Being the most densely populated city in the Riau Islands, Batam has some of the best nightlife that Indonesia has to offer. Add to the fact that Batam is home to a sizable expatriate community, this means that you’ll easily find bars that cater to foreign tastes. Here are some bars and clubs that we recommend for tourists.
But before that, here’s an overview of Batam’s nightlife scene. The district you want to visit is the Nagoya Entertainment District (NED), also known as “Kampung Bule” which roughly means “foreigner’s neighbourhood”. The NED is the most popular nightlife district; chances are that your hotel would be somewhat nearby. Waterfront City is another district that has a few bars but it’s recently become quite neglected.
Brewsky & Co
Brewsky is Batam’s first microbrewery, serving a decent selection of craft beer. From Bali Blues to Chocolate Ale, it’s hard not to get excited by their quirky menu! You’ll want to come with a group to taste all the different brews. That said, the food is also great. We recommend their hearty pork chops and their delectable fried rice with chicken katsu - the portions are huge!
Nagoya Citywalk Batam LG no. 06-09
Red Rose Pub
Red Rose Pub is the oldest British pub in Batam. Dark rustic decor, huge TV screens for sports, a commendable collection of Scotch, they’ve got the essentials down. We recommend Red Rose if you’re keen on getting a taste of the British pub experience. Try their English breakfast that’s available all day.
Komp.New Holiday Blok B No.6 Nagoya, 29429 Batam
The Last Pub & Restaurant
The Last Pub is a local favourite for an after-work drink or a brunch with friends. If you’re looking for a pub with hookah/shisha, this is one of the few places in Batam that has it. With their dimly-lit environment and their obsession with exposed brick walls, their ambience won’t disappoint. You can’t go wrong with their fish and chips and their oysters.
Jl. Imam Bonjol Komp. New Holiday Block B no. 1&2 Nagoya, Kampung Bule, Batam Center
Nomad Bar & Resto
Head to Nomad for a luxurious drinking experience. The ambience is without question Nomad’s highlight. It has an unrivalled view of the sea so make sure to come earlier to get the best seats! It’s near popular seafood restaurants like Harbour Bay Seafood and Wey Wey so it’s a great stop after a big meal.
Pacific Discotheque
Finally, we arrive at Batam’s clubbing scene. Pacific Discotheque is one of the most unique and popular clubs in Batam. It’s located in Pacific Hotel which is shaped like a cruise ship (we’re not joking).
The club itself has a cruise-like ambience with a huge stage at the centre and railings on multiple floors where you can watch with an aerial view.
Jalan Duyung No. 1 Sei Jodoh, Batam
Foreplay Batam
Foreplay is another club that’s frequented by locals and Singaporeans who choose to stay the night. While it’s mostly electronic music, they also host local rock bands. It’s best not to go on a weekday as it can seem a bit quiet. That said, Foreplay can fit quite a large crowd. The drinks are also not too expensive here.
Jl. Imam Bonjol No.88, Sungai Jodoh, Kec. Batu Ampar, Kota Batam
