Padang
Overlooking the river in the colonial quarter, this sprawling, graffiti-splattered 'ruin pub' feels a bit like a bombed-out building, but instead is…
Must-see nightlife in Sumatra
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Sumatra
One for coffee aficionados, Edu Coffee is a microroastery that sources arabica beans locally as well as from across the archipelago. It has all the tools…
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Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh’s most famous coffee house has been doing business since 1974. It’s an excellent place to try kopi sanger (coffee with condensed milk) –…
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West Sumatra
Around 4km west of Bukittinggi is this tranquil cafe set in an attractive thatched building overlooking ridiculously picturesque countryside – complete…
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Medan
Offering respite from the horrendous traffic is this two-storey pub with an outdoor Astroturf terrace for enjoying cocktails and cold beers (including…
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Medan
Channelling a hip Jakarta rooftop bar is this vibrant open-air space that's a great spot for a balmy evening with Balinese craft beers, wine and well…
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Sumatra
Jambi's finest spot for a drink is this rooftop bar atop the Aston Jambi Hotel. Enjoy fantastic city views while sipping on cocktails, beer or wine, or…
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West Sumatra
De Kock has a smoky salon atmosphere that's popular with both locals and tourists who come here for beers and a mixture of Western pub food (pizzas, steak…
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West Sumatra
This hip little cafe is an unexpected find along this dusty road, and makes a good place to sample local Kerinci beans. It does pour-over filter coffee as…
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Sumatra
In a town where a beer isn’t always easy to find, this spot is a bit of an oasis, opening up to a smart, leafy decor where you can prop up a stool at the…
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West Sumatra
Grab a beer and make yourself comfortable amid the wooden carvings and pop-culture posters and chat to the friendly youthful staff. There's a menu of…
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North Sumatra
Pull up a rugged bar stool and enjoy a strong coffee (12,000Rp to 25,000Rp) and the hum of locals in conversation. There's plenty of choice, from filter…
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Danau Toba
One of a handful of genuine bars in Tuk Tuk, with pool tables and occasional live bands, that gets particularly lively on weekends. Happy hour is a…
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Sumatra
Comprising no more than a couple of chairs, a turntable and a cassette deck, this hipster coffee shop specialises in beans from across Sumatra. Get a…
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Medan
Head up to the top floor of the Grand Swiss five-star hotel for cocktails (from 97,000Rp), beers (48,000Rp) and shimmering city views. There's live music…
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West Sumatra
A great spot to grab a quick coffee for the road is this 24-hour cafe that does V60 pour-overs and espresso using local beans. It shares space with Hotel…
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Bukit Lawang
For something different, check out this cafe that's built within a natural grotto, with murals on the walls and strong Gayo Aceh coffee and cheap beers…
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North Sumatra
This cool little cafe plays local indie music and serves excellent coffee using beans sourced locally (and from across Indonesia), made by friendly…
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Medan
With its long and glamorous list of cocktails (135,000Rp) and equally glamorous people, swanky Traders is the place to be seen in Medan. There are cold…
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West Sumatra
This excellent coffee shop gives Sungai Penuh a cool, urban touch. Here you can sample quality beans from all over Sumatra and beyond, and there’s local…
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Aceh
This cool little coffee roaster by the beach serves A-grade Acehnese brews along with simple food items. It rents out surfboards too (per half-day 70…
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Sumatra
One of Palembang's few options for a drink is this fairly uninspired Hard Rock Cafe–style bar in the north of town. It has a stage for live music and long…
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Banda Aceh
A good downtown choice for those looking for a modern cafe with air-con and wi-fi to catch up on emails, Gaster has excellent Acehnese coffee from the…
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Medan
Not only does it roast its own beans, this cafe is a magnet for connoisseurs wanting to sample some of Sumatra’s best – single-origin Mandheling Arabica…
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Padang
This reliable Sumatran coffee chain is a great place to sample Indonesian beans (coffee from 17,000Rp) in modern, tasteful surrounds, with the luxury of…
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Padang
Teebox is a fairly tacky entertainment complex with a bar, DJs, bands, karaoke, pool tables and restaurants, but it's an option if you're looking to kick…
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Medan
Street-facing but part of the Centre Point Medan complex, Healy Mac's is a typically convivial Irish bar with Guinness on tap, big servings of Western…
