De Leila (Arabic Nightclub) - FX Sudirman

Update 24th October 2016: 17 Moroccan prostitutes were arrested in De Leila over the weekend, yet strangely no newspaper was mentioning the name of the club. This is the review I wrote about the venue in March 2016:

De Leila is an arabic nightclub located on the 8th floor of FX Sudirman, where Privé used to be. It is a popular party spot for tourists from the Middle East and particularly Saudis, Qatari and Emiratis. You have a few other nationalities such as Egyptians, Iranians, Turkish and Omanis. Even though most customers are Muslims, alcohol and prostitutes are widely available.

I had reviewed De Leila before when it was still in Putra Jasa on Jalan Gatot Subroto. You can see the original review here: De Leila Gatot Subroto.

Do you need a hotel near De Leila? Harris FX is walking distance and the price is affordable. You can compare the prices here: HotelsCombined.

The new De Leila was opened a year ago early 2015. It is still partly owned by the Ahmad Fahmy family (also behind Tanamur).

It is now more modern and spacious, with an upmarket feel. I have to warn you though that is a a place of prostitution, with at least 50 freelance working girls from Indonesia, China and Morocco (yes there are Moroccan prostitutes in Jakarta!). You will notice that many girls are plump while some are borderline obese. Many are very pretty though, better than in BATS, Blok M or CJs.

The music in De Leila is Arabic, either from their live band or from the DJ. It is best to book a sofa so you can enjoy the show with the best possible view. You can order shisha as well.

There is also a mezzanine with brand new pool tables and a second bar. There was no belly dancers when I visited but there are regular performances.

The entrance fee is Rp125,000 and it includes one free draught beer.

I shot this video inside of their beautiful and sexy belly dancer (apparently from Uzbekistan):

De Leila Arabic Nightclub

FX Mall Sudirman 8th Floor (You have a dedicated entrance in the lobby of FX)

Jalan Jendral Sudirman Pintu Satu Senayan

Jakarta 10270

Phone number: +6221 2555 4489

Email: claudyasti@yahoo.com

Facebook: Arab Bar Jakarta

Website: DeLeila

Opening Hours:

Every day from 7pm to 4am (from 5pm on Saturday and Sunday)

Nip and Dram (Whisky Bar)

Nip and Dram is a Whisky and Fine Spirit bar located in Landmark Center near Jalan Sudirman. In Jakarta, it is as close as it gets from a true Gentlemen's Club. While it is not member's only, it is clearly targeting a male, upper-class crowd. Women are allowed of course, but the feel of the bar is very masculine.

The team behind it is a group of 10 people, Indonesians and Expats, among which (from what the waiter told me) the owner of Blue Bird, the previous GM of Keraton at the Plaza (Klaus Woizik) or the previous GM of Buddha Bar Jakarta (Bogdan Vlase).

The prices are among the highest of any other bars in Jakarta. Cocktails start at 165,000rp++ and the (extensive) list of alcohols includes bottles costing up to 50 million rupiah per unit. They also sell cigars.

Nip and Dram is dark and intimate, with live music 4 times per week (Jazzy on Wednesday and Thursday, Top 40 on Friday and Saturday). It is recommended if you are looking for a classy, quiet place to have a drink, and of course if you enjoy alcohols that are not always available elsewhere in Jakarta.

They also have a kitchen, but I didn't try any of the dishes.

Nip and Dram Jakarta

The Landmark Centre II

Jalan Jend. Sudirman No. 1, GF

Jakarta, Indonesia 12910

Phone number: +62-21 5790 3991

Email: bogdan.vlase@nipanddram.com

Opening Hours:

From Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 1am.

From Friday to Saturday from 5pm to 3am.

Twitter: Nip & Dram Whisky Bar
Instagram: Nipanddram
Facebook: Nip and Dram Jakarta

Mojo Bar + Kitchen (Jakarta)

It is only recently that I discovered Mojo Kitchen & Bar. It is small and unpretentious, similar with Treehouse in Kemang. It has a great location at the intersection of Jalan Senopati and Jalan Kertanegara, one of the most expensive residential areas in Jakarta.

They have great music, a cozy atmosphere, and a menu featuring Korean, Californian and Mexican dishes. I didn't try any of their food though, only a cocktail. Please comment if you have been there.

Overall: Recommended for a drink after work.

Mojo Bar & Kitchen Jakarta
Jalan Kertanegara No. 70, Senopati
South Jakarta, Indonesia

Phone number: +62-21 9200 0529
Email: mojo@lax-indonesia.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eat_MOJO 

Facebook: Mojo Jakarta

Opening Hours:

Every day from 11am to Midnight (until 1am on Friday and Saturday)

Byblos Bistro (Pondok Indah Jakarta)

Byblos is a pub/bar located in the new Pondok Indah Mall 3. It recently changed owner, from an Italian guy behind the Planet Hollywood to an Indonesian.

The place is very comfortable, especially with some large sofas you can never move away from. The service is friendly, you also have 1 or 2 Public Relation ladies, which seemed to be selective about the guests they would talk to.

I only had a Bintang (65,000rp), but it also has a full Pub Fare menu (Pasta, Pizza, Burgers, Asian Favourite, etc). From what I could see on other tables, the food portions seemed generous.

Byblos was not too crowded when I arrived at 6pm, but slowly it got busier. For a monday night it wasn't too bad.

Overall, I recommended Byblos for a drink if you are in Pondok Indah Mall. I should check again on Saturday or Friday nights, they have DJs so it might be good for party as well.

Byblos Bistro

Pondok Indah Mall Street Gallery (PIM 3 Second Floor)

Jalan Metro Duta Niaga Blok. B5, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 29529744 or +62-21 2952 9745
Fax: +62-21 2952 9743

Twitter: Byblos Pondok Indah Jakarta
Facebook: Byblos Jakarta
Website: http://www.byblosjakarta.com/

Opening hours:
Everyday from 10am to 12pm (until 2am on Friday and Saturday)
Happy Hours: From 3pm to 7pm
Lady's Night: Every Tuesday Buy 1 Get 1 Cocktail from 6pm to 12pm

Safehouse Bar and Restaurant Jakarta (Bellagio)

In just about a few weeks, I received 3 emails from readers recommending me to try Safehouse in Bellagio Mansion in Mega Kuningan.

As I am a docile blogger, I went there last Friday with a friend. It is located where Piccolo used to be, and it is a mixed concept: Restaurant, Bar, Club, Store.

It was opened by the designer and make of the sneaker brand "SomeAreThieves" (which is why the place is called Safehouse). The idea behind the restaurant was to promote the brand by attracting the trendy crowd of Jakarta.

They hired Tomasso Gonfiantini, the Chef who opened the first Trattoria in Jakarta (before it changed its name to Pepenero). He actually came to see us, which was nice, and recommended us one of his sandwiches, which according to him are the Signature food of Jailhouse.

My sandwich was the "Gourmand" (95,000rp++) and it had Brie and Pesto inside a crispy, fresh baguette from Paul Patisserie. It was up to par for Jakarta, but nothing too special if we compare with baguette sandwiches available in France (sorry for being snob, but it is true). The fact that the baguette was from Paul helped the sandwich a lot.
The burger "Handcut Angus" (80,000rp++) was also good, as one could expect for the price.

We had a few cocktails which were rather expensive for Jakarta (135,000rp ++ for a Caipirinha). BUT the barman had a very heavy hand and he even added more cachaça when I asked him to. So, in the end, it was good value for money as only a couple of them made us cheerful...

The DJ started to play around 11pm and it was up-to-date electronic music, the kind you rarely hear in Jakarta. The bar was crowded at that time, especially with what seemed to be a gay crowd (maybe 30%). The rest was made of young expatriates and hip looking Indonesians. I felt that many people knew each other already.

Overall, a nice addition to Jakarta nightlife, which will probably get more and more busy with time.

Safehouse Bar, Restaurant and Store
Lobby Level, Bellagio Mansion
Jalan Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone : +62-21 3005 0510

Facebook : the SAFEHOUSE
Twitter: Safe House Jakarta
SomeAreThieves: www.somearethieves.com

Pictures were taken from the Safe House facebook as I didn't have my camera with me that day.

Beer Brother Bar and Kitchen Kemang

Beer Brother Bar + Kitchen is located in Taman Kemang, a residential area of Kemang which has seen a recent surge in bars and restaurants. This new nightlife area comprises Umbra, Cowboy Bar, Parc 19, and the Colony Building.

Beer Brother opened about a year ago and it has managed to become successful rapidly. It is quite similar with other joints such as Bremer or Beer Garden, but there are a few notable differences: The design and marketing of the bar is more sophisticated and original, the music louder, and the choice of food and drinks really extensive (the menu must have 25 pages). The prices are not that cheap though except for basic beer.

I was there just before a Champion's League quarterfinal, on a Tuesday, and it was full with a crowd ranging from young expats to hip Indonesians and high school kids. Most people come with a big group.

I enjoyed my time there, but a few things could be improved: The service and cleanliness was too relaxed. The waiter just unloaded all the drinks at our table and left. We then had to sort out which ones were for who and to distribute them ourselves.

We also had a pizza which was really poor: Over salter and undercooked, even though the price was high (74k for a Margarita). Really not recommended for food.

Overall: Beer Brother is recommended to have a drink in a laidback, busy atmosphere. Do not go for food or if you expect something chic.

Beer Brother
Jalan Taman Kemang 2 No. 28
Kemang, South Jakarta

Phone: +62 (0) 817-170-799
Email beerbrotherkemang@hotmail.co.id

Website: http://www.beerbrotherkemang.com/
Twitter: Beer Brother Kemang Jakarta
Facebook: Beer Brother Bar and Pub

Opening Hours:

Everyday from until late. Happy hours from 4pm to 8pm.