With most bars in Jakarta going for the single-and-ready-to-mingle vibe, it’s a bit hard to find a place to have quiet, intimate moments with your BFFs with a side of alcohol. Speakeasy bars have been popping up all over but they can come off as a little bit stuffy, so we’re plainly overjoyed to see NORU Jakarta trying to fill in the gap.
Sandwiched between the office towers of Sudirman and Kuningan, this new rooftop lounge offers a more chilled-out, laid-back atmosphere with a Japanese-inspired menu. For nearby office workers feeling burned out after a tough day at work, their original cocktails might be just what you need to relieve some of that stress.
Sitting at Noru’s bar gives you an excellent view of the surrounding skyscrapers
Image credit: @rothan007
Sitting on the rooftop of the 6 floor Nostoi apartment and hotel, NORU Jakarta’s low-key vibe is accentuated by its location in a quiet residential neighborhood. It’s also why despite the height, Noru still has a gorgeous 360-degree view of the skyscrapers of Sudirman and Kuningan as there’s no other building blocking your view.
Noru’s floor lights add to the classy, intimate ambiance
Image credit: @rothan007
True to its intimate atmosphere, distractions are minimal in the lounge. There’s no obnoxious club-ready music playing in the background and as the space is quite intimate, we’re sure that there won’t be a crowd big enough to drown out your conversations.
The decor in Noru has a strong rooftop lounge – but make it zen – atmosphere
Image credit: @alviansilver
The decor too meshes beautifully with the atmosphere, with NORU opting for a sleek mix of rectangular stone slabs and wooden floors and furniture. There’re touches of greenery here and there, which just adds to the whole zen garden vibe NORU has got going on which we personally love.
As there’s nothing but fans to keep you cool, we recommend visiting Noru only after sunset
Image credit: @phat.ventures
While you might be tempted to go for the sofa seats, do note that they come with a minimum order of Rp. 2,500,000 (~USD171.76) that caters more to larger groups.
Jakarta’s nighttime skyline is best enjoyed with a cocktail
Image credit: @dedinw
If you’re looking for some alone time, we’re a big fan of the bar though, as the free-standing area by the corner has the best seat in the house. With excellent Japanese fusion cocktails in one hand and a nighttime view of the surrounding skyscrapers ahead of you, we’ve no doubt your worldly worries will soon fade away.
Unless you’re absolutely starving, opt for lighter bites such as these Noru Signature Wings and spend the rest of your money on cocktails
Image credit: @noru.jkt
As they’re still undergoing a soft opening period, NORU Jakarta’s F&B offerings are still quite limited but their Japanese inspiration still shines through. They serve staples such as Chicken Katsu with Rice (Rp. 95,000, ~USD6.53) and the Noru Signature Wings (Rp. 60,000, ~USD4.12) come with a sweet and savory sauce and are garnished with sesame just like teriyaki wings would be.
We could stare at Noru’s liquor lineup with a backdrop of Jakarta’s nighttime views all day
Image credit: @gsimpleworks
We’re a bit disappointed that there’s no sake on the menu but their original Japanese fusion cocktails more than make up for the absence.
The Japanese Sour, Noru Sunset, and Genmaicha Royu are three of Noru’s signature cocktails
Image credit: @noru.jkt
As a fan of everything green tea, we’re particularly drawn to the Genmaicha Royu (Rp. 135,000, ~USD9.28), a mix of rum, Japanese brown rice green tea genmaicha, milk, and just a touch of pandan for that added fragrant aroma.
For the teetotalers, Noru also has several mocktails on offer, such as these Blueberry Rhythm and Nangkacolada
Image credit: @noru.jkt
If you’re looking for a more frothy concoction, try out the Japanese Sour (Rp. 135,000, ~USD9.28). This combination of whiskey, Japanese cucumber kyuri, apple, and lemon comes with a layer of kyuri espuma on top, resulting in a refreshingly foamy cocktail.
While NORU Jakarta might not have the skyscraper feel of Jakarta rooftop bars such as Skye and Henshin, its intimate vibe is actually perfect if you’re looking for some downtime.
Because of its limited space though, we highly recommend you to RSVP a spot before making the trip, especially as the 50% capacity regulation is still in place during the PPKM.
Address: Nostoi, Jl. Raya Pandanrejo No.91, Pandanrejo, Kec. Bumiaji, Kota Batu, Jawa Timur 65332
Opening hours: 1PM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 0878 88027556
For more F&B recommendations in Jakarta, check out these stories:
Cover image adapted from @rothan007 and @dedinw
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