Going to a beach club by yourself can be a bit nerve wracking but it doesn’t have to be a lonely experience and you make new friends and have an amazing time at nearly every beach club in Bali.
Our guide will walk you through the easiest ways to tackle beach clubs as a solo traveller, even if you’re a complete introvert.
Our Guide To Having Fun At Beach Clubs As A Solo Traveller
Read Up On The Beach Clubs
Every beach club is different. You’re going to find it easier to meet people at places with a party (and thus, social) vibe than you are at places which are more for chilling quietly by the pool.
You can always take your hangover to one of the chillout spots and enjoy a little downtime the next day, but if you head to FINNS, for example, it’s going to be easier to meet people than it is in Potato Head.
Research is always a good idea before you go out to find a place that suits your needs. Check out the music, the vibe, and of course, the costs and the ease of getting to and from a place – you don’t want to be stood out on the road in the middle of nowhere at midnight trying to get a Grab, do you?
Push Yourself Out Of Your Comfort Zone (A Little)
We know, it can be a bit nerve wracking to go out on your own in a strange country, particularly, if you’ve never been to a beach club before.
But we’d urge you to push past your comfort zone and get out and experience everything that the island has to offer.
What do you want your memories of Bali to be? Time in your hotel room with a book or amazing tales of friendship and fun with all the new people that you met?
Get There Early
You will get more choice of places to sit and hang out when you arrive earlier in the day, it also gives you plenty of time to scope out other people.
Beach clubs start getting busy by the time the golden hour comes around and you may find it’s simply too hectic at this time of day to make new friends.
You don’t have to be there as the doors open, but we’d aim for early to mid-afternoon.
Dress To Fit In (Or To Stand Out)
One of the easiest ways to fit in with a crowd is to dress like that crowd. Research the beach club you’re going to online. Look at their social media and ask you should find it easy to work out what’s going to help you blend in.
Alternatively, you can opt to stand out. A very easy way to start a conversation is to dress a little outrageously and let people come to you. This takes confidence but it can really help you get partying without any time to find your crowd.
Start By Talking To The Bar And Wait Staff
Don’t monopolise their time, but the bar staff and wait staff are there to put you at your ease and to get you in the party mood.
They will be only too happy to share some tips on how to have fun and may even make introductions to other people for you.
If you’re really lucky, they might even throw you a free shot or two to help you loosen up.
If you sit at the bar, rather than on a day bed, you make it clear that you’re hanging out by yourself and this makes it easy for other solo travellers to introduce themselves and join you.
Take Time To Feel The Vibe Of Groups
You don’t need to rush up to everyone in the venue and introduce yourself. Take some time to sip your drink and scan the people around you.
Which groups seem open, friendly and welcoming? Are there couples or groups that look like they’re chill and ready to talk?
Avoid any group that has territorial vibes, these groups can be downright hostile when you say hello and they will put you off talking to other more amenable folks.
Beach club days run for hours, you have plenty of time to decide where you want to start socialising before you rush into things.
Compliments Help Break The Ice
There is nobody on Earth who doesn’t enjoy being complimented as long as that compliment is genuine and heartfelt.
If you see a cool t-shirt tell the person wearing it that you like it. If somebody has an awesome tattoo, it’s fine to admire it. And so on…
When somebody responds enthusiastically, it’s your time to pursue a deeper conversation. If somebody doesn’t really respond or shrugs it off, move on. You’ll find someone to talk to who doesn’t have any barriers up.
Get On The Dance Floor And Shake Your Funky Stuff
Many beach clubs have a dance floor area and there’s no easier way to get in the mood for socialising than to dance.
You don’t have to be a great dancer (and most people in a beach club won’t be either), you just have to have fun and let other people feel your vibe.
Then, it’s like that others will join you dancing and you’ll end up being pulled into a friendly group without any real hassle.
Just be aware of your space when you dance, you don’t want to bang into anyone.
Lines Are Great For Conversation
Go to queue for the toilet? At the entrance? During a security check? Then start talking to the people around you.
In this instance, people are nearly always grateful for a chat because it helps the time waiting go by faster.
You may even meet some great pals for the day in the queue and not need to find a group when you get into the venue at all.
You Are Free To Be A Social Butterfly
If you find yourself in a group and you don’t quite fit, just move on. The joy of being on holiday is that you’re probably not going to see anyone again anytime soon.
So, you can float off like a butterfly and join another group without hurting anyone’s feelings. It’s fine to flit about because most people will understand that urge.
Smokers Have An Advantage
In some beach clubs, smokers are funnelled into a smoking area (though this being Indonesia – in many beach clubs, you can smoke anywhere).
If there’s a smoking area, you will find striking up a conversation there is super easy. Smokers are always looking for a chat while they take their “fresh air” break.
Don’t know what to say? Try asking somebody for a light to get the ball rolling. It doesn’t need to be super complicated.
Learn To Say “Yes” To Opportunities
If people in your new found group invite you to an after party or on to another beach club or bar, why not join them?
The party doesn’t have to end when everyone’s having fun. In fact, we’ve found this often a great way to make more lasting friendships when you’re travelling solo.
Don’t Burden Yourself With Expectations
If you don’t make friends on your first visit to a beach club, don’t be despondent. You have done a great job going and putting yourself out there for the world.
Some nights it’s not meant to be, but the more often you go out, the easier it is to make friends and the more you will learn about what it takes to make friends.
You are awesome even if you’re all by yourself and that’s just fine 🙂
If You Want To Leave, Just Leave
If you’re not feeling it or you’re not having a good time, that’s OK, admit it to yourself and GFTO of there.
Not every trip to a beach club results in an epic night out of laughter and madcap antics and being honest about that leaves you free to make plans for your next night out, rather than wasting even more time on an occasion where you’re not having fun.
Most Of All – Be Open And Positive
Making friends at a beach club is mainly about attitude. Most people on holiday are really happy to meet new people and hang out with them.
But you have to be perceived as friendly and that means, you go out with a smile on your face, you act in an outgoing way and you act positively towards the people you meet (even if you don’t like them all that much).
It’s better to move along than it is to act in a mean-spirited way towards anyone else, you’ll get more out of your time in Bali if everyone sees you as approachable and fun.
Safety Tips At Beach Clubs In Bali For The Solo Traveller
We should also note that it’s a good idea to focus on your personal safety when you’re going out alone.
When we’re with our friends back home, there’s usually someone to keep an eye out for everyone in the group, but when you’re just meeting people – you have to take responsibility for yourself.
- Don’t bring everything in your wallet or purse to a beach club – it’s best to bring a single card, some cash (ideally stashed in another part of your gear in case the card gets lost or stolen) and keep a copy of your ID on your phone. Leave everything else in the hotel safe. You’re not likely to lose things at a beach club, but why take the chance? You don’t want to ruin the rest of your holiday for a night out.
- Don’t leave your drink unattended – drink spiking is a bit of a rarity in Bali, but it’s not completely unheard of. It’s best to drink up before you hit the restroom or ask a member of staff to keep it behind the bar until you return. If you have to leave a drink unattended, it’s probably best to buy a new one when you get back.
- Check out where the exits are – if a fire breaks out or there’s some other emergency (Bali has regular earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even the potential for a tsunami) then you want to be able to leave fast and without any hassles.
- Choose the people you want to talk to and talk to them – you’re much less likely to have someone ruin your night if you’re proactive and talk to the people you think you’ll get along with.
- Let someone know where you’re going before you go out – we’ve never heard of someone disappearing from a beach club in Bali, but it’s always a good idea to let someone know where you are. They don’t have to be in Bali, anyone who can offer some input for the emergency services if you don’t show up the next morning will be fine. Make sure to check in with that person the next day though, don’t let them worry about you.
- Keep an eye on how much you drink – it’s hot and humid in Bali and this means it’s easy to end up dehydrated and in a state where alcohol affects you much more than it does at home. Pace yourself and if you feel like you’re getting out of control, call it a night and get a taxi home.
- Take a taxi home – the best way to end the night is to use Grab or Gojek to call a ride-share taxi and go home that way. Getting a ride from a stranger is not safe or wise and if they’ve been drinking with you, they shouldn’t be driving anyway. If you have to, leave early or leave after the group you’ve been hanging out with goes home.
- Have hangover stuff ready at home before you go out – hangovers are worse in the tropics, having aspirin or paracetamol on hand as well as some isotonic drinks will make sure that you don’t feel like crap the next day.
FAQs
Is It OK To Go To A Beach Club Alone?
Of course, it is! Beach clubs are friendly, welcoming places that are as open to solo travellers as they are to big groups of people.
You can spend the entire day chilling on a daybed and not talk to anyone if you want, or you can spread your social wings and enjoy conversations with other holiday makers.
It’s entirely up to you which experiences you seek at Bali’s beach clubs. We’d recommend that you spend some time reading up on the beach clubs here, so that you pick one that suits your needs.
How Can I Be Confident In A Beach Club By Myself?
The old adage “fake it till you make it” is the key to confidence anywhere. If you act confident (put your head up, straighten your back, smile and say “hello” to other people), soon, you will feel confident and then, you won’t be faking it anymore.
Beach clubs are great places to meet new people and you can easily win over others by being friendly and open.
How Do You Enjoy Yourself In A Beach Club?
Well, there’s plenty to do in a good beach club. You could start with some food and drink at the bar.
You could head to the pool, and lounge on a day bed or jump in and hit the swim-up bar(s).
There’s also the opportunity to dance the night away or join in the party as the DJs start playing and crank up the volume.
We’ve even been known to nurse a hangover with a book in one of the quieter beach clubs, just soaking up some rays and chilling.
It’s your call but there’s no reason to be bored in a beach club.
Final Thoughts On Solo Travel And Beach CLubs
Beach Clubs are a great place to get out and meet friends in Bali. They’re less intimidating environments than nightclubs, bars and pubs can be.
We know people who’ve made their best friends in a beach club and people who’ve met their significant other in them too.
But most of all, we know a lot of solo travellers who have had an amazing time in Bali’s beach clubs by summoning up their courage and visiting a beach club that appeals to them.
