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span class="caption" style="width: 398px;">JP/Ricky Yudhistira Are you tired of the tame entertainment offered by Kemang, or put off by its worsening congestion? If you are, it is time to head down to the entertainment district of Jl. Falatehan in Blok M, South Jakarta.

Don’t be fooled by its appearance. Jl. Falatehan, only 100 meters from the National Police headquarters, looks like a small dark alley at night, with minimum street illumination — a world away from the glimmer and vibrancy of the nocturnal Kemang.

But if you are adventurous, the bars and pubs on Falatehan may have what you are looking for. They offer wilder types entertainments from pole dancing, striptease and other kinkier night entertainment. At least this is what its loyal patrons have been saying.

One favorite haunt in the area is a bar located near the end of the street. Inside you will easily mistake this bar for one of Hooters’ joints with barmaids in skimpy clothes milling around the establishment.

If you are on a budget, this bar is perfect as the food and drink is relatively cheap compared to Kemang. Even for local patrons, the prices are quite reasonable.

One of the bartenders, Heni (not her real name), said that even though food and drink prices are reasonable, even for locals, most patrons are foreigners, especially Australians and New Zealanders.

“The owner of this bar comes from the region, so it is easy to see why some of the regulars come from there too,” she said.

Heni said that during her one-year stint in the bar she learned that regulars came for dinner and drinks before heading down to even wilder pubs nearby.

One of the wilder pubs, widely-known for using an initial as its brand, is considered the hottest spot for hedonism and excess in the area.

Upon entering the pub, patrons soon catch a glimpse of pole-dancing, with scantily-clad performers dancing to loud dance music under dim red lights.

For those who want their own private entertainment, this pub offers private rooms. Until recently all patrons could use this room after paying for their pint, but now the bar applies a membership-only program, said the bar manager, who wished to remain anonymous.

Membership, however, applies only to expatriates and is limited to 120 people.

“A member only needs to pay Rp 3.5 million [US$390] for a lifetime,” he said.

The manager said that it is unlikely that membership would be expanded to include locals anytime soon.

Some members who use the private room said that what went on in the chamber could come straight out of a porn movie. Others testified that the pub has become a refuge for expatriates looking for more
freedom.

Ube, a local who once worked for an expatriate, said that his employer was a regular of the pub and its private chamber.

“My boss always told his wife that he had a meeting, while in fact he was having a night out in the club,” he said.

Further away from Jl. Falatehan, there is an area where rows of Japanese restaurants are found, called Busrepang. Patrons are mostly Japanese expats. Busrepang is short for Bubar Restaurant Jepang, a local phrase for after hours Japanese restaurants.

Female workers in the busrepang area are easily recognizable because of their Japanese attire. They also wear make-up that makes them look more Asian than their fellow workers on Jl. Falatehan.

Jakarta historian J.J. Rizal told The Jakarta Post that the notoriety of Jl. Falatehan and Busrepang was one of Jakarta’s best-kept secrets, and is known by expatriates only through word-of-mouth.

“Foreigners always look for areas where they can mingle and have fun with people from their home countries. With the help of communication technology, spreading the word about hang outs for expatriates is easier now,” he said.