Medan
With its long and glamorous list of cocktails (135,000Rp) and equally glamorous people, swanky Traders is the place to be seen in Medan. There are cold…
Must-see nightlife in Indonesia
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…
West Sumatra
This excellent coffee shop gives Sungai Penuh a cool, urban touch. Here you can sample quality beans from all over Sumatra and beyond, and there’s local…
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…
Gili Trawangan
The name says it all. All types of seating can be found right on the beach. Large trees offer shade by day while the restful swish of the surf calms the…
Senggigi
A classic beach bar with multicolour beanbags and happy-hour prices that coincide with the sunset. The cocktails are exceptionally strong and there's also…
Kalimantan
Muse is the most sophisticated nightlife venue in central Samarinda, with several floors of karaoke, DJs and live bands, as well as a chilled rooftop…
Gili Air
A great beach bar: lounge back on bamboo recliners and watch the sun set behind Gili Meno. There are DJs on Sundays and monthly full-moon parties with…
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…
Aceh
This cool little coffee roaster by the beach serves A-grade Acehnese brews along with simple food items. It rents out surfboards too (per half-day 70…
Ubud
Head to this popular bar between 8pm and 11pm, when musicians (rock, blues, latin, acoustic and more) entertain the crowd. The kitchen serves Asian bites.
Kalimantan
The stylish, partially open-air rooftop bar at Palmy Exclusive is the place to come for a panoramic city view, live music on weekends and pricey drinks.
Gili Trawangan
Of all the party bars, this upper-level venue has the largest dance floor and the meanest sound system – it pumps trance and tribal beats on Mondays.
Tana Toraja
Rantepao isn't known for its nightlife but Kafeta is a bubbling local bar with cold Bintang (60,000Rp) and a house band on weekends.
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.
Lovina
A small but high-concept club near the centre; DJs from around the island mix it up while bands play on and on.
Seminyak
One of several lively LGBTIQ venues along this strip. Drag queens and go-go dancers rock the house nightly.
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…
Semarang
With giant TV screens and opportunities for karaoke in each of the multiple cubicles, this bright red venue extends a fun night out. Besides, who can…
Jakarta
An industrial-style hang-out built from metal containers and an upper terrace from which to watch the goings-on of Jl Cikini Raya. It serves single-origin…
Senggigi
We won't even try to make sense of this British-owned, New Orleans–inspired jazz bar with great Aussie meat pies and rugby league playing on the TVs. Oh,…
Jakarta
Sit outside like a pigeon at this eyrie in the sky. At the very top of one of Indonesia's biggest banks, you can lounge outside with the sweep of Jakarta…
Padangbai
Opposite the port, this bar tries to mask its lack of atmosphere with the loudest music in town – it's definitely not the place for a quiet tipple. That…
South Lombok
'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Worries!' That's the motto of this beachside bar known for its laid-back party vibe. Coconut thatch and palms shade tables wedged…
Jakarta
Workroom Coffee has Scandi-like modern interiors set up for co-working; there are plenty of single spaces for those wanting to use their laptop. The food…
Sumatra
One of Palembang's few options for a drink is this fairly uninspired Hard Rock Cafe–style bar in the north of town. It has a stage for live music and long…
Makassar
This long-running beer garden and music stage masquerading as a seafood restaurant on the seafront is popular with locals and visitors till the wee hours…
Banda Aceh
A good downtown choice for those looking for a modern cafe with air-con and wi-fi to catch up on emails, Gaster has excellent Acehnese coffee from the…
Medan
Not only does it roast its own beans, this cafe is a magnet for connoisseurs wanting to sample some of Sumatra’s best – single-origin Mandheling Arabica…
Kalimantan
This complex contains a booming nightclub with lots of security, while a separate classy dinner restaurant is frequented by a hip and dressy crowd. The…
Seminyak
Brit Norman Findlay tickles the ivories nightly at this cheerful piano bar, where he's been not-quite perfecting his enthusiastic playing for years and…
South Sulawesi
In a town that does depressingly little to capitalise on its lake- and riverfront location, at least there's Time Out, whose second storey has river views…
South Lombok
A switch from the thatch-and-bamboo cliche that dominates the local design palette, this sleek air-con coffee bar has a nice back garden and satisfies…
Kalimantan
This neighbourhood cafe comes alive at night, serving all manner of coffee drinks in a colourfully painted house. It offers free wi-fi, basic food …
Kuta & Legian
One of the rowdier spots, Apache jams in locals and visitors, many of whom are on the make. The music is loud, but that pounding you feel the next day is…
Jakarta
One of the only options for a cold beer or cocktail inside the Ancol Luar Biasa amusement park is this worn wooden bar on a jetty overlooking a large lake.
