Eying all the action at Mata Bar
Eying all the action at Mata Bar
JAKARTA (JP): On the lookout for a little after-hours fun
smack in the middle of the CBD? Then you may find it in Mata Bar,
which can be something for everyone, depending on what time you
visit.
Location: Located on the 16th floor of Wisma Metropolitan II,
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 31, this bar is relatively easy to find.
It is also quite easy to find a taxi since it is located on one
of Jakarta's main streets. Be prepared to phone for a cab before
you leave, though, especially during this never-ending rainy
season as it is a two-minute walk to the main road from the
lobby. You wouldn't want to be doing that in the pouring rain, as
in the case of this writer, would you?
Hours: Apparently, Mata Bar also houses a restaurant that is
open every weekday from 6 a.m. through 4 p.m. that serves
breakfast and "lunch express", as they like to call it. And if
you suddenly have the craving to enjoy a little drink, the bar is
actually open during those times and it does not close until 2
a.m. On Saturdays, opening hours are from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Happy
hour is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sundays, the whole place is
closed.
What its got: A fully stocked bar offering a choice of your
favorite spirits, as well as domestic and imported beers. The
quite-friendly bartenders will also mix up a variety of cocktails
ranging from the mild to the strong, but don't expect something
too strong as they seem to be a bit light on the booze.
When you are able to grab a table to yourself, there is also a
full menu, ranging from appetizers, salads and sandwiches to main
courses and desserts.
Bill, please: The prices are still in the normal range for
major bars in Jakarta. Soft drinks, OJ and local beer cost Rp
25,000, Southern Comfort, Kahlua and the like run to Rp 40,000,
while the cocktails range from Rp 35,000 to Rp 90,000. As for the
food, appetizers to snack on run from about Rp 15,000 to Rp
20,000 while the club sandwich and hamburgers are about Rp
25,000. They also serve steaks and other more substantial meals
at price from Rp 50,000 to Rp,70,000.
Here's looking at you: Set in a L-shaped room, Mata Bar's
design is better than your regular hangar-like club look. The
first view as you walk through the entrance is a dance floor,
which covers about a quarter of the whole area, and, of course,
the DJ table.
Contradicting its name, the place looks more like a club. The
bar itself is relatively small and laid out in a semicircle
sporting the usual high chairs. At the other end there is yet
another dance floor, which is a near replica of the other. It has
a little more room to maneuver, however, because most people
usually prefer to hang out on the dance floor that is nearer the
entrance and the bar.
If you are looking for a place to sit, you can find some seats
just opposite the bar, but don't expect anything too cozy. The
seats are a little too low and if you sink in them too deep you
can forget altogether about rising gracefully to your feet as
your favorite song starts playing.
There are also two TV sets that play MTV all night, but sadly
you will not be able to watch them comfortably from the how-low-
can-you-go seats and the awkward viewing angle.
So, what's your sign: Looking for new friends or just someone
new to chat with? You haven't come to the wrong place, even
though before its peak hours, which start pretty late, at around
1 a.m., the place reminds you of the closing credits from the
sitcom Cheers. And the music is pretty easy-listening so you
don't have to scream to be heard.
Odds and Ends: For those of you who are into R&B or Top-40
music, this is the place to go. But if you want to people-watch
or to dance the night away along with all the other party people,
better come around 1 a.m. Before that the atmosphere is not so
"discoey", especially before 11 p.m. when it feels like a private
party where all the invitees suddenly had somewhere else to go.
Around that time there is even a waiter who struts around in a
poncho offering free shots of tequila (maybe that's why before 11
p.m. women can get in free of the Rp 35,000 cover charge).
Even during the so-called "peak hours" you are still able to
dance freely without having to worry about bumping into someone
or stepping on someone else's toes.
The cover charge applies only on weekends and during special
events. There is a ladies night every Wednesday, when disco divas
get in for free and guzzle free drinks from 11 p.m. to midnight.
Last call: When it first opened in March two years ago, it was
considered one of the most popular bars in the capital.
Unfortunately, with competition from the recently opened Retro at
the Crown Plaza Hotel and Lava Lounge at Taman Ria Senayan, it's
starting to lose its customers. Which is a shame because overall,
it has the potential to be a happening bar/club. Then again,
maybe it's better this way -- at least you don't have to struggle
through a swarm of humanity, regardless of how beautiful they
are, just to get to the bar. (Monique Natalia)