Jakarta’s nightlife scene has evolved a lot in the last 8 years are so. Many people credit Loewy, the perennially popular bar and restaurant in Mega Kuningan, with bringing craft cocktail culture to Indonesia’s capital, opening the door for many more fine drinking establishment for us to enjoy.
So it’s fitting then that Loewy should make the grade and earn a spot on the first annual “Asia’s 50 Best Bars” list, along with Union, the brasserie, bakery and bar started by some of the same people behind Loewy.
The list was created by Drinks International and is based on the votes of 154 experts on the Asian bar scene, including bartenders, brand ambassadors, F&B consultants and journalists.
The list in ranked, and Loewy came in at #32. Describing the esteemed establishment, the list’s editor, Hamish Smith, writes “With its retro New York-come-Parisian bistro decor – all beveled tiles, copper and tin ceiling panels and hanging lights – Raymond Loewy, the French industrial designer, would have happily pulled up a chair at this bar.”
“With Indonesia drinksmith Kiki Moka in residence, there are signature drinks to rouse the cocktail-curious and a bevy of classics for the less adventurous. All are done with a certain French panache befitting the elegant surroundings.”
Coming in at #36 is Union, the uber-chic venue in Plaza Senayan that is never easy to get a reservation at. Smith writes, “Drinks-wise there is no greater single malt collection in Jakarta, but this is no old-school Asian whisky den (not least because it’s an airy, glass-fronted site that overlooks the leafy Plaza Senayan courtyard) but because cocktails are the drink de jour. There’s the roll-call of well-worn classics but the bartending team aren’t scared to riff on the ingredients and are no strangers to infusions and dehydration.”
If you’re interested in trying out Asia’s #1 bar, you won’t have to go very far. The top spot on the list went to 28 Hongkong Street, which is actually located in Singapore and is renowned for consistently mixing up some of the best cocktails in all The East.
Congrats to the teams behind Loewy and Union for making the list. We’ll be coming to your fine establishments soon to get drunk in your honor.
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