Jakarta is a huge city with endless options of things to do during the day. For those that enjoy nightlife the fun does not end when the sun goes down. Activities appear to slow down in some areas but in many regards, and especially nightlife, the excitement is only just beginning. There is a wide range of venues to explore throughout the city. Regardless of whether you are looking for a quiet conversation over a glass of wine or an evening on the dance floor, you will certainly find a number of venues that suit your taste. And searching for that perfect nightlife spot is a lot of fun too!
Jakarta’s nightlife geography has shifted considerably over the past decade. The SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District) has emerged as the city’s most concentrated and high-energy nightlife precinct, with clusters of bars, clubs and rooftop venues within easy walking distance of each other. Senopati — centred on Jalan Senopati, Jalan Suryo and Jalan Gunawarman — has developed into a sophisticated second hub popular with affluent young Indonesians and well-heeled expats. Kemang in South Jakarta remains the traditional heartland of the expat bar scene. Mega Kuningan, close to the embassy district, continues to be popular with the international business crowd. Getting around between areas is best done by Grab or Gojek, the Indonesian ride-sharing apps that operate around the clock and are the practical standard for navigating the city at night.
Night Club / Live Band
A number of venues have live bands entertaining their guests. Sometimes it is a local band, and many times the venue will contract a band from overseas for a two or three month period. They not only sing a variety of pop hits but also have a great performance routine that is part of the show. In most cases the group will have an agreement to do three sets throughout the evening ranging from 45 minutes to one hour. The live music can be expected to start at 9:00 or 10:00 pm and will continue past midnight. In between the live performances an in-house DJ will often fill in to keep the atmosphere upbeat and alive. Generally speaking show bands will be performing on the weekends, though there will usually be one night during the week, often Monday, that they do not perform.
Some of the most reliable venues for a great live performance are B.A.T.S. at the Shangri-La Hotel on Jalan Sudirman, where the long-running basement bar has been a fixture of the expat and local entertainment scene for well over two decades, and CJ’s at Hotel Mulia Senayan, which features live performances every night of the week. A number of venues in the SCBD and Senopati areas also rotate live acts regularly — it is always worth checking Instagram pages before heading out, as lineups and formats change frequently.
Night Life / DJ
If you like to dance and party to the latest hits there are also great clubs that have a DJ and use recorded music. These venues are extremely busy on Friday and Saturday nights and often the crowd does not really start to show up until 11:00 pm.
The SCBD area is now the heart of Jakarta’s club scene. Dragonfly, one of the Ismaya Group’s flagship venues, and Blowfish Kitchen and Bar have been Jakarta institutions for well over a decade and remain popular with an upscale Indonesian crowd. The SCBD cluster also includes a growing number of newer clubs and bars in close proximity to each other, making it easy to move between venues in a single evening without needing to travel far. The Senopati area — along Jalan Senopati and Jalan Suryo — has its own cluster of more boutique clubs and bars, though venues there change frequently, so checking what is current on arrival is always wise.
Restaurant and Lounge
If dancing is not for you, but you enjoy going out for a nice meal and continuing on with drinks later into the evening, Jakarta has many choices. There are many restaurants and lounges where the kitchen is open for dinner and will call for “last order” at 10:00 or 10:30 pm. After the last call a much smaller selection of light snacks will typically be available to complement the cocktails that will continue to be served into the early hours.
Loewy at Mega Kuningan has wonderful signature cocktails and one of the city’s most extensive single malt whisky selections, served in a relaxed 1940s-inspired French bistro setting that is equally well suited to a long dinner or a late drink at the bar. Some venues that are more centrally located in Grand Indonesia are Social House and Paulaner Brauhaus, the latter offering wonderful German food and an extensive selection of beer that is well appreciated by the European crowd. Altitude Grill, located on the 46th floor of The Plaza Office Tower in Thamrin and accessible via Plaza Indonesia, offers a fabulous view of the city skyline alongside a menu focused on premium grilled meats — a memorable setting for a special evening out. Reservation is recommended.
Jakarta’s cocktail scene has also matured considerably in recent years. Venues such as Cosmo Pony — ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars — have helped put Jakarta on the regional bar map, while a growing number of skilled independent bartenders have opened intimate craft cocktail bars across Senopati and Menteng. If serious cocktails are your interest, it is well worth exploring beyond the established hotel venues that have traditionally served the expat community.
Roof Top Lounge
Over the past few years, with the completion of numerous high-rise buildings, Jakarta has seen a number of rooftop lounges open. These venues take advantage of the spectacular views of the surrounding neighbourhoods — or in some cases breathtaking views of the entire city — to create a lovely atmosphere in which to meet up with friends over cocktails. Many patrons like to arrive before the sun goes down to watch the sunset and see the lights of the city come on.
SKYE, perched on the 56th floor of Menara BCA in Thamrin and accessed via the Grand Indonesia shopping mall, is Jakarta’s most iconic rooftop destination and has recently reopened after a period of thoughtful renovation. Cloud Lounge on the 49th floor of The Plaza Office Tower is another high-altitude option in the same central area, popular for its glowing tables and generous happy hour. Both will make a trip to the downtown area thoroughly worthwhile.
K22 Bar Terrace, located on level 22 of the Fairmont Jakarta in Senayan, offers a spectacular open-air setting with sweeping views of the city skyline and the Gelora Bung Karno stadium complex across the street. For a totally relaxing atmosphere it gives you every reason to linger into the evening.
Lounge
Sometimes if you just want to meet up with friends and be able to have a conversation over soft background music, one of the many lounges in Jakarta can provide a relaxing atmosphere. Loewy in Mega Kuningan (noted above) fits this role as well as it does a dinner venue, and Social House at Grand Indonesia remains a popular and reliable choice in a central location. The Union Group, which operates a number of well-regarded venues across the city, is generally a safe bet for a well-run room with a broad international menu and good cocktails — worth checking their current locations as the group has expanded over the years.
Pub / Bar / Sports Bar
Regardless of where expats are posted in the world, they continue to be loyal fans to their favourite sports teams. The access to sports channels at popular venues means that fans will not have to miss a game while overseas. At all the sports bars and pubs that have large screen TVs positioned throughout the venue, watching the game while sharing a beer is very much part of the culture.
Eastern Promise in Kemang remains one of the longest-established and most popular expat bars in Jakarta, a firm anchor of the South Jakarta social scene for those living in that part of the city. Aphrodite, another long-time favourite on the Jakarta expat circuit, has relocated to Mega Kuningan and continues to be a popular destination for those based in or around the embassy and business district area. For those more centrally located, Café De Burse in the Equity Tower in SCBD is a well-regarded European-style pub serving cold beers, classic cocktails and comfort food, with live music several nights a week — a reliable after-work spot for the business district crowd. Eastern Promise is part of the Bugil’s group, which also operates several sister venues in other parts of the city including Mega Kuningan and Pondok Indah, all with a broadly similar relaxed pub character.
Jazz Lounge
Jazz enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that there are venues in the city where you can go to hear live jazz on any night of the week.
BEBOP Bar and Kitchen on Jalan Senopati is a well-regarded newer entry into Jakarta’s jazz scene — a Japanese-inspired listening bar with excellent acoustics, a programme of regular live performances and a menu of Japanese-fusion small plates alongside well-crafted cocktails. It has quickly become a favourite among both locals and expats who want music at the centre of their evening rather than as background noise. Café Batavia in the Kota Tua (Old Town) district offers an altogether different but equally atmospheric experience — a colonial-era venue steeped in Jakarta’s history, with regular live jazz and a menu to match the setting. It is well worth the trip for a change of scene from the South and Central Jakarta circuit. For the latest schedules at both venues, as well as other jazz nights around the city, checking Instagram and local listings in advance is strongly recommended, as programmes change regularly.
Some Tips
To address some practicalities, nightlife in Jakarta does tend towards the pricier end, for local living standards at least. Cover charges — known locally as a first drink charge or FDC — are now standard at most clubs, typically ranging from IDR 100,000 to IDR 300,000 on weekends and usually including one or two drinks. Cocktails at upmarket venues typically start from IDR 130,000–180,000 and premium spirits considerably more. Always verify current prices as these change regularly.
In general, dress codes are strictly enforced in most bars and clubs in the city: dress sharply, or at the very least smart casual, and definitely no shorts or slippers. The higher-end venues in SCBD and Senopati are particularly strict about this.
During Ramadan, the holy Muslim fasting month, all nightlife ends at midnight and some operations close for the entire month. The selection of alcohol may be more limited during the month and it may be served in a coffee mug. The timing of Ramadan shifts each year, so it is worth checking the calendar when planning a visit.
Getting around Jakarta at night is straightforward using Grab or Gojek — both app-based ride-sharing services are reliable, trackable and easy to use, and are by far the most practical option for moving between venues. Licensed taxis are also a reliable and reasonably priced option, with Blue Bird being the most widely trusted fleet in the city. The Jakarta MRT, which opened in 2019 and has been progressively extended, is a useful option for reaching central areas earlier in the evening, though services typically end around midnight.
As in any major city, it is worth being aware that certain bars attract a commercial element, particularly later in the evening. Women going out in Jakarta’s clubs will sometimes attract unwanted attention; going out in mixed groups is generally more comfortable and easier. Foreign visitors should exercise the same common-sense awareness they would in any large urban nightlife environment.
Regardless of what type of nightlife you enjoy there is an endless selection to explore during your posting in Jakarta. Be adventurous and explore some of the recommendations above to discover your next favourite venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best areas for nightlife in Jakarta?
The SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District) is currently Jakarta’s most concentrated nightlife area, with bars, clubs and rooftop venues in close proximity to each other. Senopati and the nearby streets of Jalan Suryo and Jalan Gunawarman offer a more boutique selection of bars favoured by affluent young Indonesians. Kemang in South Jakarta is the traditional home of the expat bar scene. Mega Kuningan, near the embassy district, has a strong selection of restaurants and lounges popular with the international business community.
Is Jakarta nightlife expensive?
By Indonesian standards, yes. Most upmarket bars charge IDR 130,000–200,000 for a cocktail, and club entry typically runs IDR 100,000–300,000 on weekends, usually including one or two drinks. Budget on spending at least IDR 500,000–800,000 for a full evening out at a decent venue. Prices change regularly, so verify before going.
What is the dress code at Jakarta clubs and bars?
Most bars and clubs in Jakarta enforce a smart casual to smart dress code. Shorts, slippers, flip-flops and torn clothing are typically refused entry. The higher-end venues in SCBD and Senopati are particularly strict. When in doubt, dress up rather than down.
Are bars and clubs open during Ramadan in Jakarta?
During the holy fasting month, most entertainment venues operate under stricter rules and close by midnight. Some venues close entirely for the month and alcohol availability may be reduced. The date of Ramadan shifts each year — check directly with specific venues if your visit falls during this period.
How do I get around Jakarta at night safely?
Grab and Gojek are the most practical options — both operate around the clock, are reliable and fully trackable through their apps. Licensed taxis, particularly Blue Bird, are also a dependable and reasonably priced choice. The Jakarta MRT serves central areas but typically stops around midnight. Always verify your driver matches the details shown in any app before getting in.
Is Jakarta safe for a night out?
Jakarta is generally safe for nightlife, particularly in the established venues in SCBD, Senopati, Kemang and the hotel districts. Apply the same common-sense precautions you would in any major city: go in groups where possible, use Grab, Gojek or a trusted taxi fleet rather than hailing unlicensed street taxis, and stay aware of your surroundings late at night.
