Sports bars are nothing new in Jakarta. Finding an authentic one, however, is a different matter altogether. After all, a bar might not easily be identified as a sports bar simply because it has pool tables and a colossal plasma screen playing Champions League from opening hours until closing time.

Yoyo Hart, the marketing director of STARK Taproom, took pride in his bar for being the exception to the rule. From his point of view, the key to running an authentic sports bar lies in its universal appeal. In other words, whether the bar in question would be able to appease all kinds of sports aficionados -- whether they are soccer ultras, racing tifosi or cycling buffs.

"Ideally, a sports bar should be able to embrace all kinds of contents -- because there are so many sports contents out there, all year long. Also, each content gathers its own, distinctive crowd," explained Yoyo to The Jakarta Post on Aug. 3.

He continued, "That's why we [sports bars] shouldn't have to think too much about it. If this were a bar with a general concept, we should think about how to gather the crowd. But here? We created this bar by understanding that we should strongly root ourselves within the communities -- not just the sports community, but also the lifestyle community. STARK Taproom was built in those communities."

Located in Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD)'s Elysee Lot, STARK Taproom was the brainchild of Indonesian premium-craft beer-brand STARK and Mitra Karya Adiperkasa. From expansive dim sum variations to even more expansive beer selections, STARK Taproom strives to be the late-night refuge for all Jakarta urbanites -- regardless of whether they are a fan of Liverpool, the Chicago Bulls or Max Verstappen.

Tonight's hosts: Some of the key players running STARK Taproom are the marketing manager Ang (left) and the marketing director Yoyo Hart (right). (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

Get a kick out of it

The plan to open a sports bar was concocted in 2018, with the bar's construction taking place the following year. STARK Taproom opened its doors to its first customers in December 2019, though its official opening was held in March 2020.

Yoyo divulged that one of the reasons Elysee Lot was chosen as the bar's site was due to an inclination to build an "ecosystem", considering Elysee Lot also serves as the site for Mitra Karya Adiperkasa's other pubs: LBRTY Jakarta and Embassy Jakarta. How the Elysee Lot is situated in the heart of the SCBD complex was also of crucial importance.

Yoyo further added, "Traffic flow-wise, if anyone is departing from SCBD complex and heading for Gatot Subroto street, they would be able to see [Elysee Lot] clearly."

Serving as the marketing manager of STARK Taproom, Ang acknowledged that, over time, Jakarta's bar scene has become more competitive due to "the abundant number of bars”, he later noted. That said, he remarked that such competition had never put him or STARK Taproom in disarray.

"Because we're different [from most bars]," voiced Ang. "We have our own uniqueness. And there has yet to be any bar in Jakarta that has a Videotron like ours so that the patrons get to watch soccer or basketball properly. The patrons can also smoke indoors [here] and we serve lots of flavored beers."

Running a bar during a global pandemic has been a herculean challenge for bars and other food-and-beverage establishments -- STARK Taproom included. Yoyo credited the bar's staff for exhibiting "great dedication" during those trying times. To keep the bar afloat, he further divulged that the bar mostly relied on online delivery.

Once the pandemic seemed to have petered out, however, things were starting to look up.

"Fortunately, the patrons who had frequented our bar have also longed for us -- especially our food and drinks," Yoyo said.

Cheers!: STARK Taproom's beer collection includes STARK beers, imported beers and other locally brewed beers. (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

Get the ball rolling

The year 2022 became STARK Taproom's much-anticipated epoch to optimize its fullest potential. The bar's Champions League Finals viewing party, taking place in May, was a full-house euphoria, Ang noted. 

A karaoke party is set every Monday whereas an acoustic, live-music session dubbed "The Broken Heart Club" is scheduled every Wednesday, aiming at patrons who "just left the office and want to chill out", Ang pointed out.

During the weekends, STARK Taproom holds a brunch event dubbed "Uptown Bike" that caters particularly to Jakarta urbanites who enjoy cycling on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The bar is also pet-friendly; an event dubbed "Doggy Date Day" would be held regularly on Sunday. 

"Every patron who brings their dog [on Sunday] gets a 10-percent discount," Ang highlighted.

There are no limitations when it comes to which sports tournament could be considered for STARK Taproom's next viewing parties -- some of the viewing parties the bar has thrown include, but are not limited to, Formula 1, NBA Games, Thomas Cup and Australian Rugby League. 

To Ang's and Yoyo's delight, the bar's viewing parties, soccer-related or not, have been a lively function among the patrons.

"Thanks to social media, sports communities have become stronger than ever. That's why we wanted this bar to become a receptacle for these communities," said Yoyo. 

"We would partner up with them and come up with something that all of us can do together."

The key players behind STARK Taproom were also meticulous when it comes to the bar's menu. For instance, while beers are a typical staple in every sports bar, STARK Taproom decided to elevate its beer collection -- that is, by also serving imported beers, STARK beers and the beers produced by the "local heroes", as Yoyo put it.

"We strongly support the local brewer community," said Yoyo firmly. "We have around 21 [beer] taps and we wish to fill them with beers of local brands -- the ones that can be considered 'home industry' type. We wish to bring them here and we wish to blow them up."

Food-wise, Ang described the STARK Taproom's menu as "Asian fusion". The bar, case in point, fixes varied options of the so-called 'Asian Pizza' such as Stark Hogs pizza that comprises char siu pork, plum sauce, feta cheese and a mix of herbs. 

Eat, drink, watch: STARK Taproom's dim sum platters are one of the bar patrons' favorite food staples. (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

One of the bar's more popular dishes, as it turns out, is the dim sum platter: an assortment of steamed and/or deep-fried dim sum that include, but are not limited to, rainbow dumplings, hakau and siew mai. For patrons who are looking for a heavier plate -- and do not mind consuming pork -- nasi campur STARK is a must-try.

For the ladies who might not frequent STARK Taproom for the sports match, Ang personally recommended that they visit the bar during "apperitivo hour": A buy-one-get-one-free happy hour scheduled every day from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. 

As for the cocktails, Ang recommended a glass of Americano: A spiritous concoction made of Italian liqueur Campari, sweet vermouth and carbonated water. 

Another cocktail that he recommended for the ladies is Garibaldi, which is a blend of Campari and orange juice.

For the younger crowd, Ang and Yoyo recommended the bar's very own BTS: Beer with added soju. It is served in three different flavors: Original, lychee or mango. Desserts such as gui ling gao and mango puree sago ice cream are the bar's features to draw in the sweet-tooth and patrons who implement a sober lifestyle.

Adrian, an entrepreneur and a regular at STARK Taproom, noted the "videotron, beer and the vibes" as the bar's strengths and most appealing elements. 

"I like the food and the people. Also, the ambiance and friendliness of the staff," he summarized.

STARK Taproom opens every day. On weekdays, the bar opens from 11:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. On weekends, the bar opens from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. Patrons under 18 years old are allowed to dine in. The bar is also available for private parties upon request, including catering services.