Close encounters at hopping Mata Bar<\/p>\n
By Irene Sugiharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Young disco-goers who are getting bored with
\ntheir usual hang-outs have found a new latest hot spot to rock
\nthe night away at Mata Bar & Cafe.<\/p>\n
Mata (as it is call by regulars), located in Jl. Sudirman's
\nWisma Metropolitan II building, is famous for its heavy crowds on
\nweekends, but the latest trends indicate this is what people
\nwant. Even though there is a capacity limit, such rules seem to
\nbe ignored, so that even moving your arm is often difficult.<\/p>\n
Having existed for only about three months, it is hard to say
\nwhen this place will be just another page in history. The normal
\nrun of events in Jakarta is that new hang-outs are always packed
\nat first with many entrance restrictions, but when a new
\ncompetitor arrives on the scene, the old ones die out.<\/p>\n
With a cover charge of Rp 25,000, disco lovers can enjoy their
\nfirst sip from a choice of juice or coke and alcoholic drinks
\nsuch as whisky and cola, gin and tonic and a range of beers. This
\nis quite intriguing since other entertainment spots usually do
\nnot include spirits in the first drink charge. However, some of
\nthe drink prices are a bit more expensive than other places. For
\nexample, you have to pay Rp 16,000 for a glass of coke and Rp
\n37,000 for a glass of Jack Daniels. A glass of Long Island iced
\ntea is Rp 59,000, while tequila is Rp 52,000.<\/p>\n
Mata Bar & Cafe converts into a discotheque at around 10 p.m.
\nand rocks on until after 3 a.m. The later it gets during a
\nweekend night, the longer it takes you merely to get to level 16
\nwhere it is located. The queue might spill out of the lobby of
\nthis high-rise building, and once you have reached the door, more
\nof your time is taken up purchasing the entrance ticket, queuing
\nup to get your first drink and finally arriving at the dance
\nfloor.<\/p>\n
If you hate the crowds, you should come during week, when the
\ndance floor is relatively empty.<\/p>\n
A 21-year-old regular expressed his preference to go to Mata
\non Saturdays as this is when the funkier tunes play, but of
\ncourse this depends on your own personal opinion.<\/p>\n
Another young visitor seemed astonished that, even though
\nother entertainment sights offer more exhilarating performances,
\n\"Mata somehow has some kind of magnet attracting us.\" This might
\nbe, as she tried explaining, \"... because visitors are usually
\naround our age. I prefer going to places where I can meet people
\nof my age.\"<\/p>\n
It can be observed that there are more ABG's (Indonesian slang
\nterm for adolescents) than adults.<\/p>\n
Located strategically in the heart of the city, unlike other
\nplaces such as Jamz and Zanzibar, Mata offers Jakarta's youth a
\nrefreshing and relaxing atmosphere. It is odd though that few
\nnon-Indonesians attracted to this spot.<\/p>\n
Even though many teenyboppers are found in Mata, a written
\nregulation stuck on the entrance says women must be at least 18
\nto enter and men 21. There is no ID check but you might be
\nstopped at the door by the security guard if you wear a T-shirt
\nand sandals, unless he categorizes you as an \"honorary guest\", a
\n\"VIP\" or if you have blonde hair and light skin.<\/p>",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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