This is my updated ranking of the best bars in Jakarta (2021).
Because of COVID-19, many venues have closed down, permanently or temporarily, but the majority of them are still open. Even better, I have added quite a few names here such as Caspar, Chao Chao, Holywings, and Black Pond Tavern. I'm sure there are plenty more that I forgot so don't hesitate to drop me a message/comment with your recommendations.
For more information about where to party in Jakarta, you can also read:
10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta
Jakarta Nightlife Guide
Best Beer Garden and Beer Houses in Jakarta
Best Expat Bars in Jakarta
10 Best Nightclubs in Jakarta
Jakarta Nightlife Guide
Best Beer Garden and Beer Houses in Jakarta
Best Expat Bars in Jakarta
Basque is not the most impressive or the most beautiful bar in Jakarta, but it is the most happening at the moment.
This is especially true on Friday and Saturday when the dancefloor gets so packed you can barely move a finger. On those days, there is a first-drink-charge of about IDR200,000 if you come after midnight.
Many customers are foreigners, either expats or tourists, and there are also a fair amount of Indonesian girls. Many are just office girls who want to have fun, but there are some "professional girlfriends" as well (the kind you would meet on the dating site Seeking.com).
The music is usually a mix of famous pop, rock and hip-hop songs.
On weekdays, from Sunday to Thursday, it is much quieter. Then, the focus is on the restaurant, which serves Spanish food from the Basque region, and Tapas. It's still fine for a drink, but don't expect a party vibe.
This is especially true on Friday and Saturday when the dancefloor gets so packed you can barely move a finger. On those days, there is a first-drink-charge of about IDR200,000 if you come after midnight.
Many customers are foreigners, either expats or tourists, and there are also a fair amount of Indonesian girls. Many are just office girls who want to have fun, but there are some "professional girlfriends" as well (the kind you would meet on the dating site Seeking.com).
The music is usually a mix of famous pop, rock and hip-hop songs.
On weekdays, from Sunday to Thursday, it is much quieter. Then, the focus is on the restaurant, which serves Spanish food from the Basque region, and Tapas. It's still fine for a drink, but don't expect a party vibe.
Instagram: Basque
Opened in early 2017, Léon is a serious competitor to Basque, but it attracts mostly rich Indonesians instead of foreigners. It actually consists of two venues:
- The main one: A massive square room with a high ceiling, a long bar and a garden, is open to anyone (as long as you dress properly)
- The second one, smaller, is a member-only speakeasy.
To enjoy Léon, it is much better to book a table ahead and to buy a few bottles.
- The main one: A massive square room with a high ceiling, a long bar and a garden, is open to anyone (as long as you dress properly)
- The second one, smaller, is a member-only speakeasy.
To enjoy Léon, it is much better to book a table ahead and to buy a few bottles.
Instagram: Léon
Henshin
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This rooftop bar on top of the Westin Hotel is one of the most expensive in the city, but also one of the most classy. Superb atmosphere and view, with a fantastic service. Not too crowded, probably because of the price.
Henshin
Instagram: Henshin
The most famous rooftop in Jakarta. The view is not as good as in Cloud but the atmosphere is less "corporate/expat" and more relaxed. A must for tourists. Strict dress code in evenings: No shorts.
Instagram: SKYE
Instagram: SKYE
Lucy in the Sky started as a laid-back, unpretentious open-air café. Today it is a hip bar, rather expensive, attracting all the cool kids in the capital. Recommended if you are 20-25 years old hipster. Entrance fee of IDR150,000 on weekends.
Instagram: Lucy in The Sky
Instagram: Lucy in The Sky
Walking distance from Basque, Loewy has lost some of its customers in the past year. It is still happening though, and a great place to eat casual French food and to hang out any day of the week. If you are alone in Jakarta, the bar area is an easy place to socialize, especially with foreigners living in Mega Kuningan.
Instagram: Loewy
Instagram: Loewy
Caspar (Sudirman)
This Spanish restaurant is great for having a drink. It has a whisky and cigar bar in its mezzanine, as well as a garden. Late in the evening, on weekends, it turns into a club with a DJ and a packed dancefoor.
Instagram: Caspar
Slowly becoming one of the oldest bars in Jakarta, EP is a hangout for the expat crowd in Kemang. Very large with several rooms (restaurant, sports bar, pool tables, beer garden with live music), it manages to be busy every night.
From the same group, you can also check their sister properties, all part of the Bugil's Group: Cazbar (Mega Kuningan), Double Doors (Puri Indah), De Hooi (Pondok Indah), and De Burse (SCBD).
Website: Bugils Group
Black Pond Tavern
This Deep South-themed bar is located inside a wooden cabin in the Maj (Senayan Golf Club). Quite unexpected for Jakarta and worth trying for those looking to experience something different.
Instagram: Black Pond Tavern
Chao Chao
This rooftop bar on top of the Alila Hotel SCBD replaced Hakkasan after it closed in 2020. It is an expensive place with only a tiny bar area. Most customers are required to book sofas (2,5M of minimum spend for 4 people). The view is ok but not exceptional. Good electronic music.
Instagram: Chao Chao
Some people prefer BATS, some people prefer CJs. Both are quite similar if not identical: They are 5-star hotel bars with imported live bands and a crowd of husbands having fun away from home. Recommended for older visitors/businessmen who not too comfortable exploring the city. Both are very pricey. Beware as they both have many working girls inside.
Websites: BATS and CJs
Social House
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Cork & Screw
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There are 3 Cork & Screw in Jakarta, but the only one I've been to recently is the Pacific Place's branch. This wine lounge and restaurant is possibly the busiest nightlife spot in the whole mall, even more than Hard Rock Café. Most customers are wealthy Indonesian-Chinese in large groups. You can also buy wine bottles.
Facebook: Cork & Screw
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Also a restaurant/café, Union is very popular with a diverse crowd, from office workers to socialites. Recommended for after-work drinks or for first-time dates (easy to find). It's better to make advance reservation as it is often full.
Websites: BATS and CJs
Social House
The restaurant and bar Social House is not a really exceptional place, but it has such a strategic location within Grand Indonesia that I often end up there by convenience. Average food but a wide selection of drinks and wine. It is normally crowded every day. Nice view of Bunderan Hotel Indonesia.
Instagram: Social House
Cork & Screw
Facebook: Cork & Screw
There are now several locations in Jakarta apart from the original branch in Senayan: In PIK Avenue, in Pondok Indah Mall and in Mall Kelapa Gading 3.
Instagram: Union
Instagram: Union
Holywings
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| The New Holywings Dragon Club in PIK |
This is a chain of bars and clubs that you can now find everywhere in Jakarta: PIK, Epicentrum, Mega Kuningan, Kemang, Senopati, Kelapa Gaging, Senayan, etc. The full list is available here.
I don't really understand what makes them so popular. The ones I've been to were messy, with appalling service, and not even so cheap. They had average live bands (singing mostly Indonesian songs), and the air was so full of smoke that it was unbreathable.
The crowd is mostly Indonesian, middle to upper class, and young. Not many foreigners.
Instagram: Holywings Indonesia
Camden is very popular and busy almost any day of the week. They have an outside beer garden and an indoor area. Cheap prices, perfect for students or backpackers.
Instagram: Camden
Beer Hall (SCBD)
Instagram: Beerhall
Flow
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Discreet but sleek lounge with large bay windows overlooking the Mega Kuningan roundabout. Popular with girls more than guys. Not too crowded but fine for chilling. DJs or live music from Wednesday to Saturday.
Instagram: Flow
McGettigans
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This expat bar is part of the famous International chain of Irish bars of the same name (they also have branches in Singapore, Dubai, New York, etc). Modern, with affordable food and drinks, perfect for watching sports.
Instagram: McGettigans
McGettigans
Instagram: McGettigans
J. Sparrows
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J. Sparrows is a busy bar and grill in the basement of Noble House building (the same as Basque). Nice interior design (1930s Art Deco). I recommend it for a date.
Facebook: J. Sparrow
Pao Pao
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Located in Senopati, Pao Pao is a narrow restaurant (serving dim-sun) and bar (mostly whiskeys and rums). 1930's Shanghai interior design with a dim red light atmosphere. It is usually quite full with Indonesian customers.
Instagram: Pao Pao
Recently renovated, Safehouse is a small bar/club/restaurant catering to a small community of trendy expats and upper-class Indonesians. It used to focus on electronic music, but now they have more eclectic events (hip-hop, old school, new wave, etc). Also serves healthy food.
Instagram: The Safehouse
Instagram: The Safehouse
Paulaner Brauhaus
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The famous chain of German restaurant is just above Social House in Grand Indonesia Mall. Live music every night and the famous Paulaner beer on tap.
Website: Paulaner Brauhaus
Bluegrass
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Popular steakhouse with a long bar. Quite many foreigners as it is centrally located near Epicentrum mall.
Instagram: Bluegrass
Beer Garden
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A group of affordable beer gardens with 3 locations in Jakarta: Radio Dalam, Kemang and SCBD. Usually, they are happening every night.
Website: Paulaner Brauhaus
Bluegrass
Instagram: Bluegrass
Beer Garden
Because of COVID-19, the branches in Radio Dalam and Kemang are now closed.
Instagram: Beer Garden
Queen's Head
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One of the best venues in Kemang to have drinks. Beautiful design, delicious food and an interesting crowd.
Facebook: Queen's Head
Liquid Exchange
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The closest bar from the Taman Rasuna apartment complex (at least 18 towers), it is generally busy all week long. Indoor and outdoor area. Nothing special but good enough for an affordable drink while watching sports or listening to live music. Same owner as the expat bar Aphrodite (200 meters away).
Instagram: Liquid Exchange
Instagram: Beer Garden
Queen's Head
Facebook: Queen's Head
Liquid Exchange
Instagram: Liquid Exchange
Halfway
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From the same owner behind Camden, this is another student bar with very cheap prices (IDR25,000 for a beer during happy hour from 5 PM to 8 PM). Cheerful, yet messy, atmosphere. Located in Gandaria.
Instagram: Halfway (they also have a branch in Puri Indah now).
Instagram: Halfway (they also have a branch in Puri Indah now).
The Hard Rock Café in Jakarta is just outside the mall Pacific Place, 50 meters from the main entrance. It looks modern and it is spacious, with a large stage for bands to perform. Not as packed as the Balinese branch, especially during weekdays, and a bit touristy (popular with out-of-town Indonesians).
Instagram: Hard Rock Café
Mixology
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If you are in PIK, Mixology is one of most happening bars in the area. It serves Soju, which is popular among the young Indo-Chinese community in Jakarta. Not suitable if you come alone, bring at least a friend.
Instagram: Mixology
Melly's Garden
Instagram: Melly's Garden
Greyhound
Part of the Arena group (Seribu Rasa, Penang Bistro, Hacienda), Greyhound is a fusion Thai/Western café centrally located in Grand Indonesia. During daytime, it is a perfect hangout spot to meet friends while in the evening, it is more like a stylish lounge, ideal for a date.
They now also have a branch in Gunawarman.
Instagram: @greyhoundcafe.id
Cloud Lounge (Currently closed)
Another rooftop near SKYE in the Plaza Building (Plaza Indonesia). It is conveniently located in the heart of the city and it offers fantastic views of Jakarta by day or by night. Below Cloud, you'll find some chic but expensive restaurants (Gaia, Salt Grill, etc). It used to be my favorite bar but it has become a bit touristy and their prices have jumped 30% last year.
Facebook: Cloud
Prohibition (Temporarily Closed)
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The original 1930s' speakeasy bar in Jakarta. It has a secret entrance leading to an intimate bar with live jazz every night. Great atmosphere.
Instagram: Prohibition Jakarta
Instagram: Prohibition Jakarta
The Dutch (Temporarily Closed)
Owned by the same people behind Union, The Dutch is a restaurant specializing in cold cuts and sausages. After 10 PM, the music gets louder and you start to see a crowd of drinkers at the bar. Live music on Friday.
Instagram: The Dutch
Underground speakeasy bar with a hipster theme (if that's a thing). Young, artsy crowd. Busy only when they have events.
Website: Lola
Proof (Temporarily Closed)
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Missing a Bar?
Another elite speakeasy bar with live music and a hidden entrance. Next to the Senayan Golf Course.
Instagram: Proof
Aphrodite (Temporarily Closed)
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An expat bar near Taman Rasuna. Dozens of TV screens on which you can catch any sporting events. Pool tables. Good value Western food.
Facebook: Aphrodite
Facebook: Aphrodite
Vin + (Temporarily Closed)
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A group of wine lounges with four locations in Kemang, Senayan, Central Park and Pondok Indah. It never gets crazy but it is fine for sharing a few bottles of wine with a group of friends.
Instagram: Vin +
Instagram: Vin +
Motion Blue (Closed Temporarily)
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Jazz bar featuring different artists every week. Entrance fee around IDR150,000 inclusive of one drink. Check their Facebook for the updated event schedule.
Facebook: Motion Blue
Facebook: Motion Blue
Burgundy (Temporarily Closed)
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Burgundy bar in the Hyatt Hotel (Plaza Indonesia) is generally quiet, but I really enjoy it simply to look at the view of Thamrin/Sudirman. Live low-key music.
Website: Burgundy
Parc 19 (Temporarily closed)
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Website: Burgundy
Parc 19 (Temporarily closed)
Same owner as Léon, Parc19 is a restaurant and bar in Kemang with live music or DJs depending on the day of the week. I find it expensive.
Instagram: Parc19
Instagram: Parc19
If you think a bar should be included here, please drop me a comment and I will visit the place (if I haven't done it already).
Photo source: All of them were taken from the Facebook/Instagram of the venues mentioned. If you want one to be removed, just ask me!
Photo source: All of them were taken from the Facebook/Instagram of the venues mentioned. If you want one to be removed, just ask me!