Cafes promise unforgettable night

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta

While most Jakartans will usually stay at home watching television during New Year's Eve, clubbers and party goers will be treated to a variety of live extravaganzas at cafes, restaurants, hotels and public parks to count down the remaining hours of 2002.

For clubbers and party goers, cafes and restaurants might be the preferred place to welcome in the New Year. Such places usually offer more exciting experiences compared to other places.

New Year's Eve parties at cafes or restaurants are usually arranged in such a way that the programs will not be boring but will keep audiences enthusiastic and delighted.

Kinara, Fez Lounge & Chand Garden on Jl. Kemang Raya, South Jakarta, will be ushering in 2003 with its New Year's Extravaganza program. Each of the three floors of the building will be hosting a party in its own right. In the Fez Lounge, DJ Roland will be spinning garage, world beats and jazzy tunes with live tabla accompaniment for those looking to start the evening with a bang.

Kinara will offer guests a sumptuous all-night buffet of over 30 premium items, and mouthwatering treats. Visitors to Chand Garden will be treated to the lively Mantra sounds of Bangara music brought to them by Indian DJ Vijay.

The party starts at 9:30 pm. Tickets are priced at Rp 300,000 and include unlimited access to all three floors, all you can eat all night, and a free flow of both alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.

With a total of 700 guests expected to attend, the Kinara New Year's Extravaganza promises to be the most happening New Year's Eve party in town.

Additionally, guests will enjoy a live performance of exotic belly dancers, a midnight champagne toast, party favors, and a confetti drop/New Year's countdown.

At Cafe Jalan Jalan at the top of the Menara Imperium on Jl. Rasuna Said, in Kuningan, South Jakarta visitors will be treated to a Tattoo Contest and a Tattoo Corner, 'Leather & Lace' Fashion Show, Sexy Dancers all night long and a laser show. The New Year's Eve Party is entitled the XXX (Triple X Party) is inspired by film XXX starring Vin Diesel which has just recently been screened in the city's theaters. The film portrays young people with a dynamic lifestyle, with a musical feast, and lots cool dudes and chicks with tattoos.

The party will kick off at 9 p.m. "Most programs will refer to the movie," said the cafe's marketing and communication manager Brigitta Lisa.

A large-screen TV in several spots will be available at the cafe, allowing visitors to see the movie.

Cafe Jalan Jalan has a seating capacity of 1,000 people. "Between 1,200 and 1,500 visitors are expected to attend the party," Brigitta said

Unlike last year's party that featured a combination of lighting and laser, Hard Rock Cafe at the Sarinah Building, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta will offer a blend of DJs and a live band. The Cafe will feature talented and experienced local DJs Ririn and Rim as well as DB8 Live Band from the Philippines. "Our guests, (most of whom are young people), will not only be enjoying live electric music but also dance," said Vera of Hard Rock Cafe.

The dance floor will be galvanized by progressive music now in fashion, keeping the spirits high and dynamic.

With the theme Moulin Rouge 2003, Planet Hollywood Restaurant and Bar on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta will present a series of performances, including live entertainment featuring artists Shanty, X-pin Band, Chanc2x Dance. There will also be a parade, a cabaret show, juggler, a fire eater and a fortune teller. The programs are conducted by top MC Hilbram Dunnar.

The prepared event has been taken from the 20th Century Fox film Moulin Rouge. The interior design of the restaurant will resemble the original theater in France in 1898, with Planet Hollywood staff wearing period costumes.

According to Maria Tenggono, Planet Hollywood Jakarta's Public Relations Manager, the Planet Hollywood is the only restaurant in town with the Moulin Rouge movie theme. "Therefore, it is not strange to see that this year, we take the theme of that film that was a hit at the box office," she said.

The restaurant and the bar have a seating capacity of 260 and 300 respectively. "We expect to see 260 visitors at the restaurant and 500 at our bar," she said.

If you are big fans of the KLA Project known for their soft and melodious tunes, you can visit Pasir Putih Restaurant on Jl. Kemang Raya, South Jakarta. At the restaurant, visitors will be treated to the soft tunes of vocalist Katon Baskoro, elegant movements of dancers and entertainment by the house DJ.

Several minutes before the clock strikes 12, the cafes and restaurants will involve the audiences to count down to 2003.

At Pasir Putih Restaurant with silver and black color as background, when it hits midnight, all of the lights will be switched off for one minute followed by the noise of a siren prior to the appearance of the restaurant staff and dancers led by KLA Project musicians who will parade on stage.

"Moments later the guests will be showered by confetti," the manager said.

Around 20 minutes before 12, dancers will enter the disco area for a special dance performance followed by the "Leather & Lace" Fashion Dance Show until midnight.

A DJ at Cafe Jalan Jalan will assist with the countdown before glasses of champagne are distributed all 'round, trumpets blaring and people kissing on the dance floor.

Laser lights will light up to sweep the disco, with music accompanying the countdown. At midnight all the guests will lift up their champagne and toast with the friends around and sing Auld Lang Syne.

"When the peak of the program begins to subside, we will choose one of the cool and good-looking guys who are willing to be tattooed with a picture of Cafe Jalan Jalan on his neck. And will give him Rp 10 million in compensation for the tattoo," Brigitta said.

"The tattooing will be conducted at the discotheque where guests can see it", she added.