The city of Yogyakarta commonly referred to as ‘Jogja’, is quite literally the heart and the soul of Java, Indonesia. It is a place brimming with heritage and deep cultural links to time-washed Javanese traditions. Predominantly Muslim-inhabited, the bar scene is understandably less happening but that’s not to say that the city doesn’t have a vibrant nightlife scene because it does.
Here, we take a look at 5 watering holes in Yogyakarta from ones that offer solid live music to other more hipster joints to help you find a suitable spot to get a good drink and possibly an even better time.
1. Asmara Art & Coffee Shop – Opens until midnight
They regard themselves as an art and coffee shop, but this split-level grungy venue is more like a restaurant and bar. Located in Tirtodipuran Street, this lively venue plays host to a repertoire of resident bands that perform different genres every night.
They don’t have much to offer on the drinks front save for a few varieties of bottled beer and some cocktails, but Asmara Art & Coffee Shop still ranks high as a bar that offers excellent vibes and top-notch live entertainment.
Address: Jalan Tirtodipuran 22, Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 10AM – 12AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +62 274 4221017
2. Cubic Kitchen & Bar – A thriving nightclub in Yogyakarta
More club than actual pub, Cubic Kitchen & Bar is a place that perfectly marries cosy, minimalistic vibes, solid handcrafted cocktails and upbeat music, rewarding guests with an epic evening of pure, alcohol-fuelled fun. They have a wide variety of cocktails to choose from with seasonal offerings making guest appearances every now and then. Albeit being pricey, the music and the exquisite drinks are well worth it.
Address: Demangan Square Building, Jl. Demangan Baru, Caturtunggal, Depok Sub-District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Sun & Tue), 6PM – 3AM (Sat, Mon & Wed), 6PM – 12AM (Thu), 12AM – 2PM, 6PM – 3AM (Fri)
Contact: +62 878-4222-8186
3. Oxen Free – One of the best bars in Yogyakarta
A trendy watering hole houses in a fully-restored former Dutch colonial building, Oxen Free is a cosy respite for guests in search of a good meal and tipples to tide you through the evening. Their food menu covers a wide base of Western comfort food classics from burgers to roasts as well as local delights. Enjoy a beer or two at their alfresco garden and be serenaded by their in-house music acts and DJs.
Address: Sosrowijayan St No.2, Sosromenduran, Gedong Tengen, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55271, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 3PM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 3PM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +62 878-3911-2338
4. Sakapatat Brew House & Resto – Beer garden with live music
Brimming with ultra-chill vibes, Sakapatat Brew House & Resto is a great respite for weary travellers in search of a fairly quiet place for beer and conversation.
The bar offers a decent range of reasonably-priced international beers and cocktails. On most days, this joint is fairly chill with little going on but don’t let that fool you. When the folks decide to throw a bash, you can bet it’s anything but—we’re talking pyrotechnic displays and the like.
Address: Jl. Pakuningratan No.34, Cokrodiningratan, Kec. Jetis, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55233, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 4PM – 1AM (Mon to Thu), 3PM – 2AM (Fri to Sun)
Contact: +62 274 2921354
5. Tap House Beer Garden – Unique concept dedicated to beer
Housed in a dingy, abandoned house, TapHouse is a hip spot where beer enthusiasts and young people gather. The vibe is incredibly chill—like, bean bags laid out in the middle of an empty grass patch-type chill—and they carry a good range of imported beers such as Hoegaarden, Leffe, Erdinger and Paulaner. Prices are good and they often have buy-one-get-one-free deals on most days.
Address: Jl. Jlagran 18, Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 6.30PM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 6.30PM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +62 812-2444-2255
Read our guide to Indonesia’s nightlife.
No Comments