Bali is world-famous for its varied and exciting nightlife. From parties on the beach, to mega-clubs, to cool nights out in chill cocktail bars with friends, there’s something for everyone on the island.
But how do you make sure you’re getting the best of Bali’s nightlife scene? With our guide to Bali’s nightlife, of course, we show you where to go and answer all your most pressing questions, too.
Bali Nightlife: Where To Go – The Most Popular Places On The Island
Canggu: Bali’s Most Happening Destination
Canggu was once a quiet fishing village, now, it’s the most in-demand spot around. The area is packed with beach clubs, nightclubs, bars, pubs and some excellent restaurants and cafes that also double as nightlife venues.
You’ll never be far from a party in Canggu, but if you want to find the best spots, we can recommend:
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FINNS Beach Club – the world’s best beach club and the world’s best beach party experience. You can’t go wrong. The dance floors, party restaurants, live DJs and vocalists, non-stop entertainment, etc. are all you need for the best time of your life.
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Gimme Shelter– if you love live music, you’re going to love this place, which is a bit out of town but home to some of the finest punk and hardcore gigs in Bali.
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Luigi’s Hot Pizza – yes, it’s a pizza restaurant, but it’s also one of the best party spots in Canggu on Mondays, and they have amazing drink deals in the early evening as well as the island’s longest pizza.
Seminyak: Where Money Talks
Seminyak used to be the top party destination and it’s still very popular. The area is always full of those who want to see and be seen and don’t mind paying for the privilege. That means the nightlife here tends to be a little more expensive than in Canggu. Check out:
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Motel Mexicola – Mexican food, lots of tequila and a packed dance floor make for one of Seminyak’s more affordable nights out. We recommend grabbing a seat outside to cool off between bouts of dancing.
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Mirror Lounge & Club – it looks like a Gothic Cathedral and brings a real touch of glamour to a night of shaking your stuff. The creative cocktails at the bar are awesome.
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Da Maria Bali – this place starts out as an Italian restaurant early in the night and then after the dining is done, it transforms into a hardcore party zone. It’s best visited on Wednesdays.
Kuta: Budget Nights Out
There’s no doubt that Kuta has seen better days and now, it’s definitely past its glory-era, but if you like a low-cost night out, the town still has plenty to offer budget travellers and some of the best places include:
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Hard Rock Cafe Bali – with an actual live rock band and a focus on decent, affordable food, this Hard Rock Cafe may be part of a chain, but it’s a great night out.
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ENVY Bali Bar – a nice spot to watch the sunset from and ease yourself into a night of pub crawls with awesome views of the beach and ocean before you.
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The Pub Cadabra – possibly the only Harry Potter-themed bar in the whole of Southeast Asia, if you like wizardly hijinks, you’ll love this place
Ubud: Bali’s Cultural Heart Has A Decent Nightlife Scene
Ubud has changed dramatically in the last few years, and this once spiritual haven has now got a decent nightlife scene too. It’s not up to the standard of the three big beach towns, but you can have a great night out here. Try:
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Nautilus – if you’re in the mood for a sophisticated evening of handcrafted cocktails, you can’t go wrong.
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The Blue Door – an extremely hip bar with a great vibe and a pleasant beer garden outside for those seeking sports rather than dancing
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Boliche Bar – message this speakeasy in advance for their password and you will have an awesome night out and they have a great live DJ
Uluwatu: Spaced Out Nightlife
Uluwatu’s nightlife is far less developed than the three big beach towns but there are good nights out to be had, all the same. Just don’t expect pub crawls as it’s all spread out over a very large area. Check out:
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Rock Bar @ Ayana – this is a very pricey spot but awesome for sunset cocktails with a view of a unique rock formation on the beach
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Unique Rooftop Bar @ Rimba – also not cheap but the 360 degree panoramic view is worth paying for. It’s more chill out than party, though
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Hatch Uluwatu – positively a budget spot for this area and the open-air vibe gives you a pleasant place to party and hangout with friends.
Nusa Dua: Upscale Resort Life
Nusa Dua isn’t a party place but there is refined and expensive nightlife in the resorts in the area. If you’re passing through you might enjoy:
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King Cole Bar – in the very swish St. Regis Bali this is the place for champagne and Martinis while observing a fire dance ritual
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Tapa Bistro – at the Bali Nusa Dua they have DJ sets and live music to accompany the dining and drinking enviroment
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Tavern De Bali Nusa Dua – this may be the area’s only pub and it’s got a nice international menu as well as some really fancy cocktails, it’s more for conversation than dancing
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Bali’s Nightlife
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Use Grab or Gojek to get home – don’t drink and drive, it’s a bad idea and not just because it’s illegal. But don’t walk home either, use the ride share apps to arrange safe transport to your door.
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Check the dress code before you go out – most places don’t have a dress code but some do and you don’t want to be surprised on the door.
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Stay hydrated – it’s hot, it’s sweaty, you will find alcohol hit much harder here, take a break every now and again and have some water.
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Keep your eyes open – make sure to watch your belongings and to be careful when taking drinks from strangers.
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Keep it respectful – don’t become a headline by being that tourist who decides to dance naked on a bar or streak down the road after clubbing, Bali is still a pretty conservative place, have fun but don’t go too wild.
Things To Do At Night In Bali
There are plenty of things to do in Bali at night and they include:
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Night clubs – the clubbing scene on the island tends to start at around midnight and then go through until the wee small hours
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Beach clubs – FINNS is the best party spot on the island and you can dance through until midnight when the night clubs open
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Night markets – not every night needs to be a party, you can get tasty food and cheap beers at the island’s night markets
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Rooftop bars – if you fancy awesome views of the beach in Bali and cold drinks without the party vibe, rooftop bars are a good way to go
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Bars and Pubs – there are plenty of bars and pubs in Bali particularly in Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Legian
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Live music venues – there are a few live music venues dotted around the beach towns too and you can catch everything from local reggae acts to cover bands
FAQs
What Time Do Clubs And Bars Close In Bali?
It’s all down to the individual venues. Most beach clubs close around midnight, the bars and nightclubs can stay open to 2/3 a.m. and some go until dawn. It’s best to check with the place you intend to visit.
Is Partying Safe In Bali?
Yes, well, as safe as it is anywhere in the world. Watch out for alcohol-fuelled foolishness, keep an eye on your drink and take a taxi home and you should be fine.
Is There A Legal Drinking Age In Bali?
Yes, the legal drinking age is 21. However, it’s rarely enforced and most bars, nightclubs, etc. don’t ask to see ID.
What Are The Safest Places To Party In Bali?
We’d go with Canggu, Seminyak and Ubud which are popular tourist places that tend to attract a more upmarket crowd that is less likely to get involved in troublesome behaviour.
Do You Have To Tip In Bars, Pubs, Etc. In Bali?
No, you don’t have to tip. In fact, there’s a service charge already added to your bill, so you are tipping every time you buy something. If you want to reward great service with an extra tip, it will be welcome, but it’s not expected.
Which Part Of Bali Has The Best Nightlife?
At the moment, Canggu has the best nightlife on the island. It’s reasonably affordable and there is a great range of places to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone’s vibe.
What Is The Main Party Street In Bali?
There are several popular party streets in Bali including:
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Canggu – Jalan Pantai Berawa and Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong
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Kuta – Jalan Legian
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Seminyak – Jalan Laksamana Oberoi and Jalan Petitenget
Are There Drugs In Bali?
Yes, there are drugs in Bali. No, you shouldn’t get involved in drugs in Bali. It is an extremely serious criminal offence to get caught with drugs on the island and Indonesia has the death penalty and has used it on foreigners involved with drugs in the past.
And yes, magic mushrooms are illegal, despite the claims of some spurious websites.
Why Is Bali’s Nightlife Scene Globally Famous?
We think there are a few good reasons for that:
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It’s affordable – while it’s not as cheap as some places in the world, Bali’s nightlife is much cheaper than in most Western countries. The fact that most places don’t charge a door fee is also a win and if they do, they tend to pay it back in drinks.
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It’s varied – it doesn’t matter what your scene is, you can find a place to go in Bali. From EDM to death metal and punk, it’s all here on the island.
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It brings together a cool crowd – there are people from all over the world and a huge group of locals getting out and about for good times.
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It’s chilled – the nightlife here tends to be relaxed, friendly and wildly tolerant. It’s fun all the time.
Final Thoughts On Nightlife In Bali
Bali is a party town without parallel and everyone is welcome to come to the island and have a great fun-filled night out.
You will find that the Southern beach towns and Ubud have the greatest variety of nightlife for you to choose from, but there are certainly pubs and bars in almost every town here.
Our guide to the best nightlife in Bali should give you a great starting point to going out and having an awesome night or two.
Read more:
Experience Canggu Nightlife: The Essential Guide to Bali’s Party Scene
