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)