Jakarta
Hidden in a renovated building near Taman Fatahillah, Acaraki is the coolest cafe in the area. It's decorated with exposed brickwork and an enormous…
Must-see nightlife in Java
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West Java
This old favourite has upped sticks and moved further along the beach (alongside a number of other warungs), but the beach-bum vibe and sunset sea views…
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Semarang
This delightful cafe is one of several popping up in the old city area. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial terrace, with a pink awning and wrought…
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Jakarta
Next to the 1001 Hotel, this vast club with a huge dance floor and a 16m-high roof is the venue for what's easily one of the most impressive lighting…
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Bandung
The best place for coffee on Jl Braga is this smoky cafe set in a restored old storefront and tastefully decorated with vintage furniture, art and fresh…
Jakarta
Gourmet bites in a decadent dining room, flaming cocktails, an indoor-outdoor lounge with views of the entire city from the 49th floor of the Plaza tower …
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Jakarta
By day this is a stylish art deco dining lounge high atop the trendy Plaza Indonesia mall. At night, the adjacent club serves crafted cocktails and…
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Jakarta
Set in a stylish space within an attractive heritage house, this contemporary cafe is named in tribute to the ideal coffee-to-water ratio. It was one of…
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Yogyakarta
This Berlin-inspired bar has relocated from its former hip hotel rooftop location to this equally cool industrial space with atrium roof and concrete wall…
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Jakarta
Occupying a fine old colonial building dating to 1878, this elegant art-deco-style cafe has twirling ceiling fans, marble-top round tables and vintage…
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Yogyakarta
A little out of the way in a residential area north of town is this hip, contemporary Belgian-owned gastropub. It has several local beers on tap along…
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Jakarta
Cool, laid-back, bright neighbourhood coffee shop with marble tabletops, vintage chairs, tiled walls, hardwood floors and a chrome cage over the serving…
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Yogyakarta
A good spot for a beer, this atmospheric bar is set within a crumbling, stylised, ruined-brick courtyard. It's a sprawling, eclectic space with bench…
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Yogyakarta
A must for coffee enthusiasts, this tiny cafe feels more like a laboratory with its frosty white decor and high-tech coffee-brewing station installed with…
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Jakarta
In an affluent north Jakarta suburb, this cool little neighbourhood cafe offers pour-over coffees using beans sourced from across the archipelago. Patrons…
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Jakarta
Occupying the top floor of a gritty office building is this rooftop dive bar that's a good spot to tap into Jakarta's underground music scene. It's a…
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Bandung
A good reason to hit the hills is this outdoor cafe set among pine plantations and pastoral outlooks. There's an excellent choice of Indonesian coffees,…
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Central Java
Named after the first tea mogul of Java and set in the 19th-century home on his original plantation, this teahouse teems with visitors at the weekend,…
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Semarang
For those feeling inspired by DMZ, the 3D 'trick art' museum opposite, this sweet little coffee shop helps continue the sense of illusion into the…
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Central Java
With unrivalled views across the gorgeous little village of Selo, towards the looming, brooding presence of Gunung Merapi, this open-air coffee shop…
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Yogyakarta
One for those who take their coffee seriously. Grab a stool at the counter and watch aficionado baristas painstakingly prepare Indonesian coffees as an…
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Bandung
A polished-concrete atrium cafe with orchids hung on the wall, smoke in the air and mostly Western snacks and sandwiches on the menu. Fish and chips,…
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Jakarta
Behind the bland wall facing a side street, this bar is a fine place to retreat for an evening. You can chill in the woodsy air-con lounge or take in the…
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Central Java
This eye-catching cafe, decorated with giant cartoons, is a popular place for a juice or coffee in the evening. For those wanting to try durian without…
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Jakarta
Walk under an arched doorway to find this inconspicuous little place with minimal chic decor, chunky wooden tables, exposed concrete walls, coloured metal…
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Solo
This fresh, white-painted cafe sells a range of local Javanese coffees in a hip, air-conditioned space on the ground floor. There's also a pleasant open…
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Jakarta
A branch of the hip 1920s-themed local coffee shop sits on a quiet lane to the south of Candra Naya. It serves a decent cup of coffee, plus Indonesian and…
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Jakarta
If you like board games, Addictz is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. Order a coffee and play everything from Scrabble and Uno to more unusual…
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Bandung
One of a string of pubs that make up Bandung's raucous nightlife strip is this boozy venue that's notable as one of the few (if only) places in Indonesia…
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Semarang
Semarang can be lacking when it comes to nightlife, but this popular complex, right by the Simpang Lima square, contains an upmarket club, cinema and…
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Surabaya
On the top floor of the designer MaxOne hotel is this cool rooftop bar that's the perfect spot to enjoy a balmy evening with a cold drink in hand. There's…
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Surabaya
Popular with all, this large upmarket pub-club, which has been going for years, has live music and a DJ every night. There's a full bar, but drinks are…
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Malang
A popular hang-out for the young and cool of Malang is this corner cafe with stained-wood furnishings. It serves a wide range of local coffees and…
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Semarang
A classic expat hang-out in the centre of town, this pub sells ice-cold draught Bintang as well as decent international food, including the famous OMG…
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Yogyakarta
This relaxed bar has a terrace overlooking the street and attracts good reviews. The Indonesian food is reasonable here too.
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Bandung
Intimate bar with live bands (mainly playing covers most nights) and a social vibe. Sizzling sate is also served.
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Central Java
This lively venue hosts live bands each Saturday (7pm) and has a friendly youthful vibe. Mains cost around 22,500Rp.
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Jakarta
Coffee where you least expect it, this Glodok stalwart in the heart of the Petak Sembilan Market opened in 1927. Patrons sit on mismatched plastic stools…
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Jakarta
In a country not known for its diversity of beer options, this German-themed pub offers a point of difference with its house-brewed, unfiltered lager,…
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Jakarta
If looking around the Museum Bank Indonesia and Museum Bank Mandiri leaves you in need of a pick-me-up, this little cafe sandwiched between both sights…
