Legendary Tanamur still sizzling after 26 years

JAKARTA (JP): Diskotik Tanamur, the oldest discotheque in the country, celebrated its 26th anniversary last Thursday by providing its faithful patrons with a light dinner and lots of drinks.

Four return tickets to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, were awarded to lucky couples and the "best- dressed" visitors. Dozens of bags filled with T-shirts and other gifts bearing the discotheque's name were also given away.

"This is a special day for us. We wanted to share our joy with our customers, who are indeed the real entertainers in this place," the disco's owner, Ahmad Fahmy, told The Jakarta Post.

Fahmy said some of the gifts were sponsored by firms such as British Airways and Bir Bintang.

Despite the heavy rain, the celebration attracted nearly 500 visitors. Most were foreigners, many of whom were still in business suits when they began arriving at around 11 p.m.

Transsexuals wore their finest dresses, as did a number of young and middle-aged women. Their sultry presence and X-rated dresses quickly heated up the atmosphere. The party was also enlivened by numerous gay couples, another Tanamur trademark.

The cover charge of Rp 15,000 (US$6.50) entitled each visitor to a drink and a lucky draw ticket. The customers were greeted by deafening music and 20,000 watts of dazzling lights.

"We're playing all of our latest music tonight," said Vincent, one of Tanamur's two senior disc jockeys.

With a pack of Dji Sam Soe clove-blended cigarettes and a bottle of mineral water at his side, Vincent danced slowly as he worked the turntables in the windowless booth above the dance floor.

Wall to wall

The music rocked the crowds on both floors of the discotheque. Those who failed to find room on the dancing floor chose to rock at their tables, in the corners or just on the laps of their partners.

"Every inch of space available is good enough to enjoy tonight's fiesta," said a foreigner, who had a glass of beer in his left hand and a local girl in the right.

After midnight, the fiesta got even hotter and more crowded. Couples were hugging and kissing, and those dancing on the dance floor and on the stairs began to get erotic.

On one end of the dance floor, a half-naked foreigner was seen dancing strangely, while on the other side a well-dressed man with thick glasses was dancing happily with his hands moving like a Cobra toward the heavens.

"I like tonight's party," said Steve, a regular visitor.

In terms of interior design, Tanamur is slightly better than it used to be, thanks to last year's renovation. The smoke level has also been reduced since they installed a huge blower and air conditioner.

Thursday's party was also a fiesta for parking attendants and umbrella boys. Visitors were forced to pay at least Rp 3,000 for parking and Rp 1,500 to borrow an umbrella. Taxi drivers were each asked to pay Rp 1,000 per pick up.

"This is our way to enjoy Tanamur's birthday party," said Anto, an umbrella boy. (bsr)