trendy as they invite famous DJs once in a while. I don't think it's an happening nightclub though. Please comment if you are familiar with the place.
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Le Centro Club (LCC or L2C) - Balikpapan

September 2, 2016, 2:36 am
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Opened in 2009 in Sudirman Square in Balikpapan (same building as the budget hotel Swiss-Belinn), Le Centro Club is also called LCC or L2C.

It is a small venue with usually a live band playing a mix of Indonesian and international songs, followed by a DJ (progressive, commercial). In between, you have sexy dancers wearing bikini or lingerie. It is not luxurious, but for Balikpapan nightlife standards, rather nice.

It is more local compared with Embassy Nightclub, and seemingly more popular among Indonesian Chinese. Almost all girls are hostesses/lady companions from the karaoke.

Operating Hours:
Both the nightclub and the KTV are opened every day of the week. The KTV starts at 1pm, the live music at 10pm. Ladies night every Wednesday (1st drink free).

Le Centro Club (Balikpapan)
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Square No. 345
Balikpapan, Kalimantan (Borneo)

Phone number: 082157930442
Email: lcc.bpn@gmail.com

For the next events and latest photos, check their Instagram: @lecentroclub
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Sleeping in a Male-Only Capsule Hotel in Tokyo

September 2, 2016, 7:33 am
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The best way to save money on a trip to Tokyo is to sleep in a capsule hotel. Depending on the location and the facilities, it costs from US$20 up to US$50 per night.

During my stay, I chose one of the cheapest capsule hotels in Tokyo, the male-only Oriental Capsule & Sauna in Ueno. It is a very convenient location to explore the city as both the Metro and the Japan Rail Yamanote Line are within 200 meters.

Rated above 7,5/10 on Booking.com and Agoda, the price is around US$20-25 per night. You can use HotelsCombined.com to compare the rates and find the best deals.

This capsule hotel, like many other in Tokyo, does not have individual showers and bathroom, meaning you will bathe naked in public. I was a bit disturbed at first as I was not expecting it, but then you get used to it. The advantage is that the public baths also have a sauna and a jacuzzi that you can use for free after you shower. 

Since there is only one public bathroom, women are not accepted in the hotel. Another possible explanation for this ban is that some naughty stuff happens in the spa, but I couldn't verify this information. You can try for yourself by getting a massage from 12am to 3am for 1,500 Yen (US$15) for 30 minutes or 2,800 Yen (US$28) for 60 minutes.

80% of the customers are probably Japanese office workers/sales representatives on business trips. Many do not even have a luggage, only a briefcase. They go to the sauna, get a massage, and sleep for a few hours. You have the option of staying for a short time and pay less: 8 hours for 1,800 Yen (US$18) or 3 hours for 1,100 Yen (US$11). In this case, you are not allowed to leave the premises until you check out.

Sleeping in a capsule hotel means you must obey to a certain number of rules. They can be confusing at first so I will explain them below:

Remove your shoes as you enter the reception area

As you enter the hotel reception on the 4th floor, you must immediately take off your shoes and use the plastic slippers provided. You can put your shoes in the small locker in the room on the left, then bring the key to the reception.

Check-in

Attracting foreigners is obviously part of the strategy of the hotel. The receptionists speak decent English and they take the time to answer your questions. The management has also installed posters and signs in English almost everywhere so you can pretty much understand how things work by yourself.

Luggage
Storage for larger luggage
Once you are done with the check-in, you will be given a key to a locker which is located on the 4th floor as well. The number on your key is the number of both your locker and your capsule, with the first digit corresponding to the floor number of the capsule. The locker provided is quite small so if you have a lot of luggage, you will need to keep them at the reception, free of charge.

Wearing a kimono
At this point, if you wish to access your bed or to take a bath, you must remove your clothes and wear a kimono. The kimono is provided and available in the locker with a towel.

The capsule
The capsules are located on the 5th, 6th and 7th floor inside large and quiet rooms.

They do not have a proper door, only a curtain. If you have valuables, it is therefore better to keep them in the safety box at the reception.

You will be provided with a clean towel and linens that you must put on by yourself. The mattress is not that comfortable, but decent enough for a few nights. Only one person is allowed per capsule. No eating or smoking is permitted but you have a smoking room on the 6th floor. Some customers on Booking.com or Agoda complained about the cigarette smell but that didn't bother me.

There is a small TV with only Japanese channels, among which, surprisingly, porn movies. There is also an alarm clock and a power socket. Be sure to bring your own plug adapter as they don't sell any at the reception.

Bathing
Grooming Room
The best part of sleeping in a capsule hotel in Tokyo is the sauna part. It is a cheap way to experience Japanese public bath, even though it is not as refined as visiting an actual Onsen.

An important rule is that is forbidden to persons with tattoos. Apparently, it is because they are associated with the mafia and anti-social behavior.

I'm not sure about the actual bathing protocol but I did the following by observing the Japanese around me: As you enter the baths, you take off all your clothes and put them in a box (without any locker). There are no towels provided on the spot so don't forget to bring the one from your capsule.

You must shower on a small plastic stool that you should rinse before and after sitting down. Shampoo and shower gel is provided. It is only after you've washed that you can use the sauna and the jacuzzi. Some Japanese were carrying a face towel with them the whole time.

Once finished, you can put the towels in the used bin (if you are not planning to use them again), dress up and go to the grooming room on the same floor (4th). There, you can shave, use gel, cut your nails, brush your teeth or dry your hair.

The facilities
Capsule hotels in Japan usually have a lot of interesting facilities and amenities for travelers. In Oriental, you have a coin washing machine, a dryer, a rest room, a grooming room, a casino (ground floor), a spa and several vending machines (alcohol, snacks, instant noodles). You can also buy shirts, ties or umbrellas.

Just outside the hotel, there are many cheap restaurants selling sushi or ramen. There is also a place where you can rent and watch DVDs all night long. It seems to be a red light area as several women offered me sexual services as I was walking around.

Oriental Men-Only Capsule and Sauna
Address in English: 6-9-9 Ueno, Taito 110-0005, Tokyo Prefecture
Address in Japanese: 台東区上野6丁目9-9, 上野, 東京, 日本 110-0005
Phone number: 03-3833-1501
Fax: 03-3833-6996
Nearest metro station: UENO.

You can see more pictures on their English website: Century Hotel - Oriental Capsule.

Check in at noon, check out at 11am. The price for walk-in guests (without prior reservation) is 3,000 Yen but you can find much cheaper online via Agoda or Booking.com. You can compare both sites on the comparator HotelsCombined: Oriental Capsule and Sauna.

Cash and credit cards are accepted.
Oriental Capsule Hotel from Outside
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7 Reasons Thailand Attracts More Tourists Than Indonesia

September 3, 2016, 7:49 am
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Thailand welcomed over 29 million foreign visitors in 2015 while Indonesia only had 10.41 million. Almost 3 times less. 

This is quite an abnormal situation considering Indonesia is a much larger country with better beaches, better surfing, better diving and better hiking. The cultural and natural diversity of Indonesia is unmatched in Southeast Asia. There are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia and only 5 in Thailand. If only Indonesian cuisine was more famous, it could compete with Thai food (similar Malaysian food was named 6th Best in the World by CNN). Indonesians are just as nice as Thai people, and they speak English better. 

Despite this potential, why are there so few foreigners visiting Indonesia compared to Thailand? 

1) Bad Location and Less Flights
As with any businesses, location is always the main factor to explain success or failure. Thailand is closer from China, from the rest of Asia and from Europe. Unsurprisingly, it receives more visitors from all the countries in those areas.

For a European, a Chinese, an Indian, a Japanese or a Russian, it is always shorter, cheaper and easier to go to Thailand.

Logically, the only two nations that send more tourists to Indonesia are Singapore and Australia, both its direct neighbors. Unfortunately they are dwarf countries with a combined population of less than 30 million people.

Being wider, Indonesia is more difficult to visit. You often need to take an additional internal flight, making a trip even more long and costly. For instance, the famous diving site of Raja Ampat in Papua is 4 hours and 300$ away from Jakarta.

China
The impact of China alone is crucial. In 2015, Thailand received over 7,9 million Chinese visitors, 27,5% of all their tourists. In the meantime, Indonesia had only about a million.

The number of direct flights from China to Thailand is impressive. There are over 30 cities in China with direct flights, arriving to 8 Thai destinations (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Krabi, Surat Thani). Direct flights from China to Indonesia are much more rare: Only Jakarta, Bali and Manado have some, from only 10 Chinese cities.

The prices from China to Thailand are much lower as well, not only because it is shorter, but also because there are a few low-cost airlines operating on these routes (Thai Smile, Air Asia, Spring Airlines).

A Chinese can get a return ticket to Thailand for less than 100$, but he'll need to pay at least $400 if he wants to travel to Indonesia.

2) Poor Infrastructure
Flights and location cannot explain everything. Americans are just as far from Thailand as they are from Indonesia: Both destinations require a 24-hour flight that costs about 500$ one way. Yet, in 2014, Indonesia was visited by 251,000 Americans and Thailand by 763,000.

Reading the 2015 Global Tourism and Travel Report, the major difference between the two countries resides in the "Tourist Service Infrastructure" (number of hotel rooms, car rental companies, ATMs, etc). On this criteria, Thailand ranks 21st globally and Indonesia 101st.

With a GDP Per Capita about 30% lower than Thailand, Indonesia is also a few years behind Thailand in terms of economic development. Jakarta is still waiting for its first mass transportation system whereas Bangkok has had one since 1999. Bangkok has cheap and world-class hospitals while in Bali any serious accident requires medical evacuation. Modern highways connect Thai cities, while in Java, it takes an hour to drive 30 kilometers.

The fact is, it is more comfortable and easier to travel within Thailand compared with Indonesia. If you've been to both, you probably know what I mean.

3) Mismanagement
As I see it, the Indonesian government just does not care about its citizens or visitors: It does not care to repair the road or to clean the streets, it does not care to create parks or proper sidewalks, it does not care to improve education or hospitals. It only seems to care about making money by awarding contracts and privileges.

The result is chaotic: Roads in Indonesia are clogged with traffic, even in small towns. You cannot walk safely and public transport is dreadful. Wherever you go, you see huge piles of trash, even in remote rural location.

It is not a money issue: In Senopati, one of the richest neighborhoods in Jakarta, sidewalks are broken as well and streets are dirty. The local government in South Bali is really wealthy, yet they need the help of Coca-Cola to clean the beaches. Tackling issues is just not their main priority.

Some backpackers may find Indonesia more adventurous and fun to visit, but for most people, a holiday should be simple, relaxing and safe. Thailand wins hands-down on these three points.

4) Negative Perception
According to a 2015 survey, 43% of Australians had a positive image of Indonesia and 59% a positive image of Thailand. Their main concern was a perceived lack of stability, safety and cleanliness.

In international news, Indonesia rarely makes headlines unless there is an earthquake, a tsunami, a volcano erupting, a terrorist attack, a giant forest fire, or a foreigner being executed. You'll also hear about Indonesia in the bizarre news section: The Man Tree, The Sex Doll Fallen From Heaven, the 2-Year Old Smoking child, the World's Fattest Kid, etc.

Local politicians are populists who don't care about the image they give abroad as long as they get votes at home. It is common for them to boost their popularity by stirring nationalist sentiment, even if it means bullying another country. The Vice President Yusuf Kalla's is a good example of these methods. He was the one who initiated the campaign to pay back the tsunami relief aid before the Bali 9 execution. He was the one who declared that Singapore should be thankful for 11 months of clean air, in the middle of the haze crisis. This gave such a disastrous image that some Indonesians wondered whether public officials should hire a PR agency.

Any effort to push forward sharia law will also get a fair amount of publicity: The proposed ban on alcohol, the threat to the LGBT community, the virginity tests, the criminalization of casual sex, the canning in Aceh or even the debates over whether it is allowed to wish "Merry Christmas" gave the impression that Indonesia is a borderline extremist country, which it is not.

In fact, when I say that I live in Jakarta, the first question people ask me is often: "Is it Muslim there?". I think the fact that Indonesia is a majority-Muslim country turns off some potential visitors who are afraid there will be too many restrictions. It is not surprising that the most popular destination in Indonesia is a majority-Hindu island.

Finally, I remember talking to a Malaysian friend a few years ago who told me that for many Chinese, Indonesia was not considered a safe country following the 1998 riots in which hundreds lost their lives. The recent beating of a young Indonesian Chinese will certainly not improve the situation.

5) Protectionism
Like most country on earth, Indonesia and Thailand are both suspicious of foreigners. Thailand seems more pragmatic though, and its laws are more relaxed when it comes to visa requirements, imports, ease of doing business, and property rights.

Even though things I've changed in Thailand in the past few years, it is still less of a hassle for a foreigner to work, to retire, or to start a business there. As expats open cafés, restaurants, hotels, travel agencies or attractions, they also contribute to the development of tourism.

Last year, a crew of foreign photographers and models were arrested and deported for doing a photoshoot in Bali. Even though they didn't have working permit, they were actually promoting the island through their pictures so I'm wondering about the logic of spending 3 days to chase them. The crew probably regretted they didn't go to Thailand instead.

6) Higher Prices
According to official figures, Indonesia is supposed to be cheaper than Thailand but I find this statement to be far from the truth. In reality, I know Indonesians who fly to Bangkok just to do some shopping or to get medical treatment.

The quality of services and products you buy in Thailand is often superior, for instance for Western food, health, clothes, electronics, hotels, fruits and vegetables, alcohol and transportation. The main reasons for this, I believe, are the lack of competition and the import restrictions mentioned above.

The high price of alcohol is a deal-breaker for many tourists. A glass of the most basic wine can easily cost 15$ ; a can of beer 4$ ; a cocktail in a regular nightclub 10$. I know several people who prefer Thailand only because of this (yes my friends are drunkards).

High import taxes on gourmet food also hinder the development of tourism. Few visitors want to eat Indonesian-style during their whole trip: They want cheese, bread, steaks, deli, a variety of fruits, etc. All of these are more expensive in Indonesia than in Thailand.

7) Less Sex Tourism
Even though Indonesia has a naughty nightlife (read Sex Tourism in Bali), it is nothing compared to Thailand. In Jakarta, there are only 6-7 prostitute bars catering to foreigners (double that number if I include Little Tokyo). In Bangkok, there are probably several hundreds and just as many in Pattaya and Patong.

I don't have official data about the number of sex tourists traveling to Thailand every year, but I'm sure that it accounts for a significative portion of visitors.
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Omnia Nightclub (Jakarta) - Opening Soon

September 15, 2016, 9:25 am
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Omnia is a nightclub that will open in Jakarta at the end of 2016/early 2017 inside the new Alila Hotel SCBD (in front of Pacific Place).

It is part of the group Hakkasan which already operates two Omnia nightclubs in Las Vegas and San Diego. The one in Las Vegas is one the largest and most luxurious nightclubs in the world. Located inside the Caesar's Palace Hotel, Calvin Harris is one of its resident DJs and it is where Justin Bieber celebrated his 21st birthday.

It is unlikely that Omnia Jakarta will attracts such VIPs, but it will certainly be a game-changer for the nightlife of the city. They will also open an Omnia day club in Bali in Alila Uluwatu.

The group Hakkasan is a bit mysterious and it has been making the headlines recently. Based in London but owned by members of Abu Dhabi's royal family, it has been accused of being financed by money from Malaysia's development fund 1MDB.

The group Alila is not new to the nightlife scene: It is presumably the owner of Illigals and Sparks, two famous venues in North Jakarta. Another person probably involved in Omnia is Tomy Winata who does not need any introduction. First, he is the owner of the land in SCBD. Second, he is connected to Hakkasan through the casino group MGM: Hakkasan is a shareholder of MGM Hospitality, which is a potential candidate to manage the Signature tower of Tomy Winata.

More information: You can check their website Omnia Nightclub.
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¿Por Que No? - Tapas Bar - Jakarta

September 9, 2016, 4:41 am
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¿Por Que No? was opened in 2015 as a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant in the neighborhood of Menteng, at the northern end of Jalan Rasuna Said. While the food is decent but definitely not haute cuisine, it is an interesting venue to hangout and drink before party. Cocktails are just above Rp100,000 net and Bintang at Rp50,000 net, which is not that bad considering the central location. The food is more expensive and the portions small (obviously, small like tapas).

There are 2 different areas, indoor and outdoor. Outdoor is a small rooftop where regular events are organized. In particular, they have some techno nights that attract a young and fun crowd. You also have jazz nights, open mic nights, etc. Check their Facebook page or Instagram below to get their latest schedule.

Overall: A bit of a random, messy place that I recommend to younger people (18-30) to get some drinks before moving somewhere else. You can share some tapas in the process as well. It is quite popular with foreigners, particularly interns.

Opening Hours:
From Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 12am (until 2am on Friday and Saturday)

Por Que No - Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant
De Ritz Building, 5th Floor
Jalan Hos Cokroaminoto No. 91
Menteng, Central Jakarta

Instagram: ¿PorQueNo? 
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25 Prettiest Mixed-Race Indonesian Girls

August 4, 2016, 7:12 am
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If you want to compliment an Indonesian girl, just tell her that she looks mixed and you'll make her day. While I tend to prefer girls who look 100% local, the ones that have a tiny bit of foreign blood are often seen as the most beautiful for many Indonesians.

Unsurprisingly, those girls (and guys) are over-represented among celebrities: Countless of actors, singers and TV stars are "blasteran", the word for mixed-race people. This is also true among models and beauty pageants contestants. I listed a few here but you can see more on my review 34 Most Beautiful Miss Indonesia.

All the girls I chose are mixed with at least one "bule" (white) parent. I would have loved adding girls with Asian (particularly Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean), Arab, Indian, Latino or Black ethnicities, but I didn't find many. If you have a name worth checking, please leave a comment below and I'll be happy to add her name here.

The actress is the star of the Asian HBO hit "Halfworlds". She comes from a family of mixed Indonesian, Indian and German heritage.

Carissa Perusset
The young and pretty Carissa is an upcoming model with Swiss and Indonesian blood. Her dad, Pierre Perusset was the GM of the Ritz Carlton Jakarta.

33-year-old Mariana is a model and an actress currently living in New York. She was born from a French Jewish father and a mom who was herself a mix of Italian, Indonesian and Chinese blood.

Born in 1993, she did a bit of everything starting at a very young age, from singing to acting. She moved to NY a couple years ago to study in Columbia University. Her dad is German, the ex-GM of Grand Hyatt Jakarta, and her mom is Indonesian.

22-year old Francine is a model who was raised in Bali and who is currently pursuing a modeling career in Hong-Kong. A participant in the international TV show SupermodelMe, she is of mixed heritage French, Indonesian and Chinese.

The beautiful Tatiana is a mix of Manadonese and Polish blood. She is 28 years old and she was an actress in several feature movies and sitcoms.

Born in 1997, Tatjana has a German expat father and an Indonesian mother. She is a famous actress with almost a million fans on her Instagram account.

The 24 year-old is a mixed-race actress of Indonesian (Manado) and Italian descent.

Born from parents with mixed Turkish, Arab and Indonesian blood (maybe Jewish and German too according to some sources), she started acting when she was 7 years old. Now 20, she is still popular and currently presenting a show on TransTV.

With 7 million followers on Instagram, Pevita is a superstar in Indonesia. She is only 23 years old and already a model, actress, singer and presenter. She is from mixed blood Indonesian and British.

An actress born in 1996 from an Acehnese mom and an American dad. She can be seen in 2016 in the sinetron (sitcom) Halilintar.

Born in 1995, Anjani is one of the most active Indonesian actresses at the moment. She is from mixed heritage Dutch/Indonesian.

With 1,1 million followers on her Instagram, she is one of the most popular girls on this list. The quirky 23-year old actress and model is Acehnese by her mom and Polish by her dad.

Even though Millane does not really look Indonesian (i had to check several times to make sure she really was), her dad is Javanese while her mom is German. She is a singer and she was born in 1988.

Apart from having a strange name, Yasmine is a beautiful actress who played in both sitcoms and feature films. Her dad is English and her mom is Batak. She was born in 1993.

21-year old Anggika has Swiss and Indonesian ancestry. She is a model for TV commercial, among which Pond's, and an actress.

Oceane Alagia
I'm not sure what she does, but she has quite a following on Ask.fm and Instagram. She is a 21-year old Indonesian with Italian and French blood. And she is very pretty.

Estelle Van Der Linden
Indonesian-Dutch actress born in 1994, she played in the feature film Negari Tanpa Telinga in 2014. She might be the half-sister of Oceane Alagia.

She is a 24-year old model born from a Indonesian mother (Bugis) and an American dad.

Born in 1991 from a British dad and a Javanese mom, Nadine was crowned Miss Indonesia in 2010 and she competed in Miss Universe in 2011.

Born in 1984, Nadine Chandrawinata is a former beauty pageant contestant who won Puteri Indonesia in 2005. She later shot several movies and became a TV presenter. Her mom is German and her dad is Indonesian-Chinese.

A famous actress and model born in 1989, her dad is a French-American and her mom Indonesian-Chinese.

Now 42 years old, Nadya is still great looking. Her dad is Indonesian Batak and her mom is Australian. Among other things, she presented Asia's Next Top Model for 2 seasons.

Widika Sidmore is an American with Javanese, Celtic and Native American blood. She is a model and she was born in 1992.

Born from a Norwegian father and a Javanese mother, she is a model who currently lives in Jakarta.

All the pictures were taken from Instagram. You can see more photos by clicking on the names of the girl. If you know a mixed-race/mixed blood (blasteran/campuran) Indonesian girl who deserves to be listed here, please leave a comment!
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Swell Erotic Spa for Men, Women and Couples (Bali)

August 17, 2016, 5:57 am
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This hidden massage parlour is located in a small gang about 300 meters from Jalan Tangkuban Perahu in Kerobokan. You should check the exact location on Google Maps before adventuring there.

What is the point of going so far to get a massage? Swell is famous for having naked massages, performed by one or two girls. These are similar to nuru or soapie massages. The therapists will use parts of their bodies, like their boobs to slide on the clients during the session. Note that they can use nuru gel for an extra Rp200,000. Once finished, they won't have sex but they will do a handjob. According to the management, some are willing to go as far as a BJ for a Rp300,000 tip.

The price starts at Rp450,000 for 30 minutes (Wipeout massage - the masseuse wears a bikini). 60 minutes cost Rp650,000 (Swell massage - naked girl with body slide included) and if you prefer a 4-hand massage, you'll have to pay Rp890,000 (Tsunami massage - two naked girls). Rooms all have AC and either a bath or a shower.

Another particular feature is that the spa is open to both male and female. This makes Swell's Spa one of the only places in Bali to get an erotic couple massage. From what I could understand, girls can also get a "happy rub" from a guy or a girl as they wish. I don't know of any other places in Indonesia that offer such erotic massages for women.

Currently, they have about 20 masseuses to choose from.

Swell Spa - Sensual Massages in Kerobokan
Jalan Intan Permai, Gang Berlian No. 25,
Kerobokan, Near Seminyak, South Bali
Phone number: 0361 736 105 or try +62 (0) 8 233 99 666 77

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Kuala Lumpur Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars in KL (2016)

September 29, 2016, 12:51 am
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I would not recommend going to KL specifically for partying, but if you happen to be in town, there are enough good venues to have fun. The following review will guide you to the best bars and nightclubs in the city as of late 2016.

Comments, criticism and questions are much welcome, just write them below at the end of the article.

KL Nightlife
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur has a poor reputation as Malaysia is considered one of the most conservative countries in Asia. Authorities often cancel high-profile concerts due to religious and cultural issues, such as Beyonce in 2007 or Ke$ha in 2013. Lady Gaga is banned from performing as well. More recently, Islamist militants protested against the venue of Elton John because he was homosexual and Selena Gomez for being "too sexy".

The government is actually rather hypocrite. While flirting with Islamists, the current prime minister, Najib Razak is also the grand-son of the cofounder of Genting Berhad, one of the largest casino operators in the world and also the owner of nightclubs like Zouk. It is not surprising that in March, his son was able to replace DJ Fadi in Zouk Singapore, causing a backlash from fans. 

The low-point of KL nightlife for me is the generally poor atmosphere within nightclubs. Communities don't seem interested to mix. Chinese go to Chinese clubs, Arabs to Arab Clubs, Indians to Indian clubs, etc. Within nightclubs, party-goers will stay in groups around tables and avoid any interactions with others. Expat hangouts seem more diverse and open though.

Even worse, you can feel racial tensions from time to time. Just last week, I was on Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang having a drink when a group of rich Malay teenagers started to bully an Indian guy because he was staring at one of their girls. They made him beg for forgiveness on his knees. I had the impression it was racially motivated. The same evening, I received a copious amount of insults, again from very young Malays, because I had let my glass on their table. This contrasted with the rest of the Malaysian population that I found really friendly in general.

Nightclubs in KL also have a disproportionate percentage of males, and few unattached ladies. Malay girls are a rare sight: By law, they are not allowed to drink alcohol and they cannot sleep with a guy they are not married with. This means the girls you'll meet in KL are often Malaysian-Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino or Indian. There are also quite many European, American and Australian girls, both tourists and expats.

The price of alcohol drinks is higher than in Bangkok, Saigon, Phnom Penh or Manila, but still cheaper than in Jakarta at around 7$-10$ for a cocktail and 3$-5$ for a beer. Bottle service is almost always the best option if you are a group of more than 4 people.

In most nightclubs, you need to be at least 21 to enter. They will check your ID if you look young. Many venues close at 3-4am, Zouk at 5am. 

Nightlife Areas in Kuala Lumpur

TREC
Many of the trendiest nightlife spots in KL are located in a new complex called TREC, just outside of the city. It is huge, drawing several thousands visitors on weekends, and consists of nightclubs, bars and restaurants. Each of them comes with a different stereotyped theme. You have a hipster bar, an Irish bar, a speakeasy, a small rooftop, a wine bar, a comedy club, a piano bar, an electro bar, an exotic bar, a shisha bar and an artsy bar.

The whole place feels kind of fake, but it is efficient and practical. To go there, it's only a short taxi ride from the city center. You can then just move from one bar to the other very easily. Many clubbers in TREC are Malaysian-Chinese, and foreigners are still rare. You should dress up to avoid looking like a tourist: Shoes, pants and shirts are a must.

The bars/clubs I recommend are Como (Tapas, lots of techno DJs), Arte Bar (non-commercial dance music and hip hop, hot girls) and Le Noir (great live music, older crowd). On a Saturday, almost all venues are crowded and happening actually. You can check TREC's Facebook for the complete list.

It is also in TREC that you have the city's largest and most famous nightclub, Zouk (see below), as well as smaller ones like Vibes or the boutique club Red Room.

Zouk:
I don't really like Zouk but it is still a must-try if you go to TREC. It is the most crowded nightclub, the best designed and the one with the most happening events in KL. The sound and lighting system is also really impressive.

It is made of several rooms:
- The main one where guest DJs play, ACE (hip hop and R&B)
- Phuture (EDM and Mash-Up)
- Velvet Underground (House)
- Apex Lounge (Retro)
- Imperial (VIP room).

Bottle service costs from 95$ up to 120$ depending on the time, the day, the event and the kind of entry you choose (premium or normal). A bottle gives free entry to 4-6 pax. Alternatively, a single entrance with 1 drink costs between 5$ and 10$. They enforce strict dress code and strict age verification.

City Center
The city center of KL is not that big. I visited all the areas below by foot and it didn't take so much time. If you need a nearby hotel you can check: Hotels near City Center Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur.

Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
This is a small and lively street in downtown KL with numerous bars and nightclubs. It is more messy than TREC, with traffic jams, street sellers and a constant flow of people on the sidewalk. You'll find more foreigners, particularly backpackers. There are also many Middle-easterners due to the proximity of Arab Street (Bukit Bintang). It is not a very stylish area and you'll be fine wearing shorts and sandals.

Some of the most crowded bars are Havana (Latin music), Gypsy (retro) and Movida (for dancing). The nightclub Zion was also recently opened in the street and features 3 rooms (Hip Hop, Dance Music, Reggae).

In nearby streets, Nagaba is supposed to be popular with tourists but it was rather quiet when I visited. It is built on 3 floors including a Hip Hop room, an EDM room and a rooftop. Next to it is Pisco bar (same owner as Como) and the jazz club No Black Tie.

Near Jalan P Ramlee
Though near from the Petronas towers, this street is rather seedy with two famous freelance prostitute bars: The Beach Club and the Thai Club. Both are institutions among foreigners looking to pay for sex. Girls are most often from Vietnam, Indonesian, Thailand or the Philippines.

The Thai Club is on the ground floor of Cabana Inn (which seems to act as a short-time hotel.) Nearby, there are a few other venues such as the nightclubs Liquid Room (Malay/Indian/Arab crowd) and Bollywood Night Lovers (Indian crowd).

Pavillion Mall
This mall has a high-traffic F&B area with many popular venues, usually part of larger chains. These include La Bodega (Tapas Bar). Weissbrau (German Bistro), Malone's (Irish Pub) and Tom, Dick and Harry's Live (with live band). Even though alcohol runs free flow, it is a family and Muslim friendly area.

The Row
Formerly called Asian Heritage Row, this complex on Jalan Doraisamy is your typical hipster/hippy hangout. It has a few restaurants, pubs and live music spots (Timbré). Walking distance, you have two nightclubs from a previous era: Main Room (local crowd, freelance prostitutes) and Echo (currently closed for renovation).

Other spots in the city center
Under 9 also called U9 is a trance, techno and minimal underground club. It is only open on Saturdays until 3am and packed with expats.

Zeta is the bar of the Hilton Hotel. It is the only one with daily live imported bands. Quite a few freelancers inside (it was on my list of Prostitute Bars in Asian Hotels.

Club Kyo is not open yet but it might become the best nightclub in Kuala Lumpur if it keeps the same standards as its sister Singaporean venue.

Outside  KL Center

Bangsar
This is an area where many Western expats live. You have several pubs and bars in Jalan Telawi 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. A new nightclub called Jiro has good music but it is still quiet. Other venues like the nightclubs Echo Bangsar and T Club & Bar (Bhangra music) target mostly Arabic and South Asian customers. You also have a rooftop bar called Mantra.

Petaling Jaya
I haven't been to Petaling Jaya as it is a suburban town 15-20 kilometers away from KL. Some of the nightclubs are apparently worth the expedition like the flashy Play Club at the Roof complex (young and rich local crowd) or Soju in Sunway Resort.

Rooftop Bars with Views on Petronas Towers
One of the cool things to do in KL is to have a pre-party drink in a rooftop bar with a view on the Petronas towers. They are usually upmarket so you should wear nice clothes.

Perhaps the most famous is the very average Sky Bar inside the 4-star Shangri La Traders Hotel. It has indeed a great view (and an indoor swimming pool), but likes in sophistication.

The Heli Lounge Bar is more impressive as it offers a 360° view from a helipad and hosts regular live bands (the photo above was taken from there).

Marini on 57 is a chic Italian lounge/restaurant very close from the towers. It is rather expensive but perfect for a date.

Frisky is an alternative bar with regular movie nights and non-commercial techno and deep house music.

The trendy Elysium Bar + Terrace is my personal favorite. They have excellent guest DJs, friendly staff, reasonable prices (especially during happy hours from 5 to 9pm) and a rather eclectic crowd. Part of the same group and just one floor below, you have an upscale and intimate nightclub called Prime Touch Luxury that targets younger Malaysians. It is one of the few where you might see sexy dancers and Russian hostesses in Central KL.

Other:
MarketPlace, which has a view on the Petronas towers is the main gay club in KL.

Prostitution in KL: Hostess Bars, Gogos, Karaoke, Spas
Prostitution is rather common in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from the venues mentioned above such as Thai Club, Beach Club and Zeta, you'll be often offered "young girls" by taxis drivers around Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang. In the area, some smaller bars have hostesses like Tiger Tim's Pub or the very basic Carmania Drinking Studio (African).

Most locals visit "Thai clubs" (not necessarily with Thai girls). These venues have either live music, a DJ or a live show (sexy dancers, fashion show, models, etc). There are always pretty hostesses to whom you can buy flower garlands or lady drinks in exchange for company (they might go home with you as well depending on your generosity). There are dozens of them in the city, especially outside KL city center (Mount Kiara, Hartamas, Petaling Jaya, Brickfields) and they target wealthy Malaysian-Chinese or other Asians. The famous ones are Paramount Club, OSS, Sense Club, Level Club, Kingsway Club, T-Ruc, W Club, Onyx or OS3.

In the city center, you have several luxury karaokes/KTVs that have prostitutes: De Vegas or Bintang Palace.

Finally, the famous massage parlours "plus plus" are Bond Spa and Genesis Spa (that also has a small lounge called Livello).

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In case you heard about them, the nightclubs Providence, Rootz, Modestos, Sultan Lounge and Gravity are closed.
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Shanghai Baby (Seminyak)

September 6, 2016, 8:38 pm
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Shanghai Baby is one of the must-try new restaurants/bars in Bali in 2016. Designed by the Australian Grant Chyene, it was built on three stories in a 1930s Chinese art-deco style. The restaurant is on the ground floor, the lounge club on the first floor, and the rooftop on the second floor.

The food served is modern fusion Cantonese with a few Szechuan and Vietnamese specialties. It is well presented but not that special.

The most interesting part of Shanghai Baby is the lounge/club area on the first floor, which is currently one of the trendiest nightlife destinations in Bali. On weekends especially, it gets packed with a crowd of older expats, rich locals and possibly prostitutes. The original concept is that of a "bottle club", meaning that instead of a dance floor you have sofas and tables. For this reason, it is best to go there with a small group and order a bottle. Prior reservation is essential. You can still come for a drink at the bar even though it is small. It is usually rather easy to meet people (and girls). A beer costs about Rp60,000 and a cocktail Rp150,000.

The current resident DJs are Ben Burgess and Shammui, who play deep house, dance music and tech-house. They have been mixing in Mint, Jenja or Pyramid before.

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 6pm to 12pm for the restaurant
Wednesday to Sunday for the club from 8pm to 3am
Jazz nights on Wednesdays

Dress code:
No shorts, no singlets

Shanghai Baby Seminyak
Jalan Petitenget No. 208 (Next to W Hotel)
Seminyak, Badung, Bali
Phone number: +62 (0) 817 0030 088
Email: rsvp@shanghaibaby.asia

Website: Shanghai Baby
Photos from Instagram: Shanghai Baby
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Singapore Nightlife: Bars and Nightclubs Guide

October 13, 2016, 8:45 pm
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Since my first visit in 2004, Singapore nightlife has seen tremendous changes, though not always for the best. As the GDP of Singapore almost tripled during that time, the number of foreigners went from 875,000 persons in 2006 to 1,632,000 in 2015. In the meantime, more and more Singaporeans went working or studying abroad, often in prestigious universities. Combined with the Government's ambition to develop Singapore as a tourist destination, this cosmopolitan atmosphere has encouraged restaurants, bars and nightclubs owners to open always more sophisticated and ambitious venues.

As a result, Singapore nightlife has become one of the best in Southeast Asia. You have 28 restaurants with Michelin stars, 3 bars among the 50 best in the world, and 2 nightclubs in the DJ Mag Top 100.

On the downside, prices have reached a ridiculous level, especially for wine and alcohol. If you are planning to go to the best nightclubs, bars and restaurants, you can expect to easily burn 300$ within a few hours. If you don't have such a budget, don't worry as I'll give you tips on how to spend less at the bottom of this review.

One of the fascinating aspects of Singapore nightlife is that behind its polished image, it is also home to large red-light areas with bordellos, seedy massage parlors, hostess bars, KTVs and in-your-face street prostitution. Even though this is not the focus of this guide, I'll mention a few venues for the sake of getting more clicks.

Writing this nightlife guide was challenging because of the huge amount of worthy spots, and also because it's hard to keep up with the pace of the new openings. If you find a mistake, a place that is missing or that is closed, please leave a comment below. It would be very useful, thanks!

Note: All prices are in Singaporean dollars.

Nightlife Areas:
As you can see on this map, almost all the nightlife of Singapore is located in the South of the island, near the Central Business District, in a square about 3km by 3km in size. 

Boat Quay and Clarke Quay - MOST POPULAR
The most famous nightlife area in Singapore is located along a 1-km riverside walk running from Boat Quay to Clarke Quay. This would be my first recommendation if you don't know where to start partying. You have a large choice of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, many with a terrace directly on the street.

It is busy almost every night of the week with a young crowd. You'll find it easy to meet other people, particularly students and young tourists from all over the world. One of the reasons is that the prices here are relatively affordable for Singapore, especially during happy hours (generally from 4-5pm up to 7-8pm every day) or ladies night (most often on Wednesday).

Very near from there, Circular Road and Hong Kong Street are also both filled with nightlife spots that are a bit more refined. There is some discreet prostitution as well.

If you need a place to stay nearby, check: Hotels Near Clarke Quay.

Chinatown - MOST TRENDY
Chinatown is an older part of town with low-rise buildings and small streets. It is made of the famous Club Street, Amoy Street and Ann Siang Hill, where you'll find some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in town. In some places, the crowd is almost 100% expat, usually richer and older than the one in Clarke Quay. It is a great place for bar-hopping and meeting people, who are often just hanging out outside the bars. A good place to start is the Gem Bar, CATO or the rooftop of the Screening Room.

If you walk a bit further, you can also visit the streets near Keong Saik Road (Jiak Chuan Road or Neil Road for gay nightlife) with even more restaurants (check the cool izakaya Neon Pigeon), wine lounges (Alba 1836) and hipster bars. It used to be a red light district though there are only two brothels left.

If you need a place to stay nearby, check: Hotels Near Chinatown.

Arab Street, Bugis Street, Little India, Haji Lane - ARTSY, TOURISTY
These streets are next to each other and are bordered by smaller, two-stories buildings. You have some coffee shops, small eateries, a few live music venues and a growing number of upmarket bars and restaurants. There are many backpackers staying here in dorms. A recommended bohemian, alternative bar in this area is Kult Kafe.

If you need a place to stay nearby, check: Hotels Near Bugis.

Orchard Road - EXPATS, BUSINESSMEN, PROSTITUTION
In the 1990s, Orchard Road used to be the best location for nightclubs in Singapore with China Black at Pacific Plaza and Bar None at Marriott Hotel (replaced since by the speakeasy The Other Room). Today, it is more famous for its shopping malls, both luxurious and middle-range, and its 5-star hotels.

It has a rather seedy nightlife. The low-end malls are known to have massage parlors plus plus on their upper floors (Cuppage Plaza, Far East Mall and Lucky Plaza). This is also where the infamous Orchard Towers, a complex with blowjob bars, executive KTVs and hostess bars, are located. BRIX, the bar of the Grand Hyatt, also falls in the "red-light" category.

If this is not your scene, I recommend you to try KPO, an after-work pub popular with expats. A tiny street off Orchard Road is also worth a look. It is called Emerald Hill and features small bars in a vintage, Peranakan-style neighborhood. The best one is 5, famous for its cocktails, but you can also check the Alley Bar and Que Pasa.

If you need a place to stay nearby, check: Hotels Near Orchard Road.

Geylang - RED LIGHT DISTRICT
Geylang is the historical red-light district in Singapore. Apart from street prostitution and short-time hotels targeting lower income residents, you have some more luxurious KTVs, discotheques and massage parlor .

Note that the prostitution is mostly concentrated in the small streets (lorongs) 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. During the day, it is barely visible. When the night comes, it remains discreet and if you are not actively look for it, it shouldn't bother you much.

Nowadays, most of the cheaper hotels in Singapore are in Geylang. If you don't mind the sex trade, it is a good option for an affordable stay in the city. It is still safe, convenient and with many street food options. You should choose a hotel near Aljunied MRT station, which is easy to reach from the airport and connected to the city center. Please click on Hotels Near Aljunied MRT Station for more information.

Other busy nightlife locations:
Golden Mile: A famous mall with several Thai discos and massage parlors. If you plan on leaving Singapore by bus to Malaysia or Thailand, you'll probably depart from here. It is not far from the center and it can be reached from the Circle MRT Line and the East-West MRT Line.

If you need a place to stay nearby, check: Hotels Near Golden Mile.

Tiong Bahru: A hipster neighborhood, a perfect example of a residential area turned trendy. Not for partying but for coffee/eating.

Dempsey Hill: Also hipster/hippy. Again, more for lunch and dinner than for nightclubs.

Sentosa Gateway/Saint James Power Station: Maybe 10 bars and clubs that target local customers. The most famous one are the Taiwanese nightclub Luxi, Millian and Rupee (Indian Club).

You will also find many nightlife spots in Marina Bay Sands complex, the Marina Promenade, Jalan Besar, Chijmes, Holland Village and around the City Hall.

Best Nightclubs in Singapore
The following places are listed in no particular order. I linked to the Facebook page of each venue so you can verify the latest information about prices, opening hours and general policy. If you see a page has not been updated for a couple of months, you should assume that it has closed down.

The most famous nightclub in Singapore (and in Asia probably). It is a mega-club with 3 rooms, each with different music and design (EDM, House, Hip Hop). International guest DJs come weekly, and you can expect a full crowd on most nights. Clients are a mix of 20-something expats, tourists and Singaporeans. The entry is 30$ for men and 25$ for women, with 2 drinks included. You can avoid the entry fee by booking a table in advance. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Note: Zouk will move to a new 30,000 square feet location in the Cannery on Clarke Quay at the end of 2016. 

There is also a Zouk in KL. Check Kuala Lumpur Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs.

Kyo
A nightclub with an underground, yet exclusive feel. It is located inside what used to be a bank vault and designed with a Japanese themed. Very popular with younger foreigner, particularly international students (though minimum age is 21 for girls and 23 for guys). The entrance is 25$ during the week (with 1 drink) and 28$ during the weekend (with 2 drinks). Open from Wednesday to Saturday until 3/4am. The music is deep house, electro, tech-house and some minimal.

Nicknamed "sluttica", this nightclub on Clarke Quay is where most expats and tourists go if they are hoping to score a one-night-stand in Singapore. Two rooms, one with commercial Top40/Hip-Hop and one with EDM/House. It has been renovated recently and its trashy side has lessened. It seems they are no longer accepting too many "unattached" single ladies. Open from Wednesday to Saturday. 30$ entry with 2 drinks. Ladies night on Wednesday and Thursday.

Bang Bang (ex Mink)
Inside the 5-star hotel Pan Pacific, this is a medium-sized "bottle" club which is generally packed. If you are not on any guest list or not planning to open a bottle, expect to queue and to be treated as a second-rank guest. There are a lot of girls, some of whom are semi-professional. Lots of expats in their late 20s as well. They have gogo dancers from Latin American/East Europe and other shows regularly. Strict dress code: Shirts for guys and high heels for girls. Open Wednesday until 5am and on weekends until 6am. Avoid if you are alone and poor. Rn'B or house depending on the night.

The bar/club on top of the Marina Bay Sand Hotel, 200 meters from the ground. It is open every day but the best night is probably on Wednesday for ladies night (though it is a steep 38$ entry for guys). Tons of girls from all over the world, 20% of whom are escorts and the rest tourists, expats and locals. The music is commercial hip hop, dance and Top 40.

An alternative to Cé La Vi is 1-Altitude Gallery and Bar on the rooftop of One Raffles Place, near Boat Quay. You can actually see the Marina Bay Sand Hotel from there. It is a bit more quiet but you also have live music and DJs on weekends.

Just 2 floors below, Altimate is an indoor nightclub with a 250-pax capacity. It is open on Friday and Saturday and the entrance is 30$ with one drink. Bottle service recommended. The music is commercial: EDM, clubbing anthems, Top 40. The crowd is mostly local.

Canvas (ex-Home Club)
Not far from Altimate, Canvas is considered the "alternative" nightclub of Singapore. It is an art space during the day and a relatively busy nightclub at night. Most customers are regulars. It seems popular with the LGBT crowd as well. The music is non-commercial and eclectic. At the moment, you have old school nights on Wednesday, Hip Hop on Friday and House on Saturday. They often have guest DJ playing just about every genre (techno, house, electro, minimal, drum and bass, dubstep, etc). They also have live bands and comedy shows. My advice is to check what is the program before visiting to avoid bad surprises. Ladies night on Thursday with free flow vodka from 10pm to 1am.

The first Fashion-TV-branded nightclub, it has two rooms: Ruby with hip-hop, Rn'B and Top 40 remixes ; Diamond Hall with House/Progressive/EDM. Young and superficial crowd + some tourists wandering on Clarke Quay. Girls get a record of 12 free drinks on ladies night. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 30$ entrance with 2 free drinks. Strict dress code.

Suite 26 - Twenty Six (ex- Filter and ex- Fenix) and Penthouse
Boutique "bottle" nightclub with a house party concept. Same group as Bang Bang. Mostly for Singaporeans who prefer clubbing within their own. Open only on Friday and Saturday. Avoid if you are alone. The DJs play mostly clubbing anthems.

Next to it, Penthouse is a more private club. It costs 35$ to get in with one free drink, or 45$ with 2 drinks and free entrance to Suite26.

An underground nightclub, Berlin-style, featuring techno and minimal DJs. Very small but great vibe if you are into that kind of stuff. No drugs though. Open from Wednesday to Saturday. European crowd (and particularly French).

Baliza 
One of the newest nightclubs in Singapore, managed by the same group as Attica. It has a main room with hip hop and a smaller VIP room with EDM/open format. It is already quite popular, especially after it received the patronage of Selena Gomez. Their ladies night on Wednesday is very generous with free champagne, gifts and male gogo dancers. Open from Wednesday to Saturday until 6am (28$ entry with a drink).

Space (ex Trace)
Near Clarke Quay, this is a mainstream, rather local nightclub with mostly commercial EDM and Top 40. They currently have two ladies night, one of which on Saturday. Special discounts for flight attendants. Open on Wednesday (20$ entrance without drinks), Friday (28$ entrance for girls, 35$ for guys with two drinks) Saturday (35$ entrance with 2 drinks).

Nova (ex Sonar)
A new venue that opened in the summer 2016 on Orchard Road in the Orchard Hotel. Same management as Bang Bang and Suite 26, in partnership with the Neverland group, which is behind several Asian-style clubs in Malaysia and Singapore. Mostly crowded with Asians, it is more suitable for groups/bottle service. Music is commercial, either EDM or hip hop, with occasionally foreign guest DJs (they had Afrojack in September). Sexy dancers and shows. Open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until 6am (25$ for guys and 18$ for girls with 2 free drinks). Free flow nights on Wednesday until 3am (free for girls, 35$ for guys). Minimum age 18.

This nightclub and live hall is in Saint James Power Station, near VivoCity. They are open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with different events every night. They often welcome foreign DJs and bands, particularly Japanese ones. Wednesday is their ladies night (5 free drinks for girls, 25$ entrance for guys with 2 drinks). Do check their Facebook before heading there as they don't have a regular schedule.

VLV
A high-end bottle club located in a complex on Clarke Quay that targets Chinese clients. 30$ entry. Open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Hip Hop Nightclubs in Singapore
To my knowledge, the only dedicated hip hop nightclub in Singapore is the brand new Cherry Discotheque inside York Hotel. Its DJs includes some of the most famous acts in the city, playing trap, Rn'B, old school and funk. They also welcome international acts. It is open on Friday and Saturday until 4AM and on Wednesday (ladies night) starting on October 19th. The entrance is 28$ with a drink. It is has a cool, flashy, retro design, that seems popular among girls.

There used to be a hip hop nightclub called Refuge, opened by the same group behind Kyo, but it closed in June 2016. On their Facebook page, they write that they are planning to open in a new location so you may want to check again to see if there is an update.

Some of the biggest Singapore nightclubs have dedicated hip hop rooms: Attica, Zouk, F Club and Baliza.

Finally, Trace has a hip hop night on Wednesday, Kyo on Thursday, Canvas on Friday and Bang Bang on Saturday.

After-Hour Clubbing in Singapore
Most clubs close around 3am during the week and 4am on weekends. If you want to continue partying after this time, you may go to Bang Bang, Baliza or Nova, all of which close at 6am. After this time, you may try Naughty Girls in Orchard Tower (until 7am).

Trendy Bars, Speakeasies, Cocktails Lounges
3 Singapore Bars were listed in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2016:

- Manhattan (ranked 11th), in the centrally located 5-star Regent/Four Seasons Hotel, is a classic 1920s' NY-style bar. Cocktails cost about 25$ each. They have a free-flow cocktail brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at 150$++.

- 28, in Hong Kong Street, was ranked 14th best bar in the world and 2nd best in Asia. It is a speakeasy with an almost invisible entrance, a retro atmosphere and, of course, tattooed/bearded bartenders.

- Not far away, Operation Dagger is led by Luke Whearty, one of the city's most famous mixologists. It is as hipster as it can get, and most normal people would not enjoy it I guess. If you are looking for unique cocktail creation though, this is the place.

Generally speaking, the best cocktail bars in Singapore are located in Chinatown. Apart from 28 and Operation Dagger, you can also give a try to the nearby Sugarhall (rum bar, latin and reggae music), Jigger & Pony (classic cocktails), The Spiffy Dapper (hole-in-the-wall, customized cocktails), Employees Only (a franchise from the famous NY bar), Nutmeg & Clove (cocktails with Asian twist) and the Cufflink Club (unique cocktails, one of the most famous in Singapore, full of expats).
Vasco, latin

If you are looking for a specific type of spirits, you can visit the Caribbean-themed Bago for Rum, The Auld Alliance for whisky (they have over 1,000 bottles in a 70 pages menu), Super Loco for Tequila/Marguerita (Mexican street food) and Oxwell & Co for gin.

Brewery and Craft Beer Bars
There is a growing number of local brewery and craft beer pubs in Singapore. Some of the most reputed are Mikkeller Bar (from the acclaimed Danish brewer Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, 20 beers on tap), Druggist (also serving Singaporean food), Freehouse (also selling cider) and Nickeldime Drafthouse (Vietnamese food, near the more upmarket brewer Paulaner Brauhaus at MRT Novena). Level 33, a spectacular rooftop also brews its own beer.

About 500 meters from Club Street, you have much more unpretentious places, starting with Good Beer and Smith Street Taps. Both are part of the same group and they are located in the same hawker center as the Michelin-starred "Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice And Noodle".

Live Music in Singapore
If you are looking for your usual Top 40 cover band and a beer, you can just go to Clarke Quay (the Scottish Pub The Highlander or the Pump Room), Boat Quay (Harry's) or Circular Road (Hero's). Many bars there have a live band, especially on weekends, so it won't be too hard to find.

There is also a very entertaining foreign band in Brix in Grand Hyatt, but the entrance fee and the prostitutes may not suit everyone (see below for more details).

If you are looking for something more specific, here are a few suggestions:

Jazz, Blues, World Music
You have two jazz bars in the heritage neighborhood Kampung Glam (near Arab street):
- The SingJazz Club in Sultan Hotel (also called Sultan Jazz Club) is open every day. It is a bit pricey and there is an entrance fee between 15$ and 25$ on most nights. They often have foreign musicians. Jam sessions on Sundays.
- On 3 floors, Blu Jaz Café has live jazz music occasionally, but also other genres such as hip hop and old school.

In June 2016, the Montreux Jazz Café chain opened a Singaporean franchise. Apart from jazz, they have world music and sometimes a DJ.

Barber Shop by Timbré is open to various kinds of music and particularly jazz, soul, blues and funk.

Rock/Alternative
For non-maintream rock and alternative bands, you can visit Mad Men (also a cool rooftop with great parties), Hive by Wala (a popular, cheap place with local bands, sometimes playing covers), Crazy Elephants (classic rock and roll) or any branches of Timbré.

Latin
Cuba Libre has a live band from Monday to Saturday playing latin music for salsa or bachata dancing.

Mandarin/Cantonese/Asian
Mando-pop and canto-pop have a public in Singapore. The most famous venue for that is the popular cabaret/piano bar Shanghai Dolly near Clarke Quay (inside a much larger nightlife complex). The small and less glitzy Switch by Timbré is another option.

Pubs and Sports Bars
There are quite many pubs and sports bars in Singapore targeting expat communities. I listed the most famous by nationalities:

Australian
Boomerang Bar and Bistro has two locations on Boat Quay and Robertson Quay. It is the place for watching Australian sports (AFL, Super Rugby, NRL) and/or eat kangaroo burgers. Nearby, Mogambo, Bungy and Hero's also feature those sports quite often.

American
The largest and most famous American-style bar is Brewerkz on Clarke Quay, which also happens to have a micro-brewery. They have NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Nascar, etc. Smokey's BBQ is further away but it is known to open early morning during special events like the Superbowl.

Irish
Molly Malone's: Singapore's first Irish pub since 1995. It was built in Ireland and then transported to Circular Road.

Muddy Murphy's is just a year older and opened in 1996, also directly imported from Ireland. It moved from Orchard Road to Claymore Connect this year. They have live bands starting 4.30pm every day.

British
The Victorian Pub Penny Black belongs to the same group as Muddy Murphy's. It is also a sports bar where you can watch English Premier League of course, but also English Football League Championship (EFL), League One, League Two, FA Cup, Cricket, etc.

German
The most famous German pubs in Singapore are the 4 outlets from Brotzeit.

French
French don't really go to pub, but the closest thing to one would be Parisian-style bistros like O'Batignolles (affordable wine and cheese) or Le Carillon de l'Angelus.

Bars and Rooftops with Spectacular Views
The maximum building height in Singapore is limited to 280 meters. 3 skyscrapers have reached this limit: One Raffles Place, Republic Plaza, UOB Plaza One.

Among these, only One Raffles Place has a rooftop bar, which is called 1-Altitude. You have to pay a 30$ entrance fee to get in and you'll get a free cocktail. In the same building you also have the Altimate nightclub and Stellar restaurant.

On top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Cé La Vi is similar with a club, a bar and a restaurant. It is the most ethnically diverse place I've been to in Singapore, with younger and older people from all over the world. There is a swimming pool as well but only for hotel guests or members. 25$ for a cocktail and 20$ for a beer. You must spend at least 80$ to get a table at the restaurant (and that won't be their best one).

On the other side, Level 33 has a view on the Bay from the Financial Center Tower 1. They make their own craft beer on the spot which they serve for a reasonable 10$ before 8pm (15$ after that). To enjoy the best view, you should call them ahead and book a table outside on the terrace.

The New Asia bar on the 71st floor of the Swisshotel/Fairmont Hotel. It is not as trendy as the places listed above but you have a generous ladies night on Wednesday (5 free drinks for girls) and 2 drinks for 30$ for guys.

The following rooftop bars are also recommended, even though they don't have a truly impressive view: Mad Men, Loof, Kinki Bar and Smoke & Mirrors.

Cheaper Nightlife in Singapore
Until about a year ago, international students used to gather on Read Bridge, "The Bridge", near Clarke Quay, where it was permitted to drink in public. This is no longer the case but you still have a few options to party on a budget.

Pre-Party Drinks
You should always buy a bottle at a duty free shop in the airport, and drink a few glasses from it before heading out.

Cheap Bars in Singapore
These are the famous cheap bars in Singapore (I'm linking to their Facebook where you'll see the updated promotions):

Prince of Wales, a famous backpacker pub on Boat Quay. It is always crowded and it has daily events (live music, sport, quiz nights, etc). There is also a branch in Little India.

Not far from there, the Japanese-inspired Five Izakaya Bar owe his name to their 5$ all-day specials. A beer will cost around 7$ though.

Further away in Holland Village, an area close from Singapore University, Wala Wala is a student bar popular with younger Singaporeans. They have a live band every evening starting 7pm. More affordable restaurants and pubs can be found nearby such as Bar Bar Black Sheep.

If you are not homophobic, the gay bar Tantric on Neil Road is the cheapest place in town to get shots (10$ for 2).

Ladies Nights
Ladies nights in Singapore are generally held on Wednesdays in almost every happening bars and nightclubs. Some of the busiest are in Cé La Vi, the rooftop club on top of the Marina Bay Sands (Free entry + 1 premium drink for ladies), Bang Bang (5 free drinks before midnight), Lantern Bar in Fullerton Bay Hotel (Free flow Belvedere Cocktail from 8 to 9pm), The Exchange (Free flow from 6 to 10pm). The newly relaunched Empire has free flow vodka and 5 complimentary drinks from 10.30pm until late.

Some clubs have a ladies night on Thursday: Kyo (Free entry + Free vodka soda from 12am to 1.30am), Attica (Free entry and 3 free drinks before 1am) or Mad Men Attic Bar (Promos on Champagne - 2 Bottles for 168$).

The newest clubs have the most aggressive promotions (which are most likely not meant to last): In Baliza, girls get free flow champagne, small bites, gifts and... males strippers! In Nova, they have a free flow from 10pm until 3am.

There is one ladies night happening on Saturday: It is in Space Club with free flow champagne from 11pm to 1am (and another one on Wednesday with free flow house pours from 11pm to 2am and then 5$ per glasses). 

For reasons I ignore, ladies' nights are often combined with hip hop nights.

Happy Hours
Happy Hours are also a good opportunity to drink cheaper. Generally speaking, they work from 5pm to 7pm, sometimes extended from 4pm to 8pm. Almost every bars in Singapore has some kind of promotion during these hours.

An excellent happy hour is in the Loof rooftop bar in downtown Singapore with its "5$ at 5pm, 6$ at 6pm, 7$ at 7pm" promotion.

Buffet Drinks and Free Flows
A few bars have free flow nights, generally for a limited number of hours. If you are a heavy drinker, they can be worth it.

On Club Street, the bar/retailer Drinks&Co has an affordable single night on Tuesday and Saturday (30$ for free flow prosecco, wine and beer for 2 hours). The rest of the time they always have promotions and discounts.

The club Nova has a free flow alcohol buffet on Wednesday for 35$ (from 10pm to 3am - Free for girls).

Asian-style Nightclubs
Thai Discos
Thai discos are relatively new in Singapore. The concept is to have live performance (singing, modeling and dancing) by Asian girls (most often Thai, Chinese or Vietnamese, but sometimes Koreans, Hong Kongese or Taiwanese in the most upmarket ones). The customers can buy a flower garland to the girl he likes to show his interest. In the cheapest places, 20$ is enough to get the girl to sit with you while in other, you'll need to pay over 200$ just to get an introduction. Once the girl agrees to accompany you, you can buy her some drinks and enjoy her company. Some girls may end up sleeping with a customer, but it is not that common.

One of the best things about Thai discos, as I wrote earlier, is that their prices are generally lower than elsewhere, even in the most high-end venues. This is especially true if you visit during happy hours and order large quantities. Beer towers and jugs are the norm. During happy hours (usually before 10.30pm), 3 liters will often cost around 50$-60$ and 6 liters 100$-120$. The price increase by 30% during normal hours. Beware that the cheapest Thai discos are known to water down the beer.

Free flows are common within Thai discos. For instance, Illusion Club on Clarke Quay has a 28$ free flow beer buffet from 7pm to 9pm and Pixie from 8.30pm to 10.30pm (20$ only).

If you are interested to try, you could visit Thai Disco 1, the first one to have opened in Singapore in 1999. It is located inside the Golden Mile Complex on Beach Road, next to Diva. Both are cheap but starting to be a bit run down. More modern options, but still affordable, you have Sherbet 2 and Nexus in Oriental Plaza, Flux on Serangoon Road, Illusion on Clarke Quay, Kingdom on Balestier Road, Icon II in Parklane Mall, Club 9 on Sophia Road, Tryst on Middle Road  or Club LA on Jalan Besar. Those places all have dancers, singers and hot girls from various nationalities on stage. They are usually open everyday of the week but you can check directly on Facebook.

You can also check the venues of the V Group (7 of them, namely V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and V7).

If you can afford to spend a bit more, the following Asian-style nightclubs all have East Asian models (Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China): Pixie in Holiday Inn Atrium (Minimum 50$ for flower garlands), Club Easy in Concorde Hotel on Orchard Road and finally the Taiwanese club Luxi in Saint James Power Station (Minimum 100$)

Also in Saint James Power Station, another place worth mentioning is the Vietnamese club Gossip, where the DJ and the models are, unsurprisingly, all Vietnamese.

Indian Nightclubs
About 8% of Singapore's population is from Indian descent. Some of them choose to party in specific nightclubs with hindi-pop or bollywood music. Bollywood Lah is the latest and most recommended. You can also go to Magic Carpet or Rupee.

High End KTV in Singapore
Older and richer Singaporeans tend to party behind the closed doors of KTVs or Karaoke. Those generally have beautiful hostesses, often from China or Vietnam.

The place to go to these days seem to be the K2 KTV on the third level of Parklane Mall. Sands KTV in Little India or China Doll KTV on Sophia Road are other options.

Gay and Lesbian Nightlife
Homosexuality is still illegal in Singapore, but it is tolerated. The city has several LGBT events like IndigNation, Pink Dot or the White Party, and a busy gay nightlife.

The gay clubs and bars are almost all located on Neil Road: The busiest are Tantric Bar/May Wong's on one side, and Taboo nightclub on the other. The latter has cabaret/transvestite shows. Both are not too expensive but they get very crowded on weekends. Two more quiet options on the same street are DYMK (Does Your Mother Know) and Backstage. Elsewhere in Chinatown, you have Lluvia and Dorothy's.

There is not a proper lesbian bar to my knowledge but the group Two Queens organizes dedicated events regularly (the monthly HerStory). Similarly, the event organizer Hypertainment focus on the gay community.

Ladyboys
There are a lot of ladyboys and transvestites (mostly prostitutes) in some bars of the Orchard Towers: Crazy Horse and more specifically Club Romeo.

Naughty Nightlife in Singapore
Prostitution is legal in Singapore, but restricted to particular areas and submitted to various regulations. Most of it happens in "health centers" or in Geylang.

Many prostitutes, especially the freelancers that you'll see in 5-star hotel bars or some upscale nightclubs (Attica, Bang Bang, Cé La Vi) are from neighboring ASEAN countries. They benefit from visa-free policies so they come as tourists for a few months, make money and go back home.

Brix Bar
I mentioned Brix Bar before in my article about 5-star hotels in Asia where prostitution is readily available.

Located in the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Orchard Road, it might be the most famous and the most remarkable on this list. Every night from 10pm, it features a foreign live band that plays mostly Top 40 songs. They are very entertaining, dancing with the public and creating a nice party vibe.

The other attraction in Brix is the high number and the diversity of freelance prostitutes among the crowd. I didn't ask everyone's passport but I'm sure there is at least 15 nationalities from every continent. According to my friends, there are girls from Africa, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia, Colombia, Brazil, Korea, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. Some will ask over 500$ for a few hours of companionship.

The entrance is 30$ with one drink, and if you wish to pick up one of the ladies, you'll probably spend 10 times that amount. Because it is expensive, most customers are wealthy males above 40, expats or businessmen.

Note that even if you are not interested with the prostitution, Brix is still a fun place to party and meet people. Not all girls inside are prostitutes.

Orchard Towers
The second most popular location for Singapore expats looking for prostitutes are the Orchard Towers.

This is quite an odd place and I'll recommend visiting even if you are not into paid sex. There are at least 10 bars and nightclubs, each with certain characteristics. Most are hostess bars, sometimes with sexy dancers, where girls will sit with you and allow you touch them as long as you buy them ladies drink (around 30$ from which they get 10$).

Here is a list of the most famous:

Ipanema
The most famous bar in Orchard Tower. It is a smaller version of Brix with only Asian girls and cheaper prices. Lots of hot Vietnamese freelance girls. Live music. There are always some tourists as well.

Crazy Horse:
Indonesian girls, quite many lady boys.

Queens:
Indonesian girls, nice podium in the middle with amateur dancers. Friendly.

Naughty girls:
Closes at 6am/7am, considered the after-hour nightclub of Singapore, many Eastern European girls.

Top 5
Not sure of the nationality, it seems Thai, Filipinas and Ukrainians.

Club Romeo
This club/karaoke has both ladyboys and Russian/Ukrainians girls. It has a sister club called Ion. Gogo and pole dancing every night.

Downunder
Only Pinay girls. They can get very naughty provided you are generous with tips and ladies' drinks. It can be considered a blowjob bar as it happens quite often in their private rooms.

Other bars have mostly Filipinas and Thais: Girl Next Door, Cabin, Baliba, Peyton Place or Blue Banana Bar. Blowfish is similar but in a building one block away. If bargirls are not your thing, the Towers have great and affordable Thai food at Thai Tantric and Korat on 3rd floor.

The area around the Orchard Towers is a great place to stay in Singapore, both for shopping and the nightlife. Hotels walking distance from it are mostly 5-stars (Hilton, Pan Pacific, Grand Hyatt, Marriott), but you have cheaper options like the Orchard Hotel. The cheapest one nearby is this hotel where you can get rooms for less than 150$.

Orchard Towers on Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of Filipino and Indonesian maids enjoy their unique weekly day off by partying hard in the bars of the Orchard Towers. They are joined by male foreign workers, either expats or low-skilled ones from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is really fun to watch and quite a social experiment. Most of the girls are very average in look and not very young, but their enthusiasm is contagious. Fun is their number one motivation, not money.

Geylang
As I wrote earlier, Geylang is the main red light district in Singapore. While I couldn't tell you precisely how it works, I can give you a few indications.

First, there is not prostitution everywhere. Geylang is a large district but only a rectangle about 500 meters X 200 meters can be considered red light. It corresponds to the lorongs (small alleys) off Geylang Road that have even numbers. Talma Road in the middle is also famous for having street girls. Inside the lorongs, you can find brothels, KTV and massage parlours.

Some lorongs have more Filipinos, some have more Chinese, some have more Indonesians, etc... The prices range from 30$ for 20 minutes (with older girls) to 150$ for the most expensive, with younger Vietnamese girls.

Customers are generally older Singaporeans and migrant workers.

There are a lot of budget, girl-friendly hotels in that area, many accepting short-time. A recommended one is Hotel 81 Hollywood (under 50$).

General Tips About Singapore Nightlife
Avoid fines and jail
If you don't want to get fined, or worse go to jail, avoid: Chewing gum, littering, public indecency, jaywalking and vandalism. You should assume that it is forbidden to smoke everywhere in public unless specifically authorized. More serious offenses like drug use may get you a lot of trouble, whatever the quantities.

Public drinking is not allowed from 10.30pm until 7am. If you disobey you might end up paying a 1,000$ fine. It is also forbidden for convenience stores to sell alcohol during this time.

Dress code - What to wear at night
While in Jakarta it is rarely acceptable to wear shorts, it seems fine in Singapore in many bars, particularly in Clarke Quay. Still, if you are planning to go clubbing you will need at least a pair of pants, shoes and a shirt. In some venues like Bang Bang, women must wear high heels.

It's hot in Singapore and many cafés are outside. Use deodorant and avoid wearing synthetic fabric like polyester.

Prices - Daily Spending
Hotels: The cheapest double room will cost at least 50$ in a neighborhood like Geylang, 100$ in a more central area.
Transport: It is cheap but you'll need to take a cab after midnight that will cost you 50% more than normal. Night Rider and Night Owl service.
Restaurants: Cheapest street food/hawker meals around 5$, trendy restaurants at least 40$ without wine.
Entrance fees for clubs: The best clubs in Singapore will charge you from 20$ up to 30$. Once inside, a beer will normally cost between 10-20$, a cocktail 15-30$. A bottle of premium spirits 200$.

Hotels recommendations near the nightlife and attractions
If you have no budget constraints, stay in Marina Bay Sand Hotel or Grand Hyatt or Pan Pacific. They each have nightclubs inside.
If you have an average budget, stay in Bencoleen Hotel (100$) between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
If you don't mind sleeping in a red light district, stay in Geylang, for instance in Hotel 81 Hollywood (50$).
If you have a tiny backpacker budget, stay in Little India in a dormitory, for instance in Prince of Wales Hostel (30$).

Going around in Singapore after midnight
The normal buses and MRT services stop operating after midnight. After this time, all taxi fares will also cost an additional 50%.

Public transportation is not very convenient, but doable if you don't mind walking and waiting. There are two night buses services: SBS Night Owl (4$, from midnight to 2am on weekends only, operates 6 lines) and SMRT Night Rider (4,5$, from 11.30pm to 4.35am on weekends only, see map here for the lines).

This is only worth if you live far away from the center and these buses do not operate during the week. The cost of taxis is not that expensive, even with the night surcharge, and they are easy to find. Expect to pay around 15$ for a 10 minute ride. App-based transportation like Grab or Uber work well also and they are around 20% cheaper.

Meeting girls
Singaporean girls are said to be materialistic and chasing the 5Cs (Cash, Car, Condo, Career, Cards). It is probably an over-generalization, but still your dating life will be much easier if you have at least a decent job and an apartment.

If this sounds boring to you, the good news is there are not only Singaporean girls in Singapore. Clubs are filled with European, American, Australian, and most importantly other Asian girls. Among expats I know in Singapore, more than half are currently dating Indonesian, Filipina, Thai or Vietnamese girls. Some of them are known by the derogatory term "Sarong Party Girl" or SPG, which describes the ladies you may meet in Attica or Bang Bang: Southeast Asian girls, wearing sexy dresses and chasing foreigners.

The best way to meet girls in Singapore is probably to use Tinder, though most of your matches will lose interest if you are not an expat or a permanent resident.
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Foreplay - Bar, Live Music, Club - Batam

October 20, 2016, 1:09 am
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Foreplay is a bar/live music lounge/nightclub located in the heart of Kampung Bule in Nagoya, Batam. It is the most upmarket venue in this area, and the only one with a first drink charge (Rp100,000 every day and any time, even when it is empty).

Considering this expensive entrance fee, I was expecting the place to be modern and exciting but I must say I was disappointed. I visited a Wednesday and it was rather quiet with only a few tables occupied. It is small and dark, and it looks rather old. Most of the people inside were either waiters or hostesses paid by the management. The band was playing mostly depressive love songs that seemed to put everyone to sleep. Thanks God once in a while the DJs was playing more upbeat techno.

We spent about 45 minutes inside then left. One of the girls came to our table to introduce herself. I guess you can them drinks if you want their company for the evening.

Note: I visited again on a Friday and it was more busy and happening, particularly after 1AM. Still, I prefer the nearby NoName Pub in Harmoni Hotel.

ForePlay Club Batam (also spelled 4Play or FourPlay)
Kampung Bule - Nagoya Entertainment District (NED)
Komplek Batam Plaza Blok D No 1, Nagoya – Batam
Phone number: +62 811 700 2210

Facebook: Foreplay Batam
Instagram: Foreplay Nagoya
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Square Nightclub and KTV (Batam)

October 20, 2016, 4:20 am
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Square is a high-end nightclub and karaoke located inside the I Baloi Hotel in Batam. It is about 10 minutes away by car from Kampung Bule in Nagoya and 5 minutes from BCS Mall by foot.

Along with Titanium, Square is one of the favorite nightlife venues in Batam among the local elite (a lot of Indonesian-Chinese inside). It is clean, modern, with a proper lighting and sound system, similar to the one you could find in Jakarta. There is a bit of a naughty side as usual in the karaoke (lady companions), but it is rather discreet. Plenty of normal girls visit Square, but I wouldn't go as far as saying it is a pick up place because most of them are visiting with their own group of friends.

The entrance fee is Rp150,000, which is the most you'll pay in Batam, and it entitles you to one free drink. There isn't much of a dancefloor so you should try to get a table near the main area, between the bar and the DJ. If the place is crowded, you'll probably need to buy a bottle for that (around Rp1M).

During normal weekdays, they have a resident live band and a resident DJ taking turn every 30/60 minutes. The band plays Top 40 and classic songs, the DJs mix trap/EDM music. On weekends, they often have more famous artists from Jakarta. It's best to check the schedule in advance on Facebook to avoid bad surprises: The first time we visited, the band was terrible and we got bored after 30 minutes. They also have hot dancers called the "Squarelicious babes", who perform with sexy clothes or bikinis.
Karaoke:
Open from 8pm to 3/4am, from Rp600,000 for standard room to Rp3,000,000 for VVIP (up to 40 people).

Note about the hotel
My friends were staying in I Baloi Hotel but unfortunately, they were not entitled to a free entrance. Like everybody, they had to pay Rp150,000 to get in. Still, they strongly recommended it as one of the best places to stay in Batam, with a huge swimming pool and a lot of excellent street food nearby. The room rates are reasonable as well. You can check the prices here: I Baloi Hotel Batam.

Square Nightclub and KTV
I Baloi Hotel,
Baloi Kusuma Indah No.7, Batam, Riau, Indonesia

Phone number: +62 822 8032 3377
Email: squareclub_batam@yahoo.com

Facebook: Square Club
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Sparadise Spa (Kemayoran)

October 1, 2016, 3:34 am
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Sparadise Spa and Center Stage KTV are both located on the 8th floor of the Mercure Kemayoran Hotel. They are part of the same group behind CenterStage Lampung and Sparadise in Grand Mercure Harmoni.

I haven't been to this spa and there is almost no information about it on the internet. According to the management, there are 3 kinds of room (VIP, Deluxe and Standard) and the facilities include a jacuzzi, hot and cold pools, a steam room, a sauna and cabanas.

I suspect that sexual services are provided, just like in the Harmoni branch.

If you have been there, please leave a message in the comment section below.

Sparadise Spa
Hotel Grand Mercure Maha Cipta
Jakarta, Kemayoran

BB Pin (GRO): 59427F16
Phone number: 085921615599
Path : sparadisegmjk

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 11am to 11pm
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Golden Dragon - Lampung Nightlife

October 20, 2016, 9:15 pm
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Golden Dragon is a one stop entertainment center in Batam with a Chinese restaurant, a pub, a karaoke (KTV), a nightclub, a spa and a function hall for events. It is located near the seafront, about 2 kilometers from the city center (a nearby hotel is Aston).

Considering Lampung nightlife is limited to mostly dangdut cafés, it is one of the most recommended venues in the city (the other one to try is Centerstage in Novotel Hotel).

The club is very quiet during the week, unless they have a special event (sometimes on Wednesdays). Typically, they will have a live band playing Indonesian love songs, then a DJ playing more aggressive electronic music. On the weekend, they like to bring a hot female DJ from Jakarta and sometimes a few sexy dancers. The entrance fee (first drink charge) is Rp50,000 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Rp100,000 on Wednesday and Friday, Rp150,000 on Saturday. Girls get in for free before midnight.

The karaoke is rather basic and a bit old-fashioned. They have escorts/lady companions if you need any (you probably will). Standard rooms start at Rp800,000 minimum spend and the presidential room costs at least Rp5,000,000.

The spa has a sauna, a steam room, and even though I didn't try it, I'm pretty sure extra services are provided.

Golden Dragon
Jalan Yos Sudarso 272
Bandar Lampung 35226, Sumatra

Phone number: +62 721 471 701
Email: cs@goldendragon.co.id
BB Pin: 7EF80BA1

Photos on Instagram: GD Disco
Facebook: Golden Dragon
Twitter: Golden Dragon
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Center Stage Nightclub - Lampung Nightlife

October 21, 2016, 12:35 am
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Center Stage is a popular nightclub located in Novotel Lampung. It is the best one in the city and the most recommended for Westerners (the second would be Golden Dragon). It is owned by the same group behind Centerstage in Palembang (see Top Nightclubs in Palembang).

Note that Center Stage is only open on Wednesday and Saturday. They have a pop/rock live band to start the evening, followed by a DJ playing party anthems. Their guest DJs are often girls that I've included in my rankings of Indonesia's Most Sexy FDJ. It is rather large, with a total capacity of 1,500 pax, but no real dance floor.

The crowd is quite young and overwhelmingly masculine. There are some hostesses from the karaoke, and a handful of normal girls, probably students.

Ladies night on Wednesday: Free entry for girls (Rp100,000 for guys with a drink). Entrance fee (FDC) on Saturday is Rp150,000.

Center Stage Lampung
Basement 2, Novotel Lampung
Jalan Gatot Subroto No.136, Bandar Lampung, Sumatra
(in the same building you have Ultra Spa, Grand Karaoke and Papillon KTV)

For events and pictures, check:

Phone number: 08 11 72 13 335 or 08 52 6000 3141
BB Pin: 228CD037 or 7CAA4CBC

Photos from 46unkphotoshape
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Jenja (Jakarta)

August 21, 2016, 4:50 am
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Located in Cilandak Town Square (CiToS), Jenja is the newest nightclub to open in Jakarta. They had their first public night on August 5th, 2016 with a set from the German DJ Oliver Huntemann.

It is their second branch after Bali, where Jenja is currently one of the best nightclubs. On the island, it is popular with expats, particularly because of the music they play (electro/tech-house/techno, the kind you would hear in Berlin, see 12 DJs I Want To See in Jakarta). Their design is nice as well but it is not the main reason for their success in my opinion.

I hope they will be successful as this could be a game changer for Jakarta nightlife. It would be the only nightclub in South Jakarta that does not play commercial music (EDM, house, Rn'B, etc).

I'm a bit skeptical about their location though. To be successful, they need a trendy crowd that Cilandak may not have. You have expats and rich Indonesians, but mostly families. I wonder if the people who currently party in SCBD/Mega Kuningan will accept driving 30 minutes to Cilandak. Or maybe I'm underestimating the clubbing crowd in South Jakarta?

We will know the answer soon. Please leave a comment if you have partied in Jenja. I'm not in Jakarta until September so I won't be able to visit it until then unfortunately!

Jenja (Jakarta)
Town Square Cilandak (CiToS)
2nd Floor, 1 Jalan TB. Simatupang, Kav. 17
Jakarta, Indonesia 12430

Email: reservationsjkt@clubjenja.com or infojkt@clubjenja.com
Phone number: +62 822 1181 3383

Website: Club Jenja
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Bengkulu Nightlife: 3 Best Nightclubs and Bars

October 23, 2016, 3:22 am
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As you can imagine, Bengkulu nightlife is not the most glamorous in Indonesia. This coastal town is quite small, with only around 300,000 inhabitants and very few foreign tourists visiting it apart from surfers/backpackers. It does have an interesting history as it used to be a British possession from 1685 until 1824. Once called Bencoolen, it was given to the Dutch who, in return, agreed not to oppose British settlements in Singapore (among other things).

The options for sleeping in Bengkulu are limited but they are all rather cheap. I stayed in Tanjung Karang Hotel, which is clean, comfortable enough and costs only Rp300,000. You also have hotel chains like Santika or Amaris (closer from the nightlife). If you are on a budget, the cheapest option is Xtra Hotel.

What to do at night in Bengkulu?
I don't think you can have a real party during week days and the best thing you can do is simply eat in a seafood restaurant by the beach. On weekends, you may want to try one of the following nightclubs/bars:

New Malibu Café
New Malibu Café, near the beach, is probably the best place for partying. It is a lounge/club and karaoke with events every Saturday. They may have sexy dancers, a famous Indonesian DJ or a live band. Sometimes the songs are in Indonesian and the DJs play fast-beat "funky house", while sometimes it is more westernized. The entrance fee is Rp100,000 for special events.

The karaoke has about 10/15 lady companions and it is popular with businessmen/officials/local tourists. They have several packages, the cheapest one cost Rp1,000,000 for the room/10 beers and the most expensive Rp2,900,000 for the room/2 bottles of whisky.

Address:
Jalan Pariwisata, Pantai Panjang
Email : Newmalibucafe@gmail.com
Phone number: +62 (0) 85 36 66 22 652
BB Pin: 5a44c41d
Instagram: New Malibu Bengkulu
Facebook: NMLB Bengkulu

New Rainbow Club and Karaoke
New Rainbow, also on the beach front, is similar but probably more male-oriented. You have a bar/club area with generally female DJs (from Jakarta), sexy dancers and a live band.

During the week, you can visit on Wednesday as they have a campus night special for students.

Address:
Jl. Pariwisata Pantai Panjang No. 2
Email: newrainbow.bengkulu@gmail.com
Phone number: +62 (0) 736-7321281 or Whatsapp: 081317999939
Pin BB: 5FA8739B
Instagram: New Rainbow Nightclub Bengkulu
Facebook: New Rainbow Club and KTV Bengkulu

Six Pattaya
Six Pattaya is a more underground type of club. It is darker, the music is more aggressive (trance, funky house, trap), and I suspect that alcohol is only the second most popular party substance. They also have a karaoke with girls.

You can get a KTV room with 3 bottles of whisky for Rp2,700,000. Otherwise, the prices are by the hour, from Rp80,000 for the Deluxe (8 people capacity) to Rp160,000 for the VVIP (24 people). 50% discount from 1pm to 6pm.

Address:
Jalan Pariwisata Pantai Panjang (yes again)
Phone number GRO: 0857 5832 4440 or 0852 0899 9610
Instagram: Bengkulu Six Pattaya
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