Want to know more about the escorts and sex scene in Jakarta?
With a population of 10.1 million people, Jakarta is the 7th most populous capital city in the world and, with a density of 15,250 people per sq km, is also one of the most overcrowded. Situated on the island of Java, Jakarta is the largest city in Southeast Asia and has a diverse history with a varied mix of cultures and ethnicities. It is a former Dutch colony which blends modern life with traditional Indonesian culture, embracing its Western heritage. The country is home to the largest Muslim population in the world with almost 90% of the nation (or 227 million people) being followers of Islam. Jakarta is one of the fastest growing tourist cities in the world and is hopeful of welcoming 17 million foreigners in 2018. Whilst many come to explore the capital’s many cultural delights, Jakarta also has a reputation for its red-light districts, large sex clubs and plentiful supply of prostitutes.
In this guide, we take a look at the sex scene in Jakarta looking at the options when it comes to escorts, strip clubs and brothels as well as exploring the prostitution laws, red light districts and ladyboys.
Contents
Prostitution in Jakarta
Whilst there is nothing in the Criminal Code that prohibits prostitution in Indonesia, it is consider a moral crime. The country has been largely tolerant of its sex industry over the past century, a step-change towards more conservative and hard-line politics has seen a recent focus on eliminating prostitution in Indonesia.
The current Social Affairs Minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, has announced the ambitious goals that Indonesia will eliminate prostitution by 2019! This pioneering goal may not be as far-fetched and lofty as you might first consider. The National Awakening Party has been at the forefront of moves to introduce a five-year jail penalty for all sex outside of marriage as well as plans to publish the face of anyone caught using a sex worker on social media. Whilst these plans have yet to be made real, the party has been successful so far in demolishing more than 70 of Indonesia’s red-light districts. The oldest and largest sex area in Jakarta, Kalijodo, was razed to the ground in 2016.
We know from history that eradicating prostitution is never a long-term solution and being less open about the sex-trade only sends it underground where both clients and sex workers are exposed to greater risks, both financially and physically.
There is also the matter of how many people these plans will affect with conservative estimates of sex workers in the country being placed at around 250,000 with more than 30% believed to be working in Jakarta. Call us cynical but with the fact that the sex industry is thought to be worth an estimated $2.25 billion per year to the country, we fail to see how Parawansa’s plans will ever truly be achieved.
At present, prostitution is prevalent on Jakarta’s streets and in its many bars, clubs and salons and tourists can pick up a short time service from as little as $5 and spend as much as $100-$150 on an escort.
Jakarta Escorts Guide
Online prostitution is very popular in Jakarta and is an easy way to pick up a prostitute without even having to leave the comfort of your hotel. There are thousands of escorts working in the city and between them they cover a wide variety in tastes, budgets and services.
Escort Directories & Agencies
The main international escort directories cover Jakarta and through these you can find a good mix of local Indonesian escorts as well as Europeans, Americans and other Asians. The rates vary quite a lot with some escorts charging as little as $30 and some having rates in excess of $500. The average is around $190 depending on which sites you visit.
Sex in Jakarta
Though the current political atmosphere is fuelling more conservatism in Indonesia and has resulted in the closure and demolition of more than 70 former red-light districts, you can still find sex in abundance in Jakarta.
The country and much of Indonesian society is quite conservative so it is not as obvious as it is in places like Bangkok, Hong Kong or even Seoul. However, the city still has plenty of erotic massage parlors where you can get a happy ending and even sex clubs.
A word of warning about finding services in Jakarta; always plan ahead if you are trying to get across the city. Traffic is notoriously bad so don’t plan on good time-keeping.
Brothels
Whilst not being legal, brothels do exist in Jakarta but are becoming few and far between. The authorities are clamping down on prostitution in the city and those areas once renowned for their sex industry (such as Kalijodo) have been demolished.
Brothel owners in Jakarta are now more cautious about their operations and, as a result, most of their addresses are kept to locals only. The remaining brothels in Jakarta can move location frequently to avoid detection and are not generally considered safe places for tourists,
Anyone looking for a safe ‘bordello’ style experience would be well-advised to use one of the popular pleasure emporiums/sex clubs instead.
Erotic Massage Parlours
Jakarta has thousands of massage parlors (or panti pijat) and body rub salons although the kind of service you can receive does vary widely. A lot of hotels, clubs and karaoke bars have massage salons attached to them and many of these will offer a happy ending.
Typically, you will pay for a straightforward massage with reception and pay your masseuse directly for any extras that you receive.
Most are located in Central or North Jakarta especially around Mangga Besar and Glodok but you can also find some Blok M and Melawai in South Jakarta.
The price of an erotic massage for tourists in Jakarta is around 450,000 IDR ($30) with a tip of around 150,000 IDR ($10) being typical. In the high-end spas, prices can be double this with some even trying to charge 2 million IDR ($130).
Lastly, it is well worth checking a menu if they have one as English is not widely spoken and you don’t want any misunderstandings. Also, some parlors ply customers with drink which is usually extortionately priced and you could end up with a huge bill at the end of your service.
Outcall Massage
You can also enlist the services of several specialist outcall masseurs such as Cewek Ungo Spa, X Masseuse or Outcall Jakarta Massage. Most of these offer a full range of body slides, tantric massage and more.
Sex Clubs
The sex clubs of Jakarta are pretty legendary and are a mix of massage salon, strip club and a European gentleman’s club. They offer a pleasure emporium for their members and guests which extend to more than just erotic massage and a bit of saucy dancing. Here there are private rooms where you can take a girl for a one-on-one session or just enjoy the lounge, bar and spa. Some also have discos and bars, pool tables and TV. All in all they are a kind of pleasure emporium combining the best of a hostess bar and brothel with all you expect from a four-star hotel.
You can read more in our Jakarta Sex Clubs Guide, here. However, the best sex clubs are known to be:
- Terminal @ Classic Hotel, Jl. Samanhudi No.43-45, Jakarta
- Travel Hotel, Jl. Mangga Besar VIII No.21, RT.11/RW.1, Taman Sari, Jakarta
- Malioboro Hotel, JL.Gajah Mada no.13, Komp.Wisma Niaga Veteran RI, Central Jakarta, 10130
- Tease Club @The Emporium Hotel, Jl. Pecenongan Raya No. 29 – 31, Jakarta 10120
- Alexis Hotel, Jl R.E. Martadinata No 1 Alexis Hotel Lt 3-3A, Jakarta 14430
- King Cross, Kokan Permata Klp. Gading, Jl. Boulevard Bukit Gading Raya Blok E38- 42, RT, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14250
Karaoke Bars/KTVs
Karaoke bars and KTVs are a uniquely Asian pastime and one that offers more than just the opportunity to let your inner pop idol out. As well as offering modern rooms with hi-tech sound systems and mics, you are also accompanied by hostesses who can improve the experience you get. There are a lot of KTVs in Jakarta and many are quite run-of-the-mill venues which offer nothing more than just good company. However, there are also some great adult KTVs where you can get an oral or manual service as well as full sex in some. They are not the cheapest of ways to experience Indonesian hospitality and a good night out will end up costing you between 2 and 5 million IDR ($130-$330) and that’s before you factor in the cost of any personal services!
The most popular KTVs for foreigners where you can get more than just a singalong are:
- Classic KTV, K.H. Samanhudi No. 43-45, Pasar Baru, (Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia)
- Illigals KTV (aka 108), Hayam Wuruk No.108 (Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota )
- Alexis KTV, Jl R.E. Martadinata No 1 (Jakarta Utara 14430)
- Emporium KTV, Jl. Pecenongan Raya no 29-31 (Central Jakarta)
- Paragon KTV, Gajahmada Raya No.126
- 1001 KTV Bar, Jalan Kunir 7, Jakarta Barat (Next to Taman Fatahillah)
- BFashion KTV, Jl. Aranda No. 1, Tanjung Duren Selatan, Grogol Petamburan ((Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota))
- Seven Executive Karaoke, Jalan Bukit Gading Raya, Komplek Ruko Gading Bukit Indah Blok B No. 28-29 (Kota Jkt Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota)
- MTV Karaoke and MTV, JL Pangeran Jayakarta, No. 21, Daerah Khusus Ibukota
- Hollywood Executive Club, Jalan Bukit Gading Indah Kompl Gading Bukit Indah Bl- L / 28-29, (North Jakarta, Kelapa Gading )
- Gangnam International Karaoke, Grand Wijaya Blok F20, Jl. Wijaya II, Kby. Baru (Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota )
- Sun City, LTC Lindeteves Trade Centre, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No.127, RT.1/RW.6, Kota Tua, Mangga Besar, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11180
- Malio Karaoke, Wisma Niaga Veteran RI, Jalan Gajah Mada No.13A-H, RT.6/RW.2, Petojo Utara, Gambir, RT.6/RW.2, Petojo Utara, Gambir, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10130
- Grand Paragon, Jl. Gajah Mada No.126, RT.13/RW.8, Keagungan, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11130
- Club 36, Jl. Labu No.12-2, RT.1/RW.6, Kota Tua, Mangga Besar, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11180
- V2/Play A Sure, Jalan Kh. Hasyim Ashari No. 6 Petojo Utara Gambir 10 2, Petojo Utara, Gambir, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10130
Love Hotels
Like many Asian cities, particularly those that are as overcrowded, Jakarta has a lot of motels and hotels that rent rooms by the hour. Perfect for courting couples who might otherwise share accommodation with family or large groups of friends, a love hotel is pretty similar to any other kind of guest lodge or boarding house. You can find them across the city ranging from small B&B style rooms to boutique hotel rooms.
It is common for tourists to use love hotels with an escort or prostitute and, unlike in some of the main hotels, are used to the sight of foreigners with Indonesian girls coming and going from their establishments.
The cost of renting a room for a short time varies depending on the quality of the accommodation and the location but you can expect to pay around $20 for up to six hours for a basic room.
Whilst most freelance prostitutes and bar girls will know of the nearest love hotels to where she is working, you might want to do your own research if your standards are more discerning. Most offer a pretty decent set-up with a double bed, en-suite, AC, TV and mini-bar with room service. They are usually pretty clean and you should expect to get fresh towels and some soap with your key. You can even find some more expensive ones have porn showing on the TV,s waterbeds and Jacuzzis. However, some are definitely a little more basic.
Love hotels are known locally as Pondok Wisata (‘tourism spot’) or Hotel Enam Jam-an (six-hour hotels).
Swinging Clubs
According to recent reports, swinging has grown in popularity in Jakarta over the last decade and is now a popular activity for middle-class Indonesians. This is in addition to an already thriving expat and foreign tourist scene. So, whilst many adventurous couples head to Bali for a session of swinging, it would appear that you can get a taste of the lifestyle in Jakarta too.
There is still some stigmatization of swingers within Indonesian society but by and large, the scene is an active one and there are several groups running in the city.
However, due to the conservative nature of the country in the present climate, few are openly advertising. You can get in touch with the Jakarta Friendly Swing Club Swingers Group.. Contact the owners at mansor.kamal@yahoo.com.sg to find out about their weekend events.
Alternatively, you can use the popular swingers websites like Adult Hub, Jakarta Swingers Club, SwingTowns, RedHotPie or Swing Lifestyle to network with other couples in Jakarta.
Strip Clubs
There are no go-go bars in Jakarta like those that you might find in Thailand or other cities in Asia but you can catch strip acts and some of them are fully nude. Most of these shows are located in the clubs already mentioned in the Sex Clubs, Erotic Massage Parlors or KTVs sections above:
- Tease Club @The Emporium Hotel, Jl. Pecenongan Raya No. 29 – 31, Jakarta 10120
- Terminal @ Classic Hotel, Jl. Samanhudi No.43-45, Jakarta
- Malioboro Hotel, JL.Gajah Mada no.13, Komp.Wisma Niaga Veteran RI, Central Jakarta, 10130
- D’s Place, JL Pelatehan 1 No 1C Blok M, Kebayoran Baru, Daerah, Jakarta 12131
- Club 36, Jl. Labu No.12-2, RT.1/RW.6, Kota Tua, Mangga Besar, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11180
- Golden Crown, Jalan Pinangsia Raya No.1, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110
- King Cross, Kokan Permata Klp. Gading, Jl. Boulevard Bukit Gading Raya Blok E38- 42, RT, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14250
Fetish Clubs & BDSM
There are no fetish or BDSM clubs open in Jakarta at the moment. Due to the conservative culture here, such venues would not be able to operate. However, there are escorts who specialize in BDSM and fetish services.
Freelance Prostitutes (Bars)
With such a focus on closing down areas where street prostitution is rife and hard-line groups such as the Island Defender Front (FPI) using violence to deter sex-workers and their customers, it has become more and more common for prostitutes to tout for business in the bars and clubs of Jakarta. Some clubs even contract girls to work in their establishments to offer personal services similar to those you might find in a hostess bar of Japan or the go-go bars of Thailand.
There are three main areas where these kinds of bars are more common:
- North Jakarta: Most of the city’s entertainment is located in this district and you can find many bars, clubs and even casinos. You will even find some of Jakarta’s tempat dugem (or ‘place to play’ here, including some of the sex clubs mentioned above. As a result, many of the bars in the area attract freelancers looking for customers. Kota (the ‘old town’) is a particularly good place to go.
- Blok M: Popular with Western expats, Blok M is also known as Jl. Falatehan. There are plenty of bars to choose from here but not all have prostitutes in them. It should be reasonably obvious when you first walk in, judging by the kind of clothes being word by the girls and the kind of attention you get, if the bar is a good spot.
- Hotel Bars: With the exception of the five-star chains and some of the more international hotels, most hotel bars attract the attention of working girls. Some more so than others. The girls tend to be dressed and priced according to the premises they are in.
Expect to pay around 300,000-500,000 IDR ($20-$32) for a service with a freelance girl; however, some do charge more especially at more high-end hotel bars.
Whilst you can find beer bars in Jakarta, you cannot ‘barfine’ the girls to take them off premises like you can in Thailand. The girls that are contracted by the clubs will charge for ‘ladydrinks’ but this is just for the company the girls provide whilst you are in the bar. However, some of the girls will give you contact details for when they finish work.
Street Prostitutes & Red-Light Districts
Since the demolition of Kalijodo in 2016, Jakarta now has just a handful of larger red-light districts. These are unofficial and their future looks precarious in light of the recent government crackdowns (see ‘Prostitution in Jakarta’, above). The two main areas are:
- Cipinang
- Bongkaran
However, there are plenty of red-light ‘pockets; around the city.
Kalijodo (Demolished in 2016)
The largest and oldest of the three red-light areas in Jakarta, the suburb of Kalijodo is situated in the northwest of the city. Until a few years ago, it was home to thousands of sex-workers who operated from a shanty town of brothels, massage parlors and the streets. Sex could be bought from as little as $3 and it was the most popular way, for tourists and visitors, to pick up a prostitute.
The government’s clampdown on the sex industry saw 6,000 police officers raid the 1.6 hectare site in February 2016, shutting down more than 500 businesses and evicting sex workers, brothel owners and pimps. The bulldozers razed the district to the ground and the former hub for prostitution has now been revamped to include an indoor sports center, children’s playground and skate park.
Nobody visiting the area would recognize it from a few years ago and it no longer offers any forms of prostitution.
Cipinang
Cipinang is located in East Jakarta and despite the authorities trying to close down sexual activities in 2010, street prostitution continues to flourish; street walkers hit the pavements every night from around 8.00pm until 3.00am. This is an area which is also well known for having transgendered prostitutes.
There are some lodging houses in the area that are notorious for being short-time, drop in brothels but you can also find sex workers around the Jatinegra station.
Sex in Cipinang costs from $5 to around $25.
Most women (and shemales) working the area are out-of-towners usually hailing from the northwest of the island.
Bongkaran
Bongkaran is situated in Central Jakarta and was marked by a large traditional market and shopping center which has now closed (the Tanah Abang). Prostitution has been known in the area since the 1960s. However, you will not find any hookers on Islam’s holy day (Friday) or on the Thursday night.
Charges range from $5-$15 for short-time.
Street hookers operate from around the Tanah Abang Bridge stretching to the Tanah Abang railway station.
Blok M
A shopping and commercial area in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Blok M also attract a lot of street hookers and freelance bar prostitutes. There are lots of clubs in the area and many have working women inside who are happy to be picked up.
Other Areas
You can also find street prostitutes in the old town area, also known as the Kota Tua. Jl. Hayam Wuruk is particularly popular and you can usually pick up for around 300,000 IDR ($20).
In addition, you can also find women on the streets around the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta plus the streets around the National Police Headquarters to the north of Blok M.
Also, see ‘Freelance Prostitutes’, above which details some of the hotels and bars that are frequented by working girls.
Lastly, online prostitution (like in many Asian cities) is becoming more common than street prostitution and you can find plenty of women working as escorts through databases and classified ads.
Sex Shops
Buying sex toys in Indonesia used to be pretty difficult but has become a much simpler process with online shopping. Whilst there are no bans on sex toys themselves, the laws on pornography are pretty vague and could be interpreted to prevent the sale of sex aids. For that reason, sex shops are not widespread in the capital city.
You can find a handful of stores that sell some toys as well as chemists that stock the essentials such as condoms, lube and even endurance and stamina drugs. You will find that most of what is stocked is aimed at men with sex aids, penis enlargement devices and medicinal remedies being common.
Chemists like the Harmony Store at Jl. Otista Raya No. 38 Cawang. East Jakarta are your best bet for finding sex stimulants and powerful herbal remedies.
Vibrator Indonesia sells online from within Jakarta and can deliver products very quickly to hotels and private residences as well as having a physical store in Central Jakarta. Sex Toy Jakarta Bandung and Alat Sex also offer this service.
Featured image via Wikipedia.
Prices are given as an indicator only and are correct as at the time of our review (October 2018). You should always check charges up front before committing to using any services outlines above.