Zodiac Space & Bar

What suddenly pops into your mind when you hear about a bar interior that combines leopard-print sofas with hot pink walls? The newly opened Zodiac Space & Bar will amaze you with how eccentric, yet effortless it is.

The interior of Zodiac combines hot pink walls with specially designed, leopard-printed sofas. (JP/Devina Heriyanto )

Having opened on Dec. 31, 2018, the bar has two areas. The first area displays curated items and installations from different brands, including one from Oltjikko and long-sleeved T-shirt created in collaboration with Studiorama, Oltjikko, and Zodiac, which can be purchased by patrons. 

The second area is the mini bar with crystal balls hanging in its corners and a DJ set at the back. Weekends will be different at Zodiac as it removes several of tables and stools to open up space for dancers.

An installation and a long-sleeved T-shirt displayed at Zodiac. (JP/Devina Heriyanto )

Where: Jl. Senopati Raya No. 64, South Jakarta (below Colette & Lola)

Crowd: Varies from 20 to 50 year olds.

Music: The bar usually posts its weekly schedule every Monday on its Instagram account. It ranges from disco to jazz. It also often invites DJs, communities and musicians to take over the DJ set and play music that inspire them. While you are there, you may notice the bar’s vintage white speakers that are said to have been used in theaters and cinemas in the past. 

Among Zodiac's recommended beverages are (from left to right) umeshu soda, cassis orange and aperol spritz. (JP/Devina Heriyanto )

Taste: It provides international drinks and light snacks. It is recommended to sample the fresh and citrusy cassis orange, umeshu soda, aperol spritz and zodiac spritz, which has a slight kick thanks to the gin, as well as the rather strong highball. 

Quirks: Zodiac aims to bring DJ culture into its space, meaning that the role of DJ is more than just making people dance. Besides its interior, the space deserves praise for its selections of beverages that make you a little bit tipsy, but still able to enjoy the atmosphere. It is also best to visit after hours. 

The bar area of the newly opened Zodiac in South Jakarta. (JP/Devina Heriyanto )

Dress code: Casual.

Average bill: Starting from Rp 350,000 (US$24.67) per person. 

Read also: Jakpost Nightlife: After-hour hangouts

Ding Dong Disko

Located in Kemang, South Jakarta, Ding Dong Disko intends to transport you to a science-fiction realm. Visitors must take the illuminated stairs to reach the bar to find its retro-futuristic interior comprising sci-fi movie posters plastered on its walls, windows with rounded corners and floor patterns inspired by a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The interior of Ding Dong Disko in Kemang, South Jakarta, is able to transform you into a science-fiction realm. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Though most people see Ding Dong Disko as a bar, it is also a restaurant that opens from 11 a.m.

Where: Aksara Kemang Building, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 8B, Kemang, South Jakarta. 

Crowd: 21 to 38 year olds, Kemang residents and music enthusiasts.

'Nona Ria', one of beverages served at Ding Dong Disko that is influenced by local flavors. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Music: The bar always displays its weekly schedule on Instagram and at its entrance. On Mondays, for instance, it has Blank Canvas Day where the bar acts as a platform for unique and creative DJs and musicians. Meanwhile, on Sundays, it has It's Game Time, where customers are encouraged to put down their smartphones and take part in different games, starting from board games to trivia, to win prizes.

Taste: Mix of Indonesian, Asian and Italian delicacies. It has lidah cabe ijo (black noodles with beef tongue and green chili), Southern fried chicken, Swedish meatballs and Ding Dong fried rice. Recommended dishes are its hearty tagliolini truffle and nasi campur Ding Dong, which is served with various side dishes.

Tagliolini truffle served at Ding Dong Disko in Kemang. South Jakarta. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

When it comes to beverages, Ding Dong Disko provides beer, cocktails and spirits. It also serves “local disco” or drinks based on local products, namely nona ria (sangria with an anggur putih cap Orang tua twist) and nona sari. 

Quirks: Apart from its interior and menus, Ding Dong Disko is also involved in a “disco responsibly” campaign in which it minimizes plastic use. Hence, it does not use plastic straws, bags and utensils -- it even uses wooden utensils for take-away orders. It also does not offer mineral water in plastic bottle.

The generous amount of 'nasi campur Ding Dong' comprises seasoned rice with various side dishes, including vegetables and chicken. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Dress code: Casual, but certain dress-code rules apply when there is an event.

Average bill: Starting from Rp 200,000 for drinks and food.

Read also: Jakpost Nightlife: Jakarta’s speakeasy bars

Slits.

Sometimes all you need is to have casual conversations with friends after work in a laid-back bar. Established in November 2018, Slits. aims to bring a micro-cocktail bar concept to Jakartans along with its music, specialty cocktails and appetizing food.

Upon entering the bar, customers are welcomed by an intimate, cozy atmosphere with the interior inspired by micro bars abroad with a touch of 1970s but which is still relevant to the present time. Fitting 50 to 60 people, it has glass-covered area and a hallway that leads to the back. 

One of the areas at Slits. that is connected by a hallway. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Additionally, the bar has a podcast that is uploaded on Sunday nights on its website, Slits.tv. The podcast has different programs, among them is the Bar Show where it airs recorded DJ performance and interviews. 

The bar held a cocktail-pairing event where it teamed up with a chef to serve five to six course meals to its customers. During the holy month of Ramadan, it plans to hold pop-up dinners by collaborating with chefs and food collectives. 

Where: Second floor of Pelaspas Darmawangsa, Jl. Darmawangsa Raya No. 8, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Crowd: Diverse, but usually employees who want to hang out after work on weekdays. 

'No Way Back' from Slits. that has a balance of bitterness and sweetness. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Music: Though it is not limited to any genres, the music played at Slits. is said to complement the bar’s vibe, meaning that is not too heavy or loud. It has DJ performances daily and also occasionally invites guest DJs. 

Taste: Slits. has drinks within the low-ball category, a term invented by the bar that is inspired by the Japanese highball. Served in a short glass, the low-ball consists of alcohol combined with soda and warms you up before moving on to cocktails. The bar’s cocktails are a must-try as they have certain twists and their names are based on cult films, songs and film characters, including Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs (1992) and “Psycho Killer”, a song by American band Talking Heads. 

Gin-based 'Psycho Killer', one of recommended drinks at Slits. consists of cucumber, lemon and wasabi. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Snacks at Slits. are mostly fried, among them cheese burger rolls and shrimp toasties, which are good companions for the alcoholic beverages the bar provides. 

Snacks serves at Slits. include the crunchy cheese burger roll with a generous filling (left) and the crispy, savory shrimp toast. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Quirks: Slits. expects to infuse new culture into Jakarta’s nightlife scene, one of them is its no-reservation policy for customers. It does not necessarily mean people cannot reserve their spot at the establishment -- they can, but they have to be on time as space is limited. 

Dress-code: Anything you fancy.

Average bill: Rp 300,000 for purchasing three drinks. (mut)