(Courtesy of Shanghai Blue 1920 Club)

After docking in Sunda Kelapa from Shanghai in the end of 19th century, he settled down in the city. His son Chan Mo Sang, whose wife was a local woman named Siti Zaenab, set up a warung in the port area of Sunda Kelapa called the Shanghai Tea House.

From a small modest warung, the place then grew into a popular hangout place visited by international sailors and people of various backgrounds and professions who wanted to enjoy more than just Zaenab’s delectable Shanghainese-Batavian food, but also entertainment and fun evenings. And the good times rolled. The fame grew. The place expanded. The Shanghai Tea House bloomed into more than simply a romantic rendezvous and dance hall after the sun went down.  

The charm and magic from the past was brought to life again with the birth of Shanghai Blue 1920 Restaurant in Jakarta several years ago. Bringing design elements and precious contents from the original place, the venue was like a romantic reminiscence of the liveliness that once filled the Shanghai Tea House in the past.

Nestled in Jalan Kebon Sirih Raya 79, the captivating restaurant spoiled Jakarta’s culinary lovers with a big range of tasty Shanghai-Peranakan-Betawi-influenced cuisine in a lavish interior of orange, red and golden brown.

Walking in for the first time, what draws your attention would be its walls, wildly adorned with colourful pin-ups, old opium pipes and photos of classy turn-of-the-century jazz clubs.

Of course, including a dazzling collection of antiques and historical pieces from the authentic Shanghai Tea House in Sunda Kelapa’s old harbour district. With such a distinctive décor, how couldn’t it be the talk of the town right after its launch?

Now, transporting you back to the glitzy nostalgia of the bygone era, the Shanghai Blue 1920 is updating itself to become the Shanghai Blue 1920 Club. Reviving all the thrill and spark from the golden era, you are invited to immerse yourself in the soul of the old Shanghai city where you can see Western-style dancing married to the vocals of the Shanghai Sing Song Girls.

Still preserving its signature cuisine of Shanghai-Peranakan-Betawi, the new Shanghai Blue 1920 Club will transform itself into a more lounge-club setting, without changing the main interior.

“We still have some of the dining tables, but now there will be sofas, bar stools and tables for those who want to chill out, drink and listen to music,” explained Meiwiyanty Suling, the Sales and Marketing Manager of the Tugu Hotel that runs Shanghai Blue 1920,

What is also interesting is how the staff will also be dressed faithfully to the theme. Some smiling beauties will be donning gorgeous cheongsams and the typical platform sandals of the Art Deco era. Oh and of course, that chic “hair bun” style.

Being a jazz lounge and restaurant, entertainment obviously becomes a crucial aspect to create the right atmosphere. Mixing Oriental and Western music, you will find Swing Jazz, Chinese Jazz Pop, Bossas or Rhumba/Sambas filling the room from Tuesday to Saturday.

And yes, there will be a dance floor too, for those who itch to shake their booties. Some Mandarin music such as Shanghai Diva and Cantopop will be playing as well as Western jazz from 1920-1960. So modern jazz lovers, don’t expect to hear today’s tunes as your ears will be seduced by tracks from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald.

With the new concept, Shanghai Blue 1920 Club naturally are focusing on a wider target audience. “We are aiming at people who don’t only enjoy listening to jazz, but also like unique and distinctive surroundings like those of Hotel Tugu. The breakthrough concept will spoil people with more entertainment,” Mei added.

Sounds like a well-thought-out idea. With the presence of clubs and hangout venues in Jakarta that adopt diverse styles, exceptional concepts and edgy interiors, the new Shanghai Blue 1920 Club is a good development, a place that will set itself apart as an inimitable destination for those insatiable souls who seek more than just good food, drinks and fun nights out.

As expressed by Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Agency’s Creative Director Juhi Kalia to the Post, “It sounds fantastic. To have a personality and a unique world coming to life when you walk in is much more exciting than a regular place. It will compete really well, since it is so different.” Being a lounge-goer who likes to explore Jakarta’s nightlife, Juhi, upon hearing about the concept for the first time, also contributed her thoughts about injecting a dose of modernity and an edgy feel in terms of music, costumes and décor into the old Shanghai-inspired concept.

Showing the same excitement, Yungni Mulyadi, a 35-year-old brand manager shared her comment with the Post, “What a cool concept. This way, it has an even stronger character. The music for example, I can imagine it will be so different. And the ambience will be definitely something I can’t get at any other place. It’s time for us to enjoy the newness” It seems like it is not too much to say that Jakartans are becoming harder to please when it comes to entertainment venues. Celebrating the new changes on Feb. 28, Shanghai Blue 1920 Club will be filled by its loyal guests who are ready to be introduced to the old glittering Shanghai.

Shanghai Blue 1920 Club

Jazz Lounge & Restaurant

Jl. Kebon Sirih Raya 77-79, Jakarta Pusat

Tel: 021-391 8690, 021-392-0384

Fax: 021-391 8675

www.tuguhotels.com

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