Jakarta is not the most buzzing nightlife destination in the region, through it does boast plenty of nocturnal venues, everything from stylish bars catering for the expat crowd right through to more authentic local haunts. Karaoke is still something of a local obsession, which seems to have caught on with sections of the local expat community as well.

Vodka drinkers should make a beeline for Red Square, Plaza Senayan Arcadia, while expats and visiting businesspeople tend to prefer the likes of historic Café Batavia, Taman Fatahillah, with its colonial ambience, and stylish Burgundy at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Jalan Thamrin.

The club scene is impressively lively with huge venues to look out for including Centro, Jalan Dharmawangsa 11 (website: www.centrojakarta.net), with its visiting international DJs, and Retro, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jalan Gatot Subroto Kav 2-3, with its retro house sounds.

Live music fans meanwhile should check out West Pacific, Jalan Thamrin 12, with its hip indie vibe, and smoother Jaya Pub, which is owned by the same family and situated just above its sibling. Backpackers tend to stick to the informal bars around busy Jalan Jaksa.