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Where does youth culture stand? In Jakarta today, as it was back in the 80s, it’s in Blok M.
The area has always had its charm. From authentic Japanese cuisine and late nights at shabby bars to the hunt for second-hand trinkets, everyone and their parents have stories set in the South Jakarta enclave. Thanks to the opening of the MRT, the once-considered dying old-school malls of Blok M have been given a second, more vibrant life.
Here, located strategically just across exit A of the Blok M MRT station, yet tucked away on the fifth floor of a strip mall on the side of Jl. Bulungan, Krapela, an open-modular space and bar, embodies the essence of renewed subcultures.
Defying what was
In most megacities worldwide, youth culture is often associated with clubbing and nightlife. Although the pandemic created nostalgia for the days of dancing and chatting all night with strangers, it is not exactly a lifestyle beloved by all. The snobbish exclusivity and ridiculous prices that can come with the subculture come off as pretentious.
Krapela started out late last year as a club wanting to defy this culture.
“We envisioned it to be this welcoming place for young people,” says cofounder Januar Kristianto.
On weekends, walking through Blok M will have you seeing different crowds with seemingly different interests. If you stop by Row 9, one of the hottest spots in town and the compound where Krapela is located, you’ll find vibrant and diverse youthful life within.
“It’s nice to see people who may not be [the club’s] usual crowd get curious and stop by, solely because they happened to be downstairs,” Januar says.
On the ground floor, you can find a coffee shop connected to an open outdoor seating area where most people hang out. Upstairs, a boutique and several other tenant spaces are frequently occupied with different types of groups.
“It’s fascinating to watch their habits and schedules here,” he notes.
Despite mostly being known as a staple venue for the underground scene, Krapela has made its way into the hearts of many.
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Beyond clubbing
On its fairly young journey, Krapela has evolved into something more than just an arena for drinks and dancing, reflecting the diversity of the generation it caters to.
It helps that the venue boasts excellent sound systems and lighting, making it versatile for any occasion. “The PA [public address] system is designed to be supported by every other detail inside. We wanted people to enjoy what they’re listening to, while also being able to have conversations, to socialize and connect here,” Januar said.
Theater performances, karaoke, an open bar, rave nights, movie screenings, talk shows, music showcases, punk and hardcore gigs — pretty much anything arts and culture related — has been and can be done in the modular space.
“There are times when the crowd at Krapela takes the initiative to better immerse themselves in the experience of the show they’re watching,” Jan shares.
The space itself isn’t too large. Its adaptable stage isn’t far from the floor, and can often be manipulated to fit the needs of each performer.
“During a few of the smaller showcases where the artists are more acoustic-heavy, the crowd collectively sat down on the floor.” This allowed for a more intimate setting, he said.
At the same time, Krapela makes it possible to handle rock-concert mosh pits or even crowd surfing. Having been in the punk scene for a long time, Januar was exhilarated by a recent hardcore gig they held at the venue.
“It felt like a dream come true to me. Paying tribute to what started it all in the place we’re running years after, it’s great!”
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Krapela prides itself as Jakarta’s buzzing venue for passionate youngsters. Surely, a music and arts venue is not something new in the city. However, the bold shows Krapela hosts renders it a sweet spot for shaping community.
By the doors in the foyer, you’ll often find people enjoying smoking breaks while chatting. You’ll see just about anyone connecting: performers and goers alike can find themselves expressing their authenticity in various ways. In each event, although the crowds are different, people come and shape a community of their own.
“It’s a wonderful thing to see how it breaks boundaries,” Januar said.
A welcoming space that embraces diversity and boundless expression is a necessity in this city. Celebrating community should not be reserved for particular crowds; hence chameleon spaces like Krapela serve as playpens and safe spaces for today’s youth to find that joy.
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This article is part of The Weekender, a biweekly tabloid that appears in the Saturday edition of The Jakarta Post. Offering a variety of feature articles on lifestyle and culture, it aims to enriching your reading experience. Subscribe here to access The Jakarta Post's Saturday edition and all Premium content.
