Bibliotheque (Jakarta)

Bibliotheque, The Library bar, is an impressive and stylish venue, which made the buzz in Jakarta during the last semester of 2009. Not a great party place but ok for an (expensive) drink. It becomes much nicer in my opinion after 10pm as the formal atmosphere eases up a bit and the DJ kicks in.

Be careful, the dresscode is very strict: No short, no torn jeans, no sandals. Expect to pay around 400,000rp for a meal + wine if you decide to eat there.

Bibliotheque Bar & Restaurant Jakarta
Sampoerna Strategic Square
South Tower B, Ground Floor No. 8
Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav. 45-46
Jakarta 12930, Indonesia

Contacts details:
+62-21-57956779
+62-21-57956780
bibliotheque@rocketmail.com

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 1am
Friday – Saturday 11am – 3am
Closed on Sunday.

Thanks Martin for the photos of Biblioteque. He has more shots of Jakarta nightlife on his Flickr account here.

Liquid Exchange Bar and Restaurant Jakarta

Liquid Exchange is a long, elegant bar and restaurant located in the new Jakarta mall Epicentrum Walk. Owned by the group behind Aphrodite, it is in my opinion more upscale, and targets primarily expatriates and executives.

The main originality of Liquid Exchange is that the prices of cocktails may change ; just like stocks do on a regular stock exchange. It could be amusing, but you don't really ever manage to get great deals so you end up feeling like an idiot consumer in the middle of a marketing war.

Practical Information:
Open from 10am to midnight everyday.

Lunch set starting Rp. 45,000 only (as of November 13th, 2010, it should get higher)

Website: http://www.lexjakarta.com/
Twitter: @LIQUIDEXCHANGE
Facebook: Liquid Exchange Bar

Contact details:
Liquid Exchange Jakarta: Restaurant, Bar, Lounge
Jln H.R Rasuna Said. Epicentrum Walk, Ground Floor 6F Unit W 136B

Phone number: +62-21 29941442

E' Corner (Epicentrum Walk)

E'Corner is a nice restaurant & bar in Epicentrum walk, popular with expats and young executives. It opened recently with a neat interior design themed around the Earth and the 5 elements - wind, fire, water, etc... They serve Mediterranean-style food, made from fresh ingredients and using basic, light recipes. Among the favourite items in the menu, you should try the New Zealand Lamb Chops and the Angus Beef Tenderloin which I must say are yummy... For drinking, the place sells alcohol but you may want to try one of their original mocktails such as the "e`punch" (Strawberry Juice, Pineapple Juice, orange Juice, fresh Banana, Mint Syrup, and Grenadine Syrup) or the Herbal Flair (Fresh Fennel, Basil, Mint leaves, Orange Juice and Honey).

Since E'Corner opened very recently, the music schedule is still uncertain. However, the management promises there will be something everyday very soon: live acoustic band, pianist and singer, and DJ.

Contact details and practical information:
E'Corner Lounge & Restaurant
Epicentrum Walk, GF, Komplek Rasuna Epicentrum
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said
Jakarta Selatan
Indonesia, 12960

ecorner@bestandbrightestcorp.com
Phone number: +6221 2994 1444 / 1555

Opening Hours:
Weekday: 11am to 12am
Weekend: 11am to 2pm

Price Range: More expensive than average.

twitter: /ecornerjkt
Website: E'Corner Jakarta

Tin Pan Alley (American Bistro)

Tin Pan Alley (a reference to American music) opened in September 2010 in the new UOB Tower, in Central Jakarta. Locally-owned, it is very similar in the design with Immigrant and in the menu with Potato Head. The dishes served are mostly "bistro" types: Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Pastas, Steaks, but with more attention paid to the presentation, the quality and the originality of the recipes than in an ordinary bistro. The setting is classy in an industrial vintage style, if such a style exists. The waiters are dressed old-fashioned and look as if they had come from a Charlie Chaplin movie. I was surprised to hear they could speak English perfectly, almost with an American accent. It is quite rare in Jakarta.

Since we were a few eating in Tin Pan Alley that day, I had a bite from different dishes, among which:
-the 180 grams Australian Tenderloin (Rp 149,000), well-cooked with a delicious sauce, but lacking a side dish
-the Cheese Tomato Foccacia (Rp 49,000), not really enjoyed by anybody: too much cheese and not enough tomatoes, I was expecting something more juicy
-the potato wedges (Rp 49,000), heavy and greasy but as good as any other junk food
-the Spaghetti Aglio Shrimp (Rp 59,000), great taste but a little small
-the fried chicken dinner (Rp 69,000): Ok but a bit expensive for fried chicken
-the choco truffle cake (Rp 29,000): Excellent, it is melting in the mouth perfectly, but I prefer the one I tried in Ninety-Nine restaurant.

Overall: Tin Pan Alley is recommended because you can enjoy there some simple, yet well-prepared dishes in a stylish environment. Expats will have the occasion to taste the same food they could have back home, at much better prices. Compared to a nasi goreng you'll eat in the street Tin Pan Alley is much more expensive, but once in a while it is quite a pleasure. Good for dates, dinner with friends, business. Average expense per person: Rp 80,000 to Rp 120,000.


Tin Pan Alley American Bistro
Thamrin Nine Podium /UOB lobby lv #f, Jl. Mh Thamrin No.10
Jakarta, Indonesia, 10230
Phone: +62 21 3000 7881
Open every day from 10am to 10pm

For more information you can check their facebook fan page: Tin Pan Alley Jakarta