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btaining alcoholic beverages in the capital has been a challenge ever since 2015, when the Trade Ministry limited the retail sale of drinks with an alcohol content ranging from 1 to 5 percent to supermarkets.

The challenge is even harder during the Ramadhan fasting month when entertainment venues are shut down.

Jakarta Regulation No. 6/2015 on tourism and Gubernatorial Decree No. 18/2018 on tourism businesses stipulate that bars are not allowed to operate during Ramadhan.

Due to such regulations, expatriates and casual drinkers in the city have to rack their brains whenever they want to go for a sociable drink.

Belgian citizen Annemarie Hellemans, 50, said it was not that difficult to find a place that served alcohol when she first moved to Jakarta some years ago.

“When they introduced the law that limited alcoholic beverage sales it became a bit inconvenient to buy for home use. Luckily we have Go-Food now,” she added.

The popular online-based delivery service, Go-Food allows customers to order liquor from places such as VIN+, Wine & Beyond, Wine & Meat Co, Stark Craft Beer and Portico Terrace Bistro, which are located in several shopping malls.

The two Jakarta regulations exempt businesses that are attached to four and five-star hotels or commercial spaces like shopping malls.

Hellemans also frequents restaurants to have a drink with her food, usually in the evenings.

Depending on the group of friends she goes with, she will order whatever alcoholic beverages are available.

“I have not changed my habits because of the new regulations. I will most likely only change if we cannot buy any alcoholic beverage anymore,” Hellemans said.

Locals are also inconvenienced by the ban on entertainment businesses during Ramadhan, on top of sales restrictions on liquor.

A 29-year-old local, who did not wish to be identified, said that when all her favorite hang-out places were closed during Ramadhan, she usually stocked beers and spirits at home.

“I don’t want to get lynched by hardline groups,” she said. ”Well, this is Indonesia, anything can happen.”

Late last month, officers from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) raided Beer Garden in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta. “It can open the restaurant, but not the bar,” an officer said.

According to the Jakarta Entertainment Association (ASPHIJA), attendance at entertainment venues throughout the city has declined 40 percent since the regulations were enforced.

Despite the alcohol restrictions and entertainment banned during Ramadhan, one expat Audrey Marc, 28, said she still enjoyed Ramadhan in Jakarta. (acr)