Best Batam Bars & Nightlife Guide
Best Batam Bars & Nightlife Guide
Best Batam Bars & Nightlife Guide covers where to drink, sing karaoke, and party in Batam — main areas are Nagoya (Nagoya Entertainment District), Harbour Bay / Waterfront Marina and Nongsa (beach clubs & resort bars). Ferries from Singapore take ~45–70 minutes; Singapore passport holders get 30 days visa-free to Indonesia. Use this guide to plan a safe, fun weekend trip with ferry times, estimated costs, itineraries and tips.
Quick facts (fast read)
- Top nightlife areas: Nagoya (Kampung Bule / Nagoya Citywalk), Harbour Bay (Waterfront/Marina), Nongsa (resort bars & beach clubs).
- Ferry time from Singapore: typically 45–70 minutes on the water (allow extra time for check-in & immigration).
- Visa: Singapore passport holders can enter Indonesia visa-free for short tourist stays (usually up to 30 days) — check official sources before travel.
- Legal drinking age in Indonesia: 21 years.
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cash is handy for taxis, karaoke, small bars; cards accepted at bigger venues and hotels.
Best Batam Bars & Nightlife Guide — areas and top picks
Nagoya / Nagoya Entertainment District (NED)
Nagoya is Batam’s busiest nightlife hub. Expect pubs, live-music bars, karaoke rooms and hostess bars. This area is easy to reach from Batam Centre and many hotels in central Batam.
- Great for: casual pub crawls, karaoke, live bands, budget drinks.
- Typical venues: sports bars and karaoke lounges in Nagoya CityWalk, Brewsky-style pub options and small discos.
- Cost vibe: cheap to mid-range — beers often from IDR 35k–80k; karaoke room rates vary by size and time.
Harbour Bay / Waterfront & Marina
Harbour Bay and the Waterfront offer a more polished evening with marina views, rooftop lounges and cocktail bars. Good choice for sundowners and dinner before hitting a club or late-night bar.
- Great for: rooftop cocktails, scenic dinners, comfortable bars with live music.
- Typical venues: rooftop bars, marinaside lounges and restaurants that turn lively in the evening.
- Cost vibe: mid-range; cocktails and imported drinks cost more than in Nagoya.
Nongsa & Resorts (Nongsa, Barelang, Nongsa Pura)
Nongsa has resort beach clubs, hotel bars and the most relaxed nighttime vibe. Many resorts put on weekend events, DJ nights or live bands.
- Great for: beach clubs, resort bars, a relaxed weekend with day–night balance.
- Cost vibe: mid to premium — resort bars and beach clubs are pricier, but scenic.
Top nightlife activities in Batam
- Bar-hopping in Nagoya (pubs, KTV / karaoke rooms).
- Sundowner cocktails at a rooftop in Harbour Bay or hotel rooftop lounges.
- Beach club parties in Nongsa on weekends (check event listings).
- Discos and dance clubs for late nights (some clubs have cover charges or bottle minimums).
- Spa and reflexology after a late night (common and affordable).
How to get there from Singapore — step-by-step
- Choose ferry terminal in Singapore: HarbourFront (central) or Tanah Merah (east).
- Book a fast ferry ticket online in advance — usual price range S$25–S$40 one-way (prices change by operator & promos).
- Arrive 60–90 minutes before departure to finish immigration and boarding formalities.
- Ferry ride: expect 45–70 minutes on water depending on port and sea conditions.
- On arrival in Batam, clear Indonesian immigration, get local SIM or cash if needed, then take Grab/taxi or hotel transfer to your hotel or nightlife area.
Suggested nightlife-friendly itineraries
Quick evening (night out) — ideal if you arrive in afternoon
- 16:00 — Arrive hotel, shower and rest.
- 18:00 — Sundowner at a rooftop or Waterfront Marina bar.
- 20:00 — Dinner in Nagoya (seafood or pub food).
- 21:30 — Karaoke or pub hop in Nagoya.
- 00:30 — Late-night taxi/Grab back to hotel.
Weekend 2D1N — party + beach recovery
- Day 1: morning ferry, check in, afternoon beach club in Nongsa, evening dinner and rooftop drinks at Harbour Bay, late-night club in Nagoya.
- Day 2: brunch at hotel, massage/spa, short city tour or shopping, ferry back to Singapore late afternoon.
Estimate costs (per person, SGD equivalence shown approx.)
- Ferry one-way: S$25–S$40 (book early for promos).
- Taxi / Grab within Batam: IDR 50k–150k per ride (~S$5–S$15 depending on distance).
- Drinks: local beer IDR 35k–80k (~S$3–S$8), cocktails IDR 60k–150k (~S$6–S$15).
- Karaoke: small private rooms from IDR 100k–300k per hour depending on size (~S$10–S$30).
- Club cover charge / bottle minimum: IDR 100k–1,000k (S$10–S$100) depending on venue and table choice.
- Budget for a night out: S$30–S$120 (depending on drinks and club choices).
Where to stay (near nightlife)
- Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay + Ferry — great location for Harbour Bay nightlife.
- Montigo Resort (Nongsa) + Ferry — resort comfort and beach club access.
- 1 Day City Tour + Ferry at Only S$99! — a budget-friendly intro if you prefer day trip options.
- Harris Hotel Batam Center + Ferry — central location for quick access to nightlife zones.
Safety, laws & practical tips
- Carry your passport when out at night; ID checks can happen at clubs or hotels.
- Stick to licensed bars and reputable clubs; avoid street offers that seem questionable.
- Legal drinking age is 21 — don’t attempt to use fake IDs.
- Use Grab or official taxis; confirm the fare or meter before you start the ride.
- Don’t drink and drive. Use taxis or Grab at night. Motorcycle taxis are common but avoid them after drinking.
- Watch your belongings in crowded places; store valuables in hotel safe.
Local customs and dress code
Batam is relaxed compared with parts of mainland Indonesia, but avoid overly revealing clothing in public places. Dress smart-casual for rooftop bars and clubs. Some clubs enforce a no-flip-flops policy.
Comparison: Nagoya vs Harbour Bay vs Nongsa (quick table)
- Nagoya: Lively, budget-friendly, karaoke & pub vibe.
- Harbour Bay: More polished, rooftop bars and marina dining.
- Nongsa: Resort-style, beach clubs, relaxed weekend parties.
Useful booking links & packages
These popular packages make planning easy:
- Batam | Montigo Resort + Ferry! Asia's Top 5-Star Resort with Private Infinity Pool
- Batam | Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay + Ferry - Excellent Location & Value For Money
- Batam | 1 Day City Tour + Ferry at Only S$99!
- Batam | Harris Hotel Batam Center + Ferry
Related guides (read next)
- How to Travel from Singapore to Batam (FAQ)
- 15 Best Things to Do in Batam in 2025 (Destination Guide)
- [2023] Start Planning to Batam!
FAQs — quick answers
Q: What’s the ferry schedule like from Singapore to Batam?
A: Ferries run multiple times a day from HarbourFront and Tanah Merah. First ferries typically depart in the morning and the last services are in the evening. Timings vary by operator — always check the operator’s timetable before you travel.
Q: Do Singapore citizens need a visa to visit Batam?
A: Singapore passport holders are generally allowed short tourist stays in Indonesia without a pre-arranged visa (commonly up to 30 days) — confirm with official Indonesian immigration updates before travel.
Q: Is Batam safe at night for solo travellers and women?
A: Many travellers feel safe in Batam’s tourist areas. Use common-sense precautions: keep valuables secure, avoid poorly-lit side streets, take official taxis or Grab, and stick to well-known venues.
Q: When is Batam busiest for nightlife?
A: Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest. Long holiday weekends also draw crowds from Singapore and Malaysia.
Q: Are cards accepted at bars and clubs?
A: Bigger bars, clubs and hotels accept cards. Small bars, karaoke places and street stalls often prefer cash in IDR.
Final tips & quick checklist
- Book ferry tickets and hotel early for weekend trips.
- Bring ID and the printed/phone copy of your ferry ticket.
- Carry some IDR cash for taxis, tips and small purchases.
- Set a meeting point for your group in case you lose signal.
- Plan a light activity next morning (spa or beach) to recover from late nights.
If you want a ready-made plan, consider one of these packages: Montigo Resort + Ferry, Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay + Ferry or the budget-friendly 1 Day City Tour + Ferry at Only S$99!
👉 Check our latest [destination] packages and WhatsApp us to book now.