Indonesia Nightlife: 12 Best Cities for Partying

I've partied in all the major cities in Indonesia (as well as in much smaller ones!) so I thought it could be useful to summarize everything I've learned in one article. Hopefully it will give you ideas for your next trip!

Without further ado, please find below the 12 best cities/regions for nightlife in Indonesia:

Jakarta is without any doubt the best city for partying in Indonesia. There are at least 20 decent nightclubs, more than 100 bars, and thousands of restaurants. The mindset is also quite liberal (at least in the upper class) and you'll find some wild venues like no other in the country (strip clubs, luxury massage parlors, etc). Since most of the clubbers are expats or wealthy Indonesians, you'll need to dress up and to spend quite a lot to have fun. If you are looking forward meeting beautiful women, Jakarta is fantastic too.

→ Most recommended venues: Jenja, Immigrant, Dragonfly, X2, Basque

→ Where to stay near the nightlife: Near Jalan Sudirman, near Sarinah or near Plaza Indonesia

Read more: Jakarta Nightlife Guide

South Bali
The South Bali region, from Kuta to Canggu and including Legian, Denpasar, Sanur and Seminyak, is a fun playground for party-goers. Each city has its own crowd: Young tourists in Kuta, regulars in Seminyak, expats in Canggu, Indonesians in Denpasar and older people in Sanur. It is a more laid-back and diverse than Jakarta, and naturally, it is mostly targeting foreigners.

→ Most recommended venues: Skygarden (Kuta), La Favela (Seminyak), Jenja (Legian), Opivm (Seminyak), Motel Mexicola (Seminyak)

→ Where to stay near the nightlife: Near Sky Garden (Kuta), near Double Six Beach (Legian) or near Jalan Oberoi (Seminyak)

Read more: Top 10 Nightclubs in Bali

Just 3 hours from Jakarta, Bandung is a major student town attracting Indonesians from all over the country. As such, it is home to a myriad of unpretentious bars and clubs, usually reasonably-priced and filled with enthusiast youngsters. People tend to party in groups there so bring friends with you and book a table. Girls from Bandung (Sundanese) are among the most beautiful in the country but they are not as free-spirited as the ones you'll meet in Jakarta.

→ Most recommended venues: Shelter, Sobbers, Southbank, Amnesia

→ Where to stay near the nightlife: Near Jalan Braga

Read more: Best Nightclubs in Bandung

Even though Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia, it still retains a provincial atmosphere. Foreigners are very rare, meaning you will get plenty of attention from girls. Compared to Bandung, the crowd is older and more wealthy. Clubs are often targeting groups of males, with sexy dancers shows and ladies that can be booked for companionship.

→ Most recommended venues: Top 10 Coyote, M-One, Foreplay

→ Where to stay near the nightlife: Near Surabaya Town Square or Near Tunjungan Plaza

Read more: Surabaya Nightlife Guide

The tiny island of Gili Trawangan is less than a 2-hour boat ride from Bali. Every night, hundreds of Westerners in their 20s party in one of the beach cafés near the pier. Alcohol is cheap, probably because it is fake, and mushrooms/marijuana is easy to buy. It reminds me a lot of the nightlife in some Thai islands (Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi).

→ Most recommended venue: Jiggy Bar
→ Where to stay near the nightlife: Near Gili Trawangan Harbour

Read More: Gili Trawangan Nightlife

Batam nightlife is an odd mix of drug-ridden discos, shady massage parlors and deserted hostess bars. It could be much better but it is in the hands of a local mafia who is unable to take advantage of the location just 45 minutes from Singapore.

Read more: Best Nightclubs in Batam