The Venue started out as a restaurant and lounge, with limited space for a dance floor and performance stage. Eventually it became more of spinning DJs and less food and drinks for this establishment located south of Kemang.

Ms. Rae, the super friendly PR of The Venue says that the prices of drinks in this party place is the most affordable among all the budget-friendly night spots that have been spreading across the Kemang area for the past few years. The lounge also provides space for a little privacy through the small, decorative pool area at the back complete with a mini bar. If that’s not secluded enough there’s also a private room with karaoke situated on the deck above the poolside area. The Private room and pool are often reserved for birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations.

It’s said that The Venue is favored for its homey atmosphere, but I felt otherwise. A rather strange set-up, the bar and the DJ are both enclosed in rectangular box-like structures, which Ms. Rae jokingly refers to as “the aquarium.” That The Venue will be renovated in a few months is certainly good news.

According to Ms. Rae, the guests coming here are mostly young club-goers. They are usually on a first name basis with the bartenders and waiters, with a few of them showing up almost every night that she starts to wonder what are they up to during the day. During birthday parties, celebrants getting thrown in the pool as a “birthday gift” from friends are a common sight. Often, the guests even consider venue as a halfway place where they could spend the night. Ms. Rae’s stories were very entertaining that I began to look forward to my next visit.

The Venue opens at 10 PM . The vibe is quite relaxed during that time; guests relax on the sofas and order food such as the grilled ribs, steaks, and other dishes to build up their energy for the long night. Food is served until 1 am. The action then begins at around 11 PM . And what a diverse crowd! From the casually dressed, the uptown boutique lovers to the dreadlocked-rockers in black, everyone joins the party. It’s rather funny that most of the visitors are men, but it’s not a cause for concern. Drinks such as Heineken draft beer and their popular mixes Red Ice and Fire Fall are promptly served. The bartenders are friendly, even performing amazing bartending moves.

Resident DJs are DJ Yiyik and DJ Mone who play garage, electronica, and house music. Bring extra cash during weekends, as the cover charge and drinks are not as cheap as they are during Mondays up to Wednesdays. The club can accommodate up to 1,000 guests on a busy night.

I finally understood why the guests consider the place as a comfy spot. The Venue is unpretentious and welcomes everyone. However, it’s up to you whether to like The Venue or not. Those looking for ultra-classy clubbing might be less than pleased with the spontaneous crowd.

Whether it’s going to be renovated or not, I have a feeling that I will go there again anyway. The Venue caught my attention with its laid back and youthful atmosphere. When I stepped out of the place, I turned around, winked at the sign, and promised to come back soon.