A listening bar concept that commits to jazz music is one that still needs to be explored in the Jakarta bar scene – let alone a listening bar that is relatively more obscure, such as a Japanese-style jazz bar. This obscurity, however, was seen as an opportunity for the twentysomethings Shawn Andrew, Geoffrey Alexander, Monty Hassan and Kara Chenoa as they swooped in and launched their take on a Japanese jazz bar named BEBOP earlier this year.

Officially opening its doors to patrons in January, the retro-chic BEBOP has, ever since, been a hit among the hipper and younger urbanites that populate the oft-glamorous Senopati neighborhood of South Jakarta. To quote the 2008 British action crime film RocknRolla, "There's no school like the old school."

'Rough and classy'

The idea of opening a taproom in the first place was rooted in the friendship that the foursome has forged together over the years. During their downtime, they often chat at bars and stop by different taprooms. At one point, they realized their shared "lifestyle" could lead to something.

"It's every young person's dream, I think," Kara Chenoa told The Jakarta Post on behalf of the founders of BEBOP on April 17. "To eventually have a concept bar in South Jakarta, where we can hang out, and our friends can shoot the breeze [as well]."

The foursome refused to settle on a run-of-the-mill concept bar, though. Their frequent trips to many bars in the city gave them insight into what would (and would not) work for their future endeavor, ultimately leading them to more specific creativity that helped their differing visions come together: a listening bar.

"We envisioned a place where we can have a conversation, but the sound quality should be above all else," Kara underscored.

Listening bars are nothing new in Jakarta, especially after discovering how more establishments such as coffeehouses and eateries have started applying a similar concept, where patrons are encouraged to enjoy the music and the venue's atmosphere. The group, however, observed how most listening bars could put too much emphasis on the musical aspect and not so much on the social part.

Keen to open a listening bar with a "balance" between the two aspects, they eventually landed on a more specific idea: a Japanese-style jazz bar. One of the founders' experiences in frequenting bars of the same concept in Japan helped influence their final vision. The idea was also deemed most suitable to the group's tastes and personalities. 

After-hours refreshment: Some of BEBOP's signature drinks are Watanabe (left) and Suntory Mega Highball. (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

"There's a sense of rebellion in jazz. There's something rough yet classy at the same time," Kara enthused.

Furthermore, establishing a Japanese jazz bar would allow the foursome to imbue a "personal touch," too. For instance, the foursome could introduce their favorite vinyl records and curate the music to their liking, all the while gathering people who may share the same delight in their musical stylings.

"Just to have a compact space that still feels very community-friendly; that is something we feel proud of the most," he added.

'Experimental playground'

Located on the lower ground of Senopati 61, BEBOP stays true to the classic characteristics of a Japanese jazz bar, which comprises an inconspicuous exterior, a relatively compact interior, dim lighting and an extensive music library for patrons to enjoy. The popular 90s anime series Cowboy Bebop inspired the bar's name.

Despite the bar's retro style, the foursome found themselves "amazed" by how BEBOP started drawing interest from the older urbanites as well as the younger crowds who often relish their late nights and weekends in the glitzy Senopati neighborhood. That it is the only Japanese jazz bar in Senopati might influence such curiosity. Nonetheless, BEBOP's atypical musical curation might also serve as the bar's 'it factor.'

"At its core, the music [BEBOP plays] is jazz-influenced soul. I always hope that the visiting disc jockeys see this place as their experimental playground because that's what I think jazz [genuinely] is," Kara explained the musical delights that the patrons could experience at BEBOP. "I feel like [simply] playing a playlist of jazz music is not a thing [anymore]."

BEBOP's regular patrons might also notice how the bar delivers a unique theme come Thursday evenings. During that specific time slot, Kareem Soenharjo, an Indonesian rapper known for his stage moniker BAP., takes over the DJ turntables and plays "strictly super-slow jazz with mostly no drums," enthused Kara. "It's adorable and amusing because people would expect the music to be more pumping past 9 p.m.."

The bar's commitment to jazz is not the only entertainment BEBOP has to offer; it also charms its patrons with a list of original cocktails, some of which are inspired by classic Japanese whiskies. For instance, the bar's maroon-hued Watanabe cocktail delivers, almost quite literally, a bittersweet zest as it is made up of bourbon whisky, roasted coconut vermouth, Angostura bitters, orange bitter, and Earl Grey syrup. 

"The idea of [the Watanabe cocktail] was we wanted to make something sweet, yet with an undertone of smokiness," Kara explained. "We smoked the liquor first, and then, we burned the coconut around the rim [of the glass], thereby oozing the sweet-and-savory flavor that can counter the bitterness."

Another must-try drink at BEBOP is the Suntory Mega Highball, which has proven to be a hit among regular patrons. The founders were particularly inspired by how Japanese salarymen often take the edge off after hours by indulging in a pitcher of Japanese highball, an alcoholic beverage commonly consisting of whisky, soda water and ice.

The bar would present the highballs in a directly-imported Suntory mug to further charm the patrons. The brand is known to be one of Japan's oldest whisky manufacturers.

"It's something like you're thirsty, and you want something pretty mild but strong," chuckled Kara. "You are parched after office hours. But, to put it roughly, you may need some time to get where you want to be."

Moreover, the Suntory Mega Highball might be the refreshment nearby commuters need before hopping on their train back home.

"For people who just finish up their work in Senopati or fresh off the MRT, this is the go-to drink [for them]," Kara continued.

Landi, one of the bartenders at BEBOP, concluded by sharing his two cents on what makes the bar a hit in Senopati, "The drinks are nowhere else but here, such as the Mega Highball. Even the mugs are imported from overseas. You can't find them anywhere else in Jakarta. And it tastes refreshing, indeed."

For more details about BEBOP, visit its Instagram account @bebop.wav. To make a reservation, send a WhatsApp message to +6285186883808.