A Jazz Mecca's Fall from Grace? Checking Out Double Doors, West Jakarta's OG Bar.

Lately, friends have been asking me to go to Double Doors, that long-standing Irish bar in Puri Indah that's been around for over a decade. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant. There are too many rumors floating around. Some say it used to be the most authentic jazz bar in West Jakarta[1], but now it's become a gathering spot for flirty foreigners; some praise its live band for having an unbeatable atmosphere, while others complain that the service and environment are not as good as they used to be.

Full of questions, I decided to go and check it out for myself.

Three Floors, Three Different Vibes

This place is bigger than I expected, a whole three floors, and the atmosphere on each floor is completely different—it's like a total split personality scene.

The first floor is much quieter, with dim lighting, more like a traditional restaurant and bar. If you're just looking for a place to have a few drinks with friends and have a good conversation, this floor is the perfect choice[2].

The real"battlefield" is on the second floor. The live band is here, and you can forget about finding an empty seat after 9 PM on weekends. The atmosphere is really high-energy, the band really knows how to hype up the crowd, and the whole place singing and dancing together is the norm[3]. But the downsides are also super obvious: the space is small and packed with people, and it's so smoky it stings your eyes. With no open windows, they just blast the AC to cope, which is a major turn-off for people like us who hate secondhand smoke[4].

The biggest surprise is the third floor, which has a hidden pool table. If the second floor is too loud, you can come up here with friends to play a couple of games and change the mood.

First Floor: A Quiet Corner for Chats
Second Floor: The Rowdy Live House
Third Floor: The Hidden Billiards Room

The Drinks Are Good, The Food Is Bar Food

It's a crime to go to a bar and not talk about the drinks. Their Draft Beer[5] deserves a shout-out; the foam is dense, the taste is ice-cold and refreshing, and it's definitely a must-order for repeat customers. Mantap! The cocktails are on point too. The Long Island Iced Tea we ordered was plenty strong, not one of those weak, sugary concoctions.

As for the food, it's decent Bar Food[6]—they have pizza, chicken wings, and fried noodles. Don't have high expectations for gourmet cuisine, but as snacks to go with your drinks, it's perfectly adequate. However, be prepared: when it's crowded, the food service is really slow. We waited almost half an hour for our pizza[7].

Let's Talk Real (Complaint Alert)

Alright, enough with the praise, it's time to complain.

The vibe here is really... hard to put into words. It's not without reason that old fans say it has"lost its flavor." It's no longer that quiet bar purely for listening to music; there's a lot more commercialism and goal-oriented socializing now. The conversation between the older foreign guy and the lokal girl at the table next to me was getting really intense... if you know, you know.

Also, the prices are on the high side, so it's not great value for money compared to similar bars. Hygiene is also a potential issue. I saw a review mentioning that the glasses weren't clean[8], and although I didn't experience this myself, it's something to be mindful of.

【Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & TL;DR Strategy】

Finally, for the girls who want to go Nongkrong, here are the key takeaways:

1. Know what you want! If you just want to chat, stay on the first floor; if you want to dance and listen to music, squeeze onto the second floor; if you want to play pool quietly, head up to the third.
2. If you can't stand smoke, don't go to the second floor! I'll say it three times: it's super smoky. Don't say I didn't warn you.
3. Adjust your expectations. Don't think of it as a high-class jazz sanctuary anymore. Just treat it as a lively Live Music Bar for drinking, listening to music, and experiencing Jakarta's raw nightlife. You'll probably have a much better time that way.
4. Go early! If you want to get a good spot on the second floor on a weekend, make sure to get there early, otherwise you'll be left standing.