Jakarta

[QUOTE=Bkk212;2480701]That's good news about the Blok M places opening, hopefully the gov't will allow travel to Jakarta by Christmas. Been holidaying in Jakarta Christmas / NYE for many years. I hope I don't have to miss this year.

As well I hope my usual "friends" are still around in Blok M.[/QUOTE]There's at least 3 places open that are drawing a reasonable crowd from what I saw last Saturday. Tavern Bar had a pretty good crowd with live music. MyBar was remodeled and rebranded as MB Lounge, and Dee's Place was remodeled and rebranded as Ann's place (back room is still closed). Both have fewer customers than pre-covid, but have really been cleaned up and look a lot better. There were also some locals hanging out in front of Obama bar and another one a bit down the street, but I didn't bother to peek my head in.

Ended up out for a walk and found a little alley with lots of little bars and "massage" shops (with bars) that seemed pretty open for business. That is if your stomach can handle that level of sleaze.

Luckily mine can.

The alleys are in the north along the side of the old Stadium near the Antoni Hotel:

Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 111 F-G, RT. 10/ RW. 9, Maphar, Tamansari, RT. 10/ RW. 9, Maphar, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11160, Indonesia.

[URL]https://goo.gl/maps/PzvTQghTy7AD212z5[/URL]

Apologies if I'm mentioning something that everyone here is already aware of, but as a newcomer it seemed to be an interesting find during a time when all of the fun seems pretty shut down.

[QUOTE=JKTbanger;2509024]Ended up out for a walk and found a little alley with lots of little bars and "massage" shops (with bars) that seemed pretty open for business.
The alleys are in the north along the side of the old Stadium near the Antoni Hotel:

Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 111 F-G, RT. 10/ RW. 9, Maphar, Tamansari, RT. 10/ RW. 9, Maphar, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11160, Indonesia.

[URL]https://goo.gl/maps/PzvTQghTy7AD212z5[/URL]

Apologies if I'm mentioning something that everyone here is already aware of, but as a newcomer it seemed to be an interesting find during a time when all of the fun seems pretty shut down.[/QUOTE]I believe you are talking about the small side street with Berlian Massage and Kartika Massage. These are 2 well known, if these are the ones you are reporting on. No apologies necessary. I am glad you had a good time and that these joints are still open. Thanks for the report.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2509180]I believe you are talking about the small side street with Berlian Massage and Kartika Massage. These are 2 well known, if these are the ones you are reporting on. No apologies necessary. I am glad you had a good time and that these joints are still open. Thanks for the report.[/QUOTE]This is the same street, looks like I was off by one on the map. In addition to Berlian Massage, which is at the end of the alley, there are a lot of bars with rooms upstairs on both sides of the street. Pretty sleazy, and if you're not shy I doubt you even need to take them upstairs, but made for a fun couple hours pretty late at night.

Curious if anyone with more experience than myself has any updates on other places open for business? Anything in South Jakarta that comes to mind?

Just wondering from those in Jakarta how Covid has affected rates. Most likely on Tinder dates since bars are closed.

Have they dropped down from 1. 5 million. Which is what I was mostly quoted last November?

Cheers, Traveler.

[QUOTE=JKTbanger;2509024]Ended up out for a walk and found a little alley with lots of little bars and "massage" shops (with bars) that seemed pretty open for business. That is if your stomach can handle that level of sleaze.[/QUOTE]Ah, come on.! Those places aren't THAT bad. More like low-mid-level, by Jakarta standards. You should see some of the REAL low end joints! But thanks for your report. I was wondering if those places were open again yet.

[QUOTE=SeaTraveler;2511713]Just wondering from those in Jakarta how Covid has affected rates. Most likely on Tinder dates since bars are closed.

Have they dropped down from 1. 5 million. Which is what I was mostly quoted last November?

Cheers, Traveler.[/QUOTE]There are those asking for 1.5 million, but I've been pushing a maximum of 1 million and haven't had any issues. I have had a bit of an issue with fake pictures and the girl who shows up not being the same as the one I had a quick video call with. Lots of scams on Tinder, but can definitely find what you're looking for at a million.

[QUOTE=GonzoTwo;2511883]Ah, come on.! Those places aren't THAT bad. More like low-mid-level, by Jakarta standards. You should see some of the REAL low end joints! But thanks for your report. I was wondering if those places were open again yet.[/QUOTE]I'd love to see some of the real low end places! Please do tell! Are any open?

[QUOTE=GonzoTwo;2511883]You should see some of the REAL low end joints![/QUOTE]Where would these low end places be? North Jakarta?

Just wanted to give a heads up that two of the massage shops on the Japanese side of Blok M are open for shagging with around a dozen girls each.

Metropolis massage.

Jl. Melawai 9 No. 10, RT. 3/ RW. 1, Melawai, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160, Indonesia.

[URL]https://goo.gl/maps/5L98nL5YPi7mHFh56[/URL]

And Aquarius Massage.

Jl. Melawai 9 No. 10, RT. 3/ RW. 1, Melawai, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160, Indonesia.

[URL]https://goo.gl/maps/NSQqwsKQoYFmSCeFA[/URL]

480,000 IDR all included.

[QUOTE=Stykler;2512193]Where would these low end places be? North Jakarta?[/QUOTE]Where I sometimes went to and what I've considered low end, was near Station Tanahabang. Some rundown houses parallel to the railway tracks and this smelly river or channel or whatever it is.

[QUOTE=Ekspat;2513255]Where I sometimes went to and what I've considered low end, was near Station Tanahabang. Some rundown houses parallel to the railway tracks and this smelly river or channel or whatever it is.[/QUOTE]Yes, low end. Authorities have tried to control it a number of times and Yokowi had it bulldozed at least once since then. Not sure what the status is these days. It may still be going. Not a safe area to go, please note. But perhaps for those with a desire to calibrate the meaning of "sleaze", there used to be streethookers in front of Tanah Abang station as well. Approximate level. It saves from walking through the dirt and dealing with semi preman. Expect 250 k.

[URL]https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2014/08/28/21102361/Bongkaran.Ditertibkan.PSK.di.Tanah.Abang.Mangkal.Siang.Hari.[/URL]

[QUOTE=JKTbanger;2506989]There's at least 3 places open that are drawing a reasonable crowd from what I saw last Saturday. Tavern Bar had a pretty good crowd with live music. MyBar was remodeled and rebranded as MB Lounge, and Dee's Place was remodeled and rebranded as Ann's place (back room is still closed). Both have fewer customers than pre-covid, but have really been cleaned up and look a lot better. There were also some locals hanging out in front of Obama bar and another one a bit down the street, but I didn't bother to peek my head in.[/QUOTE]Thanks. I hope the bars in blok M can remain economically viable. Jakarta wouldn't be the same without them.

[QUOTE=Ekspat;2513255]Where I sometimes went to and what I've considered low end, was near Station Tanahabang. Some rundown houses parallel to the railway tracks and this smelly river or channel or whatever it is.[/QUOTE]Do you know the location well enough to post a link to a pin on google maps?

I tried to find this place / area when I first got to Jakarta, before covid hit, but it was either closed or I wasn't looking in the right place.

When was the last time anyone was there? I'm happy to go scout it out.