There is no official dress code that applies to all beach clubs in Bali or, indeed, to beach clubs anywhere else. However, most clubs will have their own dress code and if you don’t adhere to that code – you may not be allowed in or you may be asked to leave.
So, what do you do if the beach clubs don’t have the same dress code? Well, we’ve got some ideas that will ensure that the management reserves the right to refuse entry to somebody other than you.
What To Know Before You Decide On A Beach Club Outfit
Our number one tip is for you to read the rules and regulations on the beach club website when you are booking. Many places will clearly lay out the terms and conditions while you are booking and payment means that you have accepted these terms.
That means any fees you pay in advance are not refundable if you are found to break the dress code on the day you visit the beach club.
Some places may be fine with your gladiator sandals, others may prefer your outfit ideas to be a little more formal. The best way to be sure that you can wear the outfits that you want is to check with the venue.
The tips below will help you avoid the biggest potential pitfalls (when it comes to dress code, not whether or not it’s OK to bring in outside food, etc.)
Restaurants And The Dance Floor
Some areas of the beach club may require a stricter dress code than others. If there’s a posh restaurant or secluded dance area, then you will see guests wearing an outfit that’s suitable for evening wear rather than lounging on the sand.
If you don’t have something suitable you may find you’re not permitted to enter these areas even if you’re OK wearing your favourite style in the rest of the club.
Swimming
Most beach clubs require that you wear a swimsuit or other appropriate swimwear in the pool area. This isn’t because they hate your t-shirt or crop top, but because the fibres from clothes that are designed for swimming tend to get caught in the pool filters.
When a pool filter is blocked, the water gets unpleasant. So, please make sure to bring your bikinis, trunks, etc.
Head And Face Tattoos
We’ve spoken at length with several beach club owners and there’s a good reason that they don’t let people in with head and face tattoos.
The first thing to know is that this is a data-driven decision. Every beach club wants to make as much money as possible but they also want to avoid problems in the venue.
When we asked at some of the top beach clubs in Bali, they were clear that they had taken a strong look at their data and that the most fights had been caused by people with tattoos like these.
That doesn’t mean they’re passing judgment on everyone with facial tattoos, it just means that as one manager said, “All our guests matter. Many of them save up for a year to come and have a good time in Bali with their family. The last thing they want is for a punch-up to break out near them. When we started prohibiting facial tattoos in our venue, the other guests were much happier.”
In many of the best venues in Bali, these tattoos are strictly prohibited and you should find that that this policy is explained on their websites before you book and commit to a minimum spend.
There’s no flexibility over these policies, so if you have a face tattoo, you will need to find a beach club where such tattoos are permitted.
You should know that if you’re refused entry based on this policy most clubs won’t refund any payments you’ve made for your bookings.
Large Functions May Face Restrictions
If you’re attending a buck’s or hen’s do at a beach club or any similar large function, you should check with the venue before booking as to whether it’s appropriate to wear matching outfits.
That’s because many venues don’t allow uniforms within their venues. That’s because if there is any trouble, it can turn a whole group into a target for retaliation. We think it’s best to wear something that’s fun but less likely to cause problems.
Sports And Alcohol Themed Attire
You should note that uniforms are always considered a bad idea in places where lots of alcohol is consumed and most beach clubs will refuse entry if you’re wearing tops that bear sports team or alcohol branding on them.
A Typical Beach Club Outfit
OK, now we’ve got the “what not to wear” out of the way, as best we can. Here’s a rough idea of what most beach club guests will be wearing this year.
- Both Sexes: Sunglasses, Thongs (flip flops), Sun Cream, Sun Hats, Swimwear – casual is very much the focus of daytime fun at beach clubs and you want to be dressed appropriately but take care not to get burned in the island sun.
- The ladies: a beach dress, wedges or sandals, crop tops, shorts, accessories. Once you’re out of the pool (or sea), you will want to up your style game and while staying casual, you’re aiming for elegance and fun.
- The gents: Hawaiian or oversized shirts, casual trousers (or cargo shorts) and closed footwear. There’s no need to be elegant about this, guys have it much easier when it comes to style than the ladies do.
In general, apart from the restrictions outlined in this article, you can wear pretty much whatever you want and beach club guests don’t tend to spend any time judging what you wear – they’re too busy having fun to be style critics.
If you don’t feel that you have the right clothes available to you, don’t worry, most beach clubs have a shop on site where you can buy clothes for your visit and you should easily find a swimsuit or a pair of sunglasses for fitting in at sunset.
Final Thoughts On Bali Beach Club Dress Code
There is no single best beach club outfit and each beach club has its own dress code. Most outfit ideas will be fine and you can’t go wrong with a beach dress or oversized shirt and shorts/swimwear.
However, it’s worth reading up on the rules of any given beach club and ensuring your permitted to wear your favourite outfit and that you can access all parts of the beach club, including the pool area, dance floor, etc. before you visit.
