Untitled Fun Pub lives up to name

Bill Blade Contributor Jakarta

Now that all the fuss about brooms, vacuum cleaners, sweeping, etc., has more or less died a welcome death, it's time once again to buckle up on the Starship Jakarta and fly forth to other problems that we know not of (to mix up Captain Kirk and Will the Bard).

But in the meantime, while awaiting the next disaster to rear its ugly head, I decided to take myself and a companion down to the Untitled Fun Pub (yes, that's the name) in the new JW Marriot Hotel.

As an up and coming young executive (bit long in the tooth for that -- Ed), it is of course quite incumbent upon me to hang out in such salubrious establishments, even if they do tend to be a bit on the dullsville side. Well, surprise, surprise, this particular salubrious establishment turned out to be one that lived up to its name, and a ball was had by all.

Bill, please: Bit of a dearth on the old beer front with only two exemplars of the amber nectar holding the fort, namely Bintang (Rp 30,000 a glass) and Corona (at an out-of-this-world Rp 50,000 per bottle) -- staff claim more beers on the way when the suppliers get round to it.

Better selection on the spirit front with all the usual on offer. Johnny Walker Red and Jameson Irish both go for Rp 42,500, while premium spirits such as Johnny Walker Black and Jack Daniels kick in at Rp 65,000.

For those who like a dainty parasol tickling their nostrils, most cocktails are priced at Rp 49,000.

As you would expect of a joint with this sort of pedigree, there's also a fine selection of food and wine available.

Happy Hour's a bit on the stingy side, buy one get one free but only for Bintang. Rats!

Here's lookin' at you: Those would-be sniffers of addictive substances out there are in for a treat as the Fun Pub, like its mummy the Jakarta Marriot, is all of three weeks old and the delicious smells of fresh paint and the new, deep pile carpets are everywhere to be, well, sniffed.

But if you can drag your nose away from the floor for a while, you'll discover that this pub is about more than sniffin' and boozin' and is, in fact, a pretty impressive piece of interior design.

Art deco is the dominant theme with soaring ceilings and extravagant geometric and zigzag forms and fittings. What with the dim, yellow-orange light emanating from the massive flying saucer-like lamp shades and helped along by a couple of encouragingly generous Black Labels, I was actually beginning to imagine myself drifting back to the sophisticated world of 1920's high society (disturbingly for my companion, somewhat like Jack Nicholson in The Shining), until suddenly brought back down to earth as the dulcet tones of Village People warmed up the sound system before the band came on.

And what a band they turned out to be! None of your usual Bob Marley rip-off merchants content to sleepwalk around the stage for a couple of hours while the audience slowly proceeds to the terminal slumber stage. No indeed, the South African lead vocalist, Californian lead guitarist, and Filipina and Surabaya female vocalists gave a virtuoso performance of mostly '80s and early '90s' hits that kept the crowd on their toes. Even if you're into something a bit more techno, I'll go 10 to a penny you'll appreciate the vitality these guys exude.

But then again, this was only their first or second outing. Will they be so lively in a year's time, I ask myself? Hopefully yes!

As for the crowd, well quite a mixed bag, really. Lot's of European and Asian expats. Quite a few singles around also, so should be full steam ahead on the old SS Shagalot.

Odds and ends: When we arrived at around 8 p.m., there was an inordinate number of pretty waitresses milling around like lost souls. While this was a pleasant and stimulating sight on the one hand, it was also a bit off-putting, and in some ways looked for all the world like a union meeting was in progress. Was expecting to hear cries of "All Out" any minute!

Verdict: While the new kid has only been on the block for all of three weeks, it seems to have made plenty of pals. For despite prices that are definitely not for the faint-hearted (not so surprising really -- all of that art deco doesn't come cheap), the place was heaving by the time we were leaving at around midnight. And what's more, the crowd was mingling, giggling and generally having a great time.

So while it's a bit too early to give a definitive judgment on the Untitled Fun Pub, so far it's definitely looking good! BOX: Location: JW Marriot Hotel, Jl. Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Kav. E.1.2 No. 1 & 2, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta 12950, Indonesia. Telephone: 5798-88888 (ext. 3977). Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.