Since Bintan nightlife is limited, this review will focus mostly on Dope nightclub in Tanjung Pinang. I will give you a few other clubbing options as well, notably in Lagoi in the north of the island.
Dope Nightclub
Open since 2012, Dope is the only proper nightclub in Bintan at the time of writing. If you are staying in a resort in the north, don't get happy too quickly as it is located in the provincial capital Tanjung Pinang, which is at least 2 hours away by car.
Dope is open from Monday to Saturday from 9pm to 4am (closed on Sunday). It is truly busy only on Saturday though, while the rest of the week you'll just see a few tables occupied. They have a resident live band, a resident DJ and resident sexy dancers (currently the 4-Tune Galz) that perform every night. The music is western and generally commercial. Special events take place on Saturdays with guest DJs and bands from Jakarta or Singapore. On the occasion, the entrance fee may increase to Rp100,000 (for guys) depending on the artist.
The crowd is overwhelmingly male and local, but you have more women on weekends. There might also be Singaporeans and Malaysians.
Address:
Jalan Gudang Minyak 4, Tanjungpinang, Bintan, Riau
Phone number: +62 (0) 771 26 247 or +62 (0) 77126247
BB Pin: 7A5603E0 or 2A03493F
Email: dope@kkm-group.com
Facebook: Dope Club Bintan
Instagram: Dope Photos
Twitter: Dope Tanjung Pinang
Youtube Channel: Dope Club
Other Nightlife Spots in Tanjung Pinang
If you are looking for more nightlife spots in Tanjung Pinang, you can also check the bars Fabrica (upmarket, popular with rich local kids, near Dope Club) and Basecamp (live rock music, good for a beer).
For karaoke, the best place to go to is probably CK KTV, inside the CK Hotel and Convention. They also have a small lounge with live music, but no lady companions.
Some more underground nightclubs and karaokes can also be found in Tanjung Pinang, for instance Galaxy Pub (Jalan Rawasari Km5). Prostitution and drugs are not uncommon there. With its many naughty cafés, the area around Plaza Hotel is also considered a red light district but it is targeting lower to middle income Indonesians.
Guest Friendly Hotels in Tanjung Pinang Near the Nightlife
Tanjung Pinang is a small town, sparsely populated, with mostly low-rise buildings and many empty plots of lands. It can be accessed by air from Jakarta or by boat from Singapore, Malaysia and Batam. It is not so convenient to get around so I advise you to choose your hotel carefully.
Dope nightclub is actually not far from the ferry terminal and you have a few decent hotels nearby. For 20$, you can sleep in the basic Hotel Panorama, Hotel Nirwana or Hotel Paradise. Another option, the Shangri-La Hotel (not related to the 5-star chain) is walking distance from Dope but it is seedy with a massage parlour plus plus in its walls. If you need something more comfortable, you will have to go at least 15 minutes away in either CK Hotel and Convention (with a spa and a huge luxury KTV) or the Aston (girl-friendly, closer from the airport).
North Bintan Nightlife: Lagoi Area
The nightlife in the north of Bintan is almost non existent. The only venue worth considering may be the Silk Club in the Bintan Lagoon Resort. They have live music daily, a few customers (clients from the hotel) and what seems to be some working girls. You can play pool but that will cost you.
Did I forget a famous nightclub, a bar or a KTV? Please help me keep this Bintan nightlife review up-to-date by leaving a comment below!
