Fill your night with three floors of fun at The beat

JAKARTA (JP): This week we've got The beat. It's brand new, it's in Kemang and it bills itself as one-stop entertainment. Does it pass muster, and can we expect The beat to make its mark on the already crowded Kemang scene? Or will it just beat it? Here's our thoughts on the matter.

Location: Jl. Kemang Raya No. 29, Kemang, South Jakarta. The only difficulty you may have in finding The beat is that there are so many cafes, restaurants and clubs in the area that you can get to feeling a bit overwhelmed. Drive slowly and do not panic; you will eventually find what you are looking for.

If you have any inquiries you can reach The beat at 718-2970, or look them up on the Web at www.thebeatjakarta.com.

Hours: Open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., though the closing hour, like everything else in life, can change. There is no Happy Hour, management having done away with it after the soft opening.

What's it got: All the booze a body can drink. There is vino, cerveza, spirits and everything else you would expect in a bar. There is also food, from little munchies to complete meals.

Bill, please: Drink and food cost here what they cost in other such establishments in the city. One glass of wine, one bottle of beer and an Illusion set us back about Rp 110,000.

Here's looking at you: The one-stop entertainment of The beat is contained on three floors. On the ground floor is the main bar, the DJ, a dance floor and a little section with some comfy couches and chairs. The bar is adequate, meaning it is long enough to satisfy all the drinkers in the house who want to belly up to the bar. The stuffed couches and chairs provide a nice place to park your can, and the music is loud enough if you want to shake your thing. The only problem is that when you put all these things together people get confused. Is this a bar, a cafe, a club?

The second floor on the night in question was not open. But that was all right, because it meant we could get to the fantastic third floor all the faster. It is here on the third floor that The beat shows its class. The garden terrace, if you will, has a small bar and a pool table inside, along with a few TVs, and outside, under the stars, a number of tables are arranged. With a fountain babbling pleasantly and low lighting providing an intimate atmosphere, this is an ideal spot for leisurely drinks and long conversations with friends and lovers.

So, what's your sign: The beat seems keen on putting on fashion shows and having fashion dancers on the ground floor, so you may be able to bag a model, if you have the right bait.

The clientele is a mixed bag. On the night we were there we spotted one group that looked like they were from the Jakarta International School (although they were not being obnoxious like the kids who sometimes take over TGIF's on a Friday), and everyone else appeared to be professionals out for a few drinks to celebrate the end of another week of work.

The majority of the customers appeared to be couples, although there were a few stray singles you could try and pick off (not counting the kids from JIS).

Odds and ends: The beat is big on special programs, so you may want to give them a call to find out what's on. They have music every night, none of it live, and it ranges from disco to acid jazz depending on the night.

Last call: The beat opened its doors on Jan. 10, so it may not yet be fully formed, more of a work in progress. Be that as it may, there is a lot to recommend the place. The garden terrace is a fantastic spot for a drink or a game of pool, and one can see it becoming a favorite meeting place.

While the rest of The beat may not yet live up to the garden terrace, it has its positive points. And the management seems to be working hard to make The beat a favored destination in Kemang. (Penn Dawson)