We all know that Bali’s beach clubs are a big draw to the island. The chance to soak in the sun, sipping cold cocktails, kicking it to awesome tunes makes people feel like they’re living their best life.
If you’ve been here, you already know the deal – FINNS, Potato Head, Savaya, etc. are the lifeblood of Bali’s entertainment and leisure scene. They’ve even eclipsed the big name hotel brands as the places to be.
But where is Bali going with this? These clubs are super popular now and over the last decade Bali’s beach club scene has gone from “also ran” to “world leading”.
And with the tourism boom, a growing demand for eco-friendly holiday destinations, the advent of new technologies, the beach clubs of Bali are looking at a wild future of both chilling for their guests and constant change behind the scenes.
So, settle in with a cold Bintang and let’s take a look at the future of Bali’s beach clubs and what the trends that will be shaping the way that beach clubs operate on the island and, perhaps, in the rest of the world too.
Investment Opportunities Galore
Before we start, let’s talk money. Because money itself, famously, talks. If you want to be certain that Bali’s beach club scene remains appealing to investors, you don’t have to Google very hard to find investment consortiums enthusing over the island.
Synergy Pro sees big potential for improved returns in the low season where many hospitality businesses traditionally struggle. Saying, “Investors who recognize the importance of both high and low seasons in Bali’s tourism cycle can develop strategies that capitalize on peak demand while mitigating risks during the off-peak months. In the long term, Bali Beach Clubs that adopt sustainable practices, tap into emerging tourism trends, and continue to innovate will be well-positioned to succeed in Bali’s dynamic tourism landscape. With the right approach, Bali Beach Clubs have the potential to be a lasting and profitable investment for years to come.”
Cekindo Investments spells it out even more bluntly, “Bali’s thriving tourism, diverse culture, and affordable operations make it an ideal place to open a beach club.”
At Bali’s Best Beach Clubs we don’t offer investment advice, if you are thinking about investing in Bali, we strongly recommend talking it over with your accountant and other financial advisors. It’s as easy to lose money, even in a boom, as it is to make it.
The Bali Boom: It Just Keeps On Booming
In the year following the pandemic, 2023, 5.273 million people visited Bali. That jumped to more than 6.333 million people in 2024 and in 2025, it’s expected to be, at least, 6.5 million.
Sure, Bali may have made it to the top of the occasional list as a “don’t go” tourism spot, but let’s be fair about this – it’s easy to tell other people not to go somewhere after you’ve already been, right?
In reality, at the end of 2024, Bali had topped far more bucket lists online than any no-go lists and things don’t look like they will slow down in the future.
While destinations such as Thailand and Cambodia in this region continue to struggle with much lower visitor numbers following the return to normal, Bali keeps going from strength-to-strength.
And that means that there’s always room for just one more beach club. The beach clubs are a major part of the draw for tourists to the island too – every Instagram snap of someone in a beachfront infinity pool gulping down a margarita at sunset, is another driver of business for the island.
However, the boom has brought a boom in beach clubs and the wealth of visitor numbers is not shared equally between those beach clubs.
The beach clubs that stand out, like FINNS (1 in 8 visitors to Bali visit FINNS), gain huge market share while many others such as Atlas, are often empty even during peak season.
The future of this competitive buzzing market will see more mega-clubs than ever before and over-the-top features to draw in the crowds. FINNS will launch its exclusive Empire beach club next year with some amazing visual appeal and they will set the standards for what follows.
Think beach clubs that belong in Hollywood pictures filled with A-listers. Multi-level pools, indoor waterfalls, VIP zones and more are going to be making an entrance soon.
Sustainability Is Key: The Eco-Wave
On the flip side, there’s no doubt that Bali is currently struggling under the weight of some serious developmental issues. Environmental problems here are catching the world’s attention and beach clubs need to be part of the solution to these problems.
Fortunately, there is a strong push back against the worst excesses of businesses on the island both from the Balinese and the overseas eco-crusader community.
Clubs like Potato Head and FINNS are leading the charge to deliver zero-waste facilities and to ensure that their beaches are kept clean and tidy all year round.
Places like La Brisa are built entirely from reclaimed wood to ensure maximum eco-friendliness in their design.
And there will be more of this – solar-powered beach clubs, bamboo only architecture from locally sourced bamboo, menus that source everything locally from organic farms, etc.
We’d also expect to see some sort of “sustainability verification” program emerge over time, which we hope won’t cave into greenwashing, that allows beach clubs to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
Tourists are slowly coming around to this vibe too, many of the new arrivals are keen to party but they want to feel good about themselves while they do it.
We’d expect to see a lot more competition for bragging rights in the eco-friendly arena over the next few years. After all, which beach club doesn’t want to be seen saving the planet?
Cultural Respect: Balancing Profits With Local Sensibilities
This has been something of a hot topic recently with Atlas Beach Club having its nightclub facility closed down for a couple of days because of a DJ’s insensitivity to the local religion.
Incredibly, this was only a couple of years after the original Holywings club on this site was forced to close down after it disrespected the Muslim majority faith of Indonesia, and had to rebrand as Atlas. And all Holywings outlets across Indonesia were required to close down for a period of time too!
It’s important for beach clubs to remember that religion is a serious thing in Bali and Indonesia as a whole. And that the Balinese are proud of their culture but they don’t want to see it turned into something tacky and disrespectful.
We doubt we’ll see any religious imagery for some time in Bali’s beach clubs and we don’t believe that Atlas intended any disrespect, either. Their DJ came from elsewhere in Indonesia and didn’t seem to understand the local culture and wasn’t out to cause offense.
But we do think we’re going to see more beach clubs leaning into the local food culture (who doesn’t love some babi guling – the local roast sucking pig?) and things like kecak fire dances could soon become popular on the DJ stands.
The aim isn’t just to cut down on drama with the local people, it’s also to help give people a feel of “old Bali”.
And in turn, it’s also about hiring more locals and supporting the local community. A big beach club, like FINNS, has over 2,000 Indonesian staff and of those staff, more than 1,800 are Balinese! That’s a big win for the island.
So, cultural respect is a win for every party in the beach club scene and we expect more cultural activities from almost every angle.
Technology For Next Level Parties?
We’re in the age of AI and that means technology is going to change immeasurably over the next few years in ways that we at Bali’s Best Beach Clubs can’t even begin to imagine.
However, there’s no doubt that we expect to see some beach clubs launch their own apps along with loyalty programs, QR code ordering and things like entertainment schedules delivered to the handset.
We recently saw FINNS introduce a cool technology program where influencers can pay for their food, drinks and tobacco with likes (seriously).
We could also see some beach clubs experimenting with VR (virtual reality) or AR (augmented reality) as the technology improves. Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to actually see the view from your daybed before you click the book button?
Maybe, you could do a headset at the daybed that adds a ton of visual elements to an already near hallucinatory sunset sky?
And there’s even the possibility of live-streaming sets to the world. FINNS New Year’s Eve is always sold out and the biggest party on the island, imagine if they decided to let millions more people join in on the fun from their couch on the other side of the world?
Technology could bring about the “I’m here, but we’re everywhere” age of entertainment and leisure.
The Entertainment Revolution: Keeping Customers After Dark
It’s not all that long ago when the majority of beach clubs were day clubs. You turned up, lounged about by the pool, had a nice lunch, drained a few mojitos and then just after sunset, you were sent packing to the pubs, bars or nightclubs around you.
Yet, today, there’s no doubt that this isn’t how most beach clubs operate and on the extreme end of the spectrum you have places like Atlas and Potato Head offering full nightclubs that offer dancing until dawn experiences.
Luna has its own “secret rave cave” and the legends at FINNS have mastered the after-dark performance with dancers, entertainers, light shows and much more to keep people glued to their seats long after the sun’s gone down.
We expect to see much more of this with daybed areas that convert into dance floors, menus that reflect lunch time casual being transformed into night time chic.
Bali is the home of the best nightlife in Southeast Asia and we expect to see beach clubs do more than just encroach on this scene, we’d expect them to have the lion’s share by the end of the next decade.
Niching Down: Creating Beach Clubs For Everyone
While FINNS may set the standard here as the world’s best beach club, not every beach club here is competing for the same customers and style as FINNS does.
Think Flamingo Beach Club and its foam parties and beach BBQs for families, Atlas is also exclusively aiming for the family market now. Chilling by the coast at La Brisa with its lanterns and low key energy. The ridiculously pricey and luxurious Woobar. And so on…
Yet, we’re 100% certain that the possible niches here haven’t even been casually mined. Why is there a Hard Rock Hotel on the island, but not a single beach club with a rock/pop vibe rather than a dance music one?
Where’s the surfer’s specialist beach club with lessons, board rentals, wave cams, etc. as part of the experience?
Atlas may have implemented a wellness area but we don’t see how that works next to the ridiculous noise of their main beach club. We do expect to see an entirely wellness-focused beach club arrive on the island though. In fact, we hear there may be one in Pererenan soon which may have its own onsite gym.
We think that niche clubs are a guarantee and that there are many very profitable niches just going begging in Bali’s beach club scene. Sometimes, it’s better to be a leader than a follower.
Cliffside Clubs Vs Beach Front Clubs: The Battle For The Best Locations
Canggu is the place to be in Bali right now as we go to press in 2025. It’s the island’s most popular spot and the fact that FINNS, Atlas, Cafe Del Mar, Mar, La Brisa, etc. are based in the area is no accident.
But there’s also a bit of a goldrush in Uluwatu and Ungasan where the “beach clubs” are often “cliff clubs” raised high above the sands with jaw dropping views and glass-bottomed pools stretching out over the ocean.
And in the popular beach towns there’s an ever dwindling amount of land to go around – so we’re going to see this scene starting to get more creative with locations.
We’d expect Keramas or Kabupaten to get its first serious beach club brand (rather than a small local or hotel-based one) in the near future. The area on the South Coast up past Luna is sure to see development too.
The Nusa Islands surely have space for a few more beach clubs and these offshore islands are growing in popularity with holiday makers too.
One thing we’re certain of, is that there’s going to come a time when if you want the best views in Bali, you will need to be inside a beach club to enjoy them.
Flexing The Food & Drink: Michelin Starred Bali Beach Clubs?
Then, we come to the food and there’s no doubt that many of the beach clubs on the island hold a high standard for food.
But, there’s nothing that steps over the line from “great restaurant food” to “fine dining” quite yet and we think that’s going to be the next major evolution here on the island.
We’re waiting anxiously to see what FINNS new upmarket restaurant will look like in the new beach club, but until then will we see a Michelin-Starred Bali Beach Club?
No. But not because we don’t think that beach clubs won’t attain that standard of food quality, but because the Michelin Guide doesn’t operate in Indonesia. So, it doesn’t matter how good the food is – it can’t get a Michelin Star.
So, Jeremy Hunt at Ku De Ta’s Saltlick may turn up the quality notch, but it won’t take a star.
It wouldn’t surprise us if some enterprising club decided to form a partnership with a celebrity chef either. We’ve already got Jamie Oliver and Wolfgang Puck’s chain properties on the island, why not integrate something similar into a beach club?
And we’d also expect to see some of the smaller clubs distinguish themselves by going down the artisanal route. “The most-exclusive coffee on the island” could be a big draw for guests seeking something less alcohol-oriented.
Ocean-to-table and farm-to-table strategies should also turn up and, perhaps, even a nose-to-tail beach club or a vegan beach club will also arrive in due course.
Food isn’t just an excuse for a party, it can be the whole reason for guests to turn up at a beach club and we feel that this avenue has been hugely underexploited by beach clubs so far.
The Challenges Facing Beach Clubs In Bali
Let’s not be all rose-tinted glasses though, there are some serious challenges for Bali and the beach clubs to overcome in the near future:
- Overcrowding – many tourist spots are getting completely packed to the seams, particularly during the dry season/high season. The Christmas week is the worst of this when holidaymakers have found themselves having to walk to the airport and abandon their rides when the traffic system here has become completely overloaded. This is an issue that needs tackling at the government level but it’s certainly something that the leading beach clubs can help to promote discussions around.
- Traffic – even in the less busy times of year, the rush hour here in Bali is legendary and parking is ever more problematic. Many beach clubs have their own parking but could they start to implement their own transport services too? A shout out to FINNS who have introduced a local shuttle service in Berawa, already.
- Land – the more beach clubs there are, the more that competition for prime real estate rises, the more it costs, the higher the prices in the beach clubs will be. This is a vicious cycle and one that every potential investor is going to need to consider carefully before they get into the game.
- Cultural tensions – much of the cultural issue here is exaggerated by the local media and many of the beach clubs already work well with local leaders. But there’s no doubt that some Balinese are becoming distressed by what they see as a foreign monopoly (even though most beach clubs are owned in whole or in part by locals with a few exceptions) taking over the island without any respect for its culture. We expect to see beach clubs not just taking more active roles in local partnerships but also becoming more PR savvy. There’s a balance between keeping the tourists happy and giving respect to the soul of Bali after all.
We don’t think that any of these challenges is insurmountable and we’re confident that the best beach clubs here in Bali will overcome these hurdles and go on to continue making Bali one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few beach clubs fall by the wayside too for not taking the challenges here seriously enough.
What’s It Going To Feel Like As Beach Clubs Evolve In Bali?
On this our crystal ball is a little cloudy, one thing we’re certain of is that FINNS will keep stepping up its game and much of the island’s beach club scene will try and follow.
But overall, we think we’ll see some go bigger and bolder than before with a sprinkling of smarter and greener.
We also think that the niche club is going to be a serious contender for specialist holiday spending. There are people on our team who’d love a rock or metal beach club, others that would kill for a place that got the 70s/80s/90s vibe down to a T and so on…
Some of us would also be tickled pink if we got an anime-style beach club.
And the one thing we are certain of is that Bali’s beach club scene isn’t going to fade into the sunset, it’s just going to go from strength-to-strength.
In fact, we think it will continue to lead the world for a decade or two, yet. The talent amassed on the island now is a seriously formidable group of people who are still determined to shoot for the moon on a daily basis.
FAQs
What Is The Number One Beach Club In Bali?
The answer to this question is FINNS Beach Club and it’s the question we get asked most often here at Bali’s Best Beach Clubs.
Not only does it top our list of the best beach clubs on the island, but it’s also the world’s best beach club.
Their incredible blend of entertainment, gorgeous sunset views, aesthetic chic, world-class service, food and drink, just can’t be matched by anywhere else on Earth today.
The amazing thing is that FINNS never sits on its laurels and they keep improving, yesterday is never the same as today. And it’s not that expensive, either, many of the other lesser beach clubs cost more money.
When To Go To FINNS Beach Club Bali?
The busiest time at FINNS is when the most people are on the island and in the mood for a party and that means high season weekends. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are always killer days if you want high-octane fun.
However, there’s never a bad time to go to FINNS. It’s usually full even when its nearest rivals are empty. And in the low season, there’s definitely an extra special effort put in to keep you entertained and there are promos and offers to boost the already incredible value for money.
What Is The Biggest Beach Club In Indonesia?
By reputation, the biggest beach club in Indonesia is FINNS Beach Club. By land area, we think it’s Atlas Beach Club but there are others that are reasonably similar in area too.
FINNS gets nearly 2 million visitors a year pass through its doors, which is an incredible thing. Many of its customers are repeat customers – unusual in a holiday hotspot. And their reviews are excellent too.
Who Owns FINNS Beach Club Bali, Now?
FINNS Beach Club is owned by a shareholder consortium and the main shareholders are an Australian businessman, Tony Smith and a local businessman, Mr I Ketut Subina.
Who Owns Atlas In Bali?
Atlas is owned by a consortium of investors in Jakarta known as the Holywings Group. There is no individual investor with a majority shareholding in this group.
Which Country Has The Best Beach Clubs In The World?
In 2024, we believe the best beach clubs in the world are in Bali. There’s definitely competition from old stalwarts like Ibiza and Miami and from new upstarts like Tulum and Dubai, but with over 100 beach clubs and the world’s biggest names in beach clubs – Bali is out in front.
We’d expect it to stay that way through the next decade, at least, and we will, of course, update things if that changes.
Final Thoughts On The Future Of Beach Clubs In Bali
Everyone who visits Bali wants to spend time at a beach club. That’s the current trend, it’s the future trend and it’s the one that matters most.
Whether someone wants a clifftop rave, a family-friendly pool party, or a chill out session by the Indian Ocean, there’s something for everyone already.
But as we go forward, the trends we’ve outlined above culture, sustainability, technology, etc. are going to take beach clubs here to the next level.
So, the next time you visit FINNS or Potatohead, remember you’re part of the start of something really special. It’s going to be almost as epic as the Bali sunset.
