In the cold at venue, the capital's newest hot spot
Penn Dawson, Contributor, Jakarta
The lounge scene, I have been told (and everyone else is told on this very page today), is the hottest thing going in Jakarta.
And there is certainly something to this, with such establishments as Paprika, the Manna Lounge and the Cinna Bar (though I would classify this last place as a bar; it's even in the name) bringing a new excitement to Jakarta's nightlife.
And the newest new must-visit lounge is Venue. There was the usual hype surrounding Venue. Beautiful minimalist decor, gorgeous interior, the place to be seen (I saw Indra Safera), blah, blah, blah.
So, unable to resist all the talk and eager to get a look at this hot new lounge (I was ordered there by the editor), I paid it a visit on a Tuesday night.
And I can report that Jakarta's newest hot spot is bloody freezing.
Bill, please: This is a lounge with an accent on wine, so there is quite a selection of wines. I don't know how many because my hands were so cold I didn't want to take them out of my pockets to count.
But there are a lot of wines. My partner had a glass of house white and a glass of house red at Rp 50,000 a pop.
I started off by ordering a whisky cola, but I think they misunderstood because they seemed to serve me a water water. But it only cost Rp 35,000. Then I ordered a Manhattan, because it makes me feel sophisticated, if slightly girly. I completely disagree with my partner, who said it tasted like cough syrup. I found it to be a rather nice Manhattan, and for only Rp 40,000.
The Venue also serves food (there is a dining area up front), so we ordered an appetizer. There were some breaded chicken strips which were all right, and some potato wedges that were just absolutely delicious. I mean they were fab.
Here's looking at you: The Venue is fashionably minimalist, but then who isn't these days. There is a dining area up front and the lounge is behind this.
In the middle of the lounge is a low, square bar, all in white. It looks as if it were hewn from a large white stone, but I believe it is actually plastic. Around the bar are some low stools (all the seats in the place seemed to be unnecessarily close to the floor).
The couches are comfortable and they don't skimp on the cushions. On the walls are paintings, which come complete with explanatory cards so you can really get the meaning of these works of art.
Through some glass doors out the back is the loo and a little pool (so don't forget your trunks). I very nearly had a tragic accident on my way to the toilet. Walking from the freezing inside into the warm air outside, my glasses steamed over and I very nearly blindly stumbled into the pool. It's really a disaster waiting to happen.
Odds and ends: There is a rather delicious-looking piano player set up over in the corner to provide background music to an evening at the Venue. As befits a lounge, the music is not so loud that it hampers conversation nor so soft that you can't listen to it if the people you are with are so dreadfully boring you would rather not converse with them.
Verdict: The Venue is the latest on the list of new hot spots in Jakarta. It's got a minimalist decor, a large selection of wines and famous guests. But will it survive once the buzz surrounding it has died down and the new latest hot spot has opened? Who knows, so you better visit it while you still can. And bring a jacket.
Location: Jl. Kemang Selatan No. 2, South Jakarta
Telephone: 780-5610
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. Open 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.