After Hours Club a gem on Jakarta's bar scene

JAKARTA (JP): This week we stop in at the After Hours Club, a classy venue that deserves more notice than it has received since opening in March 2000.

Location: Jl. Kebon Sirih, Arya Building, Fifth Floor. Located just off of Jl. Agus Salim (or Jl. Sabang, if you wish). It is near to such popular spots as Jl. Jaksa and the Hard Rock, though the street in front of the building is a little quiet, not to the extent, however, that you will have any difficult finding a taxi. The fact that the After Hours Club is located on the wrong end of Jl. Sabang, i.e. not on the Jl. Thamrin side, may have something to do with it not yet having become a popular venue for cocktails, which is a shame since it is in no way isolated or off the beaten track.

Hours: Open daily from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., although the closing time can be pushed forward or moved back, depending on how many patrons there are, or aren't.

What's it got: A fully stocked bar of your favorite spirits, as well as domestic and imported beers. The friendly bartenders will mix you up a variety of cocktails, and they don't skimp on the booze, so expect something strong.

There is also a full menu, from soups, salads and sandwiches to main courses and desserts.

Bill, please: Prices are firmly within the normal range for bars and clubs in the capital. A draught Bintang runs you Rp 18,000, a dry martini Rp 28,000 and a Manhattan Rp 40,000. Seven cocktails, one draught beer and nachos totaled Rp 358,364. Not cheap, but certainly not expensive for a night out for three. And again it should be emphasized that unlike some bars and clubs which seem to be a bit shy with the alcohol when mixing drinks, the bartenders at the After Hours Club give you your money's worth.

Here's looking at you: The owners obviously put some time, and money, into this place. The After Hours Club has been laid out to form three distinct areas. First there is the stage, where bands perform on Friday and Saturday nights. In front of the stage is a dance floor, a booth for the DJ, who spins records during the week, and small tables around the edge of the dance floor.

Next is the bar, and it is quite a bar. Long and roomy with comfortable stools, it provides ample room for drinking and is far enough from the music that you can hold a conversation without having to lean into your partner and scream into their ear. At the end of the bar is a pool table, with ample space around it so you don't have to look behind you before each shot to make sure you aren't going to poke somebody with the cue.

Beyond the bar and pool table is a fantastic sitting area. Dimly lit, with large couches and armchairs arranged around low tables, this area provides a more intimate setting for drinks and conversation. And again, it is even further removed from the music than the bar, making this area that much more peaceful, if that is what you are looking for.

The whole club itself is decorated in an understated and tasteful manner. Low lighting, photographs with an artistic bent on the walls and lots of wood and muted colors. A very smart venue.

Odds and ends: As mentioned, there is live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and on these two nights the place gets more crowded than during the week. There is never a cover charge.

You can purchase a membership at the After Hours Club, entitling you to discounts on drinks, plus the opportunity to use the club for functions.

The staff also deserves praise. They are helpful and friendly, ready for a joke and to answer any questions. But unlike many bars, particularly those that are not exactly crowded, they do not hover and fawn, staying on the right side of that line between being friendly to being annoying.

Last call: In a city that lacks good bars, the After Hours Club should have a large following grateful for such a tasteful venue to enjoy a drink with friends. That this has for the most part not yet happened is a pity, because a good bar is a terrible thing to waste. (Penn Dawson)