Berita Satu Bar
Berita Satu Bar takes its name from Indonesia's news channel and sits in the Blok M entertainment zone. It operates as a casual bar and lounge with a relaxed atmosphere targeting Jakarta locals and the remaining expat community in the area. The venue provides a straightforward drinks menu, basic bar food, and occasional live music or sports screening. It is one of the bars that has stayed open as the broader Blok M nightlife scene has contracted over the past decade.
What to Expect
A neighbourhood bar in the traditional Blok M mould with honest drinks and a local crowd. No theatrical setup, no minimum spend. Good for a relaxed drink with a Jakarta local flavour. The regulars are friendly.
Quiet, neighbourhood, unpretentious.
Background pop and Indonesian music. Sports TV on screens.
Casual.
Local drinking, Blok M exploration, casual Jakarta evenings
Cash.
Price Range
Beer IDR 40,000-70,000. Spirits IDR 65,000-130,000. Cocktails IDR 75,000-150,000. No cover charge.
Beer ~€2-4. Spirits ~€4-8. Cocktails ~€4-9.
Hours
Daily 18:00-02:00
Insider Tip
Blok M is a smaller scene than it used to be, so do not arrive expecting a packed bar district around you. Berita Satu is better as a local neighbourhood drink than as a destination night out. Combine with Top One Club or a walk through the Blok M Square area for a fuller evening.
Full Review
Berita Satu Bar operates as a neighborhood watering hole in a Blok M entertainment zone that has contracted significantly. The setup is basic: a bar, seating, a drinks menu covering beer and spirits, and occasional sports on screens. The atmosphere is quiet and local, reflecting the current state of the surrounding area rather than any deliberate design choice. It's one of the bars that stayed open as the broader scene emptied.
The crowd is local Jakarta residents and the remaining expat presence in the area. There's no cover charge, no minimum spend, and no entertainment beyond occasional sports screenings. The bar serves its function honestly: a place to drink at fair prices in a familiar setting. Service is friendly and the regulars are approachable.
Berita Satu doesn't compete with Jakarta's destination bars or nightclubs. It exists as a neighborhood local in a neighborhood where the nightlife has thinned. For visitors exploring Blok M's history or looking for an unvarnished local drinking experience, it provides exactly that. Combine with Top One Club or a walk through Blok M Square for a fuller evening.
Blok M is a smaller scene than it was. Don't arrive expecting a packed bar district. This works better as a local neighborhood drink than a destination night out. The regulars are friendly and can fill you in on Blok M's history.
The Neighborhood
Blok M's transition from Jakarta's primary nightlife district to a quieter neighborhood has left a handful of bars like Berita Satu operating as neighborhood locals rather than destination venues.
Getting There
In the Blok M area, accessible by MRT (Blok M station) or by Grab/taxi from central Jakarta in 20-40 minutes.
Where to stay in Jakarta
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Blok M
Eastern Promise
Long-standing expat bar on Jl. Falatehan that's been a Blok M institution for years. Cheap beer, pool tables, and a no-frills atmosphere.
Stadium
One of the larger clubs in the Blok M area with a main dance floor and VIP sections. Plays a mix of EDM and Indonesian pop to a mostly local crowd.
Top One Club
Late-night venue in the Blok M entertainment strip known for its hostess system and a predominantly male clientele. Gets going well after midnight.
D's Place
Small neighborhood bar popular with expats living in South Jakarta. Live acoustic music some evenings and a relaxed, unpretentious setting.
M Bloc Bar
Live music venue inside the M Bloc Space creative complex hosting indie bands and local acts most weekends. Young, creative crowd and affordable craft beer.
FOYA
Performance space at M Bloc Space with a rotating lineup of Indonesian musicians. Standing-room setup that fills up fast on Friday and Saturday nights.