The Jakarta Post PAGE www.thejakartapost.com 25 FEATURES Saturday, February 28, 2009 LIFESTYLE THE NEW

Kathy Petite SHANGHAI BLUE 1920 CLUB CONTRIBUTOR/JAKARTA Maybe if Nko Mo San had BRINGS A GLAMOROUS NOSTALGIA never set foot in Batavia, Shanghai Blue 1920 restaurant would have never existed? Thanks to that Shanghainese sailor, he made the story roll.

fter docking in Sunda Ke- lapa from Shanghai in the end of 19th century, he set- tled down in the city. His Ason Chan Mo Sang, whose wife was a local woman named Siti Zaenab, set up a warung in the port area of Sunda Kelapa called the Shanghai Tea House. From a small modest warung, the place then grew into a popular itself to become the Shanghai Blue Courtesy of Shanghai Blue 1920 Club hangout place visited by interna- 1920 Club. Reviving all the thrill and New look: Celebrating their new tional sailors and people of various spark from the golden era, you are changes on Feb. 28, Shanghai Blue backgrounds and professions who invited to immerse yourself in the 1920 Club will be fi lled only by its wanted to enjoy more than just Za- soul of the old Shanghai city where loyal guests who are ready to be enab’s delectable Shanghainese- you can see Western-style dancing introduced to the old glittering Batavian food, but also entertain- married to the vocals of the Shang- Shanghai. ment and fun evenings. And the hai Sing Song Girls. good times rolled. The fame grew. Still preserving its signature cui- Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Nina The place expanded. The Shanghai sine of Shanghai-Peranakan-Betawi, Simone, Billie Holiday or Ella Fit- Tea House bloomed into more than the new Shanghai Blue 1920 Club zgerald. simply a romantic rendezvous and will transform itself into a more With the new concept, Shanghai dance hall after the sun went down. lounge-club setting, without chang- Blue 1920 Club naturally are focus- The charm and magic from the ing the main interior. ing on a wider target audience. “We past was brought to life again with “We still have some of the dining are aiming at people who don’t only the birth of Shanghai Blue 1920 tables, but now there will be sofas, enjoy listening to jazz, but also like Restaurant in Jakarta several years stools and tables for those who unique and distinctive surround- ago. Bringing design elements and want to chill out, drink and listen to ings like those of Hotel Tugu. The precious contents from the original music,” explained Meiwiyanty Sul- breakthrough concept will spoil place, the venue was like a romantic ing, the Sales and Marketing Man- people with more entertainment,” reminiscence of the liveliness that ager of the Tugu Hotel that runs Mei added. once fi lled the Shanghai Tea House Shanghai Blue 1920, Sounds like a well-thought-out in the past. What is also interesting is how the idea. With the presence of clubs Nestled in Jalan Kebon Sirih staff will also be dressed faithfully to and hangout venues in Jakarta that Raya 79, the captivating restaurant the theme. Some smiling beauties adopt diverse styles, exceptional spoiled Jakarta’s culinary lovers will be donning gorgeous cheong- concepts and edgy interiors, the with a big range of tasty Shanghai- sams and the typical platform san- new Shanghai Blue 1920 Club is a Peranakan-Betawi-infl uenced cui- dals of the Art Deco era. Oh and of good development, a place that will sine in a lavish interior of orange, course, that chic “hair bun” style. set itself apart as an inimitable des- red and golden brown. Being a jazz lounge and restau- tination for those insatiable souls Walking in for the fi rst time, what rant, entertainment obviously be- who seek more than just good food, draws your attention would be its comes a crucial aspect to create the drinks and fun nights out. walls, wildly adorned with colourful right atmosphere. Mixing Oriental As expressed by Saatchi & Saatchi pin-ups, old opium pipes and photos of and Western music, you will fi nd Advertising Agency’s Creative Di- classy turn-of-the-century jazz clubs. Swing Jazz, Chinese Jazz Pop, Bos- rector Juhi Kalia to the Post, “It Of course, including a dazzling sas or Rhumba/Sambas fi lling the sounds fantastic. To have a person- collection of antiques and historical room from Tuesday to Saturday. ality and a unique world coming to in terms of music, costumes and dé- different. And the ambience will be are ready to be introduced to the old pieces from the authentic Shanghai And yes, there will be a dance life when you walk in is much more cor into the old Shanghai-inspired defi nitely something I can’t get at glittering Shanghai. Tea House in Sunda Kelapa’s old fl oor too, for those who itch to shake exciting than a regular place. It will concept. any other place. It’s time for us to harbour district. With such a dis- their booties. Some Mandarin music compete really well, since it is so dif- Showing the same excitement, enjoy the newness” It seems like it SHANGHAI BLUE 1920 CLUB tinctive décor, how couldn’t it be such as Shanghai Diva and Canto- ferent.” Being a lounge-goer who Yungni Mulyadi, a 35-year-old is not too much to say that Jakartans the talk of the town right after its pop will be playing as well as West- likes to explore Jakarta’s nightlife, brand manager shared her com- are becoming harder to please when Jazz Lounge & Restaurant launch? ern jazz from 1920-1960. So modern Juhi, upon hearing about the con- ment with the Post, “What a cool it comes to entertainment venues. Jl. Kebon Sirih Raya 77-79, Jakarta Pusat Now, transporting you back to the jazz lovers, don’t expect to hear to- cept for the fi rst time, also contrib- concept. This way, it has an even Celebrating the new changes on Tel: 021-391 8690, 021-392-0384 glitzy nostalgia of the bygone era, day’s tunes as your ears will be se- uted her thoughts about injecting a stronger character. The music for Feb. 28, Shanghai Blue 1920 Club Fax: 021-391 8675 the Shanghai Blue 1920 is updating duced by tracks from Miles Davis, dose of modernity and an edgy feel example, I can imagine it will be so will be fi lled by its loyal guests who www.tuguhotels.com

spirit bottles and shakers fi berglass, from Singapore. or spilling expensive spirits. on Sundays – to the delight of jog- “The practice bottles are very ex- Flair bar was introduced to these Shake it baby gers circuiting Renon Park. pensive. They don’t break and are bar students at hospitality school, Some of the fl air bar tricks these designed to feel like real bottles. I however John stresses that while Trisha Sertori boys fl ip out are three bottle jug- have three and using them lets me fl air bar is an entertaining and fun gling, spinning the bottle and hav- concentrate on the trick, instead sideline, it is full bar knowledge that CONTRIBUTOR/DENPASAR ing it land (upright) on the elbow of worrying about being cut,” says is most important in the long run. or shoulder and fi re bottle Dewa who last year took out the “We need to understand fridges, ver and under go Bacardi which is like juggling three Molo- interschool fl air bar championships cocktail preparation, bar equip- bottles, fl ipping over shoul- tov while blowing fl ames among Bali’s hospitality schools ment and cleanliness … and English. Oders, caught behind and then from the mouth – for fun. and this year has his eye on the na- These are the most important parts whipped forward, shaken, shim- “That’s really extreme fl air bar,” tional championships in Jakarta. of our study,” says John. mied and poured perfectly in the says 21-year-old acknowledged The focus needed in fl air bar is The importance of these elements blink of an eye. fl air bar master, Dewa Ariasa of acute, much like that required in is driven home at Bali’s hospitality This is the fl air bartending that Gianyar. marshal arts. UFB boys say fl air schools with young Gilang admitting Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown made He says the art of fl air bar is bro- trick training keeps their to have to drop and give 20 pushups if famous in the late 1980s in the fi lm ken into several categories such refl exes sharp to he gets a cocktail recipe wrong. Cocktail. as extreme, exhibition and work- avoid not only the “If we get the recipe wrong or for- Since then, Bali’s fl air bar boys ing fl air. Working fl air can be one danger of smashed get it, we have to do pushups or run have picked up the of the most diffi cult to master; bottles, but the risk around the oval. If I have to do push- and run with it. To be more precise, fl air bar devotees need to be able of clacking a cus- ups because I get something wrong I they fl ip, juggle, spin and twirl that to maintain customer service tomer in the head am very embarrassed, so I try really cocktail shaker in Renon Park each speed, while juggling half full bot- hard to get them right,” says Gilang week, taking Tom and Bryan’s bar JP/J.B. Djwan tles of spirits. of a teaching method that keeps him art form to the streets. Flair bar fame: Bali’s fl air boys from the United Flair Bar Club of Bali bal- Flair bar performer, John Putu fi t, focused and ready for the fl air Bottles fl ip and whiz like march- ance bottles on elbows, shoulders, wrists and more. Purnayasa, a 19 year-old from Ubud bar challenge. ing girl batons, before landing up- says “I am working in a bar in Ubud, right on the back of a hand, ready to is better money to be earned work- on cruise ships is a form of enter- while training. The working space FLAIR BAR pour into cocktail shakers that whirl ing bars when you have fl air tricks tainment and I get to see the world,” in the bar is too narrow for fl air bar into view like magic. up your sleeves, and the customers says Gilang who has been training tricks. I juggle lemons and oranges, Flair Bar was fi rst practiced in the 1800’s These fl air bartending tricks are love it. in fl air for just six months and is al- but bottles would be too dangerous. by an American chap named Jerry “The performed by the lads from the Unit- “The customers clap and cheer ready a skilled bottle juggler. One slip and the bottle goes fl ying, Professor” Thomas and his famous Blue ed Flair Bar Club of Bali – a group of when I do fl air bar tricks at work. ”Juggling is my favorite trick. I can and bottles in the bar could be bro- Blazer cocktail. hotel and bar students with dreams They call me Tom Cruise – it’s a lot do three bottles at once – John and ken or it could hit a customer. That The most recognized fl air bar performers in of the good life that comes to those of fun and I like it,” says 21 year old Dewa are the masters among our would be a big no no.” modern history are John Mescall and John who take out the national and in- Wayan Wardana of Bangli who works friends though. They can juggle fi ve Juggling glass bottles can be dan- J.B. Bandy who brought the sport to fame in ternational fl air bar championships as a barman at Dreamland Villas. The bottles at once, which is more than gerous, and the fl air bar boys admit the mid ‘80s. John J.B. Bandy trained actors – like their local hero and UFB club tips for fl air bar exponents are also the champion, Made,” says Gilang. to occasional nerves. Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown for the 1988 member, 28-year-old Made Sanjaya very welcome, he adds. He adds that while Made may “In the past I was pretty scared fi lm, Cocktail. who started fl air bar at just 18. “The biggest tip I ever received only juggle three bottles at once – doing tricks with glass bottles. Today more than 11,000 bar tenders are Taking out not only the Indone- was a US$10 note. I felt really proud it is his massive repertoire of tricks If they break and you grab for members of the Flair Associa- sian Open championships in 2007 and happy with that,” Wayan says. and the polish that he executes them them you can get badly cut,” tion, each member having his preference for but also picking up fi rst place in the Others have their sights on work- with that makes him club hero and says Dewa. working, extreme or exhibition fl air. 2008 Asian Open fl air along and ing overseas, or on the seas, in an international champ. Protecting himself In working fl air, exponents need to be able other fl air bar competitions at home the case of Gilang Bimantara of “In competitions it is the number from the risk of shat- to do tricks such as juggling without slowing and abroad, Made is now in demand Denpasar, who at just 20 years of of tricks you can perform brilliantly tered spirit bottles, down service. performing at bars across Bali and age knows he wants to see the world, that count,” says Gilang. Dewa invested al- Exhibition fl air is slower, but with a greater Indonesia. working fl air bar on cruise ships. To make their dream of champi- most US$100 trick repertoire, and extreme fl air incorpo- JP/J.B. Djwan rates fi re or extreme balancing acts into It is not only the chance at cham- “I really want to work on cruise onships and bar tending jobs a in fl air bar performances. pionships that drives the UFB boys ships. That’s to make my mum hap- reality, UFB members get together training bot- On the move: The fl air bar performer goes to to perfect their art, they say there py. For me, it’s also because fl air bar and practice fl air bar tricks with tles, made of extreme twists to make top tricks.