The Maj Pub & Dine — Restaurant in Surabaya

I had a great time at a lively bar featuring a fantastic live band and attentive service. We enjoyed a couple of drinks and some food, and I really wanted to stay longer to soak in the music. However, the place was pretty packed, and it seemed like every table had someone smoking, which made the atmosphere quite uncomfortable. The ventilation just wasn't strong enough to handle the smoke, making the air almost unbearable for me.

While the service was generally good, we encountered a small incident that left a sour taste. Despite having made a reservation, we were not allowed to sit at the sofa table because the staff claimed it was fully booked. However, I later witnessed three Westerners come in, who were seated at a regular table without a reservation. A few minutes later, they expressed their dissatisfaction and pointed to the sofa table, and the waiter accommodated them without question. This left me feeling that there might be a bias in how guests were treated.

Eventually, we decided to leave and head back to our room to rest. Unfortunately, the smell of cigarette smoke clung to our clothes and lasted until the next morning! While the live band was enjoyable, the indoor smoking, inadequate ventilation, and the service incident really detracted from the...

I recently visited MAJ, and it was an overall good experience. The atmosphere was exactly what you'd expect from a bar - wood interior and chill, perfect for a night out with friends or a low-key evening.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Bir Pletok. We ended up ordering a pitcher and 2 extra glasses of it. If you visit, make sure to order this! It's hands down the best thing in the whole bar. This drink literally has its own box. The flavors are rich and unique, making it a must-try.

While the bar doesn't offer anything out of the ordinary, its simplicity adds to its charm. It's just a bar, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. The service was friendly, the drinks were solid, and the vibe was just right.

If you're looking for a no-fuss, enjoyable bar experience, MAJ is worth a visit. Don't forget to try the Pletok!

There's live music after 8PM.

Menu...

The Maj in Surabaya is an amazing place. Stumbled upon this gem of a place in the historic old Majapahit Hotel basically in search of strong Wifi to download updates to a pair of new phones. Our accommodation at the time was a trashy , seedy old place up the north end of town near the docks. This was a perfect example of 2 older style places, 1 had been let go with no maintenance or housekeeping skills, the Hotel Majapahit on the other hand had benefited greatly from attention over the years and is now a historic attraction. The Bar was clean, functional, efficient in service with happy energetic staff. Drinks flowed well into the night. Keenly priced, free Billiards table and an ambiance that remains strong in mind. Will...