Jakarta Rising: 6 Bars Leading a Cocktail Renaissance

This year was one for the history books. Indonesia made its strongest showing yet on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, with six bars honored, four in the Top 50 and two in the 51–100, led by Jakarta. For a city often seen as a latecomer in Asia’s drinking culture, this milestone marks a new chapter.

Jakarta has long wrestled with cultural and religious taboos that made drinking culture slower to take root compared to regional neighbors like Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. But in recent years, the shift has been undeniable. A wave of ambitious independent bars has emerged, pushing boundaries and reshaping what a modern cocktail bar in Jakarta can be.

Each of the six bars that earned a place on the list represents a different side of that growth. From concept-driven design to intimate community hubs, from jazz-soaked glamour to farm-to-table innovation, these venues are shaping Jakarta’s cocktail renaissance in their own ways. Here’s how each of them is contributing to the city’s rise.

Modernhaus

Modernhaus is redefining what a Jakarta cocktail bar can be. Concept-driven and experimental at its core, the bar combines a striking mid-century modern interior with a warm, home-like atmosphere that feels more like a living room than a drinking den. At the center is a three-station bar designed like a kitchen island, where guests sit across from one another, creating a communal setting that encourages conversation and shared experiences.

The cocktail program reflects the same vision. Ambitious and experimental without being intimidating, the drinks push boundaries while remaining accessible. Guests are introduced to flavors and techniques they may never have experienced in Indonesia, but always presented in a way that feels welcoming. Guided by co-founder Bule’s singular vision, Modernhaus has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about destinations.

Its impact on Jakarta’s cocktail culture is clear. By showing that a bar can be equal parts stylish, experimental, and approachable, Modernhaus has set a new benchmark for design and hospitality. It has opened the door for a new kind of drinking experience in Jakarta, one that feels fresh, forward-looking, and rooted in genuine connection.

St. Regis Bar Jakarta

St. Regis Bar Jakarta is redefining the hotel bar experience. For years, hotel bars in the city were seen as intimidating and inaccessible, places reserved for the upper echelon with overpriced drinks and little sense of welcome. Here, that narrative is being rewritten. From the moment you step in, the first thing you hear is the sound of a live jazz band, instantly setting the mood for the night. Above the counter, a sculptural metal installation loops like the slides of a trombone, a visual statement as bold as the music.

What truly makes the bar work is its team. Despite the elegance of the surroundings, the hospitality is warm and genuine, shaped by a culture that values connection as much as craft. The bartenders and staff create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, proving that luxury doesn’t have to be intimidating. The cocktails are executed with precision and creativity, a fitting match for the bar’s level of sophistication.

By building a culture rooted in both excellence and openness, St. Regis Bar Jakarta has raised the standard for hotel bars in the city. It has proven that refinement and hospitality can sit side by side, making it not only a standout in Jakarta but also a player on the global stage.

Carrots Bar

Carrots Bar has redefined what a cocktail bar in Jakarta can look like. In a city where cocktail bars are often large, built for volume, with booming music, secluded seating, and heavy cigarette smoke, Carrots chose to go in the opposite direction. Small, intimate, and community-driven, it has risen to prominence precisely because it was brave enough to go against the norm.

Located in the basement of a building filled with chaotic clubs, Carrots feels like an oasis of calm and hospitality. A communal table extends from the bar, bringing guests close together and sparking conversations between strangers, while a strict e-cigarette and vape-only policy creates a more inclusive space. The setting is simple but intentional, designed to make people feel comfortable enough to interact and connect.

Its impact is one of culture as much as cocktails. Carrots has shown that intimacy, community, and connection can be just as powerful in shaping Jakarta’s drinking culture as innovation or scale. It proves that sometimes, going against the grain is what creates the experiences people didn’t know they needed.

Cosmo Pony

The opening of Cosmo Pony was one of the most anticipated in Jakarta, born from a collaboration between Union Group from Jakarta and Jigger & Pony from Singapore. The partnership delivered exactly what many hoped for, combining Singaporean precision and meticulous hospitality with the cultural warmth of Indonesia. The result is a well-rounded drinking experience that feels tailored for everyone, whether you are a solo guest, a couple on a date, or a group of friends celebrating.

Some of the highlights of their hospitality are found in the details. The cocktail menu takes the form of a beautifully designed menuzine, presenting a diverse array of drinks for every guest. Punch bowls encourage sharing among groups, while the mezzanine section with an e-cigarette and vape-only policy gives guests the choice to shape their drinking experience on their own terms. These thoughtful touches reinforce the idea that Cosmo Pony is a space for everyone.

Cosmo Pony’s influence goes beyond its drinks. By bringing together world-class service with an inclusive approach to hospitality, it has set a new benchmark for Jakarta. It shows how a cocktail bar can raise standards for the city while also making itself a place where anyone can feel at home.

Pantja

Pantja has been leading the charge for Jakarta’s bar scene ever since it opened. Since earning its place on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2023, it has stood as a beacon of excellence in the city’s F&B landscape. An outstanding restaurant in its own right, Pantja is a brilliant example of how food and drink can harmonize into a complete experience for guests.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Rapha Menchaca, whose farm-to-table philosophy brings seasonal ingredients, open fire cooking, and fresh pasta made daily. At the bar, co-founder Kabir Suharan leads a program rooted in the classics, delivering finely crafted drinks alongside innovative signatures. Together, they have created a venue where food and cocktails carry equal weight.

Pantja’s contribution is to show that Jakarta can compete with the world at both the dining table and the bar. By delivering food and cocktails at equally high levels, it has raised expectations across the board, setting a standard that others now aspire to follow.

The Golden Tooth

The Golden Tooth is a true neighborhood bar. Nestled in a residential area, stepping inside feels like walking into your corner store, familiar, welcoming, and designed for regulars who know they can count on a consistent experience. The drinks are comforting yet inventive, crafted to expand tastebuds while keeping things approachable, and the vibe encourages conversation between both friends and strangers.

Golden Tooth has built its identity by doing things its own way. From thoughtful design touches to creative event invitations and playful merchandise, the team has shown that its creativity extends beyond the glass. The hospitality is unpretentious, the setting encourages connection, and the team has built a following by focusing on culture as much as cocktails.

Still early in its journey, The Golden Tooth is already establishing itself as a mainstay in Jakarta’s drinking scene. By keeping things warm, inclusive, and genuinely neighborhood-driven, it has proven that a cocktail bar does not need to be flashy to leave a lasting impact. For Jakarta, it represents a future where innovation and accessibility can go hand in hand.

Jakarta’s record-breaking showing on this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars list is proof of how far the city’s cocktail culture has come in such a short time. From the concept-driven innovation of Modernhaus to the redefined luxury of St Regis Bar Jakarta, from the community spirit of Carrots Bar to the polished hospitality of Cosmo Pony, and from Pantja’s seamless food-and-drink harmony to the neighborhood charm of The Golden Tooth, each of these six bars represents a different side of Jakarta’s identity. Together, they show a city in the midst of a true cocktail renaissance.

This is only the beginning. Jakarta’s bar scene continues to grow, evolve, and surprise, and the recognition these six bars have achieved is paving the way for more to come. In the weeks ahead, we will be publishing individual profiles of each of these bars, diving deeper into their stories and the people behind them.

For now, these six stand as proof that Jakarta is no longer a latecomer to Asia’s drinking culture, but one of its most exciting rising stars.

Jakarta isn’t just catching up, it is leading the way.