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
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Jakarta
Cool, laid-back, bright neighbourhood coffee shop with marble tabletops, vintage chairs, tiled walls, hardwood floors and a chrome cage over the serving…
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…
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…
Jakarta
In an affluent north Jakarta suburb, this cool little neighbourhood cafe offers pour-over coffees using beans sourced from across the archipelago. Patrons…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Jakarta
Walk under an arched doorway to find this inconspicuous little place with minimal chic decor, chunky wooden tables, exposed concrete walls, coloured metal…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Yogyakarta
This relaxed bar has a terrace overlooking the street and attracts good reviews. The Indonesian food is reasonable here too.
Bandung
Intimate bar with live bands (mainly playing covers most nights) and a social vibe. Sizzling sate is also served.
Central Java
This lively venue hosts live bands each Saturday (7pm) and has a friendly youthful vibe. Mains cost around 22,500Rp.
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…
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,…
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…
