Blok M (Jalan Falatehan)

My previous visit to Jalan Falatehan was 3 years ago, during a memorable pub crawl, the Blok-M-thon. Last week (June 2011) was more healthy, but I still managed to visit each venues (except Highway to Elle). My objective was to see if there was any update that could be made to this blog.

For those unaware of the name, Jalan Falatehan is one of the two main red-light areas in South Jakarta (the other one being "Little Tokyo"). It is not very long, about 200 meters, and you'll find less than 10 bars, usually owned by foreigners.

Here is a quick list, by order of appearance:

• Sportsmans: A sports bar, no girls, only for chatting

• Everest: An easy-going bar, with a few girls and few clients

• D's place: The most trashy place in Blok M, with usually a lot of girls, and striptease

• My Bar: A bar packed with girls of all ages and shapes, at least 50, and less than 10 customers, all expats (double those figures during the weekend).

• Maxi Bar: Empty but good food, they have about 6 waitresses/hostesses, dressed to kill. It stands where the now defunct One Tree Bar used to stand.

• Os car's Pub: Live music, mostly Indonesian crowd, they have some house music now but it was empty at the time of my visit

• Guitar String: Not bad, there was a good live band and the waitresses were extra-friendly. A dozen girls there and Indonesian customers only.

• Top Gun: The best bar in the street, with a lot of people, a party atmosphere and live music.

In three years, the only changes I noticed were:

• Oscar and D's Place were renovated
• One Tree bar closed down and was replaced by Maxi
• M Bar closed
• Highway to Elle opened
• The girls are three years older

Generally speaking, it isn't much different: You have that same old disturbing mix of prostitutes, beggars, children, street sellers, crooked taxis and security guards waiting for you outside every bars to ask something from you. The street is still dirty, and so are most of the bars. The only big advice you need to hear is to not take a taxi directly outside the bar, they cannot be trusted. Walk 50 meters instead until you reach the main road, then take a Blue Bird or an Express taxi.

I wished I had more to talk about, I'll ! be back in three years for a new review. For any questions you may have, please leave a comment.