About D's Place
Welcome to Jalan Pelatehan, a side street in Jakarta's Blok M shopping and business district. If you walk out of D's Place and wander into the road, here's what you see - a collection of rather run-down, nondescript buildings, mostly shops and offices, and at the end of the street the bright lights of the Blok M bus terminal. The older bars on the street date back to the mid-eighties, and were given catchy topical names such as Top Gun, Pentagon, Sportsmans and Oscars.
During the late nineties most of the established bars were getting a bit long in the tooth, suffering from general neglect, unimaginative management and a serious lack of investment. The whole street seemed to be stuck in a time-warp - until D's Place opened its doors to an unsuspecting world in September 2001. D's offered a refreshing change from the existing watering-holes and disco dives, a whole new style. Whilst retaining the best of the character of the old bars, it provided a new dimension in comfort, service and entertainment.
D's is a two-storey utility building at the top of the street. It looks nothing from the outside, just a run-of-the mill general-purpose edifice - but inside, it's as cosy and well-designed a bar as you'll find anywhere in town. There's great attention to detail, from the decor to the furniture to the little things that give a bar character. In particular, the use of mirrors and lights is skilful and effective.
But most important of all, the bar staff are absolute treasures. Elegant and with wonderful poise, the girls wear long dresses most nights - they're great company, and enjoy a chat with the customers when they're not too busy. The guys are always smart in their dark slacks, white shirts and ties - efficient, and always helpful and courteous. D's is very much a hands-on management place, no absentee bosses here! Whenever he's in you'll get a personal (and very warm) welcome from the boss, and he's always delighted to have a drink and a chat with the regulars.