Bowled over by Jakarta's plush new `sports' pub

Bowled over by Jakarta's plush new `sports' pub

Those of you who have been keeping your noses to the ground as
regards trends and fads here in the big smoke may have noticed
that tenpin bowling appears to be regarded by Jakarta's plump and
rotund classes as being something of an athletic activity.

In fact, bowling has now been elevated to a status akin to
that accorded in other countries to such excruciating pastimes as
the modern pentathlon or cross-country running.

They're even showing it on TV, for crying out loud,
accompanied by all the adrenalin-charged and over-the-top
commentary that one normally associates with South American
soccer matches.

The meteoric rise of bowling in Indonesia's sporting firmament
is not such a big mystery as it would first appear, however. In a
nation desperate for international kudos, they reckon it could
produce some Olympic gold medal prospects in the not-too-distant
future -- after all, if beach-volleyball and synchronized
swimming can be recognized by the IOC, why not bowling?.

Given what's at stake, it should come as no surprise to find
that bowling alleys of the flashiest, most luxurious variety are
springing up ten-to-a-penny all over Jakarta, a city well known
for its slavish devotion at the altar of all manner of passing
trends and fads.

The latest such "sporting" mecca is located in the Auto Mall,
reportedly the largest, dedicated automobile emporium in
Southeast Asia, which you'll find slap-bang in the middle of the
Sudirman Central Business District, that semi-derelict wasteland
that looks for all the world like a set from one of those awful,
post-Armageddon movies that were all the rage a couple of years
ago.

But what makes this bowling alley a cut above the rest is the
fact that they've had the wit to attach it to a very comfortable
and relaxing pub, the Sudirman International Cafe, a welcoming
venue replete with cozy bar, music and dancing, and some
reasonable nosh.

What is especially attractive about this watering hole is the
fact that given its captive market in the form of puffing and
wheezing punters exhausting themselves in the athletic pursuit of
tenpin bowling prowess next door, you're almost always guaranteed
something approaching a gaggle of fellow tipplers propping up the
bar trying to recover, and a bevy of singles gleefully struggling
to get their breath back while still somehow managing to disport
themselves all over the show.

Only open since February (so there's still that delicious,
heady whiff of fresh paint everywhere), Sudirman International
Cafe may basically be described as another one of those trendy,
cool, awfully-sophisticated venues that are as common throughout
Asia as suppurating spots on a teenager. Oozing luxury and vague
echoes of fat-cat purrings, these joints are just the ticket for
those who become semi-orgasmic at the thought of seeing and being
seen.

But even for the likes of your's truly, people who prefer to
lurk cockroach-like in dark corners, this particular watering
hole has a lot going for it.

If nothing else, its giant TV, normally tuned in to a sports
channel, and the cozy, convivial bar, all decked out in
lusciously blond wood and calming autumnal hues -- just the sort
of place I like to prop myself up at while whiling away the
evening watching the multicolored cell-phone brigade of
nymphettes do their thing on the dance floor (feeling ever-so
superior, of course, in my self-defeating disdain for modern
technology).

Only one problem, though. The bar is cheek-to-jowl with the
stage, where a band belts out the ditties, mostly easy listening
and your usual run 'o the mill hits, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mon.
through Sat. Given the state-of-the-art sound system, apparently
designed to ensure that even Quasimodo gets the gist of what's
going on, things do tend to get ever-so-slightly noisy.

Another minor problem is the arctic chill that tends to
prevail in certain parts of this establishment, especially on the
quieter evenings. So if you are planning a trip midweek, do bring
a jacket or something else that will stop the blood from
coagulating unexpectedly.

No such worries on weekends, though, as the place was fairly
hopping on the Saturday evening of our visit -- a reservation
might well be in order if you're planning on dining.

In the way of drink, this joint has just about everything a
tried and tested tippler could desire, and not exceptionally
expensive for all that.

A JW Red Label, Smirnoff Vodka or Myers Rum can be had for Rp
35,000, while a JW Black or Chivas Regal will hit you for Rp
42,000.

In the beer department, they've got Anker (Rp 23,000 per
glass), and Corona, Carlsberg and Tiger (all going for Rp 35,000)
-- not such a wonderful selection given the sort of joint
Sudirman International Cafe aspires to be.

As for the food, not bad -- although could be much better.
Given the rather unimaginative menu, I ended up with the cream of
mushroom soup, which turned out to have all the consistency of
porridge and tasted like the sort of creamed rice that comes in a
can (all Brits should know what I'm talking about here).

Still slightly peckish, I ordered the tenderloin steak. Again
nothing special -- a bland sauce and the usual, standard veggies,
although the meat was cooked to perfection.

Another problem I encountered in this particular venue was the
fact that the glass-top tables all seemed to be suffering from a
serious dose of the totters -- given all the wobbling, I had to
do the business on the steak up at the bar.

But these are minor quibbles, and pale into insignificance
compared to the great service provided by an army of perky wait
staff, and a supercharged, fun atmosphere, just what you need on
a Saturday night out on the town.

Sudirman International Cafe, Auto Mal basement level, SCBD. Jl.
Sudirman Kav 52-53, Lot 6, Jakarta, Tel: 528-97019. Hours: 10
a.m.-2 a.m. seven days a week. All prices quoted above exclude 10
percent tax. All major credit cards accepted.

-- Bill Blade