Tucked discreetly on the ground floor of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, Nautilus Bar opens like a well-kept secret—dark, intimate, and quietly confident. You don’t stumble into it. You arrive. A glowing mural of the old Sunda Kelapa port pulls the eye from across the room, its strokes anchoring you to Jakarta’s maritime past. Around it, the bar unfolds with black and gold interiors, plush club chairs, wave-like carpets, and nautical detailing that evokes the refined masculinity of a captain’s lounge.
This sense of place isn’t an afterthought—it’s a philosophy. Nautilus pays homage to Jakarta’s legacy as a vital port during the golden era of the spice trade, when nutmeg, galangal, and clove traveled through its harbors and out into the world. Today, those very spices return home—not in crates, but in crystal glasses.
Julian Benjamin Brigget stands behind the bar, greeting guests not just as a bartender, but as a host. Formerly of Bar Trigona in Kuala Lumpur—once named Malaysia’s best bar and a regular on Asia’s 50 Best—Julian brings with him a deep sense of storytelling and a focus on ingredients that feels both personal and precise. “We want to be like your friend,” he says. “Someone you turn to after a long day, to relax, decompress, and enjoy a good drink.”
Before any glass is poured, there’s routine and rhythm. Julian and his team begin with a quick huddle—reviewing the night’s flow, preparing juices, batching cocktails, and ensuring everything behind the bar is made fresh that day. “We always like to keep it consistent that way.”
Spirits with Soul, Stories in Every Sip
The cocktail menu at Nautilus is built around spices once traded through Jakarta’s ports: nutmeg (pala), cinnamon (kayu manis), pandan, and pepper (lada). These categories shape the drinks into something more than recipes—they become aromatic chapters in a larger narrative.
There’s the P&J, a creamy tropical opener made with espolon tequila, mezcal, jackfruit, pandan pistachio orgeat, and coconut milk. “It’s what I’d choose on a hot sunny day,” Julian admits. “Refreshing, but still strong.” Then there’s Gatot, a bolder, savory-sweet blend of chili vodka, andaliman pepper, clarified tomato, and coconut-pineapple cordial. “That one’s for when I want something dry and stiff,” he adds with a grin.
Each drink on the menu is layered and intentional, often prompting conversations with guests. “It’s always good to have storytelling toward the concept of your drinks,” Julian reflects. “Why are you using a certain spice? What makes this ingredient meaningful? Guests can taste the care when they understand the purpose behind it.”
Even the music plays its part. As the evening deepens, a live band slips jazz into the air—soft and atmospheric. It’s a backdrop that doesn’t demand attention but enhances the mood: refined, relaxed, and timeless.
Asked what Nautilus would be like as a person, Julian describes it simply: “Sexy, seductive, and most importantly classy.”
Crafting a Culture Beyond the Bar
Beyond the nightly ritual of cocktails and conversation, Nautilus continues to look outward. The Nautilus Friendship Series invites leading bartenders from the world’s top bars—like The Old Man, Mace NYC, Charles H, and 28 HongKong Street—to take over the space for one night only. These guest shifts aren’t just collaborations—they’re cultural exchanges that position Nautilus as part of a broader, global dialogue.
For Julian, these moments are also a reminder of what matters most. “Every guest that walks in creates a special memory,” he says. “It brings joy to see people enjoying what we’ve created—whether they’re locals or first-timers from across the globe.”
As for what’s next, Julian hopes for growth—not just for Nautilus, but for Jakarta’s entire cocktail scene. “I want to see the bar industry in Jakarta grow,” he says. “And Nautilus grows with it. Make good drinks. Have fun.”
That balance—between craft and comfort, local roots and global reach—is what defines Nautilus. It’s not loud. It doesn’t chase trends. But for those who step inside, the bar offers something lasting: a moment worth remembering.
Nautilus Bar
Four Seasons Jakarta
Jl. Gatot Subroto No.18, Kuningan Bar., Kec. Mampang Prpt., Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12710
