The best bars and cafés Indonesia
143 Going out Indonesia
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Practical information : Take a break Indonesia
Timetable
These days, we're seeing a growing number of specialty cafés in tourist locations. These establishments, often open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., offer a relaxed, co-working environment. As for bars and breweries, a veritable beer culture is flourishing in the heart of major metropolises. Here, you can discover craft breweries offering unique and original beers. The famous "Beer gardens", meanwhile, unveil extensive alcohol menus, featuring a cutting-edge selection of spirits. These places can stay open late into the night, often past midnight, especially at weekends. On tourist islands, beach bars may also have late closing times, especially during the high tourist season.
Budget & Tips
The average cost of a cup of coffee can vary according to location and type of establishment. In major cities such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, the price of a cup of coffee in a café or restaurant can range from 20,000 to 30,000 Rp. From a street vendor or small café, the price can drop to as little as 10,000.
As for beer, prices vary depending on the brand. Local beer is generally the cheapest, ranging from Rp20,000 to Rp30,000 per bottle or can, while local microbrews tend to be a little more expensive. On the beach or in a restaurant, prices can vary between 45,000 and 80,000 Rp. If you opt for imported beer, the cost is around Rp 95,000 per bottle. It's worth noting that cans are often more expensive than bottles, and restaurants don't usually offer cask beer at a more affordable rate.
As for spirits, Bali seems to offer better prices than Jakarta, thanks to the presence of local distilleries. Cocktails can cost between 80,000 and 150,000 Rp. As for spirits, prices range from 100,000 to 250,000 Rp per glass, depending on brand and variety. Spirits and wine are not sold in grocery stores because a more expensive license is required. The cheapest local vodka or whisky in Bali costs around Rp 65,000 for 350 ml (or Rp 90,000 for 500 ml). Good wine costs from Rp 250,000 a bottle. Local arak is probably the cheapest alcohol, provided you visit one of the villages where it is traditionally made.
Age restrictions
You have to be 21 to drink alcohol in Indonesia. Tourists must respect local rules. Minors risk legal sanctions, such as fines and even imprisonment, if they consume alcohol. You won't automatically be asked for your ID card in bars, unless you look younger than your age.
What's very local
Arak, the emblematic alcoholic elixir, has its roots in Indonesian tradition, mainly forged through the distillation of fermented palm juice. This beverage, which is also made from glutinous rice or coconut palms, was initially dedicated to age-old rituals and ceremonies, but has since become part of the culture, establishing its status as a prized beverage in specific regions of the country, notably Bali and Java. The alcohol content of arak can vary, but is generally quite high, ranging from 30% to 50% or more. Brem, customarily associated with Balinese ceremonies, is sometimes used as a substitute for blood in these rituals. Its tantalizing red hue derives from the ketan hitam, also known as "black glutinous rice", which permeates the fermentation process. With an alcohol content of between 3% and 10%, brem is more subtle and delicate than arak. Next, ballo, another exquisite variation on fermented sugar palm sap, popular in South Sulawesi, is traditionally presented in a bamboo container. Secondly, sopi, forged through a meticulous process of distillation and fermentation, takes its origin from the Dutch " zoopje ", meaning liquid alcohol. Popular in Flores, the Moluccas and other parts of eastern Indonesia, this drink is a celebration of tradition, carefully crafted from the precious sap of coconuts.
As for coffee, on the bucket list, Carter Chambers, the character played by Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List, notes drinking luwak coffee. But why is luwak coffee on this list? Quite simply because it's considered one of the best coffees in the world, rare and, above all, very expensive. Harvested from the excrement of an Indonesian civet, the luwak, the seeds are then cleaned and roasted. The coffee is generally appreciated for its lack of bitterness. A cup of this coffee in Indonesia sells for 80,000 Rp. In London, the same cup can fetch £50!
Kids
In many regions, particularly in more traditional or conservative areas, it may be considered inappropriate to bring children into a bar. If in doubt, ask local residents or staff for advice.
Smokers
In general, most bars have dedicated smoking areas. This varies according to district regulations.
Tourist traps
Some tourist sites will lead you to enjoy a luwak coffee, but all too often it will be an inferior imitation. It's advisable to decline politely, unless you're certain of the product's provenance (which is virtually impossible to verify in most cases).