Nazi-Themed Cafe Reopens in Indonesia Despite Global Outcry

In 2011, a small coffee shop opened in Bandung, Indonesia, billing itself as a "soldier café." But this wasn’t your typical military-themed diner. The walls were adorned with swastikas, portraits of Adolf Hitler, and other Nazi iconography. By 2013, international backlash—including coverage by a British journalist—pushed local authorities to shut it down. Now, a decade later, it’s back.

The soldier café reopened in 2023, still displaying Nazi insignia including the SS eagle emblem and Hitler’s portrait. Though the owner insists it’s now a general WWII-themed café, many original symbols remain untouched.

What Is the Soldier Café and Why Did It Spark Outrage?

The soldier café, officially named “Soldier Café,” is located in Bandung, a city southeast of Jakarta. It first opened in 2011 under the ownership of Henry Mulyana. From the beginning, the café featured an unusual aesthetic: walls decorated with Nazi flags, military uniforms, and prominent Nazi symbols like the swastika and portraits of Hitler. The theme appeared to celebrate militarism through a highly controversial lens.

In July 2013, a British journalist living in Indonesia wrote about the café, drawing global attention. Condemnation poured in from international organizations, Holocaust memorial groups, and foreign governments. Critics accused the café of trivializing Nazi atrocities and promoting hate symbols. Under mounting pressure, local authorities ordered the café to close.

How Did the Café Reopen in 2023?

According to French news outlet Libération, the soldier café reopened in June 2023. This time, the owner, Henry Mulyana, claimed the theme had expanded to cover the broader context of World War II. He added portraits of other historical figures, including British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, in an apparent attempt to present a more “balanced” historical narrative.

However, at the reopening, journalists observed that many Nazi symbols remained in place. The SS eagle emblem—three stylized eagles used by the Nazi Party—was still visible on the walls. Mulyana insisted all decorations were legal and that the café was not intended to promote Nazism, but to reflect history. He also claimed that many European visitors didn’t find the symbols offensive, interpreting them as part of a historical exhibit.

What Was the Public and Media Reaction?

The reopening drew immediate criticism. Reports noted that several Indonesian youths dressed in military attire attended the event, with one wearing a swastika armband. Guests were seen posing for photos in a reconstructed “interrogation room,” and some even pretended to be prisoners. Mulyana defended the event, saying it was a commercial venture, not an ideological statement. He added that many intellectuals and WWII enthusiasts had visited the café without issue.

Despite his claims, the presence of Nazi iconography continues to spark ethical concerns. Critics argue that regardless of intent, displaying such symbols can normalize hate iconography and offend global audiences, particularly Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Nazi-themed soldier café located?

The soldier café is located in Bandung, a major city in West Java, Indonesia, situated southeast of the capital Jakarta.

When did the café first open and when was it closed?

The soldier café first opened in 2011. It was shut down in 2013 following international condemnation and pressure from local authorities after a British journalist highlighted its Nazi-themed decor.

Why did the café reopen in 2023?

The café reopened in June 2023 with the owner claiming a shift to a broader World War II theme. He added figures like Churchill and Stalin, but retained many Nazi symbols including the swastika and Hitler’s portrait.

What Nazi symbols are still displayed in the café?

Reporters observed that SS eagle emblems and portraits of Hitler were still visible inside the café during its 2023 reopening, despite claims of a theme shift.

Has the owner faced legal consequences?

The owner, Henry Mulyana, was previously accused of inciting racial hatred, but there is no public record of ongoing legal action following the 2023 reopening.

How have people reacted to the reopening?

The reopening was met with widespread international and domestic criticism. Guests were seen posing in Nazi-themed areas, raising concerns about the normalization of hate symbols.

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