In the cold at venue, the capital's newest hot spot

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.