Lounging around at late-night Lava Lounge<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hear the word lava, and if you don't immediately
\nthink of volcanoes about to spew their contents in Central Java,
\nthen images of those mainstays of 1960s' living rooms come to
\nmind.<\/p>\n
The latter is, of course, if you are 30-something or over. But
\nsome of those in the youngish crowd at Lava Lounge will probably
\nhave to ask mom and dad about what those colorful lamps are all
\nabout.<\/p>\n
Location: The first floor of the East End Building at Kompleks
\nTaman Ria Senayan, Jl. Gerbang Pemuda No. 3. It is in the same
\ncomplex with other all-night places such as New York Cafe and
\nGardu, a popular spot for billiards, so if you get bored with
\nthis joint you can literally club hop to the next one just a two-
\nminute walk away.<\/p>\n
It is pretty easy to find, too. Just be on the lookout for the
\namusement area with a rather notorious name for getting
\npassengers stuck in the middle of the roller-coaster ride. Not to
\nworry, however, because after 11 p.m., which is prime clubbing
\ntime, the amusement park is closed.<\/p>\n
Hours: From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Friday, while
\non Saturday they close at 5 a.m. Sadly, if you are the type who
\ngets the Monday blues and would like to wash away your troubles
\nwith some drinks at Lava, you will be disappointed because they
\nare closed on Mondays, along with Tuesdays and Sundays. If you
\nare \"brave\" enough to come at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays to
\nFridays, they have a happy hour policy which will reward you with
\n50 percent off the regular price on house pouring drinks and
\nbeer.<\/p>\n
What's it got: A fully stocked bar offering a choice of your
\nfavorite vodkas, whiskys, cognacs and other spirits, including a
\nrange of wine brands and champagne. There are, of course, your
\nstandard domestic and imported beers. The bartenders can also mix
\nup a variety of cocktails, including some house specials with
\nnames like blue, red, white, and the latest, orange lava. They
\nare also not too stingy on the booze. Better come with a full
\nstomach, though, as the lounge only serves one kind of food, the
\nvenerable hot dog.<\/p>\n
Bill, please: The prices are not cheap, but also not eye-
\nwideningly high, about the normal range for bars and \"lounges\" in
\nJakarta. A glass of Carlsberg draught beer costs Rp 25,000, while
\nother imported beers vary from Rp 30,000 to Rp 40,000. For what
\nit's worth, the bill says that your drinking will contribute to
\nthe Lava foundation, a charity for orphans.<\/p>\n
Here's looking at you: The most attractive decorative pieces
\nare probably the famous lava lamps (surprise, surprise!). Sadly
\nthe blue, red, and yellow lamps are not groovy anymore, since no
\nvolcanic action can be seen. It's due to guests' hyperactive
\nhands, so one of the waiters said.<\/p>\n
Next there are a couple of round tables, three on each side to
\nbe exact, colored in the three primary colors, red, blue, and
\nyellow. Set in an orange and red painted room, with a wooden
\nfloor, a sorry excuse for a dance floor (approximately two by
\nthree), the place, disregarding the bar, looks a little like a
\nplayroom. It seems like they were trying to create a psychedelic
\natmosphere but ended up failing miserably at it.<\/p>\n
Disco divas who prefer to wear high or wooden heels may be
\nquite annoyed by the wooden floor. Especially if you want to walk
\nacross the room from where the sofas are. Luckily, for those of
\nyou who tend to get thirsty while dancing with all the other
\nclubbers, there is also a small bar by the side of the dance
\nfloor.<\/p>\n
Another standout feature is some kind of lighting next to the
\nDJ table, located at opposite the entrance, which emits
\npsychedelic effects. If you suddenly lose your appetite for
\ndancing or people-watching and want to look occupied, you can
\nsway you body to the beat while feasting you eyes on the TV
\nscreen above the DJ table that plays MTV's competitor, channel V,
\nall night long.<\/p>\n
So, what's your sign?: Even though during the peak hours the
\nplace is great for people-watching, you would not want to try out
\nthose expertly crafted pickup lines, unless you spot someone who
\ndid not come seemingly bound to a colony of friends. Having a
\nsudden flashback from high school, are you?<\/p>\n
Odds and Ends: Despite the name, it looks more like your
\nregular disco club than a lounge. This is also supported by the
\nfact that they do not have live music. Most of the time they do
\nnot play music other than loud techno-ish DJ music which some
\npeople like to call silky deep house, garage and also two step.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the DJs are pretty good with their mixing on the
\nturntables and what-have-you to make the otherwise pretty
\nmonotonous music a bit variable. So, if you are an R 'n B or
\nhiphop fan, better come on Wednesdays when the DJ takes a short
\nbreak from all the deafening music.<\/p>\n
Like a regular club they have a Rp 30,000 cover charge which
\nentitles you to a choice of juices, soft drinks and beer for your
\nfirst drink. For those of you who are interested in coming to one
\nof Lava's special events, then be prepared to pay a higher cover
\ncharge, which can be up to Rp 50,000.<\/p>\n
If you are here to party, better come after 1 a.m. Before that
\nthe place with its overly loud and heart-thumping music is
\ncertainly not a venue to enjoy a drink with friends, nor it is a
\nplace to get down unless you want to be stared at by all the
\nother, (approximately 10), \"clubbers\". Even on a Saturday night
\nbefore the peak hours, the place seems just slow enough to enable
\nyou to take a short snooze.<\/p>\n
As for the guests, even though they have a 21-and-over door
\npolicy it appears that a few teenyboppers are among the twenty
\nand thirty-something crowd. According to one of the blond-wigged
\nwaitresses, most of their regular customers have been coming to
\nLava from as long as two years ago when the lounge was still at
\nHotel Mandarin.<\/p>\n
Last call: If you are over the ages mentioned above, it would
\nprobably be better to find somewhere else to go, as you will feel
\nlike you are a chaperone at a school dance. Nevertheless this
\nplace is at least worth a visit. And if things do not get
\nhappening enough there are clubs a stroll away which may be more
\nto your taste. (Monique Natalia)<\/p>",
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