Free Entry, But Stuffy Air? The Senopati Club I Love to Hate.
Discover ZODIAC, a Senopati club with a serious love-hate appeal. Its biggest draw is the free entry—a rare find in Jakarta that allows for a no-pressure night out. Don't be fooled by its small size; inside, a retro, psychedelic vibe creates an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of an underground Berlin club. While the air might get a bit stuffy, the unique, immersive experience and ease of meeting new people make it a spot worth checking out.
Every time friends come to Jakarta and ask me where to Nongkrong, I always recommend Senopati. But when I recommend this place, ZODIAC, I always add: be mentally prepared, because I truly have a love-hate relationship with this spot. 😂
Its biggest draw? To put it simply: No cover charge! [1] In a city like Jakarta where places are always charging an FDC, it's a breath of fresh air. You can just wander in anytime, and if the vibe isn't right, you can slip out. Absolutely no pressure, Anjay!
A Fully Immersive Little Dark Room
Don't be fooled by its small entrance; inside, it has a retro and psychedelic vibe. The space is indeed small, but the upside is that the atmosphere is super intimate, making it easy to strike up a conversation with people around you. It doesn't feel like Jakarta; it's more like stumbling into a small underground club in Berlin[2]. The music on weekends is mostly techno and house[1]. Once the beat drops, the whole crowd gets into their own zone. Everyone is just there to purely party, and nobody cares what you're wearing[3], which is super relaxing.
Plus, this place is super friendly to the queer community[3]. The atmosphere is inclusive and safe, which is one of the things I love most about it in Jakarta. Oh, and by the way, the mirror near the restroom is a well-known selfie spot—the lighting is just perfect, don't miss it! 📸
As for drinks, you have to try their exclusive canned Empirical cocktails[4]! The flavors are refreshing and unique, and they're said to be the only ones of their kind in Jakarta. Their Gin and Tonic[5] is also mixed really well, Mantap!
Things I Have to Complain About
Alright, enough praise, time to complain. 😅
First off, the beer is really expensive, like, even a bit pricey by European standards[6]. Secondly, and this is the biggest drawback: the smoke! Because the space is small and smoking isn't banned, when it gets crowded, the whole place is filled with smoke, and the air circulation is terrible[3]. For a non-smoker's nose like mine, it's a total disaster.
【Super Practical Guide to Avoid Pitfalls】
All in all, if you can tolerate secondhand smoke and are looking for a place with a great taste in music, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and where you can dance without paying a cover charge, ZODIAC is definitely worth a try.
- When to go? If you love lively parties and dancing, hit it up on the weekend! If you prefer a more Chill vibe with karaoke feels, go on a Monday! They have a special "BlowJams" night where the DJ plays 90s love songs, and the whole crowd singing along is super fun[7].
- Ordering tips: If you want to save money, skip the beer and go straight for the cocktails. The prices are normal, and they often have promos.
- Introvert-friendly: Because the place is small + has no cover charge, it's not awkward even if you come alone. You can go in, dance to a couple of songs, have a drink, and leave whenever you want[5].
- What to wear: Wear whatever! T-shirt, shorts, sandals—nobody cares. It's all about being relaxed and comfortable.
