Anti-American rallies deeply affect nightspots<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Nightspots popular with foreigners have
\nexperienced an average 50 percent decrease in the number of
\npatrons due to anti-American protests, club and bar managers
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
One of the most popular hangouts for foreigners, the Tanamur,
\non Jl. Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, claimed it had suffered a
\n50 percent drop in clientele since demonstrations hit the city.<\/p>\n
\"Previously, we had around 600 people per night, but now 400
\nis the most, and that's on the weekend,\" Merry, the assistant
\nmanager of Tanamur told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
During weekdays, the number is even lower, especially when a
\ndemonstration has taken place during the day.<\/p>\n
\"Our place is located at the center, not too far from the
\nsites of frequent demonstrations, such as the U.S. Embassy and
\nthe Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, making our guests easily
\nworried,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Although Tanamur has not become the target of sweepings, as
\nhas been threatened by certain radical groups seeking out
\nAmericans, its management is very worried that the hangout could
\nbecome the next target.<\/p>\n
\"We hope there won't be such a thing (sweeping) in our place.
\nIf that happens we'll suffer from a sharp decrease in our revenue
\nas most of our visitors are foreigners,\" Merry said, while
\nrefusing to divulge any revenue figures.<\/p>\n
She said the adjacent JJs club, which is under the same
\nmanagement as Tanamur, also experienced a 50 percent drop in
\naverage patronage levels.<\/p>\n
The Cinnabar in Central Jakarta, where foreigners make up 70
\npercent of the clientele, also said it had experienced a 50
\npercent reduction in visitor numbers since the beginning of anti-
\nAmerican demonstrations.<\/p>\n
Although some of its regular customers, mostly foreign
\njournalists, are still frequenting the nightspot, the management
\nnoticed the absence of its other regulars.<\/p>\n
\"When I asked our customers, some said they are concerned with
\nthe security in the city, while the others are indifferent,\" said
\nChristy, the bar captain at Cinnabar.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Jaya Pub now relies on its members to keep the
\nplace alive, as it struggles to keep up with the newer and
\ntrendier nightspots while also trying to endure the impact of the
\nrallies.<\/p>\n
\"We still have our regular customers, about 20 of them who
\nwould drop by almost every night, but the anti-American
\ndemonstrations have indeed affected us as well,\" said Usman
\nManik, manager of the pub.<\/p>\n
He said the pub's revenue has fallen from Rp 10 million (US$
\n985) a night to Rp 5 million (US$ 492.50) due to the recent
\nprotests.<\/p>\n
However, nightspots at five star hotels are not much affected
\nas their visitors are mainly hotel guests.<\/p>\n
O'Reillys at the Grand Hyatt only experienced a 10 percent
\nfall in revenue, as did BATS at Shangri-La hotel.<\/p>\n
\"Aside from our regular customers, we also have the hotel
\nguests who would usually drop by at BATS,\" said Tania Walla,
\nShangri-La's assistant communications manager.<\/p>\n
One foreigner who used to visit nightspots at least once a
\nweek said that she would rather stay home than go out to bars.<\/p>\n
\"It's not because I'm afraid, but we are advised to keep a low
\nprofile by our embassy and to be cautious, especially when going
\nout at night,\" a American woman, who refused to be identified,
\ntold the Post.<\/p>\n
\"I think it's important to remain cautious these days,\" she
\nsaid. (06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/anti-american-rallies-deeply-affect-nightspots-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}