Jakarta's Retro Club, where beautiful people of all ages get down
Jakarta's Retro Club, where beautiful people of all ages get down
JAKARTA (JP): It's the in place for beautiful people at the
moment, but does Retro Club, the subject of this week's bar/club
review, live up to its heralded reputation?
Location: Located on the ground floor of the Crown Plaza
hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto kav 2-3, Retro is pretty easy to find.
Parking, especially on weekends, is another matter. Come prepared
to double, or even triple park on the street. Probably better to
take a cab.
Hours: Open weekdays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., weekends 6 p.m. to
4 a.m. Happy hour is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. when you can get two
drinks for the price of one.
What it's got: A fully stocked bar offering a choice of
vodkas, whiskeys, cognacs and other spirits, as well as domestic
and imported beers. The bartenders can also mix up a variety of
cocktails. No food, so do not come on an empty stomach.
Bill, please: The prices are not cheap, but still in the
normal range for bars and clubs in the capital. A locally made
draught beer costs Rp 25,000, while the imported one costs Rp
35,000. Vodkas, whiskeys and cognacs all cost Rp 50,000 each.
This price also goes for your choice of cocktails. Also a variety
of juices and soft drinks at a cost of Rp 25,000 each.
Here's looking at you: While the party atmosphere can be felt,
the interior design is disappointing. The only interior
"landmark" is a huge disco ball in the middle of the room that
does not seem to be doing its job well, and a couple of huge
stars that reflect the lights. The seats are also limited, so you
can be sure that people who come here do not come to have a cozy
chat. There are only four places, which seems like raised inlets
covered with white curtains, where you can sit rather
comfortably.
In the middle is the dance floor with a small raised platform
for those who have been practicing their funky dance moves. The
really daring ones and the club regulars get on the raised tables
that are supposedly meant for drinking.
If you come during the peak hours, which start at around 12
midnight, you had better come with someone who knows their way
around because unless you are very tall, your view is limited to
one meter ahead. As it gets later, it gets more crowded and all
you can see is people everywhere, making it hard to get to the
bar which stands at the other end of the entrance.
So what's your sign: If you are single and searching or just
looking for a bit of fun with some of Jakarta's "beautiful
people", who range in age from what looks like 15 to well into
the 40s, this is the place. Better practice those pickup lines
and be sure to check that your ears and vocal chords are in
perfect condition because the music is earsplitting loud. And you
will have to shout if you want to be heard above all the loud
music.
Odds and Ends: As if to live up to its reputation of being the
place for Jakarta's beautiful people, a few "beautiful"
celebrities can also be found lounging around the bar or twirling
on the dance floor. Dangdut singer Iis Dahlia and model Donna
Harun are regular Retrogoers, according to a clubbing source.
The only thing that is a major shame about this quite
happening club is the music from the DJ's turntables. Sure it
sounds fun during your first hour there and the music, which they
call "retro house disco", can really get you to get down and move
your body along with the other "party animals", gets pretty
boring after a while. And apparently that's all they play during
the weekends. So if you like acid jazz or top 40 music, it might
be better if you came on weekdays.
There are no cover charges except for special events when
there is a guest disc jockey, or dances and fashion shows. You
are only required to purchase a first drink from the list which
is brought to you while you are queuing up to get in. Cover
charges for the special events run up to Rp 50,000. For the disco
divas there is ladies night, when the fairer sex can get in for
free and have free drinks all through the night. They also have
Monday Madness with a buy one, get one free policy (drinks, not
the ladies, of course).
Last call: This is the perfect place to go to if you are into
the clubbing scene, and also if you want to know what the latest
fashion trends are, from the glam disco look to the more casual
bohemian look. But it's a place to have fun and go mad, rather
than a venue to enjoy a drink with friends. (Monique Natalia)