FOYA
FOYA is the dedicated live-music room inside M Bloc Space, separate from the main bar courtyard. It functions as a small-to-mid-capacity venue for ticketed gigs, album launches, and curated electronic nights. The space holds roughly 300 people standing and maintains a black-box format: dark walls, basic stage lighting, PA system designed for bands rather than DJs. Indonesian indie, post-punk, electronic, and jazz acts rotate through, and the booking skews younger and more experimental than the larger Bengkel Space in SCBD. Tickets typically run 75000 to 200000 IDR depending on the act. This is not a ladies' companion venue and operates strictly as a music room with a small bar at the back. Drinks are sold in plastic cups during shows.
Where to stay near FOYA
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A standing-room black-box with a single stage, a raised platform at the back for the mixing desk, and a small bar tucked against the side wall. Crowd density depends entirely on the headliner. Sound quality is good for a venue this size.
Focused and music-first. People come to watch the band, not work the room.
Indonesian indie, post-punk, electronic, experimental jazz; occasional international touring acts
Casual. Band T-shirts and jeans outnumber anything else.
Travelers into Indonesian independent music, gig-goers who want small-room shows over festival stages
Cards and QRIS at the bar, cash accepted, tickets via Loket/Tiket.com online
Price Range
Ticket 75000-200000 IDR, beer 50000 IDR, basic cocktail 90000 IDR, no seated service during gigs
Ticket ~$5-13, beer ~$3.30, cocktail ~$6
Hours
Show nights only, typically Fri-Sat doors at 19:30, Sunday matinees occasionally
Insider Tip
Buy tickets in advance through Loket or the M Bloc Space app; walk-up tickets sell out for any band with a following. Arrive by 20:00 to claim floor space near the stage or the bar, whichever you prefer. Bring a light layer; the AC runs hard and the room cools fast when it empties between sets.
Full Review
FOYA occupies a rectangular room off the main M Bloc Space courtyard and looks like what it is: a purpose-built small gig venue. No frills, no design concept beyond black walls and a functional stage. The floor is flat rather than raked, so sightlines depend on where you stand and how tall the person in front of you is. The sound system is properly specified for live bands, which matters because M Bloc's curators lean heavily on acts that need clean low-end and accurate vocals.
I caught a show here on a Friday and the room filled to roughly three-quarters capacity by the time the headliner came on at 22:00. The opener was a local post-punk four-piece that drew a dedicated following of twenty-somethings in black who knew every word. Between sets, the bar at the back had a manageable queue, and the AC kept the room comfortable despite Jakarta's humidity. The crowd stayed engaged through both sets, phones down more often than up, which is rarer than it should be at Jakarta gigs.
The booking philosophy skews toward Indonesian independent music with occasional international curiosities. Names like Senyawa, Bin Idris, and Lomba Sihir have all played here. Electronic nights are less frequent but tend to book actual DJs rather than rent-a-DJ phone party acts. The room works well for both formats because of the layout rather than in spite of it.
FOYA complements the main M Bloc Bar rather than competing with it. You can catch a show here for two hours, then spill back into the courtyard for drinks and food after. Compared to Bengkel Space in SCBD, which does bigger touring acts with corporate sponsorship attached, FOYA is the smaller, more curated room. That distinction matters if you care about the music.
The Neighborhood
FOYA is inside the M Bloc Space complex at Jalan Panglima Polim V, sharing its courtyard with M Bloc Bar, food stalls, and independent retail. The surrounding Kebayoran Baru area has the highest concentration of Jakarta's independent creative businesses and is walkable in daylight.
Getting There
Jakarta MRT to Blok M BCA station, then eight minutes on foot south on Jalan Panglima Polim. GoCar or Grab from central Jakarta costs 40000-70000 IDR. Drivers recognize M Bloc Space by name; specify the entrance gate on arrival.
Other Venues in Blok M
Eastern Promise
Long-standing expat bar on Jl. Falatehan that's been a Blok M institution for years. Cheap beer, pool tables, and a no-frills atmosphere.
Stadium
One of the larger clubs in the Blok M area with a main dance floor and VIP sections. Plays a mix of EDM and Indonesian pop to a mostly local crowd.
Top One Club
Late-night venue in the Blok M entertainment strip known for its hostess system and a predominantly male clientele. Gets going well after midnight.
D's Place
Small neighborhood bar popular with expats living in South Jakarta. Live acoustic music some evenings and a relaxed, unpretentious setting.
Berita Satu Bar
Local watering hole on the Blok M strip that stays open late and charges some of the lowest drink prices in the area. Simple setup, no cover charge.
M Bloc Bar
Live music venue inside the M Bloc Space creative complex hosting indie bands and local acts most weekends. Young, creative crowd and affordable craft beer.