Allergic to Smoke? This Jakarta Basement Bar is My Personal Sanctuary

It's always a headache coming to SCBD, especially downstairs at Fairgrounds. Those wild "Tukang Parkir" are basically daylight robbers... This time, I almost got scammed by them again; they insisted the underground parking was full and told me to park on the street.

Who would have thought that a bar as renowned as one of Asia's 50 Best Bars[1] would be hidden in a basement in some obscure corner?! The moment I found that carrot-shaped 🥕 door handle and pushed the door open, it felt like I was cut off from the chaos outside and instantly transported.

A "Tipsy Paradise" Hidden in a Basement

The space inside isn't big; to be honest, it's really small. There's just one long communal table[2]. The dim lighting on the wooden walls, paired with just the right amount of neon, maxes out the atmosphere. The music volume is also perfectly controlled. Finally, a place where you can have a proper chat with friends without having to shout. Mantap! 👍

Most importantly, it's strictly no-smoking here (only vape is allowed)! The air is filled with the clean aroma of alcohol, which is simply heavenly for people like us who feel like we're suffocating at the smell of smoke.

The drink menu is very adventurous and gets updated regularly. I went straight for the signature Queen Pistacia[3]. It's a mix of pistachio and cream with a hint of sourness, and the dense foam on top is actually made from Doritos! A sweet and savory cocktail, Anjay, so creative. My friend's Hi Baby[4] was also amazing, with flavors of blueberry butterscotch mixed with vodka and gin, creating a super rich texture.

However, our opinions on the Saffron Gimlet[5] were polarized. I found it a bit too sour, but my friend thought it was refreshing and delicious. I guess when it comes to taste, you really have to try it for yourself to know for sure.

Let's get real…

The drinks are genuinely good, but they're not cheap, starting at around 165,000 IDR per glass[6]. Also, the bar doesn't serve proper snacks[3], so your mouth might get a little lonely mid-drink, haha. Luckily, they are very chill and let you bring your own snacks or order delivery, which definitely deserves a thumbs-up!

✍️ A Veteran's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls

For all the girls who want to check it out, remember these tips. They'll save you a lot of trouble!

• Parking Nightmare: Never trust the guys on the street waving you in to park! They'll say the underground lot is full and then demand a high parking fee of 100,000 IDR[7]. Just drive straight down, or better yet, park at the ASHTA mall across the street and walk over. It's safer!
• Grab a Seat Early: The place is small with limited seating, so it gets full very easily[8]. I recommend going right when they open or coming to Nongkrong on a weekday evening.
• No Reservations: Don't bother calling, they only accept walk-ins[7], first come, first served.
• Solving Hunger: Feel free to order GoFood for delivery[7], or bring your own chips and snacks. The bar is totally OK with it