Relaxing bars in Jakarta
One of the most difficult things about working in a big city like Jakarta is the amount of stress many go through every single day – from time stuck in traffic to long hours at work.
To destress and unwind, here’s a list of relaxing bars in Jakarta to consider – some of which have converted to alcohol home delivery services for those who’d prefer to relax with a tipple safely from home.
– Chill bars in Jakarta –
1. La Bodega – homely neighborhood-style bar with a band
Image credit: @modsarchitects
La Bodega shares an owner with Jaya Pub, one of Jakarta’s oldest bars, but is located in a neighborhood far from the bustling heart of the city.
Image credit: @modsarchitects
Spacious and homey, though recently renovated, it still maintains some of its original rustic decor.
Image credit: Wahyu Aldjupri
There are occasional live performances, but they’re not disruptive to the point that you would have to raise your voice during a conversation. The band is usually open for requests, so you can listen to your favorite song and sing along.
Alcoholic drinks start from Rp. 48,000 (~USD3.38) and there are light bites such as BBQ Chicken Wings for Rp. 32,000 (~USD2.25).
Address: Jalan Terogong Raya #28, West Cilandak, Cilandak, South Jakarta 12430
Opening hours: Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat, & Mon 7AM-1AM | Wed 7AM-1.30AM | Sun 9AM-11PM
Telephone: 0217656931
Instagram
2. Fujin – Japanese-style sake and cocktails
Image credit: @reympro
Located in the Gunawarman neighborhood, which is only minutes away from the SCBD, Japanese restaurant and bar Fujin can be a pretty convenient choice if you happen to work in that area.
All-you-can-drink sake every Thursday
Image credit: @fujin_id
Though primarily known for its excellent Japanese food, Fujin is also a great place to drink, especially if you need to loosen up after an intense day at work. Alcoholic beverages from sake to cocktails are available starting from Rp. 60,000 (~USD4.22), with free-flow sake every Thursday from 4PM and house sake by the carafe all day long.
Steak with goma shiu kyuri, miso soup, and alad.
Image credit: @fujin.id
With exceptional service, you and your friends are bound to be taken care of. The warm colors of the interior keep the vibes welcoming even during the bar’s busiest hours.
Reservations are required during the current PPKM period.
Address: Jalan Gunawarman #21, Selong, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12110
Opening hours: 11AM-10.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 21 27513030
Instagram
3. Izakaya Taichan – for salaryman-style quick catch-ups over drinks
Image credit: Ray Indra Nugraha
Blok M’s Little Tokyo is filled with small Japanese-style bars, or izakaya, but none of them seem to have the old-school charm of Izakaya Taichan. On top of being a mere 5-minute walk from the Blok M MRT Station, it serves wholesome meals such as ramen and chicken katsu.
Image credit: Yukio Takaki
Although a lot of people tend to go there for the great food, it’s also a place to catch up with friends over a beer. Alcoholic beverages start from Rp. 44,000 (~USD3.10). The best thing is that you won’t have to wait long for your food and drinks to be served because the cooks and floor staff are super fast.
Even though the place can get busy during peak hours, the layout gives you enough personal space since each table is separated by a wooden partition.
Address: Jalan Melawai 6 #5, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12160
Opening hours: 11AM-12:30AM, Daily
Telephone: 0217261281
Instagram
4. Loewy – bistro near downtown offices
Image credit: @_angerdanger
Loewy is located in Mega Kuningan, one of the city’s major office areas, making it accessible for people who work nearby. The place is spacious, so there’s room to breathe as you sip on your drink with the gentle lighting adding to the soothing atmosphere.
Teeling Small Batch, Teeling Single Grain, Teeling Single Malt, Sakurao Gin and Balvenie 12 DoubleWood available for drink-in or delivery.
Image credit: @loewyjakarta
The music is generally barely audible, so you can have a conversation without having to raise your voice, and don’t worry about eavesdroppers because there’s enough space between each table. Avoid going on Wednesday evenings as there’s a regular event that might interrupt your plan for some chill downtime – do check Loewy’s Instagram account to keep yourself up-to-date.
Mocktails available too – Cucumber Kalamansi Spritz and Hazelnut Hibiscus.
Image credit: @loewyjakarta
Since it’s a bistro, you can also order some food if you get hungry and there’s a wide selection of drinks to choose from, but if you’re just craving a bottle of beer, it’ll cost about Rp. 50,000 (~USD3.57).
Address: Oakwood Ground Floor, Jalan Lingkar Mega Kuningan E42 #1, Kuningan, East Kuningan, South Jakarta 12950
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8AM-9PM | Sat–Sun 9AM-9PM, Mon
Telephone: 02125542378
Instagram
5. Melly’s Garden – al fresco garden dining
Image credit: @bunbunmelly
Melly’s Garden is bound to ring a bell among working Jakartans. Located near many of Central Jakarta’s office buildings, it’s 15 minutes away from the Sarinah Thamrin Transjakarta station.
With spacious indoor and outdoor areas, you can sit outdoors and chat for hours here after a whole day of being stuck in a freezing office block or traffic – but do bring bug repellent in case of mosquito bites.
Melly’s Garden’s drink collection
Image credit: Melly’s Garden
There’re regular live music performances that aren’t intrusive. You can check Melly’s Garden’s Facebook page to see all upcoming shows. To accompany a nice evening there, alcoholic beverages are served from Rp. 42,000 (~USD2.96). Delivery and takeaway are also available 24 hours a day.
Address: Jalan Kebon Sirih Timur #37–39, Kebon Sirih, Menteng, Central Jakarta 10340
Opening hours: 6AM–9PM, Daily
Telephone: 02191275753
Facebook
– Alcohol delivery services –
Once beloved sit-down bars, these relaxing bars in Jakarta have transformed into alcohol and beer delivery services in Jakarta for the next time you need a breather after a long week.
6. Slits. – alcohol delivery with free bar playlist music
Image credit: @winanesbitt
Located on the second floor of Dharmawangsa’s Pelaspas, a compound of small eateries, Slits was the type of small bar that was loved by its regulars but doesn’t make newcomers feel intimidated.
Now temporarily closed, it still provides tipple delivery via Whatsapp or a phone call, daily from 1PM-10PM. Drinks for four start from Rp. 200,000 (~USD14.10), with gin, vodka, and bourbon-based blends on its menu.
To recreate the scenester-friendly musical experience from its physical location, tune in to its Spotify or Mixcloud playlists regularly updated on their Instagram feed – the music selection isn’t the same Top 40 stuff over and over again, which can be a great source of reference if you’re keen on expanding your own musical horizons. Genres vary from chill jazz to quirky tunes you can bop to.
Address: Pelaspas Dharmawangsa, 2nd Floor, Jalan Dharmawangsa Raya #4, Pulo, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12160
Telephone: 81310332542
Instagram
7. ME KA WAI – affordable bar snacks and house mix delivery
Image credit: @_mekawai
ME KA WAI was another tiny bar situated in front of Barito’s Langsat Park, buzzing with the joy of friends exchanging stories and letting loose after a long day at work.
Exhausted young workers can’t roll down here during the workweek like they used to as the bar is temporarily closed, but for a glimmer of joy, it offers affordable alcoholic beverages for delivery from 7PM-3AM daily.
Danda Loco Loco blend, available for delivery.
Image credit: @_mekawai
Their Instagram menu features house mixes from Rp. 35,000 (~USD2.47) to bar snacks from potato doughnuts to eggroll chicken from Rp. 20,000 (~USD1.41), and the classic Bintang and IPA beers from Rp. 30,000 (~USD2.11). Order via phone call or Whatsapp.
Address: Jalan Langsat I #30, Kramat Pela, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12130
Telephone: 857-1791-5979
Instagram
8. Beerbro – affordable beer delivery in multiple parts of town
Image credit: @beerbrojkt
Once a humble neighborhood outdoor bar by the food stalls of Panglima Polim with affordable drinks, BeerBro now serves us via delivery.
Beer in a to-go bottle
Image credit: @beerbrojakarta
Their comprehensive selection of beer starts from Rp. 27,000 (~USD1.90), and you can also get craft beer and signature pours by the cup, bottle, or pitcher safely from home – with the usual side snacks such as chicken wings or platters of meat and fries.
Browse their menu here, and order via GoFood or GrabFood, phone call, or Whatsapp.
Address: Branches in Tebet, Pangpol, Kemang, and Kuningan
Opening hours: 3PM–10.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 812-1106-8642
Instagram | GoFood | GrabFood
Relaxing bars in Jakarta
No matter how busy work can get, it’s always important to take a break. Try these relaxing bars in Jakarta with toned-down, relaxed atmospheres next time you need to kick back after the daily grind.
For more places to eat in Jakarta, check out:
- Myst Bar is a mysterious to-go beverage bar for the COVID-19 era
- Spicy foods from Indonesia to test your tolerance
- 8 outdoor dining restaurants in Jakarta
- 8 Jakarta brunch cafes
Cover image adapted from: @modsarchitects and @bunbunmelly
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This article was originally published by Dwiputri P. in November 2020. Updated by Xin Tian K. on 11 May 2021.