Batam

[Black Page]

Google is your friend. It's called "Harmoni Wine Club" and as you can see from the street view and the Wine Glass logo it's opposite KFC.

I have been there on Saturday to have a look. One of the saddest places I have ever seen. Not surprised I did not even notice it before. Some distoned singer singing old songs, 5-6 white men sitting with old ladies at the bar and having drinks. I run away, back to No Name.

[Black Page]

Google is your friend. It's called "Harmoni Wine Club" and as you can see from the street view and the Wine Glass logo it's opposite KFC. Funny sometimes how we don't see the wood for the trees.

You are really right about wood and trees. I am now watching it on my monitor. I never noticed it, but, again, maybe because on some remote time back in years I went inside, I looked around, then I stepped out and I deleted it from my list of "places to remember".

BlackPage haven't you told your wife the Riau Archipelago is all about golf trips, wine tasting of New Zealand Sauvignons and cigars? I certainly would. I guess the place is more Somerset Maugham than Joseph Conrad. They don't serve Gin Pahits anymore mind.

My wife is more intelligent then you suspect. I told her I went to Batam 2 times, then I stopped, because it is frankly not plausible, for anyone who knows me, to claim that I go to Batam 25 times to taste wine (I am from Europe, and modestly about wine we have nothing to envy to what is offered in Batam).

I'm sailing into Singapore this weekend and I think for the first time in about 35 years with the option of an overnighter in Batam I'm going to give it a miss.

If I have the chance to pass the border, I cannot stay there for less than a whole week.

[UsPete]

And where is it, exactly? It does not look like I missed anything, anyway.


There is Harmoni Hotel, in Kampung Bule near McDonalds and KFC, and Harmoni Suites, right in front of the small street that takes to Windsor Food Court.
Btw, the glorious Permata Indah in front of WFC has been closed for a few months already. Nobody knows if they will reopen, when, under what management.

Google is your friend. It's called "Harmoni Wine Club" and as you can see from the street view and the Wine Glass logo it's opposite KFC. Funny sometimes how we don't see the wood for the trees.

BlackPage haven't you told your wife the Riau Archipelago is all about golf trips, wine tasting of New Zealand Sauvignons and cigars? I certainly would. I guess the place is more Somerset Maugham than Joseph Conrad. They don't serve Gin Pahits anymore mind.

I'm sailing into Singapore this weekend and I think for the first time in about 35 years with the option of an overnighter in Batam I'm going to give it a miss.

[Black Page]

Funny that, I've been going to the Harmoni Wine Club for about 15 years, as when I stay at the Harmoni that's where I get my complimentary drinks voucher for being one of their "long guests". I would describe it as family friendly with Batak crooners singing songbook stuff. Good range of cigars but not a place for sex pests.

I don't think it's changed name since it opened. It was the 2nd Wine bar to open up after the Hilton (now renamed Goodway). Both were established by the English entrepreneur (Richard?) who ran Lusy's Oar House which still has some of the biggest oars in Batam I believe.

And where is it, exactly? It does not look like I missed anything, anyway. Which may explain why I don't even know about its existence: I may have simply filtered it away from my attention. When I go to Batam, generally I do not look for family friendly places. And I do not smoke cigars.

Ummm, I've only been to Batam once (though I wouldn't mind heading back) and that was a business trip, but at the time my taxi took me to the wrong Harmoni. Could you guys be talking about different sites?

There is Harmoni Hotel, in Kampung Bule near McDonalds and KFC, and Harmoni Suites, right in front of the small street that takes to Windsor Food Court.
Btw, the glorious Permata Indah in front of WFC has been closed for a few months already. Nobody knows if they will reopen, when, under what management.

[BaddHabbit]

Funny that, I've been going to the Harmoni Wine Club for about 15 years, as when I stay at the Harmoni that's where I get my complimentary drinks voucher for being one of their "long guests". I would describe it as family friendly with Batak crooners singing songbook stuff. Good range of cigars but not a place for sex pests.

I don't think it's changed name since it opened. It was the 2nd Wine bar to open up after the Hilton (now renamed Goodway). Both were established by the English entrepreneur (Richard?) who ran Lusy's Oar House which still has some of the biggest oars in Batam I believe.

Ummm, I've only been to Batam once (though I wouldn't mind heading back) and that was a business trip, but at the time my taxi took me to the wrong Harmoni. Could you guys be talking about different sites?

[UsPete]

More amazing for me than for you. I have been a regular in NoName for 8 years already (I visit Batam 2-4 times per year, no more than that).

There was NO Wine Bar in the lobby of Harmoni, never. So, the only explanation is that it is a new thing after my last visit, which is June 2017.

Funny that, I've been going to the Harmoni Wine Club for about 15 years, as when I stay at the Harmoni that's where I get my complimentary drinks voucher for being one of their "long guests". I would describe it as family friendly with Batak crooners singing songbook stuff. Good range of cigars but not a place for sex pests.

I don't think it's changed name since it opened. It was the 2nd Wine bar to open up after the Hilton (now renamed Goodway). Both were established by the English entrepreneur (Richard?) who ran Lusy's Oar House which still has some of the biggest oars in Batam I believe.

[Black Page]

Well if you have been to no name then I find it amazing you don't know the wine bar. Its in the lobby of the same hotel, Harmoni. No matter -believe now its sold to another guy with Indo girlfriend for 30 k sing. Apparently the new owners GF is a real ***** according to local girls. Most have left for other bars and one Isma is now in Thailand. Best headjob around acknowledged by other women. She was from bpp.

More amazing for me than for you. I have been a regular in NoName for 8 years already (I visit Batam 2-4 times per year, no more than that).

There was NO Wine Bar in the lobby of Harmoni, never. So, the only explanation is that it is a new thing after my last visit, which is June 2017.

[Skeggles]

Sure. Square is for the local young high society and "wannabe"s, not for tourists and definitely not for sex hunters. I have never seen white men, contrary to No Name.

That means much less Western white men working there or nearby islands. It should be positive, seen from my eyes. It may be related to having less white men at No Name, but where do the local ladies go there?? Maybe just Square and few other pubs.

I don't understand how I could have missed the wine bar, but I will look for it definitely!
I am not very much interested to the other bars in Kampung Bule.

Well if you have been to no name then I find it amazing you don't know the wine bar. Its in the lobby of the same hotel, Harmoni. No matter -believe now its sold to another guy with Indo girlfriend for 30 k sing. Apparently the new owners GF is a real ***** according to local girls. Most have left for other bars and one Isma is now in Thailand. Best headjob around acknowledged by other women. She was from bpp.

[Black Page]

Never been to "square" and never heard of it.

Sure. Square is for the local young high society and "wannabe"s, not for tourists and definitely not for sex hunters. I have never seen white men, contrary to No Name.

Just remember Batam has taken a big hit in the last few years due to the collapse in oil and gas prices. Anyway. The wine bar has been open for at least two years as far as I know.

That means much less Western white men working there or nearby islands. It should be positive, seen from my eyes. It may be related to having less white men at No Name, but where do the local ladies go there?? Maybe just Square and few other pubs.

I don't understand how I could have missed the wine bar, but I will look for it definitely!
I am not very much interested to the other bars in Kampung Bule.

[Skeggles]

I cannot read your image, however a map in Batam is not really useful, as one would not want to walk around 3 hours to see 10 joints. Take an ojek. He will take you anywhere.

About the most recent list of joints and massage places, I simply recommend to check the SB forum. There, they post updates and even lists and maps. I hate to redirect people somewhere else (Jackson, I beg your pardon) but SB is not really a competing forum for ISG. It's something different. Aimed mainly to Singaporeans. You must bear Singlish to read it.


What is that? When did they open? My last time in Batam was last June, if I am not wrong.
At that time, the highlight place for nightlife in Batam was Square. Sadly, not No Name anymore. The problem is that at Square you see the local high society. Local rich girls will not look at you, unless you are Brad Pitt. Times change, and they did already.

Never been to "square" and never heard of it. Just remember Batam has taken a big hit in the last few years due to the collapse in oil and gas prices. Anyway. The wine bar has been open for at least two years as far as I know. My last time in Batam was October. It was a regular weekend haunt for me as I worked in Malaysia. 90 min ferry ride away. Plenty of bars in Kampong bule as you would know. Sadly I have moved to an Arabic country but am finding out that things are not as bad as it initially seems. Just got to know where to go. Would you believe Macdonalds is a pick up joint -- WTF! Happy fishing as the local girls call it.

[Black Page]

Hi guys,
I am developing a beginners guide for myself I have added all the places I read about on the image. If you know of more or any that have closed down please let me know.

I cannot read your image, however a map in Batam is not really useful, as one would not want to walk around 3 hours to see 10 joints. Take an ojek. He will take you anywhere.

About the most recent list of joints and massage places, I simply recommend to check the SB forum. There, they post updates and even lists and maps. I hate to redirect people somewhere else (Jackson, I beg your pardon) but SB is not really a competing forum for ISG. It's something different. Aimed mainly to Singaporeans. You must bear Singlish to read it.

Even the girls in the bar at the Harmoni Hotel (not No Name but the wine bar. Which is changing ownership or has just done I believe) will go for that and they are some of the prettiest around IMO.

What is that? When did they open? My last time in Batam was last June, if I am not wrong.
At that time, the highlight place for nightlife in Batam was Square. Sadly, not No Name anymore. The problem is that at Square you see the local high society. Local rich girls will not look at you, unless you are Brad Pitt. Times change, and they did already.

[Skeggles]

Hi guys,

I haven't been to Batam in almost 2 years. Apparently a lot of the old booking joints have closed down. Can anyone point me towards some decent new ones and an indication of a price point? Still 1 to 1.5 juta SYT? I am planning to stop over Batam between 16-22 Nov. Haven't bought the tickets yet but plan to by the end of the week.

Just head to the Bars in Nagoya. The NED (kampung Bule) as it is known. And go fishing as Blackpage explains below. There is another place called kampong Bule 2. But its far away from 1 and Batam centre. The pricing given is about the right mark. Even the girls in the bar at the Harmoni Hotel (not No Name but the wine bar. Which is changing ownership or has just done I believe) will go for that and they are some of the prettiest around IMO. I have been offered at Hawaii bar for 1. 2 M for a maybe 18/19 year old girl if that's your thing. Its halfway (roughly) between harbor bay and kampong bule 2.

[Warscr]

Hi guys,

I am developing a beginners guide for myself I have added all the places I read about on the image. If you know of more or any that have closed down please let me know.

[Warscr]

Hi guys,

I haven't been to Batam in almost 2 years. Apparently a lot of the old booking joints have closed down. Can anyone point me towards some decent new ones and an indication of a price point? Still 1 to 1.5 juta SYT? I am planning to stop over Batam between 16-22 Nov. Haven't bought the tickets yet but plan to by the end of the week.

[Black Page]

Hello everyone,
Just got back from a brief trip to Batam. I had been badgering Black Page for info via PM, and he was kind enough to provide useful tips. Since this was my first visit, wasn't hoping for much.

Congratulations for your good first time! You had a good one on your first visit, and that alone may be not trivial for everyone. Well, good luck does not come from the sky spontaneously. You helped it with a careful home work of preparation.

TINDER.

It's a hit and miss, and this time you had a miss. I can imagine your situation very well. Don't think it did not happen to me too! Of course I paid that tax to inexperience. To win a big bet, you have to play, and if you play, you also lose at times.

To be honest, I would have not left them with the bill, it's too mean and bad. BUT retrospectively, looking at my past bad experiences, probably I should have done that too, at least in a case like yours. If you have reason to feel that they are thinking you are a stupid cow to milk, then that's what they deserve. The thing to do, rather than leaving them a big bill to pay, is to cut the loss well before that. Pay the first bill then send them home with any excuse (yes, ex post we are all wise and error-free). Next time I would take out the whale and the pig, why not, who knows what will happen, but I'd check quickly what are the chances and cut losses ASAP.

NO NAME.

Regardless the look and age of your lady, you had the kind of experience for which I count the days left to my next trip to Batam. Well done. You took advantage of a good chance in the best way. She was not a pro, just a lady wishing fun on a ONS. And you did it right leaving money. All those ladies need money, at least to recover the cost of drinks of that night before meeting you (I would have left something more).

Thumbs UP! You still have unlimited options to explore on your next visits For example: more pubs, beer girls, massage places, regular booking joints (not the kind of experience we would rank first), and of course DISCO. Keep disco for later, when you have consolidated experience. Besides the hell that objectively an Indo disco is, the chance of scam there is too high to risk. Sharks smell the inexperience and go hunting.