Q Bar keeps on hopping 'til wee hours

Q Bar keeps on hopping 'til wee hours

JAKARTA (JP): For our latest bacchanalian adventure, we
decided to take a trip down memory lane by visiting Jl. Jaksa,
one of the old stomping grounds in the halcyon days of the early
1990s.

While cruising down the drag, one of the first changes we
noticed was that the former Jaksa International Bar & Restaurant
had been succeeded, phoenix-like, by Q Bar. So, on the spur of
the moment, we decided to drop in on this stylish and popular
newcomer.

Location: Jl. Jaksa is a connecting street that runs between
Jl. Kebon Sirih and Jl. Wahid Hasyim in Central Jakarta. This
street has long been famous as the backpacker center of Jakarta,
and the surrounding streets and alleys are chockablock with
losmen (cheap tourist hostels), although there are less now than
there were before the economic crisis.

There are also a large number of midrange hotels in the
vicinity. Thus, the Jl. Jaksa establishments tend to have a
captive clientele in the form of those budget tourists (or
travelers as they prefer to call themselves) who are still brave
enough to come here. Jl. Jaksa is said to have a bad reputation
among Jakartans. However, this is probably more due to latent
snobbery and general ignorance of the bar scene than anything
else.

Be warned: Q bar does not sport garish beer advertisements or
a pub sign on the front, so keep your eyes peeled instead for a
long, low, whitewashed wall on the right-hand side, half way
along Jl. Jaksa coming from Jl. Kebon Sirih.

Hours: Open daily from 3 p.m until 4 a.m..

What's it got: Just about everything to tickle your whistle
and quite a lot to satisfy the ensuing munchies into the bargain.
A very well-stocked spirit bar and a wide choice of beers, plus a
moderate selection of wines.

There is also an enticing menu and, something of a novelty, a
real, wood-fired pizzeria as you enter the bar, where absolutely
delectable pizzas are prepared, baked and dished out right in
front of your eyes.

Not content with its own pizzeria, Q Bar also boasts another
novelty, a hot-dog stand which serves up delicious dogs with
mustard, dill and all the fixings for Rp 10,000, a real treat for
those suffering from hunger convulsions.

Bill, please: Prices are at the lower, if not the downright
lowest, end of the scale, with a large Anker beer going for only
Rp 12,000 and a Tiger for Rp 18,000. For the Aussies, a can of
Foster's or Victoria Bitter will set you back Rp 25,000. Spirits
are also relatively cheap by Jakarta's standards with Johnny
Walker Red Label and Jack Daniels priced at Rp 20,000 per shot,
while a Johnny Walker Black Label will cost you Rp 25,000. The
wide selection of cocktails are all priced at Rp 45,000.

Here's looking at you: Q Bar is a midsized establishment and
is basically divided into two distinct sections. The first
consists of an outer lounge, laid out with tables to seat four,
which serves as a sort of anteroom to the bar proper and is the
site of the pizzeria.

It is also home to a somewhat pretentious, imitation Greco-
Roman fountain right in front of the entrance, with a small,
surrounding pool that is raised ever so slightly above floor
level, an obstacle that could prove something of a hazard to the
more inebriated patrons.

After this comes the bar itself, a large, well-ventilated and
airy watering hole which is jamb packed just about every night of
the week, or so we were assured by some regular patrons. On the
Saturday night we visited, the bar was absolutely heaving and
strictly standing room only. And yet, the friendly waiters seemed
to have no difficulty in spotting a thirsty patron and promptly
seeing to his order.

Q Bar also boasts a pool table which was drawing a
considerable following on the night of our visit. Judging by the
number of names on the board, however, one would need to be
prepared to wait at least two or three hours to get a game.
Probably only worth the trouble for Q Bar's regular pool heads.
As for the decor, well, like the fountain in the outer bar,
decadent Graeco-Roman would seem to be the prevailing mood. But
unless you get there early, you won't be able to see much of the
decor anyway given the crowds

Odds and ends: Pricewise, Q-Bar is a lower to midrange
establishment that looks a lot snazzier than its drink prices
would suggest. Its clientele is a mixed bunch with quite a
considerable contingent of regulars, and a continuous and
reliable flow of tourists and backpackers. Many of the imbibers
are young and raucous European males, often accompanied by local
female guests. By 12:30 a.m., on the night of our visit, things
were getting decidedly hectic, and we had to speak at the top of
our voices to make ourselves heard. Nevertheless, the service
remained prompt and friendly throughout. Full marks to Q Bar's
staff on that score.

Last call: Sedate is something that Q Bar certainly is not,
and neither is it the sort of place to which you would invite a
group of Mothers' Union ladies for a Saturday night bridge
session. But it is the sort of place you would visit if you are
young at heart, enjoy a good night out in a convivial environment
and don't mind a bit of a crush. And that, I believe, covers a
lot of people. (Bill Blade)