Nightspots close as nightlife slows
JAKARTA (JP): Almost two-thirds of the city's 157 nightspots have temporarily closed and dozens are expected to follow as fewer revelers venture out on the town at night, a senior official said over the weekend.
Toha Reno from the City Public Order Office said at least 97 entertainment centers have reported their closure following a 75 percent drop in the number of patrons over the past two months.
"Most of the venues were closed down (by the owners) due to the slack business brought about by recent monetary woes. Only about 60 nightspots remain and they are struggling to survive," Toha told The Jakarta Post.
Owners are also struggling to cope with the soaring cost of liquor higher rents, Toha said.
The affected nightspots include bars, karaoke bars, discotheques and nightclubs.
"You can't blame people who choose not to come to these venues. In this kind of economic situation, most residents would prefer to stay at home and watch TV."
Among the nightspots which have gone under are the popular B- One bar & discotheque, Ebony, Tambora nightclub, Taka discotheque and karaoke, Foster discotheque, Asmat discotheque and pub, Celebrities bar and Million Dollar disco, in South Jakarta. In West Jakarta Mawar Ceria discotheque and Karaoke, Selayang Pandang, Rasa Sayang, Top Ten and Stardust have all closed.
Other closures include the Manhattan discotheque on Jl. Mangga Dua and Scorpion discotheque on Jl. Samanhudi, Central Jakarta.
Brothels
About 20 percent of the city's 226 massage parlors, often camouflaged brothels, have closed for business. "Many of the young girls who used to work there have gone back to their home towns", Toha said.
The closures have generated a new force of unemployed workers. "We estimate that at least 1,700 employees have been laid off", he said.
Most of the larger venues have closed due to soaring rents which are commonly priced in U.S. dollars.
"They might have to pay up to US$8,000 just for the annual rental fee. Not to mention the high price of liquors and other imported food stuffs," Toha said.
Sluggish demand and high rents have also affected other businesses, such as Studio 21, the country's largest cinema chain.
"I've received reports that there are significant drop in people going to watch movie. In weekdays theaters are almost empty", he said.
A representative from Asmat discotheque and pub described to The Jakarta Post how they had attempted to survive the slump.
"For instance, we change the mixture of drinks and liquors so it will not be too expensive for the buyer. We are also cutting down our menus, but it does not help much. Less people come."
"We are forced to temporary closed down our spot. Hopefully we will back in business after the financial situation improves", Asmat's representative added.
South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said over the weekend that most entertainment spots in Kemang faced similar difficulties, evident in the reduced volume of traffic in the area on Saturday evenings.
"But up until now there are no reports of closures, excluding those sealed for breaching the rules."
"Based on our observation, business has slowed down significantly over the past two months. I hope the situation improves soon, because the city needs income from entertainment tax and levies," he added. (edt)