Anti-Americanism bad for bars

Anti-Americanism bad for bars

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Nightspots popular with foreigners have experienced an average
50 percent decrease in the number of patrons due to anti-American
protests, club and bar managers said.

One of the most popular hangouts for foreigners, the Tanamur,
on Jl. Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, claimed it had suffered a
50 percent drop in clientele since demonstrations hit the city.

"Previously, we had around 600 people per night, but now 400
is the most, and that's on the weekend," Merry, the assistant
manager of Tanamur told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

During weekdays, the number is even lower, especially when a
demonstration has taken place during the day.

"Our place is located at the center, not too far from the
sites of frequent demonstrations, such as the U.S. Embassy and
the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, making our guests easily
worried," she said.

Although Tanamur has not become the target of sweepings, as
has been threatened by certain radical groups seeking out
Americans, its management is very worried that the hangout could
become the next target.

"We hope there won't be such a thing (sweeping) in our place,"
Merry said.

She said the adjacent JJs club, which is under the same
management as Tanamur, also experienced a 50 percent drop in
average patronage levels.

The Cinnabar in Central Jakarta, where foreigners make up 70
percent of the clientele, also said it had experienced a 50
percent reduction in visitor numbers since the beginning of anti-
American demonstrations.

Although some of its regular customers, mostly foreign
journalists, are still frequenting the nightspot, the management
noticed the absence of its other regulars.

"When I asked our customers, some said they are concerned with
the security in the city, while the others are indifferent," said
Christy, the bar captain at Cinnabar.

Meanwhile, the Jaya Pub now relies on its members to keep the
place alive, as it struggles to keep up with the newer and
trendier nightspots while also trying to endure the impact of the
rallies.

"We still have our regular customers, about 20 of them who
would drop by almost every night, but the anti-American
demonstrations have indeed affected us as well," said Usman
Manik, manager of the pub.

He said the pub's revenue has fallen from Rp 10 million (US$
985) a night to Rp 5 million (US$ 492.50) due to the recent
protests.

However, nightspots at five star hotels are not much affected
as their visitors are mainly hotel guests.

O'Reillys at the Grand Hyatt only experienced a 10 percent
fall in revenue, as did BATS at Shangri-La hotel.

One foreigner who used to visit nightspots at least once a
week said that she would rather stay home than go out to bars.

"It's not because I'm afraid, but we are advised to keep a low
profile by our embassy and to be cautious, especially when going
out at night," a American woman, who refused to be identified,
told the Post.

"I think it's important to remain cautious these days," she
said.