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Baku Nightlife: 20 Best Bars and Nightclubs (2018) - Azerbaijan

August 28, 2018, 1:15 am
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I spent 2 days in Baku during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2018. 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.

If you don't have the time to read my whole review, here is a short summary:
- Best elite bar: Pasifico Baku
- Best bar: Madrid Bar
- Best nightclub: Enerji Baku
- Best live music/alternative expat crowd: Le Chateau
- Best expat bars: Go to Abdulkarim Alizada street or Tarlan Abdullayev street.
- Best hotels to stay near the nightlife: Choose a location near Fountain Square (Hilton Baku: 200$/night, Park Inn By Radisson: 130$/night, Karat Inn Hotel, 60$/night).

Note: I last updated this review on 1st September 2018.


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.
The 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.

It is next to the Elektra Events Hall which features live artists and DJs regularly.

More information: Enerji Baku

Madrid Bar
This new venue is a little bit off the center, but it's worth a short taxi ride. It is a Spanish-themed cocktail bar with a mixed crowd and a friendly team of bartenders. The music mostly mainstream house and pop. They also serve tapas.

More information: Madrid Bar

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

Sektoreight
Sektor Eight is a new club with electronic music and techno. Check their Facebook for more information about their DJ schedule.

Facebook: Sektoreight

Sintetik
Dark and loud, Sintetik is the best after-hours 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

Taboo Club

A high-end restaurant and lounge for rich Azeris elite. Shisha. Tiny dancefloor. Not recommended if you are claustrophobic. Some girls are escorts.

More information: Taboo 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 (CLOSED)
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

Eleven (CLOSED)
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

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
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Cartagena Nightlife - Best Bars and Nightclubs (2018)

September 2, 2018, 4:38 am
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Note: This Cartagena nightlife guide was written by my friend Sam who lived several years in Colombia. I invite you to read his other guide Medellin nightlife. Thibaud.

Cartagena is a coastal Carribean city, probably one of the most popular with foreigners in Colombia. You have a lot of backpackers, retirees, American cruise ship passengers, as well as local tourists.

The main attractions are the old town, with its Spanish colonial architecture, the beaches, and what will interest us here: the nightlife.

Nightlife in Cartagena has a fantastic Caribbean vibe, but there are a few things to pay attention to. Ripping off tourists is an art form in this city and all the unsavory characters come out at night here. You’ll need to be on the lookout for scammers, drug dealers, hookers masquerading as normal girls, and more. 

That’s where I come in! After spending 3 months in Cartagena, I know where to go and when. I hope my recommendations will help you enjoy some great parties in the city! Please don't hesitate to ask me questions in the comment section if something is not clear.

What to Expect at Night in Cartagena

Here are a few things to know when partying in Cartagena:

It’s Hot: This is a Caribbean beach city. It’s hot. Don’t bring your suits or even a blazer here. Cartagena is damn hot and you’ll be walking between venues. Dark jeans and a button-down shirt is all you need. 

Working Girls: There are more hookers in Cartagena than anywhere I’ve ever been. Don’t be surprised if the girl you’re chatting to turns out to be working at night. That’s just how it goes in Cartagena. 

Not Cheap: This is a touristic city. Prices are going to be inflated. I didn’t find drinking in Cartagena to be cheap. In fact, the prices were higher than almost anywhere else in Colombia. The average price for drinks in bars is 8$, and there is often a cover charge to pay to get into clubs (between 4$ and 10$).

When to Party: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday are usually dead. Things get better on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the busiest. Don't visit clubs before 1AM, unless you want to get in for free (usually before midnight). 

Lots of Tourists: You’re guaranteed to see other foreigners out in the bars and clubs in Cartagena, especially in the colonial city and Bocagrande.

No Great Venues: There are a lot of fun places to party in Cartagena, but there’s no perfect place. I didn’t find a single place that was good even on weekend nights. My favorite bars and clubs where always hit and miss.

Is it safe to party in Cartagena? You shouldn’t have many safety issues when going out at night in Cartagena. The Old Town, Getsemani and Bocagrande are generally safe to walk around - even when stumbling drunk late at night. The only problems you’ll have is overpaying for everything and trying to determine if that sexy girl is a hooker or not.

Meeting Normal Girls
As a tourist, your best chance of meeting a Colombian girl in Cartagena is to prepare your trip in advance. It is called "pipelining", meaning you start chatting and video calling with different girls a few weeks before actually coming to the country. This allows you to bond with a few of them, gain their trust, and make things much easier once in Colombia.

The most recommended website for that is ColombianCupid. It has hundreds of girls online, most of which do not mind a long distance relationship with a foreign man. It also has some prostitutes, so make that clear from the beginning.

Tinder is another option, but based on my experience, it only works if you are young, handsome and living in Cartagena.

Best Hotels Near Cartagena Nightlife
If you want to be walking distance from 90% of the best clubs and bars in Cartagena, I recommend you to stay near the Torre Del Reloj (Clock Tower). As it turns out, this is also the best location for exploring the city's colonial district.

These hotels are recommended:
- 80$ per night: Casa Cordoba Roman
- 50$ per night: Hotel San Felipe
- 30$ per night: Hotel Luna Nueva

Best Bars and Clubs in Cartagena

Trendy bar on 3 levels (bar, restaurant, rooftop), it serves some of the best cocktails in town, mostly Rum-based (around 8-10$ each). Fun atmosphere, it is usually crowded from Thursday to Saturday starting 11PM. Tourist and expat crowd. Good for meeting normal girls at the bar on the 1st floor. Music can be Latin or more electronic.

If you like this kind of places, you may also want to check the restaurant-bar El Baron, which is just a few minutes away, walking distance. It is a smaller venue, perfect for cocktails before starting your night out.

Another famous club in Getsamani,  Mister Babilla is housed in an old colonial building. Similar to Andres Carne de Rey in Bogota: It's a restaurant with various bars and dance floor areas, and a mix of Latin hits (Merengue, Reggaeton, Salsa). Reasonable prices, cover charge of less than 4$. The atmosphere gets very festive, kind of carnivalesque, with a mix of tourists and locals. Some prostitutes work there.

Along the beachfront street Calle 24 in Getsemani, next to Mr. Babilla, there are many other nightclubs lined up one after the other. They are usually less touristy and cheaper than elsewhere. Some of them are Mojitos Cocktail Bar, D8 Club (LGBT, Gay-Friendly), Borracha VIP, Taboo Disco Club, La Santa (Techno), and La Farra Club.

Located in the Getsemani neighborhood, it is a famous and touristy salsa club with a typically Latin atmosphere. Bill and Hillary Clinton went there a few years ago on a trip to Cartagena. 10$ cover charge to get in. Crowded inside so book a table ahead if possible. Cuban music (mostly covers) from a live band starts after 11PM. Rather upmarket, so try to dress up a bit. Small dancefloor, usually packed.

On the same street as Havana, there are two more authentic salsa bars that you can try: Vueltabajero and Casa Quiebra Canto. A bit further away, Salsa Donde Fidel, next to the Hard Rock Café, and Crazy Salsa are also recommended.

One of the trendiest bars/clubs/restaurants in Cartagena, it is normally packed on weekends with a beautiful crowd. Dress up if you want to visit as it is not rare to be refused entry (unfortunately, blacks seems to have a harder time getting inside). Good for meeting girls. No prostitutes. Open from Wednesday to Saturday from 9PM. Latin house music. Serves Tapas.

Nearby, you can also visit Babar, which is similarly high end for Cartagena standards.

A high-end club owned by the same guy behind La Movida. The concept is similar: It is a multi-storied club with a rooftop and a central bar on the first floor. Different music on every level, from reggaeton to EDM. Chic crowd, mostly Colombian. Do not come wearing sandals or shorts. Prices are expensive (10-12$ for cocktails) and you may have to book a table to get in as a group.

This multi-storied rooftop bar is a large venue, filled with mostly tourists, both locals and foreigners. Nice views on the Torre del Reloj from there. You have to pay an entrance fee of 7$ to get in, and then the drinks are pretty expensive inside. On weekend nights, it can get annoyingly packed. Service was unfriendly. The music is different on both floors (Reggaeton in one, EDM in the other).

If you like Eivissa, you can also two more clubs nearby that are just 100 meters away: Tu Candela, a fun and colorful bar/restaurant, and VIP Club, a club with mostly Colombians.
Tucandela Bar
Also nearby, with the same view as Eivissa, you can find the Gastro Pub Mirador. It is more upmarket, perfect for having a few drinks before partying:
El Mirador Rooftop
This is the best club to hear Champeta music, a style specific to the area around Cartagena. They also play reggae and afro-beat music. Come after 11PM and you'll see a sweaty dancefloor with a mixed crowd of Colombians and tourists. The setting is not too sophisticated, but it looks authentic and colorful.

Misti-K Club
This is a relatively new nightclub, high-end, with a clean crowd of locals, expats and tourists. The music is a crossover of Latin, EDM, House and Reggaeton. Definitely, a place to watch!

Paraiso del Marino and Pley Club
Inside Pley Club
These two clubs are considered the most high-end bordellos in the city. They are located outside the tourist area (10 minutes away for Pley Club, 15 minutes away for Paraiso). I personally haven't been there, but if you are looking for striptease, erotic shows, private lapdances, or spending the night with a prostitute, they are the places.

Amazing views and Caribbean views in the Old Town. This is a great spot to have a few drinks to start the night off right. The food is decent, too. Not for partying, but more of a pregame place.

Partying Outside the Tourist Area
To experience authentic Cartagena nightlife, where zero tourists go, you should get out of Getsemani and try different neighborhoods. I recommend going within the vicinity of the Paseo de la Castellana. There, you will find several fun clubs such as Green Moon VIP Club, Tu Yeré, Las Palmas, Jamaica, or Di Caché. The music in those places is almost always "crossover", meaning a selection of popular Latino, Carribean, and House hits.
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Bachelor Party in Jakarta

March 5, 2018, 4:38 am
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This guide will give you insider's tips and recommendations to help you prepare a memorable bachelor party (or bachelorette) in Jakarta with your friends.

I will answer all the questions you may have about the best clubs to visit, how to get around in the city, which hotels to choose, how to meet Indonesian girls and how to stay safe.

If there is anything else you would like to know, please write a comment or send me an email thibaud@jakarta100bars.com.

Partying with friends? Read my guide: 18 Best Apartments for Bachelor Parties in Jakarta

Why choosing Jakarta for a bachelor party:
Really, why Jakarta?
Jakarta is not as popular as Bangkok or Manila for bachelor parties, probably because the city has a poor reputation: Endless traffic jams, pollution, chaos, underdevelopment and very few tourist attractions.

All of the above are true. Jakarta is a mad city, yet it has a few advantages compared to other Asian capitals:

- It is not difficult to mix with Indonesians, guys and girls. Indonesians usually speak good English and are friendly. In particular, if you come for party, you can expect meeting girls easily in clubs or through online dating apps.

- Endless nightlife options, all relatively safe to visit. You have a mix of posh clubs and more local venues where you won't feel uncomfortable even if you are the only foreigners there.

- Nightlife curfews are usually ignored, meaning you can keep on partying until early morning.

- No difficulties to enter clubs with large groups of male.

- There are few foreigners staying in Jakarta compared to Bangkok. For this reason, being a "bule" (white person) can be an advantage, especially with girls.

Is it smart to organize a bachelor party in a Muslim country?
You may also wonder if it is a good idea to organize a weekend of debauchery in the capital of a Muslim country.

As of 2015, many middle-class Jakartans follow a moderate version of Islam and they don't mind drinking a bit of alcohol, having sex before marriage and even eating pork once in a while.
That's not the majority of the population, but that's enough to have all nightclubs packed on Fridays and Saturdays. Most Indonesian-Chinese are protestants or catholics so they amount for a large percentage of clubbers in the city too.

Indonesia is becoming more and more religious though. I think that a ban on nightlife activities and alcohol in Jakarta is very likely to happen in the coming years (I'll write about that in the near future). One more reason to enjoy it while it lasts!

How much will I spend on a 2-night weekend bachelor party in Jakarta?

Jakarta is more expensive than Bangkok. For a decent night out, you must spend at least 150$ per day (excluding the hotel). If you plan to go to the top luxury karaokes and massage parlours in the city, then it will cost even more (up to 500$ per day).

The big problem is that alcohol is heavily taxed and it's hard to get a cocktail for less than 10$.

If you cannot spend that kind of money, I advise you to go somewhere else. Try Vietnam: Saigon Nightlife.


Recommendations to make sure your stag party goes well

Keep the party in the clubs. Don't show that you are drunk in public space. The country is Muslim and even though Indonesians are easy going, you don't want to offend anybody. Local media love running stories about disrespectful foreigners. If you don't want to make national news, you should understand that and be smart, even when you are drunk.

Do not visit during a religious holidays (Ramadan, Idul Adha). On National Day (August 17th) and at Christmas/New Year, Jakarta is more quiet than usual. It is better to enjoy Bali nightlife during that time. It is also best to avoid Jakarta during the peak of the rainy season (January-February). Jakarta can be flooded during this time, making transport more difficult from one point to the other.

Drugs are not legal, but they are widely available, especially in North Jakarta. Foreigners are more likely to get into troubles because they lack the connections and information that some Indonesians have to avoid going to jail (see for instance the story of Christopher Daniel Sjarif who got away with killing 4 people under LSD). I would recommend not taking drugs in Jakarta. If you do, never ever carry anything with you, buy it from someone you are sure you can trust, and prepare some cash in case you get arrested.

Prostitution is not legal but it is tolerated as well. There are rarely crackdown on brothels and massage parlors in Jakarta (unlike in Medan or Surabaya). To avoid any problems, make sure that your hotel is girl-friendly: Jakarta Hotel Guide.

Since Jakarta can be intimidating, it is best if a local expat help you organize or if you can come to scout the city beforehand.

Jakarta Hotel Guide: Where to sleep in Jakarta for a bachelor party?
You need to make sure that your hotel is located in the center of the city and close from Sudirman street. Jalan Sudirman is the backbone of Jakarta, it is connected to almost all the important streets and buildings you'll need to go to. 

For this reason, I would recommend one of the following (please book through Agoda, I get a small commission out of it):

5-star hotels:
Grand Hyatt Hotel: It is connected to Plaza Indonesia mall, in which you have the Immigrant nightclub, the Dreams lounge and Cloud rooftop bar.

Kempinski: It is connected to Grand Indonesia with several popular bars like Paulaner Brauhaus, Social House or Skye.

The Mandarin Oriental and the Pullman Thamrin are good as well and they were renovated just a few years ago.

The Mulia Hotel and the Shangri La are not as centrally-located but they have very busy bars with lots of working girls. It can also be an option.

4-star hotels:
There are several Accor properties in Jakarta which are relatively new. Mercure Sabang is located in the center. Novotel Gajah Mada is quite up north but it is interesting if you just want to party in that area.

Other central choices: Check the hotels in those locations - Plaza Indonesia, Mega Kuningan, Rasuna Said, Plaza Senayan.

If you are wondering if your hotel is girl-friendly or not, you don't have to worry. Almost all hotels in Jakarta are except small family guesthouses. For more information, please read: Girl-friendly and sex hotels in Jakarta.

Read also: Where to Stay in Jakarta - Best Areas for Tourists.

Best luxury apartments starting 100$ per night per person:
A great way to enjoy your bachelor party is to rent an apartment during your stay. The cost for a 3-bedroom all-inclusive apartment is not that high if you split the bill.

The apartment makes it easy to buy and store booze, and it is a comfy place for starting the party.

I recommend you to check the following, all located in central locations:
Fraser Residence: The best choice - They have 3-bedroom apartments and it is brand new.
Ascott Jakarta and Aston Rasuna have 2-bedroom apartments only.

You can read more information here: Best Apartments for Bachelor Parties in Jakarta

How to get around in Jakarta?
Considering you might spend a lot of time in traffic jams, your transportation choices are crucial. I strongly recommend renting a minibus or minivan to get around in the city. The price is reasonable and it will assure you continuous fun throughout the weekend.

You can rent a isuzu for instance and pack it with beer and music. The price is about 90$ per day including the driver, cheaper than paying several taxis each time you want to go somewhere.

I used the services of 911 Rental several times and it was always a great experience. You can also try Jakarta Rent Bus. Make sure to explain to the driver that you are planning on partying in the bus to avoid any troubles.
You can also rent a party bus from Royale VIP Party Bus. It is a bus specially made for bachelor parties. You can contact them at 021 98792877 or email them at royalevipbus@gmail.com.
Inside the Royale VIP Bus - Special for Bachelorette and Bachelor Parties
Finally, if you choose to go with taxis, just remember to negotiate the meter in advance. I use Blue Bird and Express but other brands are fine too. The dangers of taxi is overrated in my opinion. If you go inside a "bad" taxi, your only risk is to lose a 5$ or to do a few extra kilometers.

Read my guide: Getting Around in Jakarta.

Are there strip clubs in Jakarta?
This is not an advertisement for Marlboro...
I wrote a review about the best striptease and sexy dancer clubs in Jakarta. That's a good start for you to read. All the places mentioned are great for a bachelor party, but the best ones are naturally the most expensive.

The priciest is Alexis. Renting a karaoke room with a jacuzzi filled with 10 super hot girls is possible but it would cost you around 2,000$ for 1 hour.

Playing volleyball with girls in bikini in the 1001 Sexy Pool is also another option for those who can afford it.

If your budget is limited, you can go to King Cross, Classic or B'Fashion Hotel instead (see my review here: Striptease and Body Massage in B'Fashion).

Otherwise, a private lap dance in a strip club like Malio or Tease is not that expensive. If you pay about 10 ladies drinks (Rp500,000), you will be more than satisfied.

Where to party to meet normal girls?
I wrote several reviews that should help you decide about the best clubs and bars to visit in Jakarta: Jakarta Best Clubs 2015, Jakarta Best Bars 2015, Jakarta Nightlife 2015.

If you are not very familiar with Jakarta, I would just stay with the classics: X2, Immigrant, Dragonfly. Those are the nightclubs with the most foreigners and with the most girls looking to meet foreigners as well.

What are the things to do in Jakarta during the day?
Spa and Massage Parlours
The best thing to do in Jakarta during day time is certainly to go to a spa. They are cheap, well-equipped and you can find them everywhere (see my review: Finding a Spa in Jakarta).

Visiting a museum, a monument, a historical building, a mosque or a traditional market:
If you are interested to do cultural sightseeing, you may want to check my reviews in the category: Things to do in Jakarta.

Shopping
If you just want to kill time, the best you can do is hangout in a mall such as Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan or Grand Indonesia. I love spending afternoons in De Luca in Plaza Senayan and just look at the people passing by.

Dating an Indonesian girl
You can get a date on Badoo or Tinder quite easily with my guide: Dating Websites in Indonesia. A great place to bring your date is the Blitz Cinema in Pacific Place. Choose the Velvet auditorium which is specially designed for couples. You can also bring her to one of Jakarta's rooftop restaurants.

Bachelor party schedule for a 2-night and 3-day stag weekend:
If you come to Jakarta for a full weekend from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, I would recommend the following schedule:

Friday Evening:
- Dinner in B.A.T.S (steaks + live music + girls): From 8.30pm to 11.30pm
- Drinks in Cloud: From midnight to 1am
- Party in Immigrant (just below Cloud) or X2 or Dragonfly starting after 1am: Book a table + sofa in advance.
- After 3am: Karaoke in Golden Crown or Level 5.

Saturday Afternoon:
- Spa and Karaoke session in Alexis, 1001 Hotel, Illigals, Sun City, Malioboro or King Cross: From 3pm to 6pm.

Saturday Evening:
- Dinner in Loewy or Cork&Screw Pacific Place or Bluegrass: From 8.30pm to 11.30pm
- Drinks in Empirica or Potato Garage or Lucy in the Sky: From midnight to 1am.
- Party in Immigrant or X2 or Dragonfly starting after 1am: Book a table + sofa in advance.
- After closing, go to Mille's Club in North Jakarta.

Sunday morning / afternoon:
- Brunch in Potato Head or Loewy from the moment you wake up until 3pm.
- Spa session: Delta or My Place.

To make your decision, you should also check the DJs coming to Jakarta or if there are any cool festivals like Djakarta Warehouse Project, Java Jazz Festival or Color Run while you are here.

Conclusion:
Confused? Please send me a message thibaud@jakarta100bars.com and I'll do my best to help you organize your trip.

Photo credit: Kuclukoye and Indra Kurniawan. I also took the party pics on the facebook page of Immigrant. If your face is in there and you want it removed, just ask.
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25 Best Massage Parlours and Spas in Saigon (2018)

August 1, 2018, 6:02 am
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Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City is full of naughty massage parlours and spas where you can get "extra service" (also referred to as "happy ending", "rug and tug", "plus plus", or simply by what they are, handjobs).

I enjoyed Saigon nightlife several months when I was living there, but I had actually not been to one of these massage parlours/spas. Nevertheless, as I am a sucker for web traffic, I'm listing here all the places that provide such services in Saigon. Most of the information below comes from tips from friends who are expats in Saigon, completed with research on internet forums and blogs.

Many of the spas are located inside hotels. If you are looking for a girl-friendly hotel in Saigon, it is a good idea to book one of them. I included a direct link to Agoda to help you. I make a small commission on every booking so if you like this review and value the hours I spent writing it, please book your hotel using one of the links!

Meeting Vietnamese Girls Online
Of all the world cities I've travelled to, Saigon has the highest number of hotties per square meter. Even better, many are dreaming to date a foreigner (even if there is a 20 years age gap!). Some are not against the idea of finding a generous sugar daddy abroad as well.

A great way to meet smart, open-minded, English-speaking Vietnamese girls is to connect to the dating site VietnamCupid.com. On average, you have over 1,000 beautiful girls online every evening and they are easy to chat with.

You can sign up for free, check profiles and like any girl's profile. If they like you back, you can start chatting with them. It's better to get a membership though. The price is only 25$ per month, renewable every month. You'll be able to contact every girl fast and to increase your success rate.

Spa Etiquette in Saigon

Ticket and Tipping
Apart from a few local places, there are no "full service" massage parlours in Saigon. This means that on top of paying for the room (entrance ticket), you must always negotiate a tip with the girl depending on what you want. In most of the venues listed, only a HJ (handjob) is allowed, but if BJ (blowjob), DATY (cunnilingus), BJ (full sex) are available I will mention it.

The good etiquette is to give a tip at least equal to the price of your room. I read many comments about guys who tip low not to "ruin the market". But if you have enough money to ruin the market, why would you care? There is no secret that the bigger the tip, the bigger the motivation of the masseuse.

Rooms
The kind of room you book has an influence on the type of service you will receive:
Standard room means a normal massage with potentially more depending on the tip you give.
Vip room means that you will get a bathtub or a jacuzzi. As a result, you will normally be bathed naked by the therapist. The therapist will keep her clothes on. Then you get a normal massage + whatever you negotiate to get.
Super VIP means you will have two girls massaging you for 2 hours in a room with jacuzzi/bathtub. Again, the girls will not be nude, only you.

Choosing Your Masseuse
There are no fishbowl or aquarium in Vietnam. Each girl has a number that you can request. Many Vietnamese share the "good" numbers on private forums or private Facebook groups. Foreigners don't have as much luxury and they will often get a random girl.

To increase your chances of being with a pretty girl, you can make special requests to the mamasan or GRO (Guest Relation Officer). If you don't like the girl who is brought to you, you can always ask for another one too.

Foreigners and Vietnamese
Most massage parlours where foreigners go to are located in District 1. They are pricier but you will probably feel more comfortable in such places. If you feel adventurous, the best ones are actually in District 3, District 5 and District 10. In those places, it is likely that girls will ask you for a bigger tip because you are a foreigner. Expect to pay 30%-50% more.

The area known as "Little Tokyo" in Le Thanh Ton Street and Ngô Văn Năm street is even more pricey. Most guests are Japanese and Korean who will pay up to 5 times the normal rates.

Some brothels are forbidden to Vietnamese and you will be asked to show your passport to get in. Apparently this is to avoid troubles with the police.

Massage Parlours in District 1

Spa Viên Dông - Open 24 Hours
Hotel Vien Dong
275A Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1
Phone number: 08 3836 8941

This famous spa is open 24-hour. It is in the heart of the backpacker district of Pham Ngu Lao, yet prices are quite high. The standard room is around VND300,000 and the VIP room with jacuzzi VND680,000. The tip is usually between VND400,000 and 1,000,000VND. Stunning girls, lot of choices. Facilities include a sauna.

Viên Dông Spa is also a hotel that you can book online for a reasonable price (under 40$ per night). The location is great to visit the city and party.

Dai Nam Massage
Hotel Dai Nam
79 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1 (5 minutes from Bui Vien)
Phone number: +84 8 8 242 525
Book this hotel with Agoda: Dai Nam Hotel

This spa/sauna has the reputation of having some of the most beautiful girls in Saigon. Standard room is VND240,000, then tipping between VND300,000 and VND700,000. You can often fool around with the girls.

Liberty Hotel 2 - Open 24 Hours
129 Ham Nghi, District 1 (3 minutes from Benh Thanh market)
Phone number: Tel. +84 8 3822 4922
Book this hotel with Agoda: Liberty 2 Hotel

Part of Odyssea group, owner of the luxury Liberty Central brand. VIP room cost VND420,000 and tipping VND500,000. Complete facilities with steambath, jacuzzi and sauna.

Tokyo Spa
15B/22 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1
Phone number: 0123 479 9777

This massage parlour is one of the most famous in "Little Tokyo". You can get a BJ for VND1,300,000 (inclusive with room) and full service for VND2,000,000. Very pretty girls.

Hai Son Hotel
88 Le Lai Street, District 1
Phone number: +84 8 3832 2926
Book this hotel with Agoda: Hai Son Hotel

Standard rooms available. Referred to as a "sex hotel" on TripAdvisor.

RoNa Massage - Open 24 Hours
69 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, District 1
Phone number: +84 8 38 21 5377

This massage parlour is located near famous nightclubs like Apocalypse. It welcomes a fair share of horny guys past 3am. Standard room is VND200,000 and VIP room VND600,000. Tip between VND200,000 and VND600,000. Depending on the girl you might get more than just a HJ (but you'll have to pay more).

Hotel Bloom - Open 24 Hours
27-29 Truong Dinh Street, District 1
Phone number: 08 3822 2255
Book this hotel with Agoda: Bloom Saigon Hotel

Good spa with sauna. Few girls but they are pretty with good technique. Open 24 hours. VND300,000 for standard room and VND500,000 for tip.

152 Massage
152, Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1

This massage parlour is also a short-time hotel. Standard room for VND150,000. VIP Room for VND300,000. Super VIP massage for a threesome-like experience (2 girls) for VND600,000. Sauna and steam bath available.

Tip from VND200,000 to VND300,000. Some girls will take off their bras or even go full nude for an additional VND200,000.

Bui Vien Spa Scam
In District 1 (and particularly in Bui Vien or near Hai Bai Trung), some massage parlours run a well-known scam: A staff opens your locker while you're being treated and takes some of your money. Avoid places where sexy girls are aggressively trying to pull customers away from the street with the promise of a "cheap massage".

If you are in Bui Vien and need an honest massage parlour, you can go to Kaka Spa (138 Bui Vien). The room starts at VND180,000 and the tip is between VND250,000 and VND400,000.

Girlie Bars of Hai Bai Trung, Bui Vien and Smiley Bar
Around Hai Bai Trung street and Bui Vien, you have several hostess bars with a naughty side. They don't have a name, only a number. Most have been shut down by the police a few years back. The ones remaining are pretty gross but they are convenient. Smiley may be the best one. It is easy to spot with its huge yellow smiley above the entrance.

On the first floor is a normal hostess bar: You buy a drink at an inflated price and a girl will come to sit next to you, trying to get you to buy her ladies drinks. At one point, they will offer to play a game of pool. If you win, you see her naked. If you lose, you give her VND500,000. They will generally offer to do a blowjob as well, whoever wins.

Few of these girls are pretty. They will also tend to be pushy for more and more tips. 

"Clean" Beauty Salons
If you walked near Benh Thanh Market, you may have noticed some beauty salons with very pretty girls inside, usually wearing skirts and high heels. Those places do not provide anything more than beauty treatments, but many guys enjoy being aroused there. You can also easily get a phone number. 

The famous one is Le Duyen 4 (72 Trương Định).

"Naughty" Beauty Salons
If you go further away from the city center, you can find what Vietnamese call "Hot Tocs Goi Dau" or "HTGD" (hairdressers) which are quite unique in Saigon's prostitution scene. Most people visit them for blowjobs.
The most famous one among foreigners is Benny or Ben Ny (110 Điện Biên Phủ, 17, Bình Thạnh) because it is relatively clean and the girls are skilled. The entrance fee is VND200,000 and the tip between VND200,000 and VND300,000.

An alternative is to go to Nguyen Phi Khanh street (often called NPK), on the northern end of District 1. You have 4 "Hot Tocs' in which you can ask for 2 girls if you pay double entrance and two tips.  Prices are similar to Ben Ny. Full sex is also available for a tip of VND1,000,000.

Massage Parlours in District 2

Nature Massage Parlour
04 Trúc Duong, Thao Dien, District 2
Phone number: 097 703 17 97

This spa is well-hidden in District 2 but convenient for expats living nearby. On Google Maps look for Nature Mile or Nature Mild. Standard room is VND300,000. Some girls offer full prostitution services for VND1,000,000. HJ only is around VND300,000-500,000.

Massage Parlours in District 3

204 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3
Phone number: 08 3930 6290
Book this hotel with Agoda: Saigon Star Hotel

On the 9th floor, you only have standard rooms costing VND225,000, then tipping VND500,000. Pretty girls. Sauna and Steam room available.

Massage Minh Tam (sometimes shortened MT LQD)
2 Lê Quý Đôn, District 3
Phone number: +84 8 3930 5885
Facebook: Massage Minh Tam

This standalone massage parlour has young and pretty therapists. Standard room is VND250,000 and VIP room VND550,000. Tipping from VND300,000 to VND500,000. It is mentioned on their Facebook that they are open 24/7. They have another branch in Tan Binh called Minh Tam 2.

306 - 308 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, District 3
Phone number: +84 8 3938 1818
Book this hotel with Agoda: Boss Palace Hotel

Good rooms and facilities. A standard room costs VND200,000. Most girls willing to do BJ for VND200,000 to VND500,000.

Festival Hotel and Karaoke
31 Cao Thang Street, District 3
Phone number: 08 3839 0704
Book this hotel with Agoda: Festival Hotel

Standard room for VND220,000 and VIP room for VND500,000. Tipping between VND250,000 and VND500,000.

Massage Parlours in District 5

Thai Binh 3
22, Ngô Quyền street, District 5

Cheap massage parlour in District 5. Not luxurious but good value. VND300,000 for VIP room. Tip VND300,000. Mouth services available for an extra.

192 - 194 Su Van Hanh Str, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Phone:+84 8 3924 5091
Book this hotel with Agoda:  Phuoc Loc Tho Hotel 1

Old rooms and facilities. The main interest is the cheap prices and the fact that girls can perform a BJ at the end of the massage. You can request two girls to service you. Standard room price is VND120,000 to VND240,000 (for two). Tip is VND250,000 to 500,000 for each girls.

Phuoc Loc Tho Hotel 2 also has a massage parlour plus plus.

Hanh Long 1
1115 Trần Hưng Đạo, District 5
Phone number: +84 8 3838 1173
Book this hotel with Agoda: Hanh Long 1 Hotel

Standard room is VND200,000, VIP room VND350,000. Tip for a happy ending between VND200,000 and VND500,000. Blowjob available depending on the girls and the tip.

Dong Khanh Hotel - 24 Hours Massage
2 Trần Hưng Đạo, District 5
Phone number: +84 8 3923 6404
Book this hotel with Agoda: Dong Khanh Hotel

Clean facilities. Most people go for blowjobs. Standard room VND200,000. Locals pay a VND200,000 tip but foreigners will probably be charged more.

Massage Parlours in District 10

Massage Phuong Anh - PA Relax 
383 Su Van Hanh, District 10

This massage parlour is clean with brand new rooms. They have Standard Vip Rooms for VND200,000 (70 minutes), Japanese VIP Rooms for VND300,000, Thai VIP Rooms for VND400,000 (90 minutes), and Super VIP service for VND600,000 (100 minutes). Open from 9.30am to 3am. 

You can get a blowjob if you book the Japanese VIP Room (+ tip of approximately VND500,000), and a nude/topless blowjob if you book the Thai VIP Room (+ tip). You can also get it with Standard VIP but it will last shorter.

Minh Minh Tam Hotel
707-709 Le Hong Phong Street, District 10
Phone number: +84 8 3868 3856

One of the best massage parlours in HCMC. Standard room for VND250,000. VIP room for VND550,000. Excellent quality massage and very pretty girls. HJ only for a tip between VND300,000 and VND700,000.

China and Hai Yen Bordellos
Hai Yen: 815 Le Hong Phong
China, 801 Le Hong Phong

Those are two brothels located in the red-light area of Su Van Hanh and Le Hong Phong. It is a local prostitution area but more foreigners are starting to visit it for the KTVs and the "hot tocs" (salons).

Hai Yen and China are one of those salons. You pay VND300,000 for a room, then you can get full service for VND1,000,000. Both are considered high-end by Vietnamese standards and therefore the girls are rather pretty.

Massage Parlours in Other Districts

Massage Minh Tam 2 (Tan Binh District) - Open 24 Hours
512 Ly Thuong Kiet, Tân Bình (next to the hotel Thanh Binh 2)
Phone number: 08 3606 2827

Shortened MT LTK, this is the sister property of Minh Tam massage in D3. It is a big massage parlour with nice rooms. Prices are the same: VND250,000 for Standard room and VND550,000 for VIP room. Tipping between VND300,000 and VND500,000.  You can also get a foot massage for only Rp110,000. Great looking girls.

Update 2017: There is a brand new Minh Tam Hotel and Spa in Tan Binh at 278 - 280 Cong Hoa. It is highly recommended and luxurious, but a bit more expensive than the competition. Expect to pay VND600,000 to VND800,000 for 120 minutes of VIP Super Massage. It is near the airport so ideal for your last night in Saigon.
Massage Hồng Hà (Bình Thạnh District)
157/28 - 157/28B, Khu Văn Thánh Bắc, Bình Thạnh
Phone number: +84 - 8 3899 63 17 

Private standard room for VND160,000. Tip VND200,000.

Conclusion
In case you are wondering, prostitution is actually illegal in Vietnam. And yet you could find a hundred more venues, not even including the KTV, the freelancers, online prostitution and high-class escorts! The list above is only the tip of the iceberg. If you think I forgot an important one, please leave a comment below. If there is a mistake in the information provided, just let me know and I'll correct it.

If you are traveling North, you can now read my article 15 Best Naughty Massage Parlors and Saps in Hanoi.
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10 Best Men Spas & Massage Parlours in Jakarta (Updated 2018)

June 6, 2018, 9:02 am
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There are two kinds of massage parlours in Jakarta:

* "Family Spas" or "Day Spas" are providing normal massages and treatments for both men and women, without any sexual services. The best ones are located in South Jakarta, in malls or in 5 stars hotels. I wrote about my favorite ones here: Jakarta's Best Normal Massage and Spa.

* Men's Spas" offer what is called a "plus plus", or an extra service (ranging from sex to a handjob), they are reserved for men. This article will be about them.

Men's spas in Jakarta are hedonistic temples, the likes of which you won't find in Europe or in the US. It’s not only a massage you can get there, but various services to help you relax and feel good. Typically, they include a hot and cold pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room, a lounge, a gym, a theater, etc. Some have an oxygen room, free food, etc. You can go to any of the places mentioned below and use their facilities for usually less than 20$.

Note: This review was updated in September 2018.

Where to Find a Male Spa in Jakarta?
Men's spas can be found everywhere in the city, but the most luxurious ones are almost all in North Jakarta near the streets Jalan Gajah Mada and Hayam Wuruk. They are often inside massive buildings called "one-stop entertainment complexes", that can also include a hotel, a bar, a club, a restaurant and a karaoke.

To find a massage parlour near from where you live, read my article Guide To Massage Parlours in Jakarta.

Where to Stay in Jakarta Near the Best Spas?
If you come to Jakarta mainly to enjoy time at the city's various spas, I'll recommend choosing a hotel on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, on Jalan Gajah Mada or on Jalan Mangga Besar.

These streets are about 50 minutes from the airport, 30 minutes from the city center (Plaza Indonesia) and only 10 minutes from tourists attractions like the Old Town and Chinatown.

You can get excellent deals if you book on a website like Agoda. Here are my top recommendations for girl-friendly hotels near the spas:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotel Harris Vertu (Most Recommended): 60$ per night, rated 8.7 on Agoda

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Grand Mercure Harmoni: 66$ per night, rated 8.1 on Agoda
Hotel Santika Hayam Wuruk: 60$ per night, rated 8.4 on Agoda.
Novotel Gajah Mada: 45$ per night, rated 7.9 on Agoda

⭐⭐⭐
Yello Hotel: 40$ per night, rated 8.9 on Agoda
Ibis Harmoni: 36$ per night, rated 7.9 on Agoda

⭐⭐
Hotel 88 Mangga Besar 62: 30$ per night, rated 7.7 on Agoda
Verse Lite Pembangunan: 20$ per night, rated 8.1 on Agoda

Are you looking for a hotel with a naughty spa inside? It can be very convenient for those who don't want to go outside. The most centrally located one is Classic Hotel (30$ per night), but you may also want to have a look at Ochardz Industri, Orchardz Jayakarta, Orchardz Bandara (near the airport) or B'Fashion (West Jakarta). More information: Sex Hotels and Girl-Friendly Hotels in Jakarta.

What Are the Best Men's Spas in Jakarta?
The quality of the service, the cleanliness of the spa, the kind of massages provided, the number of facilities, the beauty of the masseuse, the price: There are many factors that can make your experience more enjoyable. To help you choose the best spa for your need, here is the list of Jakarta’s best massage parlours and spas (you can click on the names for a complete review with prices):

Malioboro Hotel and Spa
One of the most luxurious in Jakarta, my guess is that it is only a matter of time before it gets shut down by the authorities. It consists of Malio Club (sexy dancers) and Malio Spa. Expensive.

108 Spa
Previously known as Illigals, it has some beautiful facilities and girls, including foreign ones.

Emporium
Also a high-end spa, it belongs to Alex Tirta, the infamous owner of Alexis Hotel (closed in 2017).

Sexy Pool at 1001
Also owned by the Alexis group, it is one of the most expensive spas in Jakarta but probably a bit overrated.

Sun City Luxury Spa
A superb spa very popular with Indonesian Chinese and Mainland Chinese guests. It is just 1 floor below the Fave Hotel Glodok LTC.

King Cross
A less expensive spa, same owner as Malioboro (the girls are actually the same as they rotate from one place to the other). Built vertically with different floors and services, including a karaoke, a live music room, a bar and a lounge.

Sumo Spa
The same group as Malioboro and King Cross, it is smaller but the overall quality is excellent and slightly cheaper than other upmarket spas.

Terminal Classic
Located in Hotel Classic, this is the largest bordello in Jakarta. It is huge, with probably hundreds of working girls. The spa is in the basement floor. There are also 3 lounges with sexy dancers on the ground floor, the second floor and the 5th floor. Prices are very reasonable.

B'Fashion Spa
This is also a regular hotel where you can stay for the night (check here for the price). Similar to King Cross but with a location near Taman Anggrek.

This spa is quite expensive and not as impressive as the other above, but it is in the middle of Jakarta's business district, in front of Le Méridien hotel (Jalan Sudirman). For this reason, it is very convenient for men who want a massage without going to the north of the city.

MyPlace and Delta Spa
Those two chains of massage parlours have many branches all over the city. They are similar in concept. They offer really good massages, with a handjob at the end, but NO SEX. They are recommended if you really care about the quality of your treatment.

Need More Names?
There are a few more venues I could have added to the list, cheaper ones, for instance, Kimochi Spa, Orchardz spa or D'Heaven.

Advertising: Dating Indonesian Women
Foreigners can be very successful with Indonesian girls.

The best way to meet normal ones, with a good education and a salary is to use dating websites. 

I recommend you to try Indonesian Cupid, which is owned by Match.com. You can browse the girls' profile for free and show that you are interested. It is a good way to make some contacts before landing in Jakarta.

Register for free using this link: Sign Up - Indonesian Cupid.
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Taiwan Nightlife: 12 Best Nightclubs in Taipei (2018)

September 9, 2018, 12:29 am
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Taipei nightlife is considered by many expats as one of the best in all Asia. It is a combination of the best things the region has to offer: Modern venues, reasonable prices, friendly people and approachable girls.

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

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

Note: This review was last updated on September 8th, 2018. 

Where to Party in Taipei + Hotels
A particularity of Taipei's nightlife is that almost all the interesting bars and nightclubs are located in the central area, near the Taipei 101 Tower. Two nearby complexes have several clubs: ATT4FUN and NEO19. If you are lazy to read my article, you could actually just go there, enter one of these buildings and start partying in a random club immediately.

It is a good idea to choose a hotel near the Taipei 101 Tower. Below is a selection of the best ones:

Luxury/5-star ($300/night): Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza or Grand Hyatt
4-star ($100/night): Pacific Business Hotel
3-star/2-star (under $100/night): Fu Hau Hotel
Dormitory/Backpacker: Work Inn 101

Even if you stay further from the city center, you have an efficient MRT system that can take you in the clubbing area quickly. Just make sure that you are within reach of Taipei City Hall MRT Station or Taipei 101 MRT Station (last train around midnight though so you'll need a cab on the way back).

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

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

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

Several nightclubs like Wave, have cheap all-you-can-drink entrance.

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

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

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

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

Meeting Taiwanese girls
Please check my reviews: Best Online Dating Apps and Websites in Asia and Best Countries to Meet Asian Girls.

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

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

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

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

Tuesday: Wave
Wednesday: AI
Thursday: Klash, Brass Monkey (it's a bar but you have a ladies night with a DJ)
Friday and Saturday: You can take your chances anywhere.
Sunday: Franny

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

Expat Bars for Older Guys:
Carnegie, Brass Monkey

Best Nightclubs in Taipei:

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Korner Nightclub Taiwan

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

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

Frank
If you are a tourist, it is a good idea to have a few drinks at this rooftop bar on ATT4FUN to admire the view of Taipei 101. Drinks are quite light on alcohol and not particularly tasty. Lounge atmosphere. It's better to book a table to avoid being seated at the bar.

Contact:
10F, ATT4FUN, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
Phone number: +886 909 332 333

Facebook: Frank Rooftop

Opening Hours:
Every day from 9pm to 3am

Entrance Fee:
TWD 600 with two drinks.

Pong Club
Located on the same level as Frank, this pub/club draws a large upmarket crowd on weekends (mostly local groups). The main attraction is the possibility to play digital beer pong on electronic tables. The price is around TWD1,200 (you don't pay if you win). Music is EDM and they have sexy dancers/attendants. Again, this place is more suitable for groups who reserve a sofa.

Contact:
10F, ATT4FUN, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
Phone number: +886 903 826 666
Email: info@pongtaipei.com.tw
Facebook: Pong Taipei

Opening Hours:
Every day from 9pm to 3am (until 4am on Friday and Saturday)

Entrance Fee:
Free

Klash
Young crowd, mostly Taiwanese. They usually have mash-up, RnB and hip-hop. Occasionally they organize live events and battles.

Contact:
Neo19, Songshou Road No22, Xinyi District, Taipei 110
Email: klashtaipei@gmail.com
Phone number: +886 968 000 039
Instagram: Klash
Facebook: Klash Nightclub Taiwan

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

Entrance Fee:
Wednesday: Free for all
Thursday: TWD 550 for guys (TWD 350 before 23pm), free for ladies.
Friday and Saturday: TWD 700 for guys, TWD 400 for girls (free before 23pm)
Sunday: TWD550 for guys and TWD 250 for girls

Chess
Hip-hop nightclub with a low-key atmosphere. Entrance is normally reserved for members, so it's best to send them a message on Facebook before showing up (they accept everybody). Owned by an American, among others. The dancefloor space is limited and most people are standing around tables. Few foreigners there.

Contact:
Neo19, Songshou Road No22, Xinyi District, Taipei 110
Email: adventures@otsgasia.com
Phone number: +886 905 788 321
Facebook: Chess Nightclub

Opening Hours:
Thursday from 9pm to 2am
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4am

Entrance Fee:
Free as long as you are on guest list.

Franny
Located one block away from ATT4FUN, it is a lesser known club with 99% locals. The DJs play mostly hip-hop and mash-up. Sexy dancers.

Contact:
No. 18, Songshou Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Facebook: Franny

Opening Hours:
Wednesday until Monday morning: 10pm to 4am

Entrance Fee:
TWD 800 for guys and TWD 500 for girls (about TWD 200 less on weekdays).

Triangle
This is the most foreign-friendly nightclub in Taipei in terms of concept and crowd. Unlike other venues, you can easily buy drinks by the glass and you don't need to book a table to have fun. Laid-back, unpretentious vibe. They have different themed nights every day, so check their Facebook below for the latest update. Generally speaking, the choice of music can be pretty eclectic from 90s pop to Carribean songs. Student nights on Wednesdays are recommended (free entrance). A good place to meet girls. Owned by a French guy.

Note that Triangle is located about 20 minutes by car and 40 minutes by metro from Taipei 101.

They have a monthly gay party called Werk.

Contact:
Yumen Street N°1 (Maji Square),  Zhongshan District
Facebook: Triangle

Opening Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm to 2am
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am

1001 Nights
This shisha lounge-bar-club is about 3 kilometers from ATT4FUN. In case you are wondering, yes it does serve alcohol. It is a fun place with a different atmosphere than elsewhere in the city. Latin nights on Saturday with reggaeton are quite popular. It also serves as an after-hour club as it closes at 6am.

The owner is from Iran.

Contact:
2nd Floor, No. 8, Sec. 5, Nanjing East. Rd., Songshan Dist.
Phone number: +886 2 2765 1122
Email: 1001nightstaipei@gmail.com
Facebook: 1001 Nights

Opening Hours:
Every day from 9pm to 4am (6am on Friday and Saturday)

Entrance Fee:
First drink charge on weekends: TWD 200 for girls with 2 drinks and TWD 300 for guys with 3 drinks

Vibe
Another high-end beer pong club, similar to Pong except it is located in Neo19 and not as crowded.

Contact:
Neo19, Songshou Road No22, Xinyi District, Taipei 110
Email: taipeivibe@gmail.com

Facebook: VIBE

Opening Hours:
Every day from 9pm to 3am (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) or 4am (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

Entrance Fee:
No.

AI Club
This is the club that replaced the now-defunct Elektro in ATT4FUN (see below). It is a trendy venue,  medium-sized, which is visually impressive with a huge DJ podium and a great dancefloor. There are plenty of laser lights, smoke and screens. The sound system is pretty good too. It's really best to book a table here as it will be extremely packed on weekends. EDM music. They have some famous DJs once in a while (recently: R3HAB). A lot of hot girls but many are already within groups.

Contact:
ATT4FUN, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
Facebook: AI Taipei

Opening Hours:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10pm to 4am
Friday, Saturday: 10pm to 4.30am

Entrance Fee:
TWD 1,000 for guys with 2 drinks and TWD 700 for ladies (weekends). Overall, it is expensive.

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

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

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

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

Website: Omni Taipei

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

Entrance Fee:
800 TWD (on average)

Best All-You-Can-Drink Nightclubs in Taipei

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

Ikon
A new nightclub, replacing Lava. It is quite small and a bit trashy, with a mostly young crowd attracted by the cheaper prices. EDM, trap and mash-up music.

Contact:
ATT4FUN, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
Phone number: +886 933 869 150

Facebook: Ikon Nightclub

Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Saturday from 10pm to 4am.

Entrance Fee:
All you can drink: TWD 800 for guys and TWD 500 for girls on weekends (TWD 100 less on weekdays, girls free before 12.30).

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

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

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

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

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

Best day is on Tuesday.

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

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

Facebook: Wave Club Taipei

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

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

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

M Taipei Club
This club is opened just two nights a week on Friday and Saturday. It has an international crowd, mostly students, who come to enjoy Latin beats: Reggaeton, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Kizomba, etc. The price includes a selection of free drinks all nights.

Miami nights on Friday, International nights on Saturday.

Contact:
456, Xinyi Road, Section 4
Email: club.m.taipei@gmail.com

Facebook: M Taipei Club

Opening Hours:
Friday and Saturday from 11pm to 5am (4am on Saturday). Do not come before midnight as they tend to make people wait in line for no reasons.

Entrance Fee:
TWD 750

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

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

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

Facebook: Box Taipei

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

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

Photo Tribute: Taiwanese Sexy Dancers:
Taiwanese sexy dancers are one of the best parts of Taipei nightlife. Let me convince you with a few more pictures:

CLOSED NIGHTCLUBS:

Nightclubs close fast in Taipei. Here are a few I wrote about that have closed down since:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lava (CLOSED, to be replaced by IKON)
Lava is an upmarket version of Babe 18, but with much fewer foreigners. They have commercial music. Sexy dancer competition on Saturdays.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: Taipei Babe 18

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

Entrance Fee:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Facebook: The Beat Nightclub Taipei

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

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

Kuala Lumpur Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars in KL (2018)

May 31, 2018, 12:51 am
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I would not recommend going to KL specifically for partying, but if you happen to be in town, there are enough good venues to have fun. The following review will guide you to the best bars and nightclubs in the city as of late 2018.

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

Note: This review was last updated in September 2018.

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

The government is actually rather hypocrite. While flirting with Islamists, the previous prime minister, Najib Razak is also the grand-son of the cofounder of Genting Berhad, one of the largest casino operators in the world and also the owner of nightclubs like Zouk. It is not surprising that in March 2016, his son was able to replace DJ Fadi in Zouk Singapore, causing a backlash from fans. 

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

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

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

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

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

Nightlife Areas in Kuala Lumpur

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

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

The bars/clubs I recommend in Trek are:
Iron Fairies, The KL branch of the famous BKK bar, live music, hipster
Arte Bar: Non-commercial dance music and hip hop, hot girls)
Reggae Bar: Self-explanatory
Supperclub: Trendy restaurant with live music
Le Noir: Great live music, older crowd
Donkey And Crow: Irish pub
Trak: Live music - Afrobeats, Hip Hop, RnB
The gorgeous Iron Fairies Bar in TREC
On a Saturday, almost all venues are crowded and happening actually. You can check TREC's Facebook for the complete list.

It is also in TREC that you have the city's largest and most famous nightclub, Zouk (see below), as well as smaller ones like Vibes or the boutique club Red Room.
Zouk
I don't really like Zouk but it is still a must-try if you go to TREC. It is the most crowded nightclub, the best designed and the one with the most happening events in KL. The sound and lighting system are also really impressive.

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

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

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

If you need a 50$/night place to stay near the nightlife, I'd recommend you to try MOV Hotel. It is brand new, comfortable, and walking distance to at least 15 bars/clubs.

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

Some of the most crowded bars are Havana (Latin music), Gypsy (retro) and Movida (for dancing). The nightclub Zion is not too bad as well and it features 3 rooms (Hip Hop, Dance Music, Reggae). Fire & Ice was empty when I visited.

In nearby streets, you can check Pisco bar (Peruvian restaurant with latin nights on Mondays), its rooftop Barrio by Pisco bar (live music, happening) and the jazz club No Black Tie.

Near Jalan P Ramlee
Though near from the Petronas towers, this street is rather seedy with two famous freelance prostitute bars: The Beach Club and the Thai Club (it may be closed, I couldn't confirm). Both are institutions among foreigners looking to pay for sex. Girls are most often from Vietnam, Indonesian, Thailand or the Philippines.

The Thai Club is on the ground floor of Cabana Inn (which seems to act as a short-time hotel.) Nearby, there are a few other venues catering to an Indian/Arab crowd.

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

The Row
Formerly called Asian Heritage Row, this complex on Jalan Doraisamy is your typical hipster/hippy hangout. It has a few restaurants, cafés, coworking spaces, pubs and live music spots. Walking distance, you have the nightclub Noovo (local crowd, EDM and Hip Hop).

Other spots in the city center

Kyo
This is probably the best club in KL at the moment. It is from the same group as its sister Singaporean venue (more information about it: Singapore Nightlife Guide).

Located in the Mandarin Hotel, it has a crystal clear Void sound system and a chic interior design (they label themselves as an "underground" club but I don't see how being in a 5-star hotel is underground). You have a main room with RnB/Hip-Hop DJs and a smaller one, called Ren, with House/Electronic/Techno. A famous foreign DJ will play there at least once a month. Entrance fee is around 60RMB.

Privi
This underground and secret club is located inside Drift Restaurant. It is members only so contact them in advance on Facebook to make sure you'll get in. Music is techno in an intimate atmosphere. It closes late so it's the place to go to after hours.


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



Outside  KL Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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In case you heard about them, the nightclubs Providence, Rootz, Modestos, Sultan Lounge and Gravity are closed.
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Guide to the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) in Bali - 2018 Update

September 10, 2018, 9:06 pm
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Updated on September 10th, 2018

The Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) is an electronic dance music festival happening every December. It is normally in Jakarta, but the 2018 edition will be set in Bali's GWK cultural park (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) on the 7th, 8th and 9th December. The relocation is a way to celebrate the events' 10th anniversary.

GWK is a fantastic venue for a music festival and a perfect match for DWP. The park recently got the spotlight after a massive 121-meter high Vishnu/Garuda statue was completed. As it turns out, the mythical Garuda bird has often been the main theme of the previous DWP editions.
The setting of DWP in GWK
The DWP is organized by Ismaya, an Indonesian lifestyle group behind some famous nightclubs and bars in Indonesia like Dragonfly, Skye, Blowfish or Social House. It is also heavily sponsored by all kinds of brands and particularly cigarette manufacturers.

It is a mainstream festival featuring mostly commercial DJs who play EDM, Trance and Techno. Many of the world's most famous DJs have participated in DWP in the past few years, among whom Tiesto, Skrillex, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Axwell, Avicii and Calvin Harris.

Buying Your Tickets to DWP 2018
The Garudha Stage at DWP2015

Check prices and packages
Tickets are sold via a large number of retailers, both online or offline. You have the complete list of authorized sellers here: Official Tickets Partners DWP. Hurry up because the prices will normally keep increasing with time.

Right now, the prices are as follow:
3-Day Pass (General Admission): IDR2,420,000
3-Day Pass (VIP Gold): 3,960,000

The VIP Gold Ticket gives you access to a special, faster entrance and a reserved area with better facilities closer to the DJs.

Once you've made your purchase, you will receive an electronic ticket (e-voucher) that you must exchange with a special wristband. The exchange for the wristband can either be done on the spot on the day of DWP, or in advance in a location given by the management. The guidelines for that will be sent to you 2 weeks before the event.

The wristband will then need to be activated to allow for entrance. Even with the wristband, note that you'll still need to show an ID (passport, driving license, ID card) to get inside.

Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are not included in the price of a ticket and you cannot bring any from outside (nor cigarettes). This means you'll need to spend quite a bit of money on the spot. Even the water is not free (around Rp40,000 or US$3).

At DWP, you do not pay directly in cash. Instead, you buy "tokens" that you exchange at the food stands or shops. It is a way for them to avoid monkey business. You have Blue tokens, Silver tokens and Bronze tokens. They are non-refundable so you should be careful to buy only as little as you need.

The F&B area is well-organized in a food court (Eats and Beats) and features several restaurants brands from Ismaya like Kitchenette, Pizza e Birra and Fook Yew. You can get proper meals there in a comfortable setting, with AC. The prices are OK (around Rp120,000 or US$9 for a meal with soft drinks) but you shouldn't expect great taste.

Alcohol drinks are less reasonably-priced: You'll need to spend Rp130,000 (US$10) per glass of liquor or cocktails and Rp90,000 (US$7) for a beer. A bottle of spirit will cost you Rp2,000,000 (US$150). You need to be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol (a valid ID is required).

If you are on a budget, I recommend you to grab a few bottles at the duty-free shop and to drink with friends in your hotel before the event.

You should bring at least Rp1,000,000 (US$75) with you for a decent, intoxicated night out. Note that there are several ATMs inside if you need extra cash.

Location and Best Hotels Nearby
The location of the Djakarta Warehouse Project 2018, in GWK, is about 30 minutes from the airport and 40 minutes from Kuta. On the day of the event, it will probably take much longer to do the distance as the main road is tiny.

A smart thing to do is to choose a hotel in the South of Bali. As it turns out, I know this area very well as I lived in there for 3 years.

Jimbaran is actually the perfect location as it is between GWK and the airport. There are also quite a few things to do there, including the beach, seafood restaurants and spas.

Here are the best hotels in Jimbaran, within 10-15 minutes of GWK, that are suitable for party people (24-hour reception, late breakfast, on-site restaurant):
- Intercontinental Bali: 210$ per night (the only beachfront property on this list)
- Kupu Kupu Jimbaran: 110$ per night (inside a small shopping center with L'Occitane Spa and 4 restaurants)
- Le Meridien Bali: 100$ per night (in front of the seafood restaurants)
- Fox Harris and Jimbaran Bay Resort: 55$ per night (a bit further away)

My advice is that you should book fast. I see there is already plenty of fully-booked hotel 3 months before the event, so I can't imagine how it will be 1 week before.

Airbnb
If you come to DWP with a group of friends, you can also rent a villa with several bedrooms on Airbnb. You can search in the areas of Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Ungasan and Pecatu. If you've never made an account before, you can get 40$ off your first reservation by using this link.

The Party
The Crowd
Last year, 90,000 people attended DWP, making it the largest festival of the kind in the region. It attracts mostly a local audience, including Indonesians from provincial cities like Bandung, Surabaya or Yogyakarta. There is also a sizable number of foreigners from nearby Asian countries who visit Bali just for the occasion (Malaysians in particular). According to official figures, foreigners account for 20% of the attendance.

The participants are from the mid-to-upper level background and they are well-behaved. Since it is an exceptional event by Indonesian standards, people can be really excited and they'll plan the festival months ahead. Most are friendly, cool to hang out with and open to meet with fellow clubbers.

Note that the festival is only allowed to adults over 18 years old and that you aren't allowed to buy alcohol if you are under 21.

Meeting Indonesian Girls
If you are hoping to meet girls, there are a lot of pretty ones, including scores of SPGs (Sales Promotion Girls). Many will be with a group of friends so you should be careful when approaching them.

Dating sites and apps are a good way to get some contacts before arriving in Bali, especially IndonesianCupid. Mention that you are going to DWP on your profile and you're pretty sure to match with a few party girls.

Dress Code
The dress code is relaxed. The coolest people will wear some kind of accessories (hats, glasses, etc...) and they'll be more busy updating their Instagram than dancing. Wear comfortable shoes, pants and t-shirts and bring along some changing clothes (lockers cost for Rp40,000 up to Rp100,000 - US$3-US$7.5).

The Performance Stages
The DJ performances are held on several distinct stages. I'm not sure yet about the stages for DWP 2018 but they might include the same as last year: Garudha Land, Neon Jungle, Mad Decent and Darker Side. It will be revealed just a few days before the event. The previous years, Garudha Land featured a giant sculpture representing the mythical Garuda bird. It is really world-class, with impressive visual effects that involve multicolor lighting, laser shows, fireworks, smoke and screens. The show is an important part of the party, just as much as the DJs.

Garudha Land is located outdoor which is quite a bet considering December is the rainy season in Bali. Fortunately, the smaller stages are under a roof with AC.

Schedule of DJ sets
The timing of each set will be known early December only. The first DJs start at 4pm (local ones) and the last ones end at 4am. It is best to arrive early (before 7pm) to avoid entrance queues.

DJ Line Up DWP 2018
The line up for this year's DWP includes several famous names of the commercial EDM, trance and techno scene. Most of them rank high on the DJ Mag Top 100 and they are regulars of all the big festivals like Tomorrowland or Ultra.

The following names have been announced so far:

The Weeknd

Alesso (No. 37 on Top 100 DJ Mag)

Armin Van Buuren (No. 3 on Top 100 DJ Mag)

DJ Snake (No. 23 on Top 100 DJ Mag)

Major Lazer (No. 45 on Top 100 DJ Mag)

Porter Robinson

RL Grime

There will also be performances by the sexy dancers of CyberJapan:

Travel Insurance and Safety
You should have a proper travel insurance when traveling to Indonesia. It is not expensive for just two days and you'll save yourself a lot of trouble in case of accident, disease, cancellation or loss of personal stuff. If you are a foreigner, you can get a quote in a few seconds on WorldNomads.

Questions about Djakarta Warehouse Project?
If you have any questions about your trip to Bali for the Djakarta Warehouse Project, please just leave a comment below and I'll answer as soon as possible.

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Astana Nightlife: Best Bars, Clubs, Saunas

September 12, 2018, 9:24 pm
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Astana seems like an unlikely destination for partying. Yet, as the capital of Kazakhstan and the country's second largest city after Almaty, it has a decent nightlife with at least 3 popular nightclubs and dozens of bars.

This review will be quite short as I only stayed in Astana on transit for 2 days. Still, you should find here all the basic information you need for a great night out.  If you have a comment to add, please do so at the end of the article.


Where to stay near the nightlife:
I would recommend staying in the area around the Bayterek tower, near the pedestrian Nurzhol Boulevard.

The best hotels in terms of comfort and location in Astana are the following:
- Under 40$ per night: Mini Hotel Sultan and Mini Hotel Bereket Dip
- Under 60$ per night: Best Western Plus Astana (Most recommended)
- Under 90$ per night: Sky Luxe Hotel
- More than 150$ per night: Hilton Garden Inn (near the 6/45 Resto Bar) and Ritz Carlton Astana

Those hotels are very central, but you'll still need a short taxi ride to go to most of the bars and clubs listed below. As you'll find out, the city is spread out and the cold makes it impossible to walk for too long during the winter.

What to expect:

When to Party?
During the week, nightclubs and bars are generally quiet, if not closed. During those days, it's better to visit pubs like O'Hara that stay open until 2-3AM. Things get better on Friday and Saturday, with bars staying open until 5AM and nightclubs until 6AM.

Dress Code
For the Zaza Club and Icon, it is recommended to wear pants and shoes. Elsewhere, it is more flexible.

ID Card
It is better to bring your ID with you as it is sometimes required to enter nightclubs.

Cost of Partying
It is generally affordable to party in Astana: For a full night out, you can expect to spend around 25,000 Tenge (65$).

The best clubs have an entry fee of around 3,000 Tenge (8$). A pint of beer will cost from 600 Tenge to 1,500 Tenge (1.5$ to 4$) and a glass of decent imported whiskey between 1,000 Tenge and 2,000 Tenge (2.5$ to 5$). A taxi ride will cost you 500 Tenge for 10 minutes (less with Uber).

When going to a nightclub, always consider buying a bottle to reduce your cost and to get a table.

Meeting Girls
Compared with Almaty, girls are predominantly Kazakhs (Asian type), with a minority of Russians. If you are decent looking, with a stable job, you should be able to gather considerable interest from most girls. An issue you may encounter is that many of them only speak broken English. If you know some Russian, it will certainly help you tremendously.

Another thing to know is that Astana girls are quite conservative. Yes, they are interested in foreigners, but rarely for one-night stands. For this reason, it will be more difficult if you are a tourist or only on a business trip. To those, I recommend making some contacts a few weeks before landing, for instance by changing your location on Tinder to Astana. You can also try Badoo and Mamba (Russian).

Meeting girls in nightclubs or pubs is not too difficult as long as you are not shy to go talk to them. Be careful when talking to girls that are part of a group led by a guy. He is probably paying for the drinks and for this reason, he might feel that the girls belong to him. To avoid problems, befriend him before making any moves.

Best Bars and Nightclubs:
You can click on the name of the club/bar to check their social media page. Make sure that the places are still open before heading there. 
This nightclub, opened by the Russian entertainment firm Sagrada Corp, is located near the mall Mega Astana. It is the largest in the city, with 1000m2 on two separate dance floors and a summer terrace (Belvedere). 

There is no entrance fee but you have a minimum spending requirement of 7,000 Tenge for men and 5,000 Tenge for women.

It's the most happening place in the city and packed on weekends. The crowd is upmarket, from the upper middle class to the elite. The ambiance can get pretty wild, especially thanks to the sexy dancers moving on the tables. They also have other forms of entertainment like live music or fashion shows. Each week will have a different theme.

Strict dress code. Music is the usual mainstream EDM/House.

Open on Friday and Saturday only from 11PM until 6AM.

This bar/restaurant is frequently recommended by locals. Just behind the Hilton Garden Inn, it is open on weekdays and somewhat busy, especially on Wednesdays. Fridays and Saturdays can be packed and very lively. No dancefloor. Good cocktails. Maybe the best place to meet Kazakh girls in Astana.

Newton Club
This is a less expensive venue, more easy-going and with a younger crowd (18-25). It has the advantage of being open during weekdays. Student night on Wednesdays. Entrance is 2,000 Tenge for men and 1,000 Tenge for women (free before midnight). Gogo dancers.

Zaza Club
Located on Imanov street, this club belongs to the Aria group, which is also the owner of Barley Bar/Restaurant and Mojo Bar (same location). It is one of the most exclusive nightclubs in Astana at the moment, and it is naturally where the Kazakh elite is partying. DJs play a mix of EDM and anthems. Sexy dancers, fashion shows, models and hostesses warm up the ambiance all night long. Entrance fee is 3,000 Tenge (free for girls before 1AM).

Open only Friday and Saturday until 6AM.
Barley's is a busy bar next to Zaza
O'Hara Pub
An Irish pub that would be unremarkable if it was located in Europe. In Astana, it is quite popular on weekends, especially with expats. The local beer is cheap (500 Tenge per glass). Good for newcomers who need to make friends. They also serve Irish food.

A cool drinking joint with a British theme. It got its name from the huge bus in front of the pub. Quality live music and food.

A bit out of the city center. It is open every day until 5AM. Basic but popular with a younger crowd. Live music and DJ.

The Boulevardier
Intimate bar with great live music and DJs. Open on weekends only.

Another Irish Pub, quite expensive and lacking charm. Live music.

A beautiful bar near the Bayterek tower. Not too crowded so fine for a drink after work.

This pub has cheap drinks (especially for members who get an extra discount) and snacks. Popular with a middle-class crowd. Very loud music (house, pop, rock, etc). Small dancefloor.

Intimate, laid-back live music pub and restaurant. Only 5 minutes away from Chechil. Open from Thursday to Sunday.

An Irish Pub, again, in Yesil district in the south of Astana. Modern design but quiet. Food and live music. See their events on Facebook.

A hipster burger restaurant serving beer. Popular with foreigners after it was featured in a Guardian article. Expensive but convenient. Check their Facebook for special events (live music, DJs). Shisha and foosball available. Open daily.

Best Saunas in Astana
Most saunas in Astana are family-oriented, meaning there are no sexual services offered there. A few of them, however, are a bit more naughty and they cater to a male crowd.

Some famous saunas are Marrakesh Spa, Home Spa, Cleopatra Spa or Euphoria Spa. They belong to the same group, they are open 24/7, and they offer similar services: Pools, jacuzzi, (Turkish) hammam, billiard, karaoke, restaurant, bar, hookah, striptease, etc.

The massage services range from traditional ones (Ayurvedic, Swedish, Aromatherapy) to erotic ones. They are designated with strange names so it's a bit difficult to guess what it offered exactly. For example, here is the menu for body massage from Home Spa:
Lady escort, private striptease, sushi lady (Nyotaimori) and double temptation (threesome) are easy to guess. For the rest, I invite you to ask directly at the spa for more details. What is clear is that prostitution is available.

You can check the following website for a complete list of saunas in Astana (in Russian but easy to translate using Google): https://astana.bani.kz/. It lists over 90 saunas in the city and you can book them online. The price varies from around 5,000 Tenge per hour for a small cabin (4 pax) to 15,000 Tenge for large cabins (up to 20 pax).
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10 Tips to Date an Indonesian Girl (Sponsored Post)

July 10, 2018, 9:16 pm
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Note: This is a sponsored post that was written by an external party. It doesn't reflect the views of Jakarta100bars.com.

Online dating has changed dating forever. Today, you can find a girlfriend from any corner of the world, even in a country you've never been to. This means it has become important to learn about seducing foreign women, particularly when they come from exotic countries like Indonesia. While attracting hot women may not require any specific skills, you still need a few tips to date them. In order to help you, we've collected certain facts that may come in handy when seducing, dating, and building a romantic relationship with an Indonesian girl.


1. Indonesian Girls are Traditional and Wild

We mainly think that girls may be either traditional or kinky. Thus, a woman who is into traditions is quite wifely and motherly; no kinky sex, no different poses, no experiments. And if someone is kinky, she is definitely not into motherhood. But Indonesian girls are different. They can be described as the manifestations of a unique pairing. They are both traditional and wild, so if you are dating an Indonesian girl, forget about being bored.

2. Indonesian Girls Speak Good English

When you are dating a foreign girl, the main problem is often the language barrier. But that's not the case with Indonesian girls. Most Indonesian women, especially those living in Jakarta or Bali, are able to speak conversational English at a decent level so you won't have problems with understanding each other. There is a possibility that you would have to explain her a word or two, but that's not a big deal.

3. Indonesian Girls are Religious

One thing that you should keep in mind about Indonesia is that it's actually the biggest Muslim country in the world. So, the vast majority of Indonesian girls are quite religious. If your relationship gets serious to the point that you are considering marriage, you can be almost certain that you will have to convert to Islam, at least for the papers. If you don't like this idea, you should know that there are also large Christian and Hindu communities in Indonesia.

4. You Are Expected to Pick up the Tab

Well, when you are dating an Indonesian girl, you should forget about going Dutch. An Indonesian woman expects her boyfriend to pay for her. Only a small percentage will offer to split the bill, but still, it is best to refuse and pick up the tab. Since alcohol in restaurants is very expensive, dating can be quite expensive as a result. If you can't afford to spend 100$ on a date, just invite her for coffee instead.

5. You Are Expected to Lead

According to Indonesian traditions, a man takes the lead. That's why Indonesian women prefer manly men, who can lead them. So, if your ideal date is an emancipated woman, Indonesia is probably the wrong place for you to look for a date-mate.

6. Indonesian Girls are Fun and Easy-Going

Indonesian women rarely complain about anything, as they are getting over everything quite quickly. If you ever felt bored on the date because your date-mate was complaining about her ex, then you would love to date an Indonesian girl. Indonesian women love having fun and hate concentrating on misfires. 

7. Indonesian Girls Pay a Lot of Attention to Their Appearance

Indonesian women are naturally beautiful, but that doesn't mean that they don't take care of their skin and their hair. Actually, they spend a lot of time taking care of themselves, at home, in spas or salons. It's ain't no big deal, but you must get ready for the fact that she can be late for a date from time to time, as she wants to look perfect.

8. Indonesian Girls May Check Your Phone

Indonesian women will often have had bad experiences with men, especially stories of cheating and mistresses. They know that their country offers too many temptations for guys and they will always be a bit suspicious with their boyfriends. Don't be surprised if your girlfriend checks your phone while you're having a shower...

9. Indonesian Girls Prefer Older Men

Indonesian women generally prefer to date older men, as they see them as more secure, more stable and more confident partners. But that doesn't mean that you have no chances if you like the girl of your age. If she sees that you are confident and trustworthy, she would fall for you.

10. Indonesian Girls Like Western Men

Regardless of your age, you still have good chances to date an Indonesian girl simply because you are a western man. Unlike, let's say Japan or South Korea, there are not many people from western countries in Indonesia. So, if you are a European or an American, get ready for Indonesian girls to be immediately interested in you.
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What to Do and Visit On Your Romantic Trip to Jakarta (Sponsored Post)

August 13, 2018, 8:21 pm
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Note: This is a sponsored post that was written by an external party.

With the arrival of online dating sites, you no longer know where your next partner is going to be from. If you stick with mariadating.com, most likely you are going to end up with someone from Ukraine. But when you use other international dating services, you may easily end up in Jakarta, Indonesia. And, let's be honest, most likely you know nothing about Jakarta and the places to visit there. Who cares, you may say, your girlfriend is going to be your guide. It is true, but only if you don't want to make a good impression on her. You see, Indonesian women like men to lead, even when it comes to deciding where to go in their homeland. But wait, let's think about it in a different way. Online dating may have nothing to do with that. You may just want to make a romantic trip with your girlfriend to Jakarta. Needless to say, it requires the knowledge of what to do and where to go in Jakarta.

In order to help you with that, we've compiled the list of places that you should visit in Jakarta. To make it easier for you, we've divided our list into two parts. First, we are going to talk about the places that you should visit if you want to enjoy the national and historic heritage of Indonesia's capital. Then we are going to talk about the places where you can just chill. So, let's figure them out without a further ado.

Heritage

1. The National Monument

The most popular place of interest in Jakarta. The 433-feet structure is the symbol of the long struggle for the independence of Indonesia. You can simply enjoy observing the National Monument from the ground, or you can pay just one dollar to climb at the top of it and to admire the view. You should go up the monument in the daytime, but if you want to observe it from the ground, it's better to do it at night as the structure is beautifully lit.

2. The Istiqlal Mosque

The Istiqlal Mosque was constructed in 1978, and it is the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia. It has a capacity of more than 200,000 people. You may not be a Muslim, but visiting the Istiqlal Mosque is a must if you are making a trip to Jakarta. You would be stunned by the interior design of the mosque. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

3. The Jakarta Cathedral

The Jakarta Cathedral don't compare to the Istiqlal Mosque neither in size nor in the beauty of the design. Still, it's one of the places that you should visit in the capital of Indonesia. It was built in 1901 and it remains the largest establishment of the Roman Catholic church in Indonesia. The interior design of the cathedral can easily fool you that you are not in an Asian country but in Europe.

Chilling

1. Thousand Islands

Jakarta is a very busy city, and you can quickly get tired of it. And when you get tired of it, that's when you should go to the Thousand Islands. Located near the north coast of the city, these islands are the perfect place if you want to escape the city and feel closer to the nature. Here you can lay on the golden sand secluded beaches and have meals in the finest restaurants that are not overcrowded with tourists.

2. Ancol Dreamland

If you prefer enjoying water adventure parks, bowling arenas, roller-coaster rides, then Ancol Dreamland is the perfect theme park for you. Aside from all the things that you can find in this theme park, it can save you from the humidity of Jakarta.

3. Cafe Batavia

While you are in Jakarta you should visit as many cafes and restaurants as possible to try Indonesian cuisine. One venue is particularly recommended by every guidebook about the city and it is Café Batavia. There is a reason for that, it is situated in old downtown of Jakarta, known as Old Batavia, where you can have a cup of coffee and sample delicious meal while having a break from visiting the museums that are situated at Jakarta's old downtown. Aside from that, the cafe attracts the tourists with its peculiar interior design.
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Sagitarius Hotel, Lounge and Spa (Jakarta)

July 2, 2018, 9:30 pm
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Sagitarius, also called Sagita, is an upscale men's spa and lounge located in the city center of Jakarta. It is one street behind All Seasons Thamrin, just 5 minutes away from the BNI Sudirman train station and less than 10 minutes walking distance from Grand Indonesia. Opened in June 2018, it is also home to a "hotel" and a rooftop called Arrow.

It is one of the rare massage parlors with "plus plus" (sexual services) that are easily accessible from the Central Business District and I guess it will be popular quickly. This only other one I can think of is Fortune, near Le Méridien Hotel.

It is typical of other similar venues in Jakarta: On the 2nd floor, you have the spa lounge, which is quite large and can accommodate some events occasionally (DJs, sexy dancer shows, live music etc). Next are the facilities, sauna, steam, cold and hot pool. The overall atmosphere is dark but soothing as you feel like being in a bubble isolated from the rest of Jakarta. 

There are 3 kinds of room available, depending on the standards:
Standard Room with 90-minute massage: IDR440,000
Superior Room with 90-minute massage: IDR500,000
Deluxe Room with 90-minute massage: IDR600,000. This room has a bathtub, a TV and a large queen size bed.

If you only want to use the facilities, without a massage, it will cost you only IDR150,000.

The massage can be shiatsu, traditional or sensual. In that case, it will be done naked and the price includes a "plus plus" (handjob). If you want more, you will have to pay a tip directly to the girl (IDR500,000 extra on average). You can also ask for an FL (freelancer) and pay IDR1,550,000.

Regarding the hotel, the price currently is IDR600,000 with breakfast included. You cannot book online yet, it has to be done directly at their reception or by phone.

Opening Hours:
The spa is open every day from 10 AM to 12 PM (last order at 11 PM)
The hotel is open 24-hour.
For the rooftop, it is still under construction at the moment.

Sagitarius Hotel, Lounge, Rooftop and Spa
Jalan Plaju No.3, Kebon Melati
Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta

Phone number: +62 (0) 21 391 5050
For booking and questions, you can also add the WhatsApp number: 087780550707

Website: Sagitarius Hotel and Spa
Instagram: Here and Here

Some photos of the therapists taken from their social media:
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Finding a Sugar Baby or Daddy in Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta, etc)

August 26, 2018, 2:40 am
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In the past few years, new words have emerged in the world of online dating: "Sugar Baby" and "Sugar Daddy".

Typically, a Sugar Baby is a young girl who, in exchange for money or gifts, gets involved in a romantic/sexual relationship with a wealthy older man (Sugar Daddy). Compared to normal prostitution or escort services, it is closer to a girlfriend experience, albeit a more straight-forward and open-minded one. Sugar babies will also normally expect to benefit from the experience and maturity of their "daddies" through mentorship. Some girls, for instance, may need help to start a business or to build a professional network.

This kind of relationship is something that has always existed in Indonesia, long before the internet was widespread. Stories of married men dating younger girls for money are quite common in the country, much more than in the Western world. I remember that back in the late 1990s, the father of my ex-girlfriend had gone bankrupt because he had bought a house and a car for his 19-year-old mistress. I know dozens of similar stories and if you are an Indonesian, you probably know them too.

How to explain that?

Simple: The supply of young Indonesian girls who are looking for a way to make some cash is huge.

They are generally from the middle-class. Not dirt poor, but clearly without enough money to afford things like a brand-new iPhone, trips to Bali, dining out in nice restaurants, or studying in college. For many, the only way they can rise above their current condition and enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle is to find a man who will pay for it.

Social media, and especially Instagram, have made some girls even more eager to get gifts and money. To gain more likes and followers, they need to post interesting pics of fancy dinners and exotic trips. Just posting a photo of their lunch at the warung is not what will make them popular. These girls will jump on an invitation to an expensive restaurant, a trip to Bali, or even to your room if you stay in a 5-star hotel.

With the development of internet and dating apps, the Sugar Baby phenomenon has become much more mainstream. It is now easier for both sides, guys and girls, to find a partner with whom an arrangement can be made.

If you are curious to understand how it works, this review was written for you. Here you'll find all you need to know about how to meet a Sugar Baby or Sugar Daddy in Indonesia, how much it costs, and how to avoid problems. Please leave a comment at the end of the article if you have a personal experience to share.

The Cost of Having a Sugar Baby in Indonesia
In the mindset of an Indonesian man, it is obvious that if he is dating a young pretty girl, he will have to provide for her. It's not a written rule, but that's just how it goes in 90% of relationships. This is particularly true if he is already married: In most cases, the money will compensate for the fact that he cannot marry a second time.

The prettiest and youngest girls are extremely prized in Indonesia. If they really want, the ones who are after money can easily get a house, a car, branded bags, and a generous monthly allowance. It helps that there is always a lot of corruption money waiting to be spent in cash.

The cost of maintaining a sugar baby doesn't have to be that high, though. A girl I talked to on the dating site IndonesianCupid told me that she was happy with just IDR2 million per month (basically the cost of her room). In her case, she didn't consider it prostitution, but more like a "boyfriend with benefit" or FWB (friend with benefit) relationship. She wanted to be with a guy she loved and who loved her, but she also wanted him to help her when needed. That was straight-forward of her to say that, but that's how most relationships in Indonesia work anyway.

Sugar baby or not, having a girlfriend in Indonesia will almost always cost you money, except if you are stingy or dating someone with a completely western mindset (and a good job). The man is expected to pick up the bill in almost every situation, whether it is a trip to Bali or some drinks at a bar.

How to Find a Sugar Baby or Sugar Daddy in Indonesia?

Finding a sugar baby in Indonesia is quite easy, especially if you know the right websites and apps.

SeekingArrangement.com
SeekingArrangement is the best website in Indonesia (and in the world, probably) to meet a hot and smart sugar baby. It has several million members, with currently 3,000 girls listed in Indonesia (and tens of thousands more in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, etc).

When you register for free, you can already access the girls photos, their profiles, and see what they are looking for (money, free trips, dates, etc). If you like someone and you would like to send her a message, you will have to become a member. It's quite expensive (starting at 79$ per month), but because of that, there are only a limited number of men on the platform and you will get much more attention from each girl. It's no wonder their slogan is "10 girls for every guy".

What is interesting with SeekingArrangement is that almost all the girls there are educated and interesting to talk to. They will reply to your messages much faster and with much more enthusiasm than on other websites like Tinder or Indonesian Cupid. They will easily accept a date, even if you are only on a business trip to Jakarta. Just don't be too creepy when you talk to her: Avoid asking for sex after just a few messages. Instead, behave like a gentleman who wants to enjoy good company, and show the girl that you can be a good mentor to her.

As I mentioned before, mentoring is indeed another important aspect of the Sugar Daddy/Sugar Baby relationship. On SeekingArrangement, money is not the only thing that matter and some girls also want a mature guy because they just feel more attracted to them.

Here is the typical example of a random girl's profile on SeekingArrangement:
Here are the search results for Jakarta and Bali sugar babies (you can filter by age, ethnicity, education, weight, age, children, relationship status, etc):

Pros:
➝ Few guys, many girls => high reply rate
➝ Best girls: Hot, smart, educated, friendly and well-traveled for most
➝ The verified profile feature limits the number of fakes girls and scammers
➝ It is also a good way to find a classy young girlfriend who is into older men
➝ Very complete profiles with many filters to find the woman of your dream
➝ International website meaning you can search for girls all over the world, not only in Indonesia

Cons:
➝ Expensive and elitist
➝ Cannot message a girl without paying

IndonesianCupid.com
IndonesianCupid is part of the Cupid group, a famous dating company with several specialized websites like FilipinoCupid, AsianDating, Muslima, ThaiCupid and VietnamCupid.

It is not a specialized "sugar baby/sugar daddy" website, but it is popular with Indonesian girls who want to date foreigners. I would say that a large majority of its female users are open to the idea of having a boyfriend who doesn't live in Indonesia and will visit them only from time to time. Their ultimate goal is to get married, but they won't mind a more casual romantic relationship before that.

The way to approach a girl on IndonesianCupid is less straightforward than on SeekingArrangement. You should not talk about money, but say that you are looking for a relationship with an Asian woman with whom you can travel and hang out.

The money aspect is often secondary on IndonesianCupid, but still, it will help if you mention that you have a stable job and that you can support someone financially.

Compared to SeekingArrangement, I recommend IndonesianCupid if you are more interested in a romantic relationship instead of just companionship.

It is free to register and browse profiles but to access some functionalities, you will need to pay a membership fee starting at 25$ per month.

Tip: Don't hesitate to look for girls who are located in more provincial cities of Indonesia like Bandung, Surabaya and Medan. They have millions of inhabitants but very few foreigners so you are certain to stand out in these locations.

Pros:
➝ Large database of users with tens of thousands of Indonesian girls available.
➝ Perfect for mature Westerners who want to meet a younger lady for a romantic relationship
➝ A high ratio of girls to guys
➝ You can also access the profiles of girls living in other Asian countries which is great if you travel a lot
➝ Desktop websites = convenient to those who don't like to type on a smartphone
➝ Money is secondary

Cons:
➝ The user interface of the website is a bit old-fashioned
➝ The features are limited for free users (you can only message your matches)
➝ No mobile app

Most girls on Tinder are looking for a normal relationship, and many will mention "No hookup/no ONS (one night stand)/no FWB (friends with benefits)" on their profile.

A few girls only will say that they are looking for a sugar daddy (or more discreetly, they will write stuff like "take me to dinner, take me to Bali, etc).

The problem of Tinder compared to the websites mentioned before is that you cannot talk to a girl if you haven't matched with her. Even if you match, you will need to hope that she will reply to you and give you enough attention. This is especially true with the most beautiful and young girls who receive dozens of messages every day. Since most features of Tinder are free, you have to face tough competition and therefore it is much harder than on an elitist website like SeekingArrangement.

To improve your chances of matching with the profiles of sugar babies, you should be straight-forward and mention clearly what you are searching for. For instance, something like "Mature man, looking for a sexy girl to accompany me on my trip to Indonesia. Will pay for travel, hotel, dinner and other expenses".

Be careful, though, as you will most likely match with plenty of hookers and scammers as well (always ask for a video call on Line or WhatsApp before making a move).

Pros:
➝ You can message girls for free
➝ Location-based app, meaning you can match with girls who stay near from you and that are easy to meet in real life
➝ A very large database of users (but much, much more guys than girls)

Cons:
➝ A rather low reply rate from girls who tend to be overwhelmed with matches and messages
➝ If you don't pay for a boost, you will only get a few matches per day
➝ Girls are generally not interested to talk to you if you don't live in Indonesia

For more information on the topic of dating in Indonesia, you can also read my articles:
- Online dating sites and apps in Indonesia
- Online prostitution is booming in Indonesia
- Online prostitution is booming in Asia
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Saigon Nightlife: Top 10 Clubs and Bars (2018)

May 17, 2018, 10:31 am
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Ho Chi Minh City nightlife, in Vietnam, is one of the craziest in Southeast Asia. I lived in the city for a few months and this is my report about its best nightclubs, bars, karaokes, spas and beer gardens.

Note that Ho Chi Minh City can also be called Saigon, HCM or HCMC. I will also give more general nightlife tips for clubbing and having fun in Vietnam.

Saigon Nightlife Summarized in 100 Words
If you don't have the time to read my whole review, here is a short summary:

- Best midrange hotel near the nightlife: Sanouva Hotel (40$ per night)
- Where to party as a young tourist: Bui Vien street (just walk there and you'll see over 50 cheap bars and clubs). Music is EDM, Rn'B and Top 40.
- Meet girls online: VietnamCupid, Tinder
- Most popular nightclubs for expats: Lush, Glow
- Best rooftop: Chill Skybar
- Best techno/alternative nightclub: The Observatory
- Best live Music: Saigon Saigon (Caravelle Hotel)
- Best Hostess bar for expats: Check the area between 50 and 100 Pasteur Street (Luna, etc)
- Most infamous club: Apocalypse Now
- Best sports bar: Phatty's
- Best Viet-style beer garden: Fox Beer Lounge or Kingdom
- Best men spa/massage: 24-hour spa in Vien Dong Hotel

Choosing a Hotel Near the Nightlife:

For each hotel, I included a direct link to Agoda. I make a small commission on every booking so if you like this review and value the hours I spent writing it, please book using one of these links. If you don't like Agoda, you can also use my links to HotelsCombined.com or  Booking.com. The price is the same for you.

Almost all the interesting nightlife venues in Saigon are within the District 1, which is also where the most famous tourist attractions are located.

If you are young and you want a wild party atmosphere (backpacker style), then choose a hotel near Bui Vien street or near Ben Thanh Market. This area is lively almost 24/7 with clubs, bars, restaurants and spas. It can be a bit noisy and dirty, though.

If you are older and you need a more quiet area, choose instead anywhere near the Opera House.

The best hotels in terms of comfort and location near the nightlife in Saigon are the following (all have more than 8/10 rating for location and guest services):
- Under 20$ per night: Bich Duyen Hotel or Giang Son 2 Hotel (both in Bui Vien)
- Under 30$ per night: Duc Vuong Hotel (Bui Vien, it has a popular rooftop bar)
- Under 50$ per night: Elios Hotel (Bui Vien) or Sanouva Hotel (Girl-friendly)
- Under 80$ per night: Paradise Hotel and Spa, Grand Silverland and Liberty Central.
- Under 150$ per night: Pullman, Liberty CityPoint (my favorite with a brand new CGV cinema inside), Liberty Riverside
- More than 200$ per night: Park Hyatt, Le Meridien (close to the street with Japanese massage parlors).

Hotels with a casino (only allowed for foreigners): New World, Grand Hotel, Caravelle, Renaissance Riverside, Rex, Majestic, Hotel Continental and Sheraton.

Guest Friendly (Girl-Friendly) Hotels in Saigon:
A big problem you will face in Saigon is that many hotels will not accept a last-minute female guest in your room unless you are already married.

They are very strict with it, especially Government-run hotels (even the 4 and 5 stars properties).

You can read my guide about the 25 Best Massage Parlours in Saigon. It contains a list of guest-friendly hotels with "happy ending" spas inside.

Also, you can book any property of the chain A25. They allow for short-time room rental and they don't mind if you bring a girl. The price is reasonable, usually between 25$ and 40$ per night, and several are located within the District 1:

A25 De Tham (Bui Vien)
A25 Nguyen Cu Trinh
A25 Le Lai
A25 Nguyen Trai
A25 Ly Tu Trong
A25 Bui Thi Xuan

Transit/Love Hotels in Saigon:
Vietnamese men will often use short-time hotels when they want to sleep with a girl from a club or karaoke. These "transit" hotels can be found almost everywhere in the city and it's easy for any taxi driver to bring you to the nearest one. You can spot them yourself as they are advertised with a bright neon sign, usually with something like "80,000VND - 1 giờ" which means here "80,000 VND per hour". They are normally open 24/7.

The hotel chain A25 mentioned above has an hourly rate as well as a daily rate.

Meeting Girls Before Arriving in Saigon:
If you visit Saigon alone or with some male friends, I recommend you to prepare your trip at least two weeks in advance. Vietnamese girls are not easy, so it can take some time before finding the right one.

- To start with, while still at home, use a dating site (for instance VietnamCupid) and set your location in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Match with as many girls as possible. Filter the conservative ones.
- Have a video call with your favorites.
- Plan your dates.

The reason I recommend VietnamCupid instead of Tinder is that girls there are usually OK to meet with guys who don't live in Vietnam. They want to marry with a foreigner, and eventually live in his home country. VietnamCupid is free to register, but it's best to pay for the premium version as it will give you access to all the features (including unlimited messaging).

There are other apps as well, you can read my guide online dating in Indonesia which is also relevant for Vietnam.

Top Nightclubs and Bars for Expats and Tourists
As of today, the best expat nightclubs / bars in Ho Chi Minh City are the following:

1) Glow
Impressive rooftop bar with great music and a very relaxed atmosphere. Many expats, among which 50% seem to be French.
Even though it is often unnecessarily pretentious, Chill Skybar remains a great place for a night out. With a magic view and a beautiful crowd, all you need to enjoy it fully is a 6 figure salary.

3) Lush
Lush is fun and an excellent place to meet Vietnamese girls. Many of those going to Lush are non prostitute and are looking to meet foreigners. On the downside, Lush's music is mostly mainstream and the service can be awful. It also attracts quite many backpackers.
In District 1, other popular nightclubs and bars among younger Expats are Snuffbox, Racha Room and Xu.

Hipsters and Alternative Nightlife in Saigon
The alternative scene is thriving in Saigon. Young, hipster-like expats will typically go to The Observatory. It is quite a cool place with top electronic music DJs. It is mostly crowded with white Europeans and Americans so you won't really feel you are in Vietnam at all.

Other alternative venues are The Lighthouse, Indika and Broma.
The Observatory
Best Vina House Nightclubs (local Vietnamese Clubs)
Rich Vietnamese will usually party between themselves in intimate, swanky clubs and bars with very few foreigners inside. Typically, they will buy huge bottles of premium alcohol, have insanely hot-looking girls with them, and stay in groups around a table. 

Vietnamese really know how to party so you will find a hell of an atmosphere in those places, with many drunk and stoned people going mental. In clubs like 02 Gold or DC, it seemed based on my observations that most clubbers were tripping on ecstasy or other drugs I'm not aware of. It is common to see someone who just passed out being evacuated by security.

In those Vietnamese clubs, you will notice that bouncers provide often over the top service. When you enter, they will escort you to a table, making you a way in the crowd as if you were some sort of high-profile VIP or celebrity. Of course, they expect generous tips for their services. The minute they understand you won't tip much even though you are white, they will most likely abandon you.

There is no sign in front of this club so it is a bit tricky to find. It has the reputation of being owned by the mafia and to be popular with recreative drugs users.

Young crowd, happening events including sexy dancers, male gogo, sumo fighting, etc. 

Sexy Dancers in 86
The Best Beer Bars in Saigon
Kingdom is the most popular beer bar in Saigon among the local elite. It is packed almost every day of the week starting 9pm. It can be difficult to get a table there if you are not a regular and if you are only spending a little money. For a guy, the best thing about Kingdom is to look at some of the most beautiful girls you will find in the city. Most are with boyfriends and friends though so it is not really a pick up place.
There are litteraly hundreds of beer bars in Ho Chi Minh, from low class to super high class. Some nice places that I have tried are Vuvuzela Beer bars (several locations, the most famous and popular beer bar chain in Vietnam) and Poc Poc Beer Garden in District 3.

Fox Beer Lounge is a new venue with great location, just a few hundred meters from Kingdom. It is more relaxed and easy-going.

Best Live Music Venues in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Saigon Bar (Caravelle Hotel)
Saigon Saigon Bar in Caravelle Hotel is another popular option. Though less fancy than Maxim's, it is just as expensive. They usually have a band from the Philippines singing Top 40 and famous songs. During the week, it can be quiet but you will see it full on weekend nights. It is partly in the open-air with a nice view of the opera.
Catwalk
Catwalk Club is part of the casino complex called International Tourist Club, just next to New World Hotel in Central HCMC. It is luxurious as well, but the crowd more Asian. They have a Cuban and Vietnamese band.
Other recommendations:
Live Jazz Music: Sax N'Art (Daily)
Live Latin Music: Pacharan
Live Rock and Top 40: Hard Rock Café HCMC
Alternative: Fenêtre Soleil or Fang Pub (local bands)

In almost all of Saigon's 5-star hotels, you will have some sort of live jazzy/piano music in the evening. This is particularly true in Grand Hotel, Park Hyatt, Sheraton, Intercontinental and Lotte Legend Hotel.

If you are interested in listening to live famous Vietnamese song, you can try The Hideout Club (16 Lê Quý Dôn, District 3).

After Hour Clubbing in HCMC

My biggest disappointment with Ho Chi Minh nightlife is that bars, clubs and pubs tend to close rather early. Past 3am, if you want your night out to continue, your options will be severely limited to some of the seediest clubs and bars in town.

These include the downtown hostess bars in the Hai Bai Trung street area (see below).

Apocalypse Now (often referred by its shortened name "Apo") is probably the best late night option though it is only open until 4am. Backpackers, expats and prostitutes rock the dancefloor of this rather old-style club. The music is not very sophisticated and you'll hear mostly famous hits.
At the heart of Saigon's backpacker district on De Tham Street, GO 2 bar and nightclub welcomes late clubbers until 6 or 7am. It is similar in style with Apocalypse, only smaller and with twice as many prostitutes and backpackers.

Picking Up Girls, Hostess Bars, Red Light Districts in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese girls are typically not "easy" to pick up.  Few accept the idea of a detached one-night stand with a stranger compared to girls you would meet in some other Southeast Asian countries. You will also notice that many Vietnamese girls are still living with their parents if they are not married yet.

If you are going out with the idea of finding a girl to sleep with for the night, your best chance is in Lush, Xu or Glow. In all these places, the women are interested to meet foreigners.  It will take a some charm, some luck and some convincing if you want something to happen though. Another option would be to try your luck with a foreign girl as there are quite many in the city either tourists or expats.
If you have no charm, no patience and no luck, you might be tempted to pay for sex. I don't know if prostitution is legal or not in Vietnam, but it is surely widespread.

In all Vietnamese nightclubs, the proportion of girls looking for money is very high. You rarely see a group of girls alone having fun and paying for their own drinks. More likely, you'll encounter groups of guys partying together with girls they have invited. Those can be girlfriends, mistresses or hostesses (rarely the wife). The 5-star hotels and casinos bars have a fair share of lady companions as well (Maxim's, Catwalk, Caravelle, etc).

In District 1, the red light district area is located near Ngô Văn Năm and Hai Bai Trung streets. It is not really hardcore compared to Bangkok for instance, and far more discreet. Places like Smileys or 29 are Vietnam's equivalent to Thailand's blowjob bars.

You also have milder hostess bars such as Voodoo next to Bitexco tower or The Office Bar (16 Huynh Thuc Khang District 1). Both usually close late. They have friendly waitresses who are not really prostitute but who might meet you after work. At the bar, they will just chat or play games (connect four in particular). You can reward them for the time spent with you by buying them ladies' drinks from which they get a percentage.
Gogo Dancers in The Office Bar
Coyote Dancing in Saigon's The Office
Sexy dancers in Voodoo Bar
Best Luxury Karaoke in Saigon

King Karaoke in Hai Bai Trung Street could be one of the most luxurious in Saigon. You will also find top notch karaoke rooms in most of the Vietnamese clubs listed above and in all the casinos.
A Room in King 2
There is also a huge number of Japanese and Korean KTVs in Saigon's Little Tokyo on Ngô Văn Năm street. Popular venues nearby are: Gion Lounge, Mermaid, Tre Bamboo, Himitsu, Mario Bar, Cherry Club, Cat's eye, Kin No Buta, Ko Ne Ko, AZ Honda Garu Japanese Lounge, Kawano Club, Saigon Infinity 888, Jumbo, Kaku Renbo, Thien Than Kiss and many more. The kind of service provided varies depending on the establishment and the girls. Some will only accompany you to sing or to drink, some may go back with you to your hotel, and some may do more in the privacy of the karaoke room. Stocking KTV (78 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1) is the most expensive of all. In there, you pay 150$ for a room + a lot of alcohol + a pretty girl who is wearing stockings. You can touch the girl but if you rip the stockings (while playing down), you must pay an extra 5$.

Two other recommendations for luxury KTVs in Saigon are Kingdom Karaoke and Avatar Karaoke.

Spas and Beauty Salons for Men in Ho Chi Minh City

You can read my complete guide: 25 Best Massage Parlours and Spas in Saigon.

Beauty Salons:
Le Duyen's beauty salons are a special breed of spas. Reserved for a male clientele (but not forbidden to women), you can get a massage, a haircut or a facewash. Each Le Duyen salon has around 20 beautiful therapists who will pamper you as if you were a king. Nothing sexual going on there, but it is certainly arousing.

There are 4 in Saigon. One of them is conveniently located downtown at 72 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh, District 1.

Spas ++:
In District 1, it is not hard to find dirty spas. You can try My Anh for instance also located in Truong Dinh Street, near Ben Thanh market. You can also go to the area between Le Than Ton street and Ngô Văn Năm street where half of the shops are either massage parlours with special services or hostess bars. A famous one is Tokyo Spa which is a favorite for Japanese men.

Outside of District 1, you can also get a massage plus plus (massage with handjob) in Star Hotel (204, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3), Lucky Massage in New Pacific Hotel (Ky Dong Street, District 3) or in Festival Massage (Cao Thang Street, District 3).

24-hour Massage Plus Plus (Happy Ending) in Saigon

Surprisingly, some naughty massage parlours in Ho Chi Minh City are opened non-stop 24-hour, everyday of the week.

Such places include Minh Tam 1 on Le Quy Don street (District 3), Minh Tam 2 (Binh Tan District) , Dai Nam (District 1) or Vien Dong Hotel next to the backpacker area in Pham Ngu Lao.

Ladies Nights in Saigon

Bars and Clubs are very generous with girls during Ladies Nights in Ho Chi Minh City. The best one is certainly the one in Lush on Tuesdays (Free Drinks for Girls until midnight). On that day, you will have an incredibly high ratio of women available per men.

Two other great Ladies Nights happen in Blanchy's Tash Bar (every Wednesday until Midnight, all you can drink mojitos) and in Fuse (every Wednesday as well, free drinks for ladies).

The Texas Beer Club has 3 ladies nights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Girls who aren't afraid of getting fat will get free beer until midnight.
Ladies Night in Blanchy's Tash Bar
Another cool and popular event is the Saigon Soul Pool Party (every saturdays during dry season only from November to May) at the New World Hotel. Don't be fooled by the pictures though, you have a LOT more guys than girls.

Gay Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
I am only aware of Centro lounge and bar at the moment, which is located just next to Caravelle Hotel in Lam Son Square. There used to be a place called GQ but it closed down in the beginning of the year.

A friend is supposed to update me on the other gay bars and clubs in Saigon so I'll update this page soon.

Top Sports Bars and Expat Bars
Australian-owned Phatty's Sports Bar and Grill is one of the best choices to watch sports and socialize with fellow expats in Saigon.

The hostess bars mentioned above (particularly The Office and Voodoo) are also popular.

Similar with Phatty's, I also enjoy the old-style Hien and Bob (43 Hai Bà Trưng) and Red Bar in front of the Bitexco tower.

If you want to watch sport with a 100% Vietnamese crowd, the go to Guru Sports Bar in District 3.
Guru Sports Bar in D3
One of Guru's cool waitresses

Best Rooftop Lounges in HCMC

There are several rooftop lounges in Saigon. I already talked about Glow and Chill Skybar, both of which are excellent, though pricey.

Similar to those places, you can try Shri (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai) and the trendy Social Club, on top of the MGallery hotel.
I also visited the lounge on top of the Bitexco tower, Eon 51, but it was poorly maintained and I cannot recommend it except for the view.

Other Saigon Nightlife Tips

Fruit baskets: In some clubs, the waiter will propose to bring you a plate of fruits when you order alcohol. Be careful as the price can be quite expensive. 
Partying in Groups: Vietnamese party in groups, around a table and a bottle. The concept of mingling and blending with strangers on a dance floor is foreign to them. They also don't expect to meet a girl in a club: Either they bring girls with them already or they pay for hostesses to accompany them. In many of these clubs, you must buy a bottle minimum to enter, for instance A.C.E in District 1.

Getting Around - Parking/Taxi/Motorbike -  Taxis are cheap, don't drive if you feel a bit tipsy. The Vinasun taxi company is the most recommended. You could also rent a motorbike for your night out for around 100,000 per day (go to Bui Vien's backpacker district to do so). Vietnamese drive recklessly but the traffic at night is quite easy to manage. When you park your motorbike, always make sure that the spot is guarded. You usually pay between 2,000 and 20,000 for parking.

Minimum age for clubbing: One of the most shocking thing i saw in Vietnam is how young some people are in clubs. It is a common sight to see 5-year old children sitting next to their partying parents. For this reason, I don't feel that the age limit actually mean something. You can probably drink in any nightclub at any age provided you have enough money.
Kids in nightclubs are a common sight in HCMC
Police Raids: As drug use seems pretty common in some clubs, the police raids them from time to time. They will also check if there is prostitution taking places. 02 Gold was raided several times but it is still there so I imagine that it is possible to bribe your way out. You can read more in this article: Police Raid Saigon Nightlife.

Safety: Being a foreigner in a Vietnamese club means you will be treated like royalty. Many people will be happy to see you and they will invite you to cheer with them. I would advise to remain discreet and careful though as a situation can go from good to bad in a few seconds only. In particular, always follow the rules and show respect to the bouncers. Never ever start a fight with a local. Be extra careful when flirting with a girl: Make sure she does not have a boyfriend nearby already.

Vietnamese Girls

Vietnamese Girls are probably among the hottest, most beautiful girls in the world. In general, they are open to meeting foreigners but those who don't speak English will be shy to start a conversation.

You will see a lot of stunners in luxury clubs. Feminine, tall, thin girls wearing designer clothes and expensive jewelry are legion. Surgery is surprisingly very common: In certain elite circles, there is nothing more ordinary than getting a boob job or a nose job.

Many Vietnamese girls look always neat: Eyebrows are trimmed in dedicated salons, hairs are plaited or made to look wavy, nails are perfectly manicured. They avoid the sun like the plague so their skin is more white than milk.

In spite of being rather conservative when it comes to sex, Vietnamese girls are not afraid of showing some legs and cleavage. Mini skirts and short dresses can be extremely sexy, even during the day.

Unfortunately, the prettiest Vietnamese girls can also be heartless gold diggers, especially if you've met them in luxury clubs or bars. If you are hoping to meet a future girlfriend, stay away from them and try your luck during the day in normal places.

A recommended way to pick up great girls in Saigon is to use online dating apps. You can read my review about Online Dating Apps and Websites for more information. I wrote it for Indonesia but it is also valid for meeting girls in Vietnam.

Conclusion

I tried to make this review of Saigon's nightlife as long and detailed as possible. I focused mainly on the nightlife of District 1 but there are many more clubs and bars in District 7, District 3 and elsewhere. The districts of Go Vap, Tan Binh, District 12 and Hoc Mon are also full of local nightclubs, karaokes, massage parlours and bars targeting the middle class.

Since the information provided on this report will most likely evolve, your help in keeping it updated will be much appreciated. Please don't hesitate to write a comment below if you can.

Photo credit: All photos were taken from the Facebook pages of the venues mentioned in the review.
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Hotels With Massage Parlours in Jakarta

May 24, 2018, 7:46 am
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Many of the Jakarta hotels listed on this review are hidden brothels with plus plus spas, karaoke and nightclubs inside.

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

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

You can also read my reviews:
18 Best Jakarta Hotels Near Nightclubs and Bars
16 Cheap Girl-Friendly Hotels in Jakarta
Best Apartments in Jakarta for Party

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

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

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

Grand Orchardz Rajawali in Kemayoran is the newest and most luxurious branch of the group. It has just opened in 2018. The spa will open in December only.

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

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

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

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

UPDATE 2016: You can now book online the famous Classic Hotel. It is only available on Agoda at the moment: Classic Hotel Jakarta.

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Olympic/Olimpic
In the heart of Lokasari's red-light district, Hotel Olympic is famous for having a VIP karaoke which is popular with high-ranking officials. One of the reasons is that it is very discreet as you can access it directly from the parking area. The hotel also has a massage parlour plus plus.
Book Now: Olympic Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You also have the C'One Hotel Plaza in Pulomas - Cempaka Putih and many hotels in Mangga Besar, for instance Hotel 55 and Hollywood Hotel. This area is probably the best if you are looking for girl-friendly or sex hotels in Jakarta. Their quality is low though and I would recommend booking a full night in a normal budget hotel instead as it would not be much more expensive.
Sexy therapist in B'Fashion Hotel & Spa
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Top 10 Striptease and Sexy Dancer Shows in Jakarta in 2018

July 1, 2018, 3:38 am
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Important Notice: Since November 2017, all nude dancing has temporarily ceased in Jakarta. Therefore, in all the venues listed below, there will be sexy dancers, but they will be wearing lingerie. If nudity comes back, I will let you know here. 

Yes, even in self-righteous Indonesia you will find more strip clubs and sexy dancers than in most other Asian countries. Sure Bangkok has its fair share of gogo bars, but women there rarely go full nude in public. In Jakarta, you have dozens of places with daily naked shows for a male public, obviously, to enjoy.

Remember that you are in Jakarta, not in Hollywood. Don't expect a spectacular striptease show with pole dancing, synchronized choreographies and splits, it is usually pretty basic. In most places, you can also book the stripper for a private dance and more depending on the size of your wallet. In all those places, the dancers usually try to get customers to buy them ladies' drinks after they've finished their routine. The price for a drink is between 50k and 100k. If you buy one, you will just get a thank you. If you buy at least 3, you will get a short lap dance. If you buy more than 3, you won't get much more. 

The huge majority of those venues are located in North and West Jakarta in the following districts: Kelapa Gading, Taman Anggrek, Taman Sari, Hayam Wuruk, Gadjah Mada, Mangga Besar, Lokasari. If you stay in Sudirman area, the closest ones will be about 5 kilometers away. Without traffic in the evening, it's a 15 minutes ride. 

Following a hard work of research and investigation, here is my list of the Top 10 Best Striptease and Sexy Dancer bars in Jakarta:

1) Tease Club (Full Nude)
Managed by Alex Tirta from Alexis Group. It may be the most sophisticated strip club to date in Jakarta in terms of costumes and choreography. They used to have a live sex show but it was probably too risky. Even corruption has its limits in Indonesia.

Recommended hotels nearby: Red Top and Alila Pecenongan are both walking distance from Tease Club and Emporium Spa.

2) Malioboro (Full Nude)
Managed by the biggest competitor of Alex Tirta in the naughty nightlife scene, the Stadium group. There are dancers in two areas, the Malio Club with about 8 to 10 girls dancing non stop, and the Malio Spa which is less busy.

Grand Mercure Kota is a 4-star hotel located just across Malioboro. You also have a nearby 3-star hotel, All Seasons Gajah Mada.

3) King Cross (Full Nude)
Managed by Stadium Group as well. Sexy dancers on two floors. The best ones are on the top floors. It is best to arrive early to avoid the crowd (like 10pm).

The closest hotel is the Santika Kelapa Gading (3 minutes by taxi).

4) Classic Hotel (Full Nude)
3 floors have dancers in Classic Hotel: On the ground floor, you have the best dancers but there is an entrance fee and the drinks are more expensive. On the 2nd floor and 5th floor, you have a basic dance show in two huge rooms (they are also called Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 as you are given a boarding pass upon exit). You should be aware that Classic is more a bordello than a bar.

Red Top and Alila Pecenongan are both 3 minutes away by taxi. Since August 2016, you can also book a night in Classic Hotel on Agoda.

5) Club 36 (Full Nude for Indonesian girls, Bikini for Thai Girls)
Wait another hour and you will have the dancers instead of the band
Club 36 is owned by Alex Tirta as well and it is located just next to Jayakarta Hotel. Intimate and usually crowded, you always have about 10 girls dancing on the main bar. It is the only place in Jakarta with Thai dancers.

Club 36 is located next to the Jayakarta Hotel. It is also near from the brand new Santika in Hayam Wuruk.

6) D's Place in Blok M (Bikini in Main Room, Full Nude in private)
D's Place is one of the oldest bars of Blok M. You have a main room with a podium in the middle where girls will do sexy dances in bikini. Those girls are usually quite young and pretty. You also have a more private room, the "corner bar", where you can get a private lap dance from older girls. You can actually get more than a lap dance: D's place could be considered as the only blowjob bar in Jakarta.

Jalan Falatehan, where D's Place is located, is close from Falatehan Hotel.

7) V2 (Full Nude) CLOSED
V2 is a small one stop entertainment complex located at the beginning of Gadjah Madah street. If you come from Sudirman, it is quite easy to find. Nothing really special compared to the places mentioned above. They have live music and topless DJ from Eastern Europe once in a while.

It is closest from Ibis Harmoni and Grand Mercure Kota.

8) Golden Crown (Topless)
Inside Golden Crown, you have a lounge with western music with sexy dancers during the week. You have a real hotel below the club that you can book here: Plaza Hotel Glodok.

9) Diamond (Full Nude) CLOSED
Diamond Club is a discreet venue located just between Harco Glodok and Lindeteves LTC Mall. Dancers go full nude.

Novotel Gajah Mada is located just accross from Diamond.

10) Sumo Spa (Full Nude or Topless, I'm not sure)
Sumo Spa in Kelapa Gading is also owned by the Stadium Group. They have a small lounge with dancers. It is located next to King Cross.

In case you need more addresses:

List of venues with non-nude sexy dancers:

Play Club in Hotel Alexis CLOSED

Dreams Club in Plaza Indonesia CLOSED: I didn't review it yet so I'll be interested to get more information. Apparently they have dancers/models from Eastern Europe.

108 Club (ex-Illigals) in Hayam Wuruk: They have regular events but no nude or topless dancing to my knowledge.

Flirt Bar in Fashion Hotel: Daily - They've had topless dancing on occasion and some Russian TDJ (Topless DJ)

Nebula: CLOSED

Sun City: Daily, during break time of the live band:

Other places with sexy dancers that didn't make the Top 10:
Comfort Spa in Mangga Dua
Galaxy Spa in Fatmawati (Owned by Delta Spa)
CDs Club by Delta Spa
M Star in Mangga Dua CLOSED
Top 1 Taman Anggrek
Newton in Lokasari
Fortune Spa in Sudirman
MTR in Kelapa Gading
Golden Hands Spa in Pluit

For the following places, I'm not sure if there are dancers or not, but it would not be surprising if they do:
Zen Karaoke in Thamrin
De Leila in Gatot Subroto
New Medika in Daan Mogot
Bandara in Taman Anggrek

I've probably forgotten a few places, please comment on this list of the best Strip Club and Sexy Dancer Show in Jakarta to help me keep it updated and accurate. Thanks!
Update May 2015: B'Fashion Hotel's club Oppai should be on top of this list: Oppai Club.

You can also check: 4 Best Gogo Bars in Bangkok with Nude Striptease.
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Tashkent Nightlife (Uzbekistan) - Best Bars and Clubs

October 7, 2018, 1:35 am
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As the most populous city in Central Asia (> 2 million people), Tashkent has a rather disappointing nightlife, especially when comparing with Almaty or Astana.

Still, it is decent enough for a few days of party while visiting Uzbekistan.

I have only spent a few days there, so this will be a short overview of the best bars and nightclubs. I noticed that venues open and close really fast, so make sure to check the Facebook or Instagram of the ones I list below. I invite you to leave a comment as well at the end of the article if there you have any updates.

Where to stay near the nightlife:
I would recommend staying near the Amir Temur Square, which is walking distance from the city's most interesting avenue, Sailgokh Street (also called Broadway Street). Since hotels there are expensive, you can also choose a location a bit further away near the metro stations Abdulla Qodiriy or Minor.

The best hotels in terms of comfort and location in Tashkent are the following:
- Under 50$ per night: Minor Hotel
- Under 80$ per night: Grand Capital Hotel
- Under 100$ per night: Navruz Hotel
- Under 200$ per night: Wyndham Hotel and Lotte Hotel (it has a bar, see below)
- More than 200$ per night: Hyatt Regency (it has a bar, see below)

Hotels in Tashkent are generally NOT girl-friendly. The ones that allow girls to be taken to the hotel are Hotel Uzbekistan, Le Grande Plaza Hotel and City Palace Hotel (it has a bar, Eleven). They are all centrally-located, but they have rather poor ratings on Booking.com or Agoda.

Hotel Uzbekistan is popular among Indian and Turkish tourists visiting Tashkent for prostitution. It seems they even have working girls on-site.

Another option is to rent an apartment on Airbnb. You will get much more freedom this way. Just choose an apartment near Amir Temur Square. The owner of the place will have to register you to the police, so make sure he is taking care of that.

If you are new to Airbnb, register using this link and you'll get 40$ discount on your first booking (in Uzbekistan or elsewhere in the world)

What to expect:

When to Party?
As far as I know, the nightlife is rather dead on weekdays. Just focus on weekends, especially on Fridays.

If you don't have the choice to party during the week, try Steam Bar or Onemore.

Dress Code
As a foreigner, you can get in every bar easily, even with short pants and sandals. However, in clubs with "face control/dress control", you should wear pants and shoes. It easy to do so during winter, but harder during summers as it can get annoyingly hot. Check my mini-reviews of each club for more information about the dress code.

Cost of Partying
Tashkent has become a relatively cheap nightlife destination, particularly after the Uzbek Som, the national currency, was heavily devaluated in 2017 (it lost more than half its value). Bring dollars, and you will get an even better rates reselling them on the street than in ATMs.

A two-course dinner in a westernized restaurant is about 10-15$. A 10-minute taxi ride is about 3$. A beer will usually cost between 1$ and 3$. A cocktail between 3$ and 6$. The most expensive entrance fee I had for a club was 10$ on a weekend. Overall, I would say that 60$ for a night out is more than enough.

Meeting Girls
There are very few foreigners in the clubs and bars of Tashkent and for this reason, you should get plenty of attention.

I found Uzbek girls to be friendly and warm, just like their male counterparts to be honest. I did have a problem with the language, though, as I do not speak any words of Russian. This meant I could only communicate with a tiny portion of the population.

Uzbek girls are quite mixed ethnically, and they may look Arabic, Asian, Turkish, Russian, or a combination of those. Here are a few examples:

They tend to be conservative, especially the younger ones who have never been married and who still live with their parents. I would say that those are almost impossible to get unless you plan on marrying them.

Your best bet is to go with women in their late 20s or 30s, divorcees or single moms, who are more relaxed about having fun. You can meet them in clubs, but be careful as some may be escorts/prostitutes/semi-pros. An easier way is to use online dating apps like Tinder or Mamba (if you speak Russian).

Best Bars and Nightclubs:
You can click on the name of the club/bar to check their social media page. Make sure that the places are still open before heading there. 
Bar/lounge in Central Tashkent. Hipster design with a square bar on one side and a small dancefloor on the other side. Rather crowded party place on weekends so the bouncer will not let everyone inside (face control). Trendy and upmarket crowd, fun to hang out with. Music is a mix of house/rap/Rn'B. Some sexy dancers and bar flairing. Prices are reasonable at around 5 dollars for cocktails. Check Instagram for events.

Near Onemore, Steam is a beautiful bar with a futuristic punk theme (think Mad Max). Daily live band playing famous songs (international and local hits). Craft beer on tap. Easygoing and laidback crowd. Some foreigners. A good spot to meet girls. See more on Instagram.

One of the oldest clubs in Tashkent still operating today. It is a restaurant that becomes a club later in the evening (after 11pm). DJs or live music are playing, depending on the night. Even though it calls itself an after-party bar, it is busiest around 1pm, then closes at 3-4am. On normal days, you will have to pay a 6$ entrance fee (with drink). If a famous DJ is playing, it can reach 15$. Check events on Instagram.

7 Fridays (Семь Пятниц)
A popular local restaurant with a different live band every night. The crowd is diverse and includes people from every age group. Check their bands on Instagram.

The Bar Speakeasy
This is the bar of the 5-star hotel Lotte. A rather quiet place with soft music. Good cocktails. Girls look very pretty, but they might be escorts/prostitutes. 4-6 dollars per drinks. Instagram: TBSE.

Chelsea" is your not-so-typical Uzbek "British" pub with a quaint interior design, Western and local food, imported beers and sports channels on TV. It doesn't get too crowded but it is still recommended if you're desperate to meet other foreigners.

A similar place is the Irish Pub, which has some expat regulars:

The Time Bar
An upmarket bar/restaurant/club, a bit out of the center, with regular theme nights and pretty hostesses. Face control.

A rather local place with affordable prices, located in the north of Tashkent. Face control. Some hot girls inside, Russian type. Sexy dancers on weekends at least.

Sette Bar
This rooftop bar/restaurant serves Italian food and it is part of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. A bit overpriced, but nice enough for a date or dinner before party. Live music. More pics on Instagram.

Eleven
This nightclub, located in the City Palace Hotel is only open on weekends from 11pm to 6am. Face control/dress control. Many hookers and escorts. Sexy dancers/striptease shows (no nude). Upbeat music.

A similar nightclub with sexy ladies, gogo dancers and DJ is Bar Boss (RAЙ Night Club), in south Tashkent:

Koreana Club
I didn't visit this place as it is not in the city center. From what I understand, it seems popular with Uzbeks from Asian ethnicity. There is also a karaoke attached to it.

More Nightlife in Tashkent
Other nightclubs and bars you may want to check: Prince, Black Rose, Fifty Bar, Hammersmith Craft Beer, X Club.
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Dhaka Nightlife (Bangladesh): Best Bars and Clubs

October 11, 2018, 1:51 am
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As you would expect, Dhaka nightlife is far from being interesting, mainly because alcohol sale is very restricted. That's easily understandable considering Bangladesh is a country both conservative and Muslim.

Poor and middle-class Bangladeshis will very rarely party, and if they do (for instance at weddings), there won't be any alcohol. Some members of the elite might be more open-minded, but they will prefer drinking discreetly at home or inside private clubs. The richest will just fly to nearby countries for short holidays.

There are also very few tourists visiting the country apart from adventurous backpackers.

As a result, there is not a real nightlife scene in Dhaka, nor in any other cities like Chittagong or Cox's Bazar.

Partying and drinking is not completely impossible, though. For foreigners, there are still a few options to have fun, mainly at hotel bars and private clubs.

Nightlife in Dhaka 

Where to Stay in Dhaka Near the Nightlife?
If you are an expat, the most interesting location will be in the districts of Gulshan-2 or Gulshan-1, near the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton or near the High Commission of Pakistan.

Alternatively, you can also check the adjacent areas of Banani and Baridhara.

In the South, you have some neighborhoods that have independent bars. This location is closer to the city's main tourist attractions as well. Have a look at hotels that are within a few kilometers of the University of Dhaka.

Member-Only Clubs in Dhaka
Party in International Club
These social clubs are a great ways to meet people and spend a relaxing time while in Dhaka. They will always have a swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant, and a bar serving alcohol.

This option is reserved for expatriates since you need to be a member (or be invited by one) to access most of them. Being approved in the most exclusive ones can be difficult because they usually have quotas. You'll also need to pay a rather expensive price (on average registration will be about 500$-1000$, then a monthly fee of 100$-200$).

Some of the most famous clubs in Dhaka are:

One of the best clubs in Dhaka, with a more international vibe. The main issue is that it is quite pricey: They have permanent or 3-month memberships. The permanent is quite difficult to get and it is expensive (1000$ + 150$ per month). The 3-month one is 600$ and easy to obtain.

Bhaga stands for British Aid Guest House Association. It is the second British club (after the more snobbish British High Commission Club) and open to non-British citizens. The price is reasonable and the atmosphere laid-back.

This club is accessible to visitors if they speak Dutch or if they are Dutch.

For expats from Scandinavian countries. Reputed for its food.

Other Expat clubs:
German Club, Canadian Club, Australian Club.

Clubs for rich Bangladeshis:
Dhaka Club, Gulshan Club, Uttara Club

Another way to meet expats (and drink) is to join the Dhaka Hash House Harriers.

Note: When you join a club, you will generally be admitted to the bars, restaurants and parties of the other clubs as well. In each one, there will be a billboard with the upcoming events. You can find something interesting at least every week.

Hotel Bars in Dhaka
If you want to drink and party in Dhaka, the easiest way is to go to one of the city's hotel bars. This is especially true if you are only visiting for a few days and you cannot get a membership to a private club.

You should really lower your expectations regarding what to expect from a bar in Bangladesh. Don't imagine you will have a wild party, meet friends and get some pretty girls' numbers.

What is most likely to happen is that you will be drinking in an almost empty bar, poorly designed and decorated, with possibly a few aged hookers looking at you. Prices are very high, and you have a 35% tax and service charge added to your total bill. On average, any drink will cost you 10$-15$.

Here are some of Dhaka's most recommended hotel bars:

Club 13 at Regency Hotel
On the 13th floor of this luxury hotel, you will find one of the most famous bars of Dhaka. It has a live band with a DJ, a fair selection of pricey drinks, and some prostitutes.

Prego Bar at Hotel Westin
View from Prego Rooftop Bar
Prego is the fine dining Italian restaurant on the 23rd floor of the Westin hotel. It has a live music band, usually imported from the Philippines, that plays every night from 10pm to 1am. The rooftop outdoor area has a nice view of Dhaka. You'll pay about 30 USD for a main course and 15 USD per alcoholic drinks.

Gentleman’s Rest Bar in Hotel 71
A more affordable hotel bar with a 20% discount during happy hours (3pm to 7pm). It closes at 1am.

Blaze Bar at Radisson Blu Water Garden
Very quiet bar with a live band.

Pacific Avenue Sports Bar at Pan Pacific Sonargaon
This bar has just opened in September 2018. It promises to be the best place in Dhaka to watch any sports (football, rugby, formula 1, AFL, cricket, etc).

Two more 5-star hotels have bars serving alcohol: Le Méridien and the brand-new Intercontinental.

Some less luxurious hotels also have a café/bar serving alcohol but they are generally not very busy. For instance: Hotel Sarina (famous for prostitution), Sweet Dreams Hotel, Best Western La Vinci.

Local Bars and Restaurants in Dhaka
Outside Sakura Bar
Independent bars will generally be cheaper than hotel bars or club bars, but their overall condition might be depressing for most foreigners. Women are normally excluded and you are at risk of drinking fake alcohol.

There are only a few that are considered relatively safe (type their names on Google Map to find the exact location):

- La Diplomat in Gulshan 1 serves beers for less than 3$ and imported spirits for 4$ a glass.
- Sakura Bar
- Bluemoon Recreation Club

Buying Alcohol in Dhaka
The cheapest alcohol you'll drink in Dhaka is the one you buy at the airport's duty free shop before or after arriving in the country.

If one bottle is not enough, you have a small number of alcohol shops in Dhaka, called diplomatic warehouses. They are reserved to foreigners so you need to bring your passport to access them (also a couple of photos). The most famous one is H. Kabir, in the Mohakali district (Phone number: +880 2 9881938-9). You can also try Sabir Traders. Prices are about 30% to 50% higher than in Europe.

Massage Parlors and Spa in Dhaka
Surprisingly, there are some men's massage parlours in Dhaka that provide sexual services. A few of the famous ones are Divine, Seven Doors, Avera, Aroma, Gulshan Spa (Navana Tower). I didn't try any of these. It seems police raids against those prostitution venues are not uncommon.

Nightlife in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar Bars
In Cox's Bazar, the best option for drinking alcohol is to go to the bar at the Sayeman Beach Resort. A few other hotels have quiet bars, such as the Long Beach and the Sea Crown.

You could also try Galaxy 8 bar which has recently opened.

Chittagong Bars
Baikal Bar in Chittagong
Nightlife in Chittagong is a bit better than in Cox's Bazar, which isn't saying much.

There are a few member-only clubs you can go to, particularly the Chittagong Club (upmarket) and the Chittagong Seniors Club

Among the hotel bars, my first recommendation would be Baikal Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel which as a rather large selection of spirits. A Heineken beer can there will cost you 10$ including tax and service. It is a modern club, unfortunately quite empty.

The other hotels that have decent bars are the Peninsula and the Agrabad.
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Gravity Sky Lounge and Bar (Makassar)

October 11, 2018, 8:59 pm
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Gravity Lounge in Makassar is probably the best rooftop bar in the city. It is on the 20th floor of the Swiss-Belhotel, a 4-star hotel that I recommend for nightlife lovers as it is also next to Zona Café.

It usually get busy around sunset time with people who come to enjoy the 180° view over the harbor and the city. The sky changes every day, but if you are lucky enough you might be able to see this:
After the sunset, it is worth staying in the lounge to listen to the live band, starting at 9PM. Most often, they will sing pop and Top 40 songs, both in English and in Indonesian. The sound is much better than elsewhere as they use a glass box. On Saturday, they even have two bands playing until 2AM. About once a month, they will also invite a famous local artist or organize a bigger special event.
Live jazz behind the glass box in Gravity Sky Lounge
Their current promotions are very interesting:
- Monday: Free flow of light food from 7PM to 9PM
- Tuesday: Jazz nights (buy 1 bottle of wine get a free cheese platter)
- Wednesday: Free flow tequila from 8PM to 10PM (for FREE!)
- Thursday: All-you-can-drink cocktails from 8PM to 10PM for IDR128,000 Net/person
- Sunday: Jazz brunch from 11AM to 3PM.

The restaurant serves the usual favorites: Steaks, Burgers, Pizzas, Salads, Pasta, as well as some Indonesian dishes (Sop Buntut, Nasi Goreng). Expect to pay between IDR100,000 net and IDR250,000 net for a main course.

The prices at the bar are a bit above the average for Makassar, but still affordable for Jakarta standards. A small beer bottle will cost you around IDR45,000 net and a basic cocktail around IDR125,000 net.
Of course, since the schedule will probably change, don't forget to check their Instagram account for the latest updates (see below).

Gravity Sky Lounge - Bar and Restaurant
20th Floor of Swiss-Belhotel Makassar,
Jalan Ujung Pandang No. 8
Makassar 90111, South Sulawesi

Phone number: +62 (0) 411 369 0000
Whatsapp: 089655739534
Email: graphicsbmk@swiss-belhotel.com

Website: Gravity Sky Lounge Makassar
Instagram: Gravity Sky Bar Makassar

Opening Hours:
Every day from 2PM to 2AM
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Karachi Nightlife (Pakistan): Bars, Clubs, Alcohol

October 16, 2018, 2:54 am
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Karachi is an enormous city, the largest in Pakistan, and yet it has a poorer nightlife than most small towns in Europe.

There are no nightclubs, no public bars serving alcohol, and the sale of alcohol is highly restricted.

Pakistanis will tell you that behind closed doors, there are plenty of secret parties and underground clubs, but I was not connected enough to find out if this is true or not.

If you are an expat living in Pakistan, or if you have high-level local friends, you might be able to access those. If you do, please don't hesitate to share your experience with us in the comment section below.

For the rest of us, tourists and temporary visitors, we have to rely on a handful of cafés, bars and restaurants, with only a few that allow alcohol.

Karachi Bars and Cafés (No Alcohol)
If you don't mind not drinking alcohol, there are several trendy cafés, restaurants and bars in Karachi where you can socialize with upper-class Pakistanis.

Since new places open and close fast, you may want to check the following Facebook group for the latest updates: SWOT's Restaurant Guide Karachi.

Where to Listen to Live Music:

Base Rock Cafe
Live music café hosting young local artists. Open mic nights.

The Second Floor (T2F)
Jam sessions, traditional musicians, movie nights.

Stars Club
Musical and cultural hub with various events every week: Karaoke, live bands, movies, etc.

Nice Upscale Restaurants

Kolachi
#1 on TripAdvisor. Nice atmosphere by the seafront. Shisha available.

The Valley
Upscale restaurant, popular for group parties (birthdays, celebrations, etc). Shisha.

Karaokes

Cafe Haze

Where to Watch Football/Sports Bar

Sports Lounge

Foreign Cultural Centers
The Foreign Cultural Centers of France, Germany and the USA sometimes have interesting events where you can meet expats and Westernized Pakistanis:

Alliance Française
Goethe Institut
Pakistan American Cultural Center

Hotel Bars in Karachi With Alcohol
The easiest way to drink alcohol in Karachi is to choose a hotel with a bar that has a license to sell alcohol. Only a handful do, such as:

Pearl Continental Hotel
Also called PC, it is the best place in Karachi to enjoy a beer or a cocktail. You can drink in several locations: In their steakhouse Jason's, in the rooftop restaurant Sakura Sushi, on the second floor sports club, and of course in your room. The restaurant Chandni has live music

Alcohol is served in the room as well as in the restaurant Dumpukht (Pakistani food with sometimes live music). Nadia Coffee Lounge may also have a live band.

Ramada Plaza:
This hotel serves beer in the guest rooms and in the swimming pool's BBQ area.

This hotel serves alcohol in the rooms.

Beach Luxury Hotel
This hotel has live music occasionally and it serves alcohol in its rooms.

Movenpick
Fanoos Restaurant has live music.

Restaurants Where Alcohol Is Permitted
Below is a list of restaurants in Karachi where alcohol is permitted. Some will serve alcohol as long as you have your passport with you, while others will allow you to bring your own bottle of wine/beer. Make sure there is no label on it so the other guests won't be able to see what you are drinking. 

French restaurant. Serves wine.

French restaurant inside the Alliance Française.

Expensive fine dining restaurant. You can bring your own bottle.

Cafe Aylanto
This elite restaurant allows guests to bring their own bottles. Just mention it to the waiters so they can sit you in a more discreet area.

European style bistro.

Buying Alcohol in Karachi
Non-Muslims in Pakistan are allowed to buy certain quantities of alcohol every month. That's about 3% of the population, or 6 million people. Actually, you might be surprised to know that a local alcohol manufacturer, Murree Brewery, is one of Pakistan's most successful companies.

Legal and black market spirit shops are quite common in Karachi, especially in the affluent neighborhoods of Clifton and Defence. Many will sell to Muslims as well, without asking for any form of identification.

A can of beer is relatively expensive, though, at about 2.50 USD per bottle. This has made alcohol a sort of status symbol among the elite, which differentiates itself from the rest of the population by serving alcohol at dinners or parties.
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