Ultimately, what makes the Kemang-based Fez Sports Bar worth considering as a sports bar is its purposely broad appeal.
It has been a summer of sport, from the football Euros to the Olympics. That has provided sometimes gripping entertainment, with Indonesia achieving its biggest haul of Olympic medals since the 1992 games in Barcelona. Where better to enjoy the action with friends than in a sports bar?
Within Jakarta, Kemang is the heartland of sports bars. It is therefore unsurprising to find that a sports bar opened earlier this year is situated in the popular entertainment district. Fez sits in the same building as several associated businesses, nestled above the Dungeon Pool Lounge and beneath the Indian, Middle Eastern, Maghrebi, and Gulf restaurant Fez-Kinara as well as Dungeon Platinum.
While Kinara has a more formal dining atmosphere, the good news for sports fans is that the same kitchen’s wide-ranging expertise in Indian and other foods is now available in the less formal atmosphere of Fez. On top of the Moroccan dishes suggested by its name, the bar offers a wide-ranging Indian menu and some Western sports bar classics, too, alongside Asian favourites.
Fez, then, has the elements of a classic sports bar – but also some additional elements that help set it apart and potentially give it a wider appeal. In terms of the basics, the space has the obligatory multitude of screens over the bar and on the walls, constantly showing a wide variety of different sports. From football to rugby, cricket to baseball, there is a strong chance that it will be covered. That includes some options that can be harder to find in Indonesia, such as Aussie rules and domestic rugby matches from down under. A dozen or so different sports fixtures might be on the screens at any given time and there is a special large screen for the biggest action. Live commentary can be turned on by request.
A range of different seating options, again, offers something for everyone, from a drink alone at the bar to a sit-down dinner for a small group, or an alcove which was happily occupied by a larger group during my recent visit. Unsurprisingly, the bar attracts groups of sports fans during big events. Even when it is fairly quiet, varied Middle Eastern-inspired design, decent lighting, and background atmosphere give the venue a decent buzz.
Another element in the success of many sports bars is the friendly and game-serving staff. Several young ladies in gently shimmering minidresses set the tone. Not only are they helpful servers, but they also help create a sociable atmosphere. During my visit, one showed what a dab touch she was – unsurprisingly – at the pool table. A darts board in the corner is another entertainment option for those who are not glued to the action on one of the screens. On top of that, if the party spills over, there is regular live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings downstairs in the sister Dungeon Pool Lounge.
When it comes to drinks, Fez offers up the basics one would expect from a sports bar. On top of promotions during matches, there are regularly scheduled happy hours on both weekdays and weekends. Indeed, the happy hour is, in fact, five hours, running daily from 4 to 9 p.m.
With Kinara upstairs, the expectation for the food in Fez is high. Given that it is a sports bar and not a restaurant, I felt that the quality was decent. To start, in a nod to the venue’s name, I chose a soup from a small selection of Moroccan dishes it has on the menu. Harira soup is a staple in the North African nation and, in Fez, just as its namesake city suggests, this was a hearty, filling, and substantial soup packed with flavour without being overly spiced.
For mains, it was time to try a couple of options from the curry menu. This covers a wide range of classics from different regions of India and Pakistan (where the chef hails from). As usual, for South Asian food, this can be a good option for vegetarians as well as carnivorous members of the group.
On my visit, though, meat was very much the focus. We tried butter chicken and lamb rogan josh, with a generous serving of garlic naan bread. The naan bread was tasty and moist. Both curries were good: rich, creamy, and tasty sauces with plentiful meat. The serving size suited sharing well, and even for a large group, a range of different curries could make for an ideal sit-down meal or as an accompaniment to watching the game. At the more casual end of the spectrum, finger foods and platters are also on offer.
Dinner was rounded out with a classic Indian sweet, which, like the mains, was served on traditional-style silver-coloured dishware redolent of the subcontinent. Despite some obvious Moroccan influences in its interior design choices, Fez feels at least as Indian as it does Moroccan.
Ultimately, what makes Fez worth considering as a sports bar is its purposely broad appeal. The large menu ranges far and wide, with local tastes, classic American sports bar fare, and multiple global cuisines all catered for. This is a proper menu of well-prepared dishes, not just snacks or nibbles. The sports coverage on screen is equally diverse, exuding a warm welcome as well as a fun atmosphere.
Fez Sports Bar
- Address: Jl. Kemang Raya No.78B, Jakarta Selatan 12720
- Tel: 0811-1739-159
- Website: https://linktr.ee/FezSportsBar
- Instagram: @fezsportsbar