Oriental Bar: Providing welcome relief from woes of world
Oriental Bar: Providing welcome relief from woes of world
I must admit right away that I've always had ideas above my
station, which is probably why I get such a kick out of visiting
Jakarta's most salubrious, and exorbitant, watering holes -- all
at the Post's expense of course.
After my latest foray into the world of the well-heeled, I
think it's no exaggeration to say that one of the most salubrious
watering holes here in the big smoke at the moment is to be found
spicing up the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, right in the heart of
Central Jakarta.
I'm referring here to Oriental Bar, open since Feb. 10, and a
fine new arrival in the elite world of top-notch Jakarta
rendezvous.
Suave and sophisticated in the way that only a true doyen of
aristocratic stock can be, this venue should come as a real treat
for all those who have had it up to the teeth, and beyond, with
the brash and glitzy pubs oozing nouveau-riche smugness that tend
to dominate the Jakarta nightlife scene.
Catering to those of a more contemplative, perhaps maturer,
nature than your usual run o' the mill zit-popper and twenty-
something hangouts, this particular establishment provides
welcome relief from maniacal sound systems, drug-crazed hordes
and legions of night wanderers.
In fact, Oriental Bar is a veritable place apart -- no TV, no
pool table, and, mercifully, no head-thumping, ear-drilling live
music belting out at the zillion decibel level.
What you get there, instead, is a delightfully luxurious venue
-- subdued, yet exotic, restrained, yet stimulating,
sophisticated, yet friendly and welcoming.
Mind you, as far as the friendly bit is concerned, like so
many other venues nowadays, the bar staff here have been trained
to greet the unsuspecting punter in a manner usually reserved for
long-lost brothers or prodigal sons, with vigorous, firm
handshakes and attentive inquiries as to the punter's health and
well-being the order of the day.
Coming from a part of the world where people tend to shy away
from personal contact and handshakes are generally perfunctory
affairs, I personally find long, drawn-out paw grasps rather
embarrassing, not to mention irritatingly contrived in a
McDonalds' "have-a-nice-day" kind of way.
To put it briefly, such Stanley-finds-Livingstone greetings
would be best dispensed with entirely -- friendly bar staff are
all well and good, but no need to go overboard, guys, even if the
intentions are laudable!
Apart from this minor whinge, I was hard-pressed to find
anything else deficient about Oriental Bar -- they've even got
the rest-rooms conveniently located in the pub so you don't have
to trek off on a major expedition every time nature calls.
Designed by Hirsh & Bedner of Singapore, everything here is
deliciously muted and understated -- lots of deep burgundies,
browns, yellows and other autumnal shades set off by some
beautiful rugs and exquisite oriental decorations, all
complemented by wonderfully comfy sofas and couches.
As for the bar, it's a semi-circular affair with room for
about a dozen or so tipplers. And like all well-designed bars,
the stools are closely set together so that it shouldn't take too
long to strike up a chat with a fellow punter.
Oriental Bar is by no means a large establishment -- with
seating for a total of 72 persons it's just the right size to be
eminently convivial while still big enough to give the punter
something to look at when at a loose end.
All in all, just the ticket for taking the jaded mind off
"sweeping" and all the madness in the Middle East currently being
played out before our very eyes every day on TV.
Which probably explains why quite a few foreign ambassadors
seem to have made this their local -- it's probably the only time
in the day they can get away from all the nonsense about "shock
and awe", "decapitation" and all the other mumbo jumbo so beloved
of the military and war correspondents.
For some strange reason, though, they don't deign to serve up
nosh in Oriental Bar, although they do dish up lots of dainty
canapes -- dainty but not particularly filling. So if you are on
the peckish side, perhaps you should think twice before deciding
on a night out around these parts.
As for damage to the pocket, five-star hotel prices of course,
with a couple of cocktails for two coming to between Rp 250,000
and Rp 300,000 -- not really so out-of-this-world, considering
the amount of time and effort that's gone into making this the
superb venue it is. A glass of Bintang beer can be had for only
Rp 25,000, though, while imported beers are about Rp 40,000 and
upward per bottle (excluding tax and service).
So there you have it: Oriental Bar, a great place to take time
out from the travails of this world, down a couple of bevies and
generally forget about it all. Just what the doctor ordered,
given the times that we're in!
Oriental Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Jl MH Thamrin, Jakarta
10310. Opening hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days per week. All
major credit cards accepted. You can call them on 3983-8888 ext.
5358.
-- Bill Blade