Megaria 21 aka Metropole XXI

Megaria is located at the corner of three busy and important streets in Central Jakarta : Jalan Diponegoro, Jalan Cikini and Jalan Proklamasi. This cinema was built in 1949 and opened for public in 1957. Now, this bioskop building remains the same. As a part of 21 Group, recently Megaria was renovated, now there's new carpet, new comfortable toilets, new snack bar, new garden cafe, new musholla and the ticketing is also changed to computerize. So you won't be shame to collect the tickets, right? They also changed the name back to its core, Metropole and upgraded the cinema to XXI. And because Metropole XXI is more than 50 years-old building no wonder if Pemda Jakarta classified it as a one of protected cagar budaya. By the way, Metropole XXI is quiet lucky because it survives unlike the other old cinema buildings in Jakarta which is now vanished or changed their functions.

Metropole XXI has 6 theaters in it: Theater 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the same building while Theater 5 and 6 are separated in new building right behinds Giant Supermarket. The last two are smaller in capacity.

Metropole XXI is one unique cinema because of its location, its history, its vintage and most of all for me... this is the real cinema. My sister is the first one who mentioned it and I agree with her. Metropole XXI is so sophisticated because people who go there will have well... basically one main purpose on their minds: to go watch movie. If you go to cinema located in one big mall then your main goal will distract and be easily corrupted. Hahaha... that's my opinion and I guess that's why I dare to go to this cinema and put away the idea that I just go so far away from my home only to watch movie.

This cinema is quiet fun and more comfortable right now if you wanna go there. Although one of my friend who just go there complained about the sound system. He said it was too loud but again... I said to him, it's a cinema, right? If you find the snack from the cinema is too expensive you can hide some snacks and beverage you can buy in Giant Supermarket in your bag. Again, an advise from me, bring larger bag if you want to go to Metropole XXI. If you're still hungry after watching movie you can go to XXI Garden Cafe or if you prefer cheaper place... just visit the restaurants right beside the Metropole: you'll find Mpekmpek and Ayam Bakar. There are also barber shop, wartel and guess what, you gotta be kidding me... Pijat Refleksi service there. Yes, I’m telling you the truth. For your information this Pijat Refleksi was the former locket for ticket back in old year of Megaria.

Last but not least how to go there?
Train:
Jakarta-Bogor.... Stasiun Cikini (then you need to walk a bit)
Bus:
Patas 213 Kampung Melayu-Grogol
Kopaja 502 Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang
Metromini 49 Pulogadung-Manggarai
And there is also oplet... you can take oplet in Jalan Matraman headed to RSCM.

So, movie freaks, wanna try an old atmosphere of watching movie? Go to Metrople XXI! Have fun, guys! Enjoy your movie! … (Pujangga Cinta)