March 2nd, 2011
From the day it first opened back in December 1995, B.A.T.S. has proven to be a hugely popular nightlife destination for expats living in Jakarta, business travellers, and also many local partygoers looking for a fun night out. A combination of a great space and design concept, excellent dining, bustling bar and live music have proven to be an enduring formula for drawing crowds of patrons.
The entrance to the “underground” space of B.A.T.S. opens up impressively as one makes their way down the passageway of exposed red bricks. Just inside the entrance on the upper level of B.A.T.S. is the “Whisky Room” – a smaller enclosed bar and lounge area with sofa seating and large LCD screens for sports viewing, and perhaps a quieter place to escape from the bustle in the main bar area downstairs. Past the Whisky Room there is a further staircase leading down to the central bar and dining areas below. The New York inspired “underground” design theme features the industrial look of the raw red bricks, nailed metal ceilings, and exposed beams and conduits. Clever use of LED lighting effects provide the ambience expected from such a premium nightlife venue.
The main focus of the floor area of B.A.T.S is the imposing central square shaped bar- with stools and standing room on all sides. Further inside from the bar is the restaurant area, with tables on the main floor and also booth seating along the walls. A distinctive decorative feature is the use of painted caricatures on the walls of past patrons and local “identities” who frequented B.A.T.S. There is also a smallish dance floor area opposite one side of the bar, and a stage where early in the evenings, a local, acoustic band provide softer melodies for the dining guests and then later – around 10pm – a dynamic international home bands livens up the tempo with popular dance music and hits.
The restaurant is well know for it’s very generous sized portions of food- with 17 inch pizzas and the range of steaks being the most popular dishes. The steaks on offer are all imported premium quality cuts of Australian Wagyu and Angus beef- the cuts include 220gm tenderloin, 280gm striploin, and 350gm ribeye. There is also a massive 650gm porterhouse cut of grain fed beef. A recently introduced promotion from the kitchen is the “Surf ‘n Turf”- plates comprising cuts of prime Australian beef, together with locally caught fresh lobsters.
The dining menu also includes a good selection of appetisers, main courses and desserts.
The bar is serving all the usual popular drinks- cold draught beers in “signature” large glasses, innovative and classic cocktails, shooters, and premium spirits. There are nightly bar promotions ranging from martini nights to buckets of beer nights…details are listed below.
B.A.T.S. continues to be one of the most popular nightlife venues in Jakarta – both as a quality dining experience early in the evenings, and for the lively entertainment as the night progresses into the early hours of the following morning. While the prices are consistent with a luxury 5 star hotel environment, this is not a deterrent to the legion of regular guests who appreciate the total nightlife experience offered by B.A.T.S.
B.A.T.S. Bar & Restaurant- Shangri La Jakarta
Address: Kota BNI, Jln Jend Sudirman Kav.1, Jakarta 10220. Indonesia
Hotel Tel: +62.21.570 7440
Restaurant Reservations: +62.21.3048 8535
Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to 02:00 am (until 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday)
Happy Hours: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Dinner hours: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Hotel website: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/jakarta/shangrila/dining
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/shangrilaintl
