Who says Makassar has no nightlife? The 'smoky vibe' at this 24-hour cafe is a little intense.
qponx
2026-03-06
Looking for Makassar's student nightlife? KEDAI BUJANG is a massive 24-hour cafe buzzing with youthful energy near Unhas University. It's a popular spot for late-night study sessions and hangouts, fueled by super affordable food like the fan-favorite Nasi Goreng Bujang. The main drawback? An intense smoky atmosphere with very limited non-smoking space and spotty WiFi. It's the ideal place to experience local campus life, but non-smokers should be prepared for the haze.
Just arrived in Makassar, and a lokal friend mysteriously recommended this KEDAI BUJANG near Unhas University. Honestly, when I heard the name "Bachelor's Cafe," I almost thought it was some kind of fraternity spot that only welcomes guys[1], but I was totally wrong!
This place is basically a 24-hour charging station + social hub for Makassar's university students. As soon as I walked in, I was drawn to its unique and somewhat complex architectural style; the space is huge, with two floors and both indoor and outdoor seating. How to describe the atmosphere? It's that youthful energy unique to a university town. Everywhere you look, it's all young faces, rows and rows of laptops, the 'nugas' (doing assignments) vibe is at its peak[2], and you can hear people chill and nongkrong everywhere, all the time.
Affordable Menu, with Hits and Misses
The best part is the price; most items on the menu are under 20,000 Indonesian Rupiah[3], a huge win for students! I ordered a few signature items to test the waters:
- Kopi Bujang[4]: A must-order signature! The packaging looks like a small liquor bottle, which is a great gimmick. However, I personally found it a bit too sweet, and some regulars say the taste isn't the same as it used to be? Next time, I plan to try the less-sugar version.
- Nasi Goreng Bujang[5]: This one is true love, Mantap! Full of that wok-fired aroma, the flavor is consistently good. When you don't know what to order, you can't go wrong with this. The guy at the next table even had two large plates.
- Butterscotch Series[6]: I spotted their new Sea Salt Cream Cheese series. The name alone sounds so sinful, hahaha. I was too full to try it this time, saving it for my next visit.
Okay, Let's Get Real...
Alright, enough with the praise, it's time to complain. The biggest problem with this place, and a deal-breaker for me, is the smoke! 🤧 Almost the entire space is a smoking area, and the concentration of secondhand smoke... Anjay! Non-smoking friends are going to have a really tough time. Although there's a small, non-smoking air-conditioned room, the seating is pitifully limited, and sometimes it can get very stuffy[7]. You have to be lucky to get a spot.
Two other minor bugs: The service speed depends on your luck, sometimes it's fast, sometimes it's slow[8]; also, don't have high hopes for the WiFi. It's intermittent, so if you're planning to rely on it for stable work or online classes, I'd advise you to just use your own hotspot[9].
Blogger's Honest Take · A Guide to Avoid Pitfalls
- Best Time to Visit: If you want to find a quiet place to meet a deadline, I suggest coming after 12 AM[10]. Otherwise, during peak hours, the place is buzzing with noise, and you'll definitely experience what 'lively' really means.
- Choosing a Seat: If you can't stand the smoke, stick to the indoor air-conditioned room, but remember to go early to grab a seat.
- Ordering Strategy: For the main course, go for the Nasi Goreng Bujang[11] without a second thought. The coffee is worth a try, but remember to specify your preferred sweetness level.
- Mindset Adjustment: Don't treat it as a co-working space where you can be highly productive. Think of it as a late-night canteen to feel the university town's energy and chat with friends all night, and your experience will be much better. Oh, by the way, there's actually a barbershop inside the cafe[12], which is pretty wild
- "Bachelor's Cafe" is a 24/7 hub for Makassar uni students. Great vibe for studying, or just to chill and nongkrong[1].
- The Nasi Goreng Bujang is packed with smoky "wok hei." It's so good, the guy at the next table devoured two whole plates[2].
- The signature Kopi Bujang is a must-try, served in a quirky flask-like bottle. You'll see one on every table[3].
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