Jakarta100bars - Nightlife & Party Guide

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

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

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

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

Is Manila Recommended for Party?

I would recommend Manila nightlife for the following reasons:

- Cheap prices for alcohol, entrance fees and taxis: Even high-end nightclubs like Revel only charge a 10$ entrance with 2 strong drinks included. You can easily get yourself drunk for 30 dollars in Manila, which is the price for one cocktail in some bars in Singapore.

- Foreigner-friendly: English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis. Filipinos are open-minded and easy-going. Dress codes are almost never implemented.

- Girl-friendly hotels: There are no issues with bringing girls back to your hotel in Manila.

- Rather easy to meet pretty girls that are not prostitutes: While prostitution is big in Manila with several red light districts, you also have a great dating and flirting scene with normal local girls.

- Clubs and bars open late and every day: You can go out any night of the week in Manila, you'll always find a crowded bar or nightclub. Sunday nights can be spent in B-Side, Mondays in ZZYZX and Tuesdays in Privé. The rest of the week is busy almost everywhere. There are no real curfews: Many clubs close at 6am, a few keep going until 8am.

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

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

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

Where to Party in Manila?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila

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

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

UPDATE 2017: There is a new nightclub I haven't been to called XX XX or 20 20 (in Makati). According to my friends, it is the best one in the city at the moment if you like underground music/techno. Please have a look and leave your feedback below. My next trip to Manila is only in September and I'll review it then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Bars in Metro Manila

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Meet (Normal) Filipino Girls?

Filipino girls are very friendly and they are interested in meeting with foreigners. Most are quite religious though (Catholic), and living with their families. For this reason, one night stands and hookups are not that common unless you go to the right clubs and bars.

A good idea is to download a few dating apps like Tinder, Badoo or Skout. If you are more a laptop person, you can also visit the very popular FilipinoCupid (up to 5,000 girls online in evenings). If you fill your profile with an honest, witty description and nice pictures, you should get a fair number of matches.

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

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

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

Gogo Bars, Striptease, Red Light Districts, Massage Parlours:

There is a lot of prostitution in Manila (though less than in the city of Angeles). For foreigners, you have 3 main red light districts:
- P Burgos Street in Makati (mostly gogo bars, massage parlours and street prostitution) - Beware, there is also a Burgos street in Manila but it's not the right one.
- EDSA Entertainment Complex in Pasay: A similar, yet cheaper alternative to Burgos
- Malate/Ermita: A mix of everything from street prostitutes, Korean KTVs, spas and freelance bars

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Quezon City, check Classmate, Pegasus and Heartbeat.

Around the airport, the best one is Air Force One (next to the massage parlour Flight 168). You also have Liberty Island and Universe Strip Club. Other good places to check are Genie Magic KTV but it is far in Rizal municipality and East Asia KTV in Roxas. Some other names mentioned on internet are Studio 69 and Apeira but I cannot confirm if there are still open or not.

If you think I missed something in this Manila nightlife review about the best clubs and bars in the city, please leave a comment below!

Photo credit: Goks.

So you've just arrived in Tokyo? You've checked into your room and you were finally able to connect to the Wifi? Now, you must be wondering, “Where should I go for partying?” and “How to meet a nice Japanese girl”.

You are reading the right guide. I'm a French expat, single, and I have been living in Tokyo for 3 years. I will tell you where the best party districts are located, the best bars and the best nightclubs. I'll also share some tips to those of you who want to meet Japanese girls.

So let’s dive right into it! Let’s start with the most famous nightlife areas of Tokyo

Nightlife Areas - Where to Party?

Roppongi

Roppongi, 六本木, literally “six trees”, is well-known as the city’s most popular nightlife district for foreigners (or "gaijin"). If you don’t speak Japanese, this is definitely where you should go first. Japanese in Roppongi are more open-minded towards expats or tourists, and you'll have more chances to bump into English speakers.

The most famous clubs in Roppongi are Alife, V2, New Lex, Gas Panic and ELE. All of them have mostly commercial, mainstream music (Top 40, EDM, Hip-Hop).

Roppongi can be reached by the Hibiya and Oedo Subway Lines (Roppongi Station) and the Nanboku Subway Line (Roppongi-Icchome Station). Actually, it is not too expensive to sleep there, so you should really consider choosing a hotel in this area.

Most Recommended Hotels in Roppongi Near the Nightlife:

Candeo Hotels Roppongi (rated 9/10 - About 130$ per night): New hotel, comfortable, ideal position for clubbers, affordable price, near the subway.

Remm Roppongi (rated 9/10 - About 115$ per night): Conveniently located next to Roppongi station, great price, rooms a bit small.

Shibuya

Shibuya (渋谷区) is probably one of the most iconic areas of the city. Any trip to Tokyo should include a visit there, and particularly to the famous Shibuya Crossing. It’s a major commercial, shopping and business center, served by two enormous railway stations.

It is also a great nightlife area, where you'll find many of Tokyo's hippest clubs and bars. Compared with Roppongi, it is more popular among Japanese trendy youngsters.

Within Shibuya, the most popular venues are Womb (EDM, techno), Contact (Techno), Camelot (All Music), Sound Museum Vision (All Music), Atom (All Music), TK Shibuya (All Music) and Harlem (Hip Hop, Rn'B, Old School).

Most Recommended Hotel in Shibuya Near the Nightlife:

Excel Hotel Shibuya (rated 8.4/10 - About 350$ per night): Business hotel, great location in Shibuya walking distance to bars and restaurants, fantastic view from the upper floors.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku, 新宿, the world’s busiest railway station, is handling more than two million passengers every day! Try Golden Gai, a network of several alleys packed with tiny bars, each with an original style. It is packed with an alternative crowd of artists and students. The Robot Restaurant is also a must-see.

Nearby, you will find Kabukicho, Japan’s largest and wildest red light district! I will give more information about it at the end of this review.

Most Recommended Hotel in Shinjuku Near the Nightlife:

APA Hotel and Resort (rated 9.2/10 - About 100$ per night): New property, next to the red light district of Kabuchiko, low price.

Azabu

Azabu, 麻布, Tokyo’s most expensive and upscale residential district, is home to many actors, singers, businessmen, and celebrities. If you have a more refined taste, enjoy high-end venues and have deep pockets, here is where you should hang out. It's also where I like to bring dates that I want to impress.

My 10 Best Clubs and Bars in Tokyo

Contact

If you are a techno head like me, then this is where you should go to attend the best events in town. Recent famous international DJs who mixed there include Ben UFO, Pan-Pot, Laurent Garnier, Ame, and Dubfire. If these names mean anything to you, then you know what kind of club I’m talking about. It is only 100 meters from the Shibuya subway station. Prices: ¥1,500 entrance fee during the week and up to ¥4,000 for special events.

Facebook: Contact Tokyo

Womb

Also in Shibuya, this is probably the most renowned clubs in Tokyo. It is huge, with a capacity for 1,000 clubbers spread across four floors! They host daily special events, with different genres of music (Trance, EDM, Techno, Drum and Bass, Hip-Hop - mostly good quality) in each room.

Backpackers and tourists love it, and also the Japanese girls hunting them. On weekends, it is very likely that an international DJ will play there. Prices: Between ¥1,000 (with flyer, weekdays) and ¥4,000 (special DJ).

Website: Womb Tokyo

TK Shibuya

TK Shibuya (previously known as T2) is one of the most popular and largest clubs in Shibuya. It is a hit with the young EDM crowd, partly because of the cheap entrance fee and drinks. Mostly frequented by Japanese (not many foreigners), you can still have an enjoyable time as the atmosphere is friendly. The lights and the sound system are awesome! Don't miss the sexy pole dancers!

Website: TK Shibuya

AgeHa

Located about 30 minutes from Shibuya, on the artificial island of Odaiba, Ageha is Japan’s biggest nightclub. You should go there only during special events otherwise it will probably feel empty. Music is mostly EDM, with sometimes Korean pop, Hip Hop, and Techno. A free shuttle can pick you up every 30 minutes from Shibuya.

Website: AgeHa

ELE Tokyo

Located in the Roppongi area, ELE Tokyo is a very commercial nightclub with the usual EDM music, pole dancers, and bottle service. I would not recommend it normally, but I must admit girls are particularly hot there. For guys, the entrance fee varies between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 depending on the day of the week (For ladies, it is FREE). It's better to visit with a group and order a VIP package as single guys are not treated very well. The same group also owns V2 and The Villa.

Website: ELE Tokyo

Muse

Just 10 minutes from Roppongi Station, this is a popular club among older foreigners (35+). The reason: It's rather easy to meet Japanese girls, albeit many are actually professionals. Free entrance for girls, ¥3,500 for guys with 2 drinks. The music is a mix of everything famous. Open only from Thursday to Saturday.

Website: Muse

1 OAK

1 OAK, for 1 Of A Kind, is the first Asian branch of a famous NY nightclub. It has made a reputation as the place to party for the world’s biggest celebrities and for its decadent hip-hop parties. The club is high-end, so naturally, it isn’t cheap, Expect to pay ¥4,000 on regular nights and ¥5,000 for special events.

Website: 1 OAK Tokyo

HUB

The most popular chain of English pubs in Japan (more than 52 locations!). Relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The HUBs in Shibuya/Roppongi/Shinjuku are the most famous branches.

What really makes them attractive are the value-for-money drinks and food. They tend to be really busy on the weekends from 8 PM to 2 AM. Perfect for meeting people over a fresh pint of beer and some chicken wings. The crowd is a fair mix of young 20–30 years old foreigners (including English teachers) and Japanese.

Website: HUB

Bridge DJ Bar Shibuya

Bridge is an intimate restaurant/bar/nightclub just around the corner of the Shibuya Crossing! It can be a bit hard to find because you need to take a lift with no clear indication of where to go. Once you get there, you will be rewarded with an awesome view of the Shibuya Crossing and a great selection of cocktails. DJs usually play deep house and electro. The crowd and staff are fairly international so no need to be a fluent Japanese speaker to have fun there. No entrance fee. A beer costs around ¥700 and a cocktail ¥1,300.

Website: Bridge Nightclub Shibuya

Gas Panic

Located in Shibuya (the Roppongi branch has closed), this bar is an institution in Tokyo. It is often called a meat-market because it is packed to the rafters with mostly horny guys (and girls, to a lesser extent). Drinks are cheap (under ¥300 before 10 PM) and music is commercial Top 40/Rn'B.

Website: Gaspanic

After Hour Nightclubs

Some late-night clubs and bars in Tokyo that stay open until morning are:

Oath
Underground style, techno music. Close at 8 AM on weekends and 5 AM during the week.

Website: Oath Bar

Odeon
In Roppongi, friendly boutique club with reasonable prices and an international crowd. All kinds of music played. Open until 11 AM.

Website: Odeon Tokyo

Prostitution in Tokyo

Prostitution in Tokyo can take many forms: Hostess bars, cabaret clubs (Kyabakura), erotic massages (soapland), karaokes and strip clubs. Among all of these, only the massage parlors officially sell sexual services. The other ones merely connect you with prostitutes, with whom you can then negotiate a price for sex. A website like Erolin can help you understand the system, from a foreign perspective.

Kabukicho, Ikebukoro and Roppongi are the most famous red-light areas of Tokyo. There, the venues are not hidden, on the contrary. As you walk on the streets, you will be given flyers by some of the staff to try to lure you in.

Generally-speaking, you should be careful before entering random places, especially if you don't speak any Japanese. You can get scammed easily, for instead by having to pay hidden fees (membership fee, joiner fees, etc). Make everything clear from the beginning, if necessary by helping you with an online translator.

If you go into a girls' bar or hostess club, you can expect to pay anything between ¥10,000 and ¥100,000. For this price, all you get is to sit in a small room and chat with a cute girl for a few hours. You may get free-flow alcohol in the cheapest ones. Otherwise, drinks can be prohibitively expensive, costing up to 10 times what you would pay in a normal club (and still, you must add a 40% service charge).

Recommended hostess clubs are those of the Chick Group, like Chick Ginza or Chick Roppongi. Bars with no English-speaking ladies will often refuse entry to foreigners.

If you want something more straightforward, then you'll have to go to a "soapland". Most are in Yoshiwara, in the northeast of the city, or in Kawasaki, in the southwest. Again, only a few accept foreigners, for instance, Makeup, Paradise, Satin Doll, Kadoebi or Chateau Petrus. The price range for 2 hours is between ¥15,000 and ¥35,000.

Strip Clubs and Gentlemen's Clubs often feature foreign girls (Russian, Southeast Asian). The famous ones are Seventh Heaven and Tantra.

Off the street, you also have a huge online escort scene that targets mainly Japanese customers. A few websites are foreigner-friendly, you can find them easily on Google. The most famous (and probably the most expensive) is the sugar daddy website Universe Club. A better and cheaper alternative, in my opinion, is SeekingArrangement.

How to Meet Japanese Girls in Tokyo

Personally, I am not a client of prostitutes. I think it is useless as it is relatively easy to meet Japanese girls and engage in actual relationships with them.

One obvious option is Tinder.

This is how I got 80% of my Japanese dates. The most positive about this dating app is that most of its users have a fair level of English. However, on the negative side, you need time to make some progress in the relationship. 2 weeks is a minimum before you can gain a girl's trust and hang out with her in real life. For tourists, you are almost guaranteed to fail using Tinder.

A good alternative, especially for guys above 30, is to plan your trip ahead using Japan Cupid. Girls on this website tend to be a bit older (25-40) and they are generally looking for foreigners who want to marry. They won't mind if you are not physically in Japan when chatting. You can subscribe to the site a month before going to Tokyo and arrange all your dates even before arriving.

Picking up Japanese girls in clubs is possible, especially in areas like Roppongi. But this will be a hard grind because even if it’s the most famous nightlife district for foreigners, English speaking girls are still not the majority. You'll need to be lucky, confident, and particularly handsome. Good luck with that. To be honest, you have more chances hitting on foreign girls than Japanese ones.

Drugs in Japan

I recommend you to avoid consuming or obtaining drugs while traveling to Japan. Drugs aren’t very common in Japan so they are expensive and hard to find. Japan also has some of the toughest drug laws in the developed world. If you get caught using and dealing drugs the sentences are arch, usually several years in prison.

While Japanese rarely take drugs, they tend to drink very heavily, often to the point of passing out.

General Tips About Tokyo Nightlife

Dress Code:
Surprisingly, it's not that strict. Still, I recommend wearing at least a pair of jeans with a collared shirt. If you have tattoos, it may be better to hide them.

ID:
You'll need to show a valid ID to enter most clubs. Photocopies are rarely accepted, but you can bring a driver's license.

In nightclubs, you need to be 20 to enter. Bars generally don't care, unless you really look 14.

Best Time to Go to Nightclubs:
Friday and Saturday from 2 AM to 5 AM. There are often discounts if you arrive before 12 AM, or on weekdays.

Prices:
They vary a lot, but overall expensive of course. Before midnight, you'll pay ¥1,000 on average for an entrance fee. After midnight, it will be from ¥2,500 to ¥4,500 for the best clubs. On special events, expect to spend even a little bit more. Girls almost always pay less (from ¥0 to ¥2,500).

A standard drink will cost you between ¥700 to ¥1,200.

Bring cash as many venues don't accept cards.

Going Around:
Forget Uber (they don't have a license to operate as they do in Europe). Taxis cost about 4-5$ per kilometer, with a 20% surcharge from 10 PM to 5 AM.

Note that most trains and buses stop working shortly after midnight. They start again in the morning around 5.30 AM, so what most people do is just party until then. You can also hang out in a McDonald's or a 24-hour internet café.

That said, I would really recommend you to choose one of the hotels I mentioned before. They are walking distance from clubs so you'll save money and time.

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The SHVR Ground Festival 2018 is the most exciting clubbing event so far this year in Jakarta. It will take place in the Allianz Eco Park, Ancol, on May 4th and 5th, 2018.

In this review, I will tell you everything you need to do about it: Which artists will attend, where to stay nearby, how to buy tickets (with discount), and how to prepare for the D-Day.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment at the end of this article if you need more information!

Artists Line Up:

The line-up confirmed for this year's event features some of the world's most famous DJs and composers on the EDM and Trance scene. There are also several up-and-coming artists, some of them that you should follow closely like the band FKJ (French Kiwi Juice).

Here are some of the names, along with videos of their most famous songs:

Alan Walker (DJ Mag No. 17 Best DJ in the World)

Nicky Romero (DJ Mag No. 50 Best DJ in the World)

Gareth Emery

Disclosure (DJ Mag No. 100 Best DJ in the World)

Rita Ora

Aly & Fila (DJ Mag No. 53 Best DJ in the World)

Dipha Barus (Indonesian DJ)

Cheat Codes

Alison Wonderland

Cash Cash

CADE

3LAU

FKJ

Apart from the names mentioned above, you also have Bondax, Gryffin, KhoMha, Standerwick X Will Atkinson, The Magician, Andre Dunant and RBA!

How to Buy Tickets?

Excited by the line-up? Then hurry to buy your tickets before the prices increase.

You can buy them online, through the website: http://www.shvr.id/shvrgroundfestival/tickets.

Several types of passes and packages are available:

2 Days Pass (General Admission) : IDR825,000

2 Days Pass (Early Entry Before 7PM): IDR650,000

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 4 persons: IDR2,600,000 (or IDR650,000 per person)

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 6 persons: IDR3,600,000 (or IDR600,000 per person)

2 Day Pass (VIP): IDR1,500,000 - VIP passes allow you to be much closer from the stage, in an exclusive area near the DJs.

How to get a special price?

To get a 10% discount on your ticket, please type the code SGF18xJAKARTA100BARS (valid on GA 2 DAYS PASS ticket only).

Where to Stay Nearby?

The SHVR festival will be held in Allianz Eco Park, in Ancol. This is the north of the City, not too far from the airport, but at least 45 minutes from the center.

The closer hotels from there are Aston Marina and Mercure Convention Center. They are average for their prices (around 50$ per night) and they may fill up quickly.

For better value for money, I recommend you to stay in Mangga Dua area instead, just a 5-10 minutes taxi ride to the event. There, you have plenty of street food and shopping malls (low-to-mid range). If you don't know Jakarta yet, you can spend your afternoon near Kota Tua, the city's historical quarter.

The most recommend hotels in Mangga Dua are:
Ibis Styles Mangga Dua (45$ per night) and Le Grandeur Hotel (70$ per night: An old luxury property but located just above a mall and with a rather good value for money).

You may also prefer staying closer to Jakarta's city center. In that case, I advise you the area near the shopping center Sarinah, particularly along Jalan Wahid Hasyim. You can see a list of recommended hotels here.

Preparing for the Event

Food
You cannot bring your own drinks and food. Several bars and eating joints will be available during the event.

Clothes
There is no particular dress code. However, it is recommended to bring comfortable light clothes and shoes.

Lockers
Lockers will be available if you need, for a fee.

Stages:
There will be 2 stages during the event, but the schedule for each artist has not been released yet. I will let you know about it as soon as I know more.

Age Limit
You must be 18 to enter the festival. No exceptions to the rule, an ID will be asked.

More Information:

Website: SHVR Ground Festival

Instagram: @shvr_id

I spent 2 days in Baku during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in June 2017. I partied on two evenings and, even though I probably only scratched the surface of the nightlife, I'm writing this short guide about the best bars and nightclubs I have been to.

Baku Nightlife
From what I've seen, Baku nightlife is not very interesting for a single guy. The main problem is that middle-class Azeri women do not frequent nightclubs or bars. They often live in conservative families that do not allow them to party or even to hang out with friends late at night.

As a result, most nightclubs are populated by only men and prostitutes. Many can be found in the shabby basements of buildings around the city center. They are dark, poorly designed and dodgy, with rarely more than 20 customers. Girls are often Russians, getting money from either dancing, companionship or sex. As I was there during the Grand Prix, the guys seemed to be from everywhere, with a majority from Turkey and the Middle East.

Atmosphere inside a "basement" club

Some upper-class Azeri women are more liberal, though. You will rarely see one in those basements. They hang out in elite nightspots (restaurants, lounges, hookah bars, live music cafés, etc) that can be quite expensive. These venues are not really interesting for single guys since customers stay between groups of friends. If you are alone, you may even be refused entry if you are not accompanied by a woman (for instance in Pasifico or in Buddha Bar).

Nightlife Areas + Nearby Hotels

The center of Baku nightlife is around Merchant's Street (called Torgovaya), a small pedestrian area east of the Old City. The most distinguishable landmark there is the Fountain's Square. From there, you will be within 5 minutes walking distance from most the venues listed below.

I would recommend choosing a hotel nearby, for instance, one of the following:

5-star hotel:
Hilton Baku: 200$ per night, rated 8.6/10

4-star hotel:
Park Inn By Radisson: 130$ per night, rated 8.3/10. They have a nightclub, Eleven, on the 11th floor.

3-star hotel:
Karat Inn Hotel: 60$ per night, rated 8.4/10

You can check this list of properties to help you: Hotels Near Fountain Square in Baku.

A 5-minute walk away, there is a small red light district with discreet massage parlors and hostess clubs (the famous basement clubs mentioned earlier). The highest concentration is at the crossroad between Bulbul Avenue and Dilara Aliyeva Street. Some of the notable venues are Status, Coral, Grotta, Blackbird, Leo etc. All of them have sexy dancers and prostitutes. Entrance is free but drinks may be overpriced. Beware of scams.

Sexy dancers inside a basement club

Finally, the area around National Flag Square is also interesting for eating out and partying. It is a renovated industrial area with hipster restaurants (El Portalon, Atelye 61, Maya Mexican) and bars (La Vida Tequila Bar and Enerji nightclub). I don't recommend staying there as it is too far from the city center, but if you must, the East Legend Hotel has good ratings (60$ per night).

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Baku

I didn't really have fun in Baku. Most of the night spots are quiet (even during the F1 Grand Prix!) and the attitude of the staff is rarely welcoming to foreigners. As a single guy, you can expect being denied entry in all the most famous venues so you'll need to find a date to accompany you (Tinder is your best chance).

Something worth pointing out is that 80% of the most famous bars and nightclubs in Baku belong to one group called Saffron. Their properties are popular with Azerbaijan's golden youth, the sons and daughters of the elite. They generally prefer staying between themselves and they'll rarely show any interest for people who don't belong to their circle.

Still, I'm listing those places below due to the lack of alternatives. Please leave me a comment below if you think I should add/remove one!

Pasifico

One of the most happening night spots in Baku, it is owned by the Saffron group. It was recommended to me unanimously by all the Azeris I met.

On my first night, I was unable to get in because I was not accompanied by a girl. On my second attempt, I brought a date for dinner (note that there is a 50 Manats minimum spend).

It is a mid-sized lounge, sandwiched between the Caspian Sea and the Boulevard. Pleasant views, especially from the terrace.

The food was overpriced, as expected, but the taste was decent. Louder dance music starts around midnight. The dance floor was half empty. Most guests are groups of friends or couples. Some girls looked like prostitutes.

More information: Pasifico Baku

Enerji

Also part of the Saffron group, Enerji is one of the few proper nightclubs in Baku. It is located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the city center, near the National Flag Square. It is built on two floors: A semi-open terrace with a dance floor and sofas, and a mezzanine for dining. Bouncers may allow single males to enter but you can book a dinner in advance to make sure of that.

Don't expect large crowds during weekdays. Weekends are normally much better. Commercial music. A lot of girls but they are always accompanied.

More information: Enerji Baku

Eleven

High-end nightclub and lounge on the 11th floor of the Park Inn By Radisson Hotel. You need a girl to get in unless you are a hotel guest. Nice view of the Caspian Sea. Few people are dancing. Most are just eating and smoking shisha with their group of friends. Many Russians. As a single foreign guy, you are most likely to be ignored by everyone (if you manage to get in). 10 Manats for a beer. Commercial music. It closes at 4 AM on weekends.

More information: Eleven Baku

Otto

Otto Club is conveniently located in the city center, 300 meters from Fountain Square. 10 Manats entrance fee (they might ask you to be accompanied by a girl). Laid-back atmosphere and crowd (Turkish guests). Live music followed by a DJ every day. Pool tables. Some working girls.

More information: Otto Baku

Barrel Playground

Located about 5 kilometers from the city center, on the seafront, this bar/club opens seasonally a few months every year. They have DJs or live bands playing non-commercial genre (jazz, deep house, etc). Worth a visit if they have a special event.

More information: Barrel Playground

Sintetik

Dark and loud, Sintetik is the best after-hour club in the city. Open on weekends only until 8 AM, it is as underground as it can be. Techno music.

Note that it is closing for the summer and it should reopen in October only.

More information: Sintetik Baku

There used to be another minimal/techno club called "IN" but they were shut down by the authorities. They still organize parties once in a while so you can check their Facebook for updates (In Club).

Buddha Bar

Another property owned by the Saffron Group. As usual, a nice setting (maybe the most beautiful bar in Baku) but a rather snobbish atmosphere. It can be difficult to enter without a girl unless you make a reservation for dinner. Average, expensive food. 14 Manats for a cocktail. Not too busy.

More information: Buddha Bar Baku

Hashtag Bar

A small, dark bar for the alternative crowd. Techno and trance music.

More information: Hashtag Bar

A high-end lounge for the Azeri elite. Free shisha every day for girls. Tiny dancefloor. Not recommended if you are claustrophobic. Some girls are prostitutes.

More information: 26 Lounge Baku

High Boost

A restaurant more than a club, High Boost has a great view on Baku (23rd floor). On weekends, they have live bands and DJs. Strict door policy.

More information: High Boost Baku

Alternatively, if you are looking for another restaurant high up in the air, you can check Gate 25, on the 25th floor of the Demirchi Tower.

Soho Baku

One of those semi-luxury places where you aren't sure if the girls are prostitutes or not. Commercial music. Not so friendly with foreigners.

More information: Soho Bar and Lounge

Best Pubs in Baku

Since Baku has a sizable number of foreign residents (principally working in the oil industry), you can find many expat pubs. Most are located within a few streets from the Fountain Square.

Most of the pubs I visited were very quiet apart from a handful of customers. Some that had a decent crowd were (in that order) Castle Pub, Clansmen, Shakespeare, Red Lion, Hops, Shamrock, Beer Station, London Pub, Hairy Lemon and Finnegan's.

You can bar-hop from one another in a single evening as they are walking distance from each other. Just start in Abdulkarim Alizada street or in Tarlan Abdullayev street.

They all serve Western food (sometimes Indian and Mexican too). You can expect sports channels to be turned on and a live band to play on weekends. On average, a beer costs 6 Manats and a cocktail 10 Manats.

There were two pubs I enjoyed more than the others:

Harbour

A crowded bar, full of tourists and expats (especially after work). Outdoor terrace, sports on TV. Live music on weekends. They serve disappointing, yet expensive, Indian food. Owned by the Saffron Group.

More information: Harbour

Bukowski

This tiny pub is one of the cheapest I've been to in Baku (local beers costing less than 1 Manat). It is also one of the most crowded, particularly with students. It is not very comfortable, nor pretty, and the service can take forever. That said, I recommended it if you are interested in socializing with young Azeris.

More information: Bukowski Pub

Best Live Music in Baku

Le Chateau Music Bar

This live music bar was lively both nights I visited it. It has a mixed crowd of young Azeris, expats and backpackers. It's a perfect place to meet other people, especially if you are alone. Some pretty girls. The music schedule is eclectic, from rock to jazz. Check their Facebook for the updated schedule. Cheap prices (starting 1 Manat for a beer and 3 Manats for a whisky coke).

More information: Le Chateau

Hard Rock Café

I don't normally enjoy Hard Rock Cafés, but since the rest of Baku nightlife is so quiet, I feel this one is worth mentioning. It has a very central location, 100 meters from Fountain Square, and every time I passed by it was crowded. It is a good option for single souls who don't feel like exploring the city by themselves.

More information: Hard Rock Café Baku

Gramophone

Small, laid-back café with live local bands (Jazz, folk, blues). Cheap prices (1-2 Manats for a beer, 6 Manats for a cocktail). Near from Le Chateau.

More information: Gramophone Café

Etud

Live music bar in a basement. Relaxed crowd, inexpensive drinks.

More information: Etud

Oxen

Oxen could be a decent bar, but unfortunately, it is empty. Located near from Otto Club/Fountain Square, it is worth checking out if you enjoy listening to non-commercial music (live or DJs). Affordable prices and free entrance.

More information: Oxen

Best Wine Bars in Baku

Room

This homey wine lounge is popular with expatriates and their wives. Reasonable prices and friendly service. Buffet on Wednesday, Wine Tasting on Thursday. DJ on weekends. Live Jazz occasionally.

More information: Room Baku

Kelfi

Similar to Room (but smaller), it also attracts expatriates and trendy locals. Minimalist design. Wide selection of local wines.

More information: Kelfi

The SHVR Ground Festival 2018 is the most exciting dance music festival so far this year in Jakarta. It will take place in the Allianz Eco Park, Ancol, on May 4th and 5th, 2018.

In this review, I will tell you everything you need to do about it: Which artists will attend, where to stay nearby, how to buy tickets (with discount), and how to prepare for the D-Day.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment at the end of this article if you need more information!

Artists Line Up:

Here are some of the names, along with videos of their most famous songs:

Alan Walker (DJ Mag No. 17 Best DJ in the World)

Nicky Romero (DJ Mag No. 50 Best DJ in the World)

Gareth Emery

Disclosure (DJ Mag No. 100 Best DJ in the World)

Rita Ora

Aly & Fila (DJ Mag No. 53 Best DJ in the World)

Dipha Barus (Indonesian DJ)

Cheat Codes

Alison Wonderland

Cash Cash

CADE

3LAU

FKJ

Apart from the names mentioned above, you also have Bondax, Gryffin, KhoMha, Standerwick X Will Atkinson, The Magician, Andre Dunant and RBA!

How to Buy Tickets?

Excited by the line-up? Then hurry to buy your tickets before the prices increase.

You can buy them online, through the website: http://www.shvr.id/shvrgroundfestival/tickets.

Several types of passes and packages are available:

2 Days Pass (General Admission) : IDR825,000

2 Days Pass (Early Entry Before 7PM): IDR650,000

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 4 persons: IDR2,600,000 (or IDR650,000 per person)

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 6 persons: IDR3,600,000 (or IDR600,000 per person)

2 Day Pass (VIP): IDR1,500,000 - VIP passes allow you to be much closer from the stage, in an exclusive area near the DJs.

How to get a special price?

To get a 10% discount on your ticket, please type the code SGF18xJAKARTA100BARS (valid on GA 2 DAYS PASS ticket only).

Where to Stay Nearby?

Preparing for the Event

Food
You cannot bring your own drinks and food. Several bars and eating joints will be available during the event.

Clothes
There is no particular dress code. However, it is recommended to bring comfortable light clothes and shoes.

Lockers
Lockers will be available if you need, for a fee.

Stages:
There will be 3 stages during the event, but the schedule for each artist has not been released yet. I will let you know about it as soon as I know more.

Age Limit
You must be 18 to enter the festival. No exceptions to the rule, an ID will be asked.

More Information:

Website: SHVR Ground Festival

Instagram: @shvr_id

Atmosphere inside a "basement" club

Nightlife Areas + Nearby Hotels

Sexy dancers inside a basement club

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Baku

Otto

Barrel Playground

Sintetik

Hashtag Bar

A small, dark bar for the alternative crowd. Techno and trance music.

More information: Hashtag Bar

Bukowski

Hard Rock Café

Small, laid-back café with live local bands (Jazz, folk, blues). Cheap prices (1-2 Manats for a beer, 6 Manats for a cocktail). Near from Le Chateau.

More information: Gramophone Café

Etud

Live music bar in a basement. Relaxed crowd, inexpensive drinks.

More information: Etud

Oxen

Best Wine Bars in Baku

Room

Similar to Room (but smaller), it also attracts expatriates and trendy locals. Minimalist design. Wide selection of local wines.

More information: Kelfi

The SHVR Ground Festival 2018 is the most exciting dance music festival so far this year in Jakarta. It will take place in the Allianz Eco Park, Ancol, on May 4th and 5th, 2018.

In this review, I will tell you everything you need to do about it: Which artists will attend, where to stay nearby, how to buy tickets (with discount), and how to prepare for the D-Day.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment at the end of this article if you need more information!

Artists Line Up:

Here are some of the names, along with videos of their most famous songs:

Alan Walker (DJ Mag No. 17 Best DJ in the World)

Nicky Romero (DJ Mag No. 50 Best DJ in the World)

Gareth Emery

Disclosure (DJ Mag No. 100 Best DJ in the World)

Rita Ora

Aly & Fila (DJ Mag No. 53 Best DJ in the World)

Dipha Barus (Indonesian DJ)

Cheat Codes

Alison Wonderland

Cash Cash

CADE

3LAU

FKJ

Apart from the names mentioned above, you also have Bondax, Gryffin, KhoMha, Standerwick X Will Atkinson, The Magician, Andre Dunant and RBA!

How to Buy Tickets?

Excited by the line-up? Then hurry to buy your tickets before the prices increase.

You can buy them online, through the website: http://www.shvr.id/shvrgroundfestival/tickets.

Several types of passes and packages are available:

2 Days Pass (General Admission) : IDR825,000

2 Days Pass (Early Entry Before 7PM): IDR650,000

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 4 persons: IDR2,600,000 (or IDR650,000 per person)

2 Days Pass (General Admission) for 6 persons: IDR3,600,000 (or IDR600,000 per person)

2 Day Pass (VIP): IDR1,500,000 - VIP passes allow you to be much closer from the stage, in an exclusive area near the DJs.

How to get a special price?

To get a 10% discount on your ticket, please type the code SGF18xJAKARTA100BARS (valid on GA 2 DAYS PASS ticket only).

Where to Stay Nearby?

Preparing for the Event

Food
You cannot bring your own drinks and food. Several bars and eating joints will be available during the event.

Clothes
There is no particular dress code. However, it is recommended to bring comfortable light clothes and shoes.

More Information:

Website: SHVR Ground Festival

Instagram: @shvr_id

Are you done planning out your next holiday vacation this 2018? If not yet, then you must pick the Cayman Islands as your only choice for exciting and enjoyable tourist adventures. Stunning with its wealth of wonders, Cayman Islands continue to be the home of the best restaurants and delicious food menus that you can always look forward to throughout your travel escapade in such a beautiful paradise.

If you’re more than excited to discover the perfection of the islands of Cayman, here are the best hot food stops and things to do in the place that you’ll surely enjoy for the rest of your trip.

Eating: Fantastic Places to Eat in the Cayman Islands

If you’re looking for places to eat in Cayman Islands, you can take advantage of the island’s top-notch restaurants where professional, and highly-trained chefs prepare delicious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as cakes and pastries.

1. Abacus

If you want to have a one-of-a-kind Caribbean food experience, visiting Abacus in Camana Bay, Grand Cayman can satisfy your food cravings. Designed with elegant city dining along with a tropical breeze, it’s famous for its Oxtail Spring Rolls and Grilled Octopus with chorizo. Moreover, drinks served are so refreshing as the restaurant’s mixologists shake seasonal fruits to make it. All in all, Abacus is a stylish restaurant you can spend your holiday with.

2.Calypso Grill

Calypso Grill is one of the most-loved restaurants found at the heart of the Cayman Islands. Partnered with flowing soft breezes and a full deck overlooking the scenery around it, Calypso Grill in West Bay is perfect for its delightful lunches and dinners. Food tripping will be a remarkable experience with the food stop’s fantastic views of fishing boats. At night, feelings of comfort and freshness await you at this restaurant.

3.Duke’s Seafood & Rib Shack

If you’re a seafood lover, visiting Duke’s Seafood & Rib Shack is always an excellent idea. With classic beach movies-inspired decorations, the restaurant serves Cayman’s tasty seafood. Included in their food menu is their delicious steak and ribs served in a BBQ style. Moreover, you can try Duke’s hot crawfish and fried oysters along with their signature drink called “Summer Lemonade.” In most cases, it’s a fabulous food stop for lunch and dinner. Just bring your companions with you, and you’ll surely come back for more.

4.Lobster Pot Restaurant & Wine Bar

Experience breathtaking views of the ocean with Cayman’s best, Lobster Pot Restaurant & Wine Bar. As the most popular restaurants on the island, its lobster dishes are mouth-watering. Furthermore, your food stop won’t be complete without complementing any of their succulent dishes with the wine of your choice.

5.Burger Shack

Located at Marquee Plaza in Grand Cayman, Burger Shack can be an ideal place for hanging out with family and friends throughout your trip. Its tasty gourmet burger snack is made up of 100% certified Angus beef. What’s enjoyable with this kind of meal is the idea that you can customize your own burger just the way you like it to be. If you bring your kids with you, they’ll undoubtedly be delighted with the food stop’s kid’s meals.

6.Chicken! Chicken!

Want to try a good taste of Caribbean roasted chicken? Then, you should head over to Chicken! Chicken!, a specialty chicken house found on the island of Grand Cayman. Famous for its awards, this restaurant is undoubtedly awesome for its fresh servings of vegetables and salads, soups and Cornbread served in Cayman style.

More thrilling things to do in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands offer a wide array of exciting things to do during a good holiday adventure. Here’s what you can do on the island:

Explore the beauty of their beaches

Go swimming all you want and discover how beautiful Cayman Islands’ beaches are. Take a glimpse of the beaches’ crystal clear water and powdery sand. Feel the breeze as you enjoy the ambiance of the place.

Diving and snorkeling

If you’re a sea enthusiast, Cayman Islands are the best place for your diving and snorkeling adventures. Keep entertained with these activities as you continue to navigate the beautiful seas of the island.

Watersports

Apart from diving and snorkeling, Cayman Islands are also known for several water sports to try to. Paddleboarding, sailing, deep sea fishing, parasailing, and even kayaking tours are some of the thrilling water sports you can take advantage of on your holiday stay on the island.

Bicycle Ride

Perfect for a simple wandering, Cayman Islands can be appreciated more by taking a bicycle ride along the streets where you can meet the locals, witness the sophistication of the islands’ beaches and chic restaurants.

Experience the taste of Cayman Islands by visiting their refined food stops and restaurants. Moreover, you can also make the most out of your trip by letting yourself enjoy some of the island’s unforgettable things-to-do. By considering the information mentioned in this article, we hope we’ve given you the idea as to how you can make your Cayman experience extra special.

George was born in the Cayman Islands, and has a passion for writing about tourist adventures in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere. He travels a lot, and blogs to his audience about his journeys.

I was in Yangon (Myanmar) in January 2017 for two weeks. It was more than enough time for me to go to almost all the nightclubs and bars in the city.

Yangon nightlife is better than what I expected, even though it will need a few more years before it becomes travel-worthy. For now, it is still a bit rough around the edges and somewhat repetitive. I counted over 15 nightclubs, but only 3-4 that I really enjoyed. The others are either too loud, too quiet or they simply have too many prostitutes. On the plus side, I was happy to find out that they are usually open every night of the week, sometimes until late, and that Burmese are enthusiastic party-goers.

Finding information was a challenge. Most of what you'll read online about bars and clubs is outdated, inaccurate or completely irrelevant. Hopefully, this review will make it easier for you. You can help me keep it up-to-date by leaving a comment below.

Note: The Myanmar currency is the Kyat (MMK). At the time of writing: 1USD = 1,360MMK

Yangon Nightlife - Quick Summary

If you don't have time to read my whole review, below is a short summary:

Where to stay?
To be close from both the nightlife and the tourist sites, stay in the downtown area near the Sule Pagoda.

→ 5-star:
Shangri-La Hotel Sule: 200$/night - Find the cheapest price on HotelsCombined.

→ 4-star:
Best Western Chinatown Hotel (80$/night) - Check the best rate on HotelsCombined.

→ 3-star:
City Star Yangon (40$/night) - Find a lower price on HotelsCombined.

→ 2-star and dormitory
Backpacker Bed and Breakfast (10$-20$/night) - Compare rates on HotelsCombined.

→ Hotels With Nightclubs
Parkroyal (Music 5), Yangon International Hotel (Pioneer), Inya Lake Hotel (DJ's Bar, Inya Bar) and Kandawgyi Palace Hotel (The Clubhouse).

Where to party?
→ Backpackers: Go to 19th street to eat, drink beer and meet other travelers (especially Kosan bar). You can also try 7th Joint Bar. If you feel like clubbing, I recommend Channel V or Pioneer.

→ Expats living in the North: Go to Kanbawza Street for eating, to Kan Yeik Thar Street for drinking. If you are young, Fuse Club in Myanmar Plaza or BME 2 are the best. If you are older (and a guy), go to DJ's Bar.

→ Tourists/Expats with a comfortable budget: Sunset at a rooftop (Atlas, Penthouse, Yangon Yangon), dinner in Shwe Sa Bwe, Opera, Alamanda or Le Planteur. More drinks in Union, The Envoy or 50th Street. For partying, open a bottle in Clubhouse or listen to live music in Parkroyal (if you don't mind the prostitutes).

→ Single guys: If you are adventurous, go to Mingalar Mon Market (JJ). Less adventurous, try Pioneer. Even less, go to Music 5 (Park Royal) or DJ's Bar.

Where to meet normal girls?

→ Tinder: Very limited unless you want to meet tourists/expats
→ Asia Dating: Some English-speaking profiles, you can check who's online by making a free account here.
→ Badoo: Only 10 girls online
→ WeChat, BeeTalk, Line: Only if you speak Burmese
→ Best bars and nightclubs to meet Burmese girls: Fuse, Eclipse, Harry's, Channel V, The Vibe, Cuba, BME 2
→ Best bars and nightclubs to meet foreign girls: 7th Joint, Kosan, Double Happiness Bar, 50th Street
→ During day time: Myanmar Plaza Mall, Junction Mall, Sule Plaza, United Living Mall (middle class)

You can also read 10 Best Countries to Meet Asian Girls and 15 Best Online Dating Apps and Websites.

How to get around?
Unless you have a car, you can only walk or use taxis.

Taxis don't have a meter so you need to negotiate directly with the driver. Crossing Yangon from Chinatown to Inya Lake costs about 4,000MMK. Traffic jams are a big problem during the day (average speed: 10 kilometers/hour) but it gets better after 8pm.

Walking is fine for short distances, especially during the cooler months from December to February. Sidewalks are generally well-maintained. At night, it is not so safe as the streets are dark and filled with stray dogs. Burmese drive like crazy and they'd run over you just to avoid slowing down.

Travel Insurance
Dog bites, dengue fever, car accidents, food poisoning, etc... Your health is more at risk in Myanmar and the proper hospitals (International Clinic in Parami Hospital) are very expensive. Make sure you have a solid travel insurance that covers your whole trip. If you don't have one, I suggest WorldNomads. You can easily get a quotation in 1 minute: How Much Does Travel Insurance Costs? (click on "Get a Price").

Nightlife Areas in Yangon

Overview of nightlife areas in Yangon

I created the map above to give you an idea about the different nightlife areas in Yangon. I also made a more detailed Google Maps that you can see at the bottom of this article.

The 6 major nightlife areas in Yangon are the following (ranked from North to South):

1) Inya Lake Hotel Compound
Within the Inya Lake Hotel compound, there are 2 upmarket nightclubs (DJ's Bar and Inya Bar). A few hundred meters away, in Kan Yeik Thar Street, there are some less expensive bars and restaurants targeting both expats and wealthy Burmese (Brave, The Vibe, Joe's Kitchen, Spy and Escape).

2) Myanmar Plaza and Bahan
One of the poshest neighborhoods in Yangon, it is also where you'll find the trendiest nightclubs and bars. They can be found in the brand new mall Myanmar Plaza (Fuse, Eclipse, Harry's), in Kabar Aye Road (Cask 81, The West) or in Kanbawza Street (Genki Kids, PorterHouse and a few more fine dining restaurants). BME 2 nightclub is also there.

3) Kandawgyi Lake and Shwedagon Pagoda
This is not exactly a nightlife area, but you have several rooftop bars and cafés targeting tourists and locals. You can have a drink there at sunset time. Vista and The Penthouse have a beautiful view on Shwedagon Pagoda.

At night, it becomes more sketchy. On the main road, you may encounter ladyboys looking for customers. There are also luxury KTVs such as VIP and The One.

4) Yangon International Hotel Compound

This popular complex next to the Summit Parkview Hotel and the Yangon International Hotel is home to Pioneer club, Muse, Mbox Karaoke and a few more bars.

5) Mingalar Mon Market

The dodgy Mingalar Mon Market is a red-light area with KTVs, massage parlors, freelance prostitutes, short time hotels and discos. Inside high-rise buildings, you'll find the famous JJ Entertainment (the most popular among foreigners) and the more local Nasa, Channel V, 9 Floor and Asia Entertainment City.

UPDATE JUNE 2017: According to some info I've received, all the venues of Mingalar Mon Market have been closed down by the police.

6) Downtown Yangon, Chinatown (19th Street)

This is the older part of town where most tourists stay when they visit Yangon. The clubs, bars and restaurants are diverse and they are scattered around a large area. Some are popular with backpackers (part of 19th Street and particularly Kosan bar), some with Chinese visitors (Emperor KTV in City Central Plaza), some with NGO workers (7th Joint), some with Burmese (Cuba), some with businessmen (Club 5 in Parkroyal Hotel) and some with expats (50th Street Café, Union).

Best Nightclubs in Yangon

Yangon nightclubs are similar to each other, probably because they are owned and managed by just a few different individuals.

Below is a short description of each of them (you can click on the name to read my full review).

Note: Unless specified, the music is almost ALWAYS commercial EDM, especially fast-paced Top 40 remixes (old and new songs).

Fuse Nightclub (Myanmar Plaza)

Located on the rooftop of Yangon's newest mall, Fuse is easily the trendiest nightclub in the city at the moment. It has international standards, attracts a cosmopolitan crowd and welcomes guest DJs at least every two weeks. There isn't much space for dancing so it's better to book a table (and cheaper too).

→ Crowd: 85% rich Burmese (including celebrities and socialites), 15% young foreigners.
→ Prostitution: Not so obvious, but some girls are money-oriented (KTV girls who come after work).
→ Entrance fee: 20,000MMK for walk-in guests. 10,000MMK if you've already booked a table (and a bottle).
→ Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 3AM.

Channel V (Mingalar Mon Market)
One of my favorites in Yangon, it is perfect for those looking for a more local clubbing experience. Great atmosphere and cheap. Busy any night of the week.

→ Crowd: 99% Burmese, 1% random foreigners
→ Prostitution: Difficult to know, let's say 50% of the girls.
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK
→ Open every day until 2AM

Pioneer (Yangon International Hotel)
Maybe the most famous nightclub in Yangon. Crowded on most nights and not so expensive. Full of prostitutes. The DJs are better than average.

→ Crowd: 90% Burmese, 10% foreigners (tourists and expats, mostly guys)
→ Prostitution: 90% of the girls
→ Entrance fee: 10,000MMK with one beer
→ Open every day until 3AM

Club 5 (Downtown)
Live music bar and club of the 5-star Parkroyal Hotel. More expensive than average. Many freelance prostitutes.

→ Crowd: 20% rich Burmese, 80% foreigners from Europe, US, Australia and Asia (expats and businessmen)
→ Prostitution: 90% of the girls
→ Entrance fee: 12 US Dollars (16,200MMK) with a beer (free for hotel guests)
→ Open every day until 1AM

The Vibe and Brave Bar (Kan Yeik Thar Street)

Two popular hangout spots among young, upper-class Burmese. They'll normally be busy on Friday and Saturday. Hip Hop/Rn'B DJs start playing at 10PM in The Vibe. In Brave, the music is EDM. Reasonably priced.

→ Crowd: 85% Burmese, 15% foreigners

→ Prostitution: 10% or less
→ Entrance fee: Free (except when special events)
→ Open every day until 1AM (weekdays) or 3AM (weekends)

BME 2 (Bahan)
Upmarket bottle club near Inya Lake. Small but friendly crowd.

→ Crowd: 90% Burmese, 10% expats.
→ Prostitution: 20% + KTV girls/Hostesses.
→ Entrance fee: 15,000MMK with one beer.
→ Open every day until 4AM

The Club House (Kandawgyi Palace Hotel)
Modern club with international standards. Nice design. Good DJs. Unfortunately not so crowded when I visited.

→ Crowd: 80% rich Burmese, 20% foreigners.
→ Prostitution: None.
→ Entrance fee: I didn't pay any
→ Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 3AM (4AM on weekends)

DJ's Bar (Inya Lake Hotel)
Popular with foreigners (and prostitutes). It has 3 different areas: A beer garden with a large screen, a bar, and a small nightclub.

→ Crowd: 30% Burmese, 70% young foreigners.
→ Prostitution: At least 80% of the girls
→ Entrance fee: 10,000MMK with a beer or a glass of spirits
→ Open everyday until 4AM

Inya Bar (Inya Lake Hotel)
A nightclub walking distance from DJ's Bar. Rather small and quiet. Mid-to-upper class customers, including some working girls.

→ Crowd: 95% Burmese, 5% foreigners
→ Prostitution: I'm not sure but I would say more than 50% with some KTV girls.
→ Entrance fee: 10,000MMK with one beer
→ Open every day until 4AM

JJ Entertainment (Mingalar Mon Market)
A very famous club among expats and tourists (looking for sex). The area is dodgy but the place in itself is luxurious by Myanmar standards. Early in the night, they will have a fashion show. Two floors above they have a spa with massage plus plus.

→ Crowd: 20% Burmese, 80% foreigners (Koreans, Chinese, Japanese mostly)
→ Prostitution: Close to 100%
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK for men and 3,000MMK for girls with a beer
→ Open every day until 2AM.

9-Floor (Mingalar Mon Market)
Also called 9-F, it is a large, local club with a very young crowd. Not very clean, a bit too dark, but friendly.

→ Crowd: 99% Burmese, 1% foreigners.
→ Prostitution: Hard to tell... Maybe 70%?
→ Entrance fee: 4,000MMK with 2 beers in a plastic cup.
→ Open every day until 2AM

Nasa Club and KTV (Mingalar Mon Market)
Maybe the most underground nightclub I've been to in Yangon. It is like a softer version of the ecstasy discos in North Jakarta. Busy on most nights, even during weekdays.

→ Crowd: 99% Burmese, 1% young foreigners (or less).
→ Prostitution: Probably more than 70%. There is a short-time hotel in the same building.
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK with 1 beer.
→ Open every day until 2AM

Muse (Yangon International Hotel)
A new club targeting wealthy Burmese, but not busy unless they have special events.

→ Crowd: 95% Burmese
→ Prostitution: There were very few girls, at least half were prostitutes.
→ Entrance fee: I didn't pay
→ Open every day until 3AM

Asia Entertainment City (Mingalar Mon Market)
The largest nightlife complex in Yangon, there is a spa, a KTV, a fashion show lounge and a disco. A bit old, mostly popular with Chinese.

→ Crowd: 40% Chinese, 35% Burmese, 20% Other Asians, 5% Westerners
→ Prostitution: Close to 100%
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK with a beer
→ Open every day until 2AM

Emperor KTV (Chinatown)
For mysterious reasons, this brothel is popular with tourists (even Western girls). Inside, you'll find a main room with mild "fashion" shows and several karaoke rooms.

→ Crowd: 80% Asian guys (Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Burmese), 20% Western tourists
→ Prostitution: 100%
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK with one beer
→ Open every day from 7PM to 12AM

J-One (Kandawgyi Lake)

When I visited, it was really empty. I think it only gets busy on specific nights. In particular, they hold LGBT friendly events and Hip Hop nights.

→ Crowd: 95% Burmese
→ Prostitution: No girls when I visited.
→ Entrance fee: 5,000MMK with a beer
→ Open every day from 9PM to 12AM.

Recommended Bars and Pubs

You can't just walk around and expect to find bars in Yangon. The city is too big and the number of bars too small.

Here are some of the most famous, by neighborhood (for the exact location you can see my Yangon nightlife map at the end of the article).

Downtown Yangon
This large area (3.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer large) has the highest number of bars in Yangon. Some of my favorites are:

Double Happiness and Kosan Bars (19th Street)

As I mentioned before, 19th street is the busiest nightlife area in downtown Yangon. Many backpackers will hang out there every night. The best bars are Double Happiness and Kosan (both belong to the same people). Friendly and cheap (1,000MMK for a mojito, 800MMK for draught beer).

Note: Avoid the overpriced street food in the whole 19th street. Go to 18th street instead.

50th Street
It used to be the place to be among expats but it is now much quieter. Still a cozy place to drink, eat, watch sports and play pool/foosball.

7th Joint:
A small, Jamaican reggae bar with daily live music. Open mic nights on Tuesdays are very crowded. Full review: 7th Joint Yangon.

Union
Upmarket restaurant and bar, popular with expats. It was created by a group owned by an English guy who is also behind Parami Pizza and Tin Tin 118 (a tiny Mexican restaurant). Regular event such as Salsa and live music nights.

Gekko
Japanese/Korean bistro with some of the best cocktails in Yangon.

Blind Tiger
Speakeasy bar popular among expats. Serves Western and Asian food.

The Envoy
Restaurant with live Jazz every Saturday night. They have DJ events with techno, deep house and minimal every once in a while.

Fat Ox British Pub
Expat bar, they have decent pub food but the prices are high. Pool table in the back.

Cuba
Local bistro on two floors with a terrace. Very crowded at night with mostly middle class Burmese. The food portions are huge. One of my favorite places in Yangon for eating.

Hyper Pub
Similar to Cuba, it is a local bar with cheap beer and some local food.

Oriana 24
Another local pub with eclectic music, Western food and a few backpackers. In Chinatown.

Kan Yeik Thar Street
This is a good street to begin your nights out on Fridays and Saturdays (if you stay in the North). You can have dinner in Joe's Kitchen or Escape bar, then grab a beer in Brave (local crowd) and finish your night at The Vibe. The prices are reasonable.

Myanmar Plaza
The mall has several hangout spots but the best one is Harry's sports bar. You can also go to Eclipse rooftop (just next to Fuse) but it will be more expensive.

A Hard Rock Café will open there in 2017.

Kanbawza Street/Kabar Aye Road
On a 500-meter stretch of road, there are a few upmarket bars and gourmet restaurants. Expats tend to go to Genki Kids while very rich Burmese prefer the Whisky bar Cask 81.

Kandawgyi Lake
You need to pay to access the park around the lake (like 200MMK). Inside, there are several cafés, none of which really memorable. Two of the busiest when I visited were YGN Bus Café and Off the Beaten Track.

Yangon International Hotel Compound
There are several bars (P2, Alchemy Rooftop, The Cup Sports Café), coffee shops and restaurants. None are remarkable but they are interesting if you are planning to go to Pioneer later on.

Yangon Nightlife Map
I've listed all the venues mentioned in this review in the following map:

Very few people would consider Jakarta as a landscape for taking beautiful imagery, full of beautiful spots to take the most stunning photographs. However, there are tons of breathtaking places sprawled across the entire city, you just need to know where to look. Not only that but these places can also be your sweet escape from Jakarta's buzzing city life.

So how do you take seemingly gorgeous photographs that will simply take anyone's breath away? Here are a few key tips for taking fantastic photos in Jakarta while traveling.

1. Shoot every day

If you want to master a particular piece of art, then you have to make it a point that you shoot every day. To become better in your craft, you have to practice. There is no other way. Spend hours and hours behind your camera to practice a particular skill. As your ability gradually improves over time, you can start depicting specific stories too, behind the lens.

Constantly experiment. Gradually, your voice and style will eventually emerge over time. So never stop exploring and tread into unknown territories- you’d never know what you’ll find. It’ll turn you from an amateur to a seasoned professional photographer capable of adapting different styles.

2. Get in close

What we mean if your images aren't as stunning or standing out like the way you want it to be, chances are- you aren't close enough. Get close and fill the frame with your subject and reassess. Did the photo improve overall now that you’ve disregarded the extra space?

The closer you are, the more you’d get hold of all the vital details of the photograph making it more compelling than it ever was.

3. Turn your attention to the light

Before you raise your camera and take a shot, see where the light is coming from. Light is an essential element in taking good photographs, making the ordinary look extraordinary, so use it to your advantage. Let it be your guide. Is it natural light coming from the rays of the sun, or from a light bulb? How is it illuminating the overall scene? Is it casting away the shadows, or does it do a great job in highlighting the parts that you want to emphasize the most?

4. Ask permission

Always ask permission if you wanted to photograph someone. Treading into a different culture and country can be at times challenging, as a lot of people have different beliefs, perspectives, and cultures as you. Therefore, take the time to ask permission first from your subject out of respect.

5. Using flash during daytime

A lot of us think that using the camera's flash is only for nighttime or indoor use. The trick here is when you’re in a harsh environment- like being exposed to the bright rays of the midday sun, use your flash to create an even exposure on the overall photo, as well as removing the potentially ugly shadows from the sun.

6. ISO

There are several things that you have to take into consideration to be able to use your ISO more effectively.

Time of the day: For example, if you have to shoot midday, you need to set your ISO between 100-200. If you’re shooting in a tripod at night, you need to increase it to record the light coming in on the camera's sensor.

How well lit is the subject: If the overall scene is too dark, you can try adjusting it to a higher ISO from 800-1600.

Sharpness vs. image movement: Do you want a photo that depicts a more fluid motion or a sharper image? Using a high shutter speed is needed to capture a fast movement, and you’ll need a higher ISO. On the other hand, if you want movement in the overall photo, you’ll be using slower shutter speed, with lower ISO.

7. Framing

If you want a subject to stand out from the overall photo, you can use framing as a technique to draw attention to it. Framing a subject of a scene can lead your audience's eyes to the primary focal point.

8. Learn to shape your photos with the light

To create a more interesting photo, make a more interesting picture by deliberately shaping the light. Shape the light source behind or on the side of the subject. Try to avoid shooting when the sun is directly above you as this creates a flat photo.

9. The rule of thirds

To be able to break it down, you need to cut your photos into thirds either by vertical or horizontal lines. On the cross sections of the grid, you then place your point of interest in there.

The Takeaway

Taking a good photo while traveling isn't easy. The most important thing of all is savoring the moment, and don't be afraid to break the rules every once in a while. Inspiration can come in a variety of forms so soak in every moment! Experiment as much as you can and continuously explore different possibilities with digital photography- as this would make you a better photographer in your craft.

Michael Schacht

Michael Schacht is a portrait photographer and photography educator based in Chicago Illinois. As owner/operator of 312 Elements Headshot Photography located in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, Michael oversees the day to day operations and has had the opportunity to photograph thousands of corporate professionals over the last decade. Through his direction, attention to detail, and people skills, he's helped these clients to craft a narrative around their personal brand. It's his belief that the headshot is the modern dad business card and that a better headshot is essential for a better career. Michael, his wife Meghan and his two daughters reside in Tinley Park Illinois where he is a community leader and active participant in the local business sector. Michael studied business at Ball State University and photography with world renown headshot photographer, Peter Hurley. It was Hurley that trained Michael in the art of human expression. Michael is now a Headshot Crew certified Mentor and active member of the Headshot Crew community where he was named one of the top 20 headshot photographers in the world.

I was in Yangon (Myanmar) in January 2017 for two weeks. It was more than enough time for me to go to almost all the nightclubs and bars in the city.

Nightlife Areas in Yangon

Overview of nightlife areas in Yangon

I created the map above to give you an idea about the different nightlife areas in Yangon. I also made a more detailed Google Maps that you can see at the bottom of this article.

The 6 major nightlife areas in Yangon are the following (ranked from North to South):

This popular complex next to the Summit Parkview Hotel and the Yangon International Hotel is home to Pioneer club, Muse, Mbox Karaoke and a few more bars.

5) Mingalar Mon Market

UPDATE JUNE 2017: According to some info I've received, all the venues of Mingalar Mon Market have been closed down by the police.

6) Downtown Yangon, Chinatown (19th Street)

Best Nightclubs in Yangon

→ Crowd: 85% Burmese, 15% foreigners

Recommended Bars and Pubs

Double Happiness and Kosan Bars (19th Street)

Yangon Nightlife Map
I've listed all the venues mentioned in this review in the following map:

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

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

Is Manila Recommended for Party?

I would recommend Manila nightlife for the following reasons:

- Foreigner-friendly: English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis. Filipinos are open-minded and easy-going. Dress codes are almost never implemented.

- Girl-friendly hotels: There are no issues with bringing girls back to your hotel in Manila.

Where to Party in Manila?

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

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

Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila

Gogo Bars, Striptease, Red Light Districts, Massage Parlours:

If you think I missed something in this Manila nightlife review about the best clubs and bars in the city, please leave a comment below!

Photo credit: Goks.

Atmosphere inside a "basement" club

Nightlife Areas + Nearby Hotels

Sexy dancers inside a basement club

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Baku

Otto

Barrel Playground

Sintetik

Hashtag Bar

A small, dark bar for the alternative crowd. Techno and trance music.

More information: Hashtag Bar

Bukowski

Hard Rock Café

Small, laid-back café with live local bands (Jazz, folk, blues). Cheap prices (1-2 Manats for a beer, 6 Manats for a cocktail). Near from Le Chateau.

More information: Gramophone Café

Etud

Live music bar in a basement. Relaxed crowd, inexpensive drinks.

More information: Etud

Oxen

Best Wine Bars in Baku

Room

Similar to Room (but smaller), it also attracts expatriates and trendy locals. Minimalist design. Wide selection of local wines.

More information: Kelfi

TrulyAsian.com is a dating website aimed mostly at men looking for an Asian girlfriend or wife.

I’ve tried the service for a few weeks and this is my review of it:

What is the concept of TrulyAsian?

Unlike location-based dating apps (like Tinder), TrulyAsian allows you to fill a complete profile, along with a detailed personality test. This allows you to focus on your personality instead of your appearance.

This also means that the website is more suitable for those looking for a long-term relationship. The girls you will chat with may not be located near you so it will take some time before you can meet them in real. They know that and they understand it, which is rarely the case on the other dating apps. In those, you are often ignored if you live far away and can’t meet them immediately.

What kind of guy could be interested with TrulyAsian?

Based on the concept, I would recommend TrulyAsian to a specific target of men:

- Guys who are currently not living in Asia but who are interested to meet with an Asian girl.

- Guys who are living in smaller Asian cities with few opportunities for meeting girls

- Guys who want to be judged on their personality and not on their looks

- Guys who want to find an Asian girl with specific traits (religion, studies, etc)

What are the best features of TrulyAsian?

Compared to its competitors, TrulyAsian has some very interesting features.

Matching Percentage

My favorite one is that you can check how your profile is matching with a girls expectation (and how her profile is matching with yours). For that, you just need to click on “Match” in any members’ profile and you’ll get the following:

Click to see more

As you can see, I get to know exactly what this girl is looking for and what my chances are to interest her. Above, the match percentage is 64.29%, which is average.

Personality test:

Another feature I like is the personality test. It gives you the opportunity to know more about the character of the girl you are talking to: Is she an extrovert/introvert? Is she open-minded/conservative? Is she organized/messy? Etc.

The summary looks like this:

If you are not familiar with psychology, don’t worry as there are explanations available for members.

Search function:

You can also search for specific persons based on criteria like age, country of residence, body type, religion and ethnicity.

You don’t have to fill each criterion, but only the ones you care about.

Translation:

If the girl you want to talk to is not an English-speaker, you will love this tool.

Each user can just click on “Translate” under each message, and it will automatically translate it into English (or any other language you want).

Video Chat:

This feature, only for members, allows you to make a video call with a girl. This is a perfect way to check if the pictures and the profile are real.

You can see the detailed list of their features here: TrulyAsian Features.

How much does it cost?

Most of the features are free of charge, even though some are premium (unlimited messaging, incognito mode, detailed personality tests, translation, video calls, etc.). A premium offer will cost you a reasonable 2.95USD for the first 7 days, which is enough time to decide whether you want to become a monthly subscriber.

How are the girls on TrulyAsian?

First of all, like any other dating site, be aware that there are some scammers. Typically, they will have beautiful photos, they will message you first and they will ask you to move to another app (like Kik, or Skype, or another site).

If they do, just report them immediately. I had two “fake” profiles talking to me like that and the webmasters removed their account within 5 minutes.

As long as you stay smart, you won’t be bothered. The fact is, there are thousands of real girls available, a majority of which are Filipinas and Indonesian. Many of the ones I talked to are from the middle-class, usually employees, and they want to get married to a foreigner. There are many reasons for that: They can be divorcees, single moms, or simply independent women interested to live abroad and to improve their conditions. None was looking to hook-up or for a one-night stand.

Conclusion:

If you are looking to meet an Asian girl for a serious relationship, you may want to try TrulyAsian. I advise you to take the 7-day subscription for $2.95 as a starter, to test the site’s features and to see if you fancy any of the members.

I previously wrote about the best areas to in Jakarta for tourists. You may want to read this article as well to get a first introduction to the city's neighborhoods.

I wouldn't say that there isn't one best place to live in Jakarta, as the criteria for each person will be different.

The most important factor when deciding where to stay should be the distance between your home and your work or, if you have children, between your home and their school.

This means your choice will probably be limited to a few options, knowing that each kilometer will cost you 10 more minutes sitting in traffic every day.

With that in mind, here are three of Jakarta's best neighborhoods for expats, in no particular order:

Kemang

It is not an actual district of Jakarta, but the name given to the area near the streets Jalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Kemang.

Various factors have made this neighborhood one of the most popular among expatriates in Jakarta: Its proximity to famous international schools (NZ, Australia), its village vibe (it is called the Seminyak of Jakarta), a tight and active expat community, a large choice of Western restaurants, a good nightlife, and a great offer of luxury villas and condominiums. It is also relatively easy to buy imported food there (for instance in Kem's Chicks) and to find house staff that speaks English.

The construction of Kemang Village in 2013 has made the neighborhood even more attractive (increase in the number of apartments available, more shops and restaurant). Some long-term expats will argue that Kemang has lost its soul but that's another debate...

Not everything in Kemang is ideal, though. The first problem of this area is that there are often traffic jams, and especially after work (5 PM to 8 PM). If you work in the Central Business District, it is not rare to need more than 1 hour to go back home. The situation is even worse on Friday nights.

Also, Kemang has frequently been hit by floods (the latest on May 2018) and this is likely to happen again. If you rent a house there, it can be a smart thing to ask your neighbors if it has ever been flooded.

Pros:

- Great social life with plenty of bars, restaurants, expat clubs, etc.

- A high density of expats, especially in villas and in apartments like The Mansion.

- Mostly a low-rise neighborhood

- Rich area but with some Indonesian features (street food, village life, etc).
- Moderate prices compared with Menteng, Senopati, Kebayoran Baru, SCBD, Pondok Indah

Cons:

- Traffic jams are permanent, especially on Friday night
- Poor quality of the sidewalk

- Floods happen almost every year

If you like Kemang, you may also be interested in:

Cipete:

This area, south of Kemang, has a more local feel. It is a favorite among French people, especially around Jalan Cipete Raya, because it is near the Lycée Français (French high school). It is cheaper than Kemang, more laid-back, but you also have fewer attractions and fewer luxury villas.

Cilandak:

This is a large district, south of Cipete, which is popular with the local middle class and some expat families. It is mostly clean and low-rise, with a typical Indonesian atmosphere. The areas near Jalan TB Simatupang, near Pondok Indah and near the Jakarta Intercultural School are expensive, but elsewhere it is relatively affordable. The location is far from the CBD so it is more suitable for those working in South Jakarta.

Mega Kuningan

Close to the Central Business District, Mega Kuningan is a planned neighborhood that consists of just 2 concentric roads, all built with towers (offices, luxury hotels, apartments). It is one of the rare areas in Jakarta where you can walk around, thanks to relatively well-maintained sidewalks (and thanks to the palm trees for the shade). It doesn't look at all like the rest of Jakarta, but rather like a modern metropolis like Singapore.

As I wrote before, Mega Kuningan nightlife is particularly active, and logically this is a great location for single expats or young couples with no kids. You can hop between bars/restaurants easily, for instance between Loewy, Flow, McGettigan's, Cazbar, Master's and Basque. These are always crowded with expats and excellent for meeting people.

The area lacks a proper luxury shopping center, but you can still go rather easily to Lotte Avenue or Pacific Place (less than 10 minutes for both). There is also the Bellagio Boutique Mall for groceries and alcohol.

Living in Mega Kuningan means living in a condominium. The price range varies from midrange (USD800 per month in Bellagio) to luxury (USD4,500 per month in Oakwood or Ritz-Carlton). A website like Jendela360.com can be helpful to find an apartment to rent.

Some houses are available a bit further away, in Kuningan, with usually high prices. Unsurprisingly, most of them are owned by foreign embassies and consulates.

Pros:

- Modern, relatively clean, proper sidewalks, possibility to walk around
- Many bars, cafés and restaurants targeting expats
- Supermarkets with expat products
- Near many embassies and offices

- Good offer of luxury condominiums and serviced apartments

Cons:

- The massive traffic jams outside of Mega Kuningan make it difficult to enter or exit the area.
- No "Indonesian life": It is the same as living in a gated community. In particular, no street food.
- Mostly expensive prices

If you like Mega Kuningan, you may also be interested in:

SCBD:

This area is very similar to Mega Kuningan, only slightly more expensive and with fewer expatriates. It is also great for nightlife. Ideal if your office is in the south of Jalan Sudirman or in Senayan.

Taman Rasuna/Thamrin Residence/Sudirman Park/Taman Sari Semanggi:

These apartment complexes have a good location in the CBD, but rather affordable prices. They are popular with expats who don't have a high salary.

Setiabudi:

This area between Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Rasuna Said is still developing. You have a mix of low-rise, low-income accommodation and high-rise, high-income apartments (Setiabudi Sky Garden, Ambassade Residence). It's one of my favorite locations in Jakarta as it is in the heart of the city center yet it has preserved a certain authenticity.

Pondok Indah

Again, Pondok Indah is not a district, but a name used to designate an area between Pondok Indah Mall and Jalan TB Simatupang. Its main draws are the Pondok Indah Mall, the Pondok Indah Golf Course, and its proximity to the Jakarta Intercultural School campuses.

This is a very wealthy area where residents are a mix of foreigners and Indonesians ("new money" while Menteng is "old money"). It used to be called the Beverly Hills of Jakarta and, in the 1990s, there was even a sitcom called Pondok Indah 1 modeled after Beverly Hills 90210.

The whole Pondok Indah has been planned in the 70s/80s by private investors like Ciputra. For this reason, there is nothing authentic about this neighborhood. Living there is the closest you'll be from living in a gated community in Jakarta.

While some may not like being disconnected from normal Indonesian life, others will enjoy the quietness. Traffic is generally low and the streets well-maintained. This means you can walk around with your kids or even go for a jog.

The Pondok Indah Mall is the best one around. It includes a cinema, several supermarkets, lots of boutiques, and some reputed restaurants. There is a small nightlife targeting expatriates as well, especially in the bar De Hooi.

Houses in Pondok Indah can be ridiculously massive and tacky. Overall, most of them will cost between USD3,000 and USD5,000 per month to rent.

Pros:

- Quiet and safe area
- Fairly good location if you have kids and if you work in South Jakarta

- High-quality neighborhood

- Less pollution
- 50 minutes to the airport
- Many international schools nearby

Cons:

- Boring neighborhood for single guys, far from the CBD
- Expensive prices
- Not authentic

If you like Pondok Indah, you may also be interested in:

Kebayoran Baru:

This large district holds various neighborhoods, from the rich Senopati to the middle-class Blok M. Generally speaking, the areas directly south of Senayan and the ones around Dharmawangsa Square are popular among the upper class. Many expats, especially Japanese and Koreans choose to live there. The location is convenient as it is close to the CBD, from malls, from restaurants, from international schools. It is also less polluted and the traffic is reasonable. You can choose between luxury houses and apartments (Pakubuwono View, Pakubuwono Signature, Botanica, etc).

Menteng:

It is one of the richest and most livable areas in Jakarta, especially near Taman Menteng or Taman Suropati. Many of Indonesia's richest families live there, especially those involved with politics or government affairs. Famously, the Soeharto family has a house on Jalan Cendana (and therefore, they are referred to as the Cendana clan). Most of the accommodation consists of large houses, in relatively quiet streets shaded. Swimming pools are not as common as in the South. Menteng is a good neighborhood for older expats who don't have kids.

Menteng (Cikini) - From Menteng Park Apartments

How about North / West / East Jakarta?

Since there aren't many office buildings in North, West and East Jakarta, the expat communities there are relatively small.

That said, some areas are worth considering if you want to save money on your accommodation. My two favorite are:

Kelapa Gading:

It is an interesting option if you work in the north of the City. This is a planned neighborhood with wide streets and plenty of diverse accommodation, from affordable apartments to high-end housing complexes. There are many large malls, restaurants, hospitals and schools, including a few international ones. Many of its residents are Indonesian Chinese. The main issue is that it is quite far from the CBD, about 45 minutes by car.

Kebon Jeruk:

In this growing residential area, you can find some reasonably-priced apartments, for instance in Royal Garden Mediterania, less than 40 minutes away from both the airport and the Central Business District.

Overview of the All the Neighborhoods Mentioned in this Article

Update July 2018:
Illigals just changed its name to 108 The New Atmosphere. I haven't visited yet as I'm not in Indonesia at the moment. I will write about it around August/September. From what I've heard, it's pretty much the same as before. I think the change is only a way for Illigals to keep a lower profile.

Until I review 108 Club, you can read my old review of Illigals:

Illigals Hotel and Club is the new BIG one stop entertainment venue in Jakarta, and it replaces the old 1001, which used to be one of North Jakarta's most crazy place (the "sashimi sex" night club in the book Jakarta Underground).

To have it name Illigals is somehow a huge provocation and a sign that some people in Indonesia can do pretty much anything they want. I don't know who the owner of Illigals is, but I can imagine he is very well protected. The owner of 1001 also has Mille's and Millennium, that also have quite a reputation for being ecstasy factories + giant prostitution centers.

The days after the opening at the end of 2010 were slow, but now things are starting to move: Happening parties are being organized every weekend and they are crowded.

First floor: Illigal has a night club, bar and lounge, not too big, and with no real dancefloor. People sit by groups in big sofas around tables.

Second floor: Karaoke rooms, restaurant and billiard, with local "Lady Companion" (LC) (another name for prostitutes actually).

Third floor: Karaoke rooms with "foreign LC".

Fourth floor: Luxurious spa with huge swimming pool

Fifth floor: 100 hotel bedrooms

As you can see, the activities in Illigals are completely illegal in Indonesia, and nobody seems to worry about it. It's funny to think that at the same time, Ariel from Peter Pan is in jail for porn outrage following its leaked sex tape.. How hypocritical!

There is no doubt Illigals will now compete with Alexis and Malioboro in becoming one of Jakarta's hottest nightlife spots. They are planning to have sexy dancer shows and all that stuff, typical of night clubs in North Jakarta. If you go there, please comment or send me an update.

For more information, you can check Illigals facebook fanpage here: or follow them on twitter: @illigalsjakarta

Update April 2011:
I saw that Illigals organizes some gay events on Sundays (see flyer below). I don't know yet if it is a regular event each Sunday.

Update July 2011:

There was a special event in Illigals with a German DJ, Phuture Traxx, and I shot this video:

Contact details:
Illigals Hotel & Club
Jl.Hayam Wuruk no.108
Jakarta Barat, 111620
Tel: +62-21 626 - 4567

I was in Yangon (Myanmar) in January 2017 for two weeks. It was more than enough time for me to go to almost all the nightclubs and bars in the city.

Nightlife Areas in Yangon

Overview of nightlife areas in Yangon

I created the map above to give you an idea about the different nightlife areas in Yangon. I also made a more detailed Google Maps that you can see at the bottom of this article.

The 6 major nightlife areas in Yangon are the following (ranked from North to South):

This popular complex next to the Summit Parkview Hotel and the Yangon International Hotel is home to Pioneer club, Muse, Mbox Karaoke and a few more bars.

5) Mingalar Mon Market

UPDATE JUNE 2017: According to some info I've received, all the venues of Mingalar Mon Market have been closed down by the police.

6) Downtown Yangon, Chinatown (19th Street)

Best Nightclubs in Yangon

→ Crowd: 85% Burmese, 15% foreigners

Recommended Bars and Pubs

Double Happiness and Kosan Bars (19th Street)

Yangon Nightlife Map
I've listed all the venues mentioned in this review in the following map:

To those who say that Jakarta is becoming too Muslim and too conservative may be surprised to hear that a massage parlor called "Fellatio Spa" has just opened in Alam Sutera (about 1 hour away from Jakarta). In case you are wondering, yes, it is a blowjob bar.

I find the owner quite brave to be so provocative and straight-forward. He better hope that Indonesians won't understand the meaning of the name.

Anyway, I have not visited the place and I don't plan to do so, but for those who could be interested, here are some details:

Fellatio Spa is open every day from 11am to 10pm. It offers the following package:

Blower Treatment: Sensual topless massage (for 60 and 90-minute massage) + private parts massage + blowjob. You can choose to finish with or without CIM (I let you google the meaning of that...):

Price:

30 minutes with CIM: IDR200,000

30 minutes with CIM: IDR230,000

30 minutes with CIM: IDR330,000

30 minutes without CIM: IDR190,000

30 minutes without CIM: IDR220,000

30 minutes without CIM: IDR320,000

During "Happy Hours", you get an extra IDR10,000 discount.

There are two other services worth mentioning: The "Double Blower Treatment" (2 X BJ) for IDR300,000 and the Threesome Treatment (with two girls in VIP room) for IDR360,000.

The facilities include a lounge and rooms with AC. Only soft drinks and water are sold.

Address:

Ruko Alam Sutera Town Center (ASTC) 10 E No.11

Alam Sutera, South Tangerang

For booking or info, call or send WA to 0812 9826 4014, 0812 9826 3991

Those still using a blackberry can contact them with the pin BBM: FELL001

Email: fellatiospa@gmail.com

I was in Yangon (Myanmar) in January 2017 for two weeks. It was more than enough time for me to go to almost all the nightclubs and bars in the city.

Nightlife Areas in Yangon

Overview of nightlife areas in Yangon

I created the map above to give you an idea about the different nightlife areas in Yangon. I also made a more detailed Google Maps that you can see at the bottom of this article.

The 6 major nightlife areas in Yangon are the following (ranked from North to South):

This popular complex next to the Summit Parkview Hotel and the Yangon International Hotel is home to Pioneer club, Muse, Mbox Karaoke and a few more bars.

5) Mingalar Mon Market

UPDATE JUNE 2017: According to some info I've received, all the venues of Mingalar Mon Market have been closed down by the police.

6) Downtown Yangon, Chinatown (19th Street)

Best Nightclubs in Yangon

→ Crowd: 85% Burmese, 15% foreigners

Recommended Bars and Pubs

Double Happiness and Kosan Bars (19th Street)

Yangon Nightlife Map
I've listed all the venues mentioned in this review in the following map:

The 4-star Grand Orchardz Hotel Kemayoran has just opened in June 2018. It is the most luxurious hotel of the Orchardz brand, a chain famous in Indonesia for having naughty massage parlors inside their walls.

The spa in Grand Orchardz Kemayoran is actually not opened yet, but it will be in September 2018.

There is a good chance that it will be popular, just like its other branches in Jakarta (for more info about them, click Orchardz Bandara and Orchardz Spas).

There are two reasons to explain their success:

- The first one is that it is one of the rare places in Jakarta where you can get a full body massage with a naked girl, a bit like soapies in Thailand. There are also some kinky specialties that I wrote about in my previous reviews. Prices are midrange.

- The second one is that they combine a girl-friendly hotel with a spa ++. This means you don't need to fight the traffic if you want to get a massage in the evening: All you have to do is to go down a few floors with the elevator. You can also call a girl directly to your room.

The area around Grand Orchardz is not the best if you are on a business trip as you will need 1 hour to reach the Central Business District. However, if you are in Jakarta to enjoy North Jakarta nightlife, then it is quite central and very affordable.

At the moment, you can get a room in this 4-star hotel for only IDR500,000 (US$ 35). It's a great deal, very hard to beat. You can check the photos and the reviews of previous guests on Agoda: Hotel Grand Orchardz Kemayoran. If you click on this link and register, you'll also get a voucher for your next booking. You can also try Booking.com to see it is cheaper (Hotel Grand Orchardz Jakarta).

Once the spa will be open, please leave a comment below to share your massage experience with other readers.

Grand Orchardz Kemayoran
Jalan Rajawali Selatan Raya .No 1b,
Kemayoran 10720, Jakarta, Indonesia

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 22 64 2999
Email: reservation.grandorchardz@gmail.com

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