Our friends on the beach club scene love to party and many of you have been asking where the best parties are in Bali. After all, there’s no doubt that this island’s nightlife scene is world famous.
You can rock out on the beach, dance until dawn in one of the mega-clubs, sip cocktails in chic speakeasies, enjoy the fun at the beach clubs, and much more here. This island has a night out for every single person on the planet to enjoy.
But where do you go? How do you have the best time when you’re new to the island? That’s what this guide is for, to help you get the most out of Bali’s nightlife.
Where Are The Best Areas For Nightlife In Bali?
There are very places in Bali where you can’t find, at least, one pub or bar to spend an evening but there are six areas of the island that are famous for their nightlife.
These are the places where you’re most likely to have a great night out surrounded by other like-minded souls.
Canggu: The Premier Spot For Party Fun
Canggu has come a long way in the last decade and it’s the most in-demand tourist spot on the island. Wander down its alleyways and streets and you’ll discover Instagram-worthy cafes, delightful fine dining, humble warungs and an awful lot of beach clubs, night clubs, bars and pubs.
In fact, the nightlife scene in Canggu is so popular that you’ll often find that restaurants and cafes in this area transform in the evenings and shake off their traditional image to act as bars and party spots.
It’s impossible to be too far from a party in Canggu but if you want three top spots, check out:
- FINNS Beach Club – they say they want to create the world’s best beach party experience every single day at FINNS and we think that they do. It’s an amazing place that’s always buzzing with energy and fun. If you want to make new friends and party all day long, this is the place to be.
- Atlas Super Club – the beach club at Atlas isn’t great and we hear on the grapevine, things are getting worse sadly, but the Super Club is the largest nightclub on the island and it’s easy to get to after FINNS closes and you’re still in the mood for a few drinks.
- Old Man’s – this is, without a doubt, the number one spot for cheap beers by the sea in Canggu and with no door fee or minimum spend, we recommend getting there in happy hour and really getting the party started.
Seminyak: Still Shining Brightly
Seminyak’s lost its crown as the best party spot on the island to Canggu, but there’s still enough in this area to keep most people entertained. Just be aware that Seminyak has always tried to cultivate an “aspirational” image and nights out here tend to cost more than in Canggu or Kuta. We’d recommend:
- Ku De Ta – it’s not quite up to FINNS’ standard but Bali’s first beach club is still doing a pretty good job of pumping out the tunes by ocean waves and giving people an excellent space to let their hair down and party to the max.
- Mirror Lounge & Club – this night club is a glamorous spot for those that really want to look their best on a night out. The cocktail menu is great and surprisingly intricate given that it’s a club not a pub and the Gothic-style interior will look awesome in your Insta-feed too.
- Baker Street Social – a too cool for school speakeasy where those in the know gather to enjoy custom made drinks in a very vibrant atmosphere. It’s hard to find and it’s closed all day on Sundays but it’s worth the effort of hunting down all the same.
Kuta: Past Its Heyday But Still With Plenty To Offer
Kuta was once the most popular place to be in Bali, but the crowds have moved on and the area isn’t as pretty as it used to be. However, it still does a roaring trade catering to those on tighter budgets and nights out in Kuta are legendary for being cheap but very cheerful. Why not try:
- Engine Room Bali – one of the big players in the nightclub scene here, Engine Room hosts some of the best DJs on the island. There’s always a crowd in the mood for a dance and there are four different bars, each with their own DJ booth, to keep you entertained.
- Sky Garden Bali – it’s a bit of a legend in the local scene but the service can be a bit hit and miss. If you’re in the mood for taking a gamble, it can be a great night out, particularly if you opt for the VIP bottle service.
- The Seven Rooftop Bar – it’s not heavy on the party vibe, but they usually have a live band on here and it offers some great views out over the beach and ocean below. They also serve reasonably priced and tasty international food, if you need to line your stomach before a heavy sesh.
Ubud: The Only Party Spot In Central Bali
Ubud definitely doesn’t have the same intense party vibe as the Southern beach towns but the days of this town only catering to the yoga set are long gone. If you want a night out, there are plenty of good bars waiting for you including:
- The Laughing Buddha Bar – this spot is something of a backpacker favourite and it tends to get very crowded around happy hour. There’s usually live music all night long here and we’d recommend making a reservation if you want to be sure of a table.
- The Melting Pot Saloon – if you’re more into interaction than music, this very lively bar has a bunch of pub games for you to get involved in that soon have you making friends. There’s no need to book ahead, it’s busy but there’s always space for one more.
- The Blue Door Bali – the club lounge here has regular DJ sets and dancing into the wee small hours of the morning. They also have a more regular pub area next door for cocktails and food.
Uluwatu And Ungasan: Fun Enough But Pub Crawls Are Impossible
These two areas with very much blurred boundaries on the Bukit Peninsula are becoming more and more popular with visitors to Bali. However, they are very spread out and it’s impossible to go bar hopping due to the distances involved, you pick a venue and then stick with it for the evening, in the main. Check out:
- Single Fin Bali – this cliffside club is super popular with the surfers in the area and while it does have a minimum spend, it’s not unreasonable. They have DJs performing all day long in this spot which means you can always find your groove here. It gets super packed at sunset though.
- Minoo Beach Club – the pool area is a bit crowded and the techno can be very much of the cheesy-side but this small beach club is good fun and while it’s pricier than it should be, for this area, it’s not that expensive.
- Rock Bar – the bar is named after the rock formation on the beach, not the music that it plays. If you want a swanky (and genuinely expensive) night out this is the place to be seen in.
Nusa Dua: Family-Friendly Nightlife
OK, so Nusa Dua is not where you go out to party but more where you find a nice hotel bar and enjoy a refined evening of company with friends. Some places to check out here include:
- The Beat Boat – this actually is a party experience, you can book the whole boat or join a group for a cruise out into the ocean with a fully stocked bar, DJs and lots of fun. It’s not the cheapest night out, but it is kind of awesome and unique.
- East Lobby Lounge at The Conrad – if you want a swish cocktail spot with a dramatic view of the beach, then you can’t go wrong here. The cocktails are also a tribute to the local culture which is kind of cool.
- Salsa Bar at The Grand Hyatt – a very upscale bar with an excellent line in apricot brandy which will put you in the mood for their onsite Balinese dance performances (where you will be given and expected to wear a traditional local costume).
How To Make Sure You Have A Great Time On A Night Out In Bali
We’ve got a few handy tips for you to ensure that you have the best possible time when you go out in Bali:
- It’s always best to check the venue’s dress code before you leave – most places here in Bali are all about casual and couldn’t care less what you wear, but some do, and it’s best to know what to wear before you get to the front door and get turned away.
- Ride sharing is the safest form of transport – Grab and Gojek are the best way to get home, they’re safe, the fare is fixed and they’ll ensure you don’t have to work down any dodgy dark alleys.
- Water is an essential part of a good time here – it’s hot and humid in Bali all year round, that means alcohol hits harder and it’s easy to become very dehydrated, make sure to have a glass of water as your every 2nd or 3rd drink to stay safe
- Common sense matters – Bali is very safe but you should still watch over your possessions and only accept drinks from strangers in trustworthy circumstances
- Behave appropriately – Ballinese people don’t tend to drink a lot, but they’re happy for you to do so and for you to enjoy good times, but they do expect you to treat Bali with respect and not to run around naked. These aren’t hard rules to follow.
What Is There To Do At Night In Bali?
Bali is stacked with things to in the evenings and night and these are just a few of the options open to you:
- Beach Clubs – that’s why we’re here at Bali’s Best Beach Clubs, Bali has the best beach club scene on Earth and places like FINNS make partying at beach clubs a joy.
- Night Clubs – Bali’s night club scene might not be quite in the same league as Ibiza’s but there are some awesome clubs here on the island.
- Rooftop Bars – with all the posh resort developments along the shoreline, it won’t come as a surprise that there are a lot of excellent rooftop bars offering cocktails and views.
- Bars and Pubs – the entire island has plenty of bars and pubs to ensure that tourists never have to worry about quenching their thirst.
- Live Music Places – while EDM may dominate the beach clubs and night clubs, you can also find places like Gimme Shelter, where live music is the order of the day. There’s everything from cutting edge Indonesian bands to cover bands playing everyone’s favourite hits.
- Night Markets – the night markets aren’t places to party, but you can find cheap food and cold beers for reasonable prices in these places.
- Cabarets – things like the Devdan Show in Nusa Dua aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they do make for a break from the norm in the evening.
- Cultural Performances – the local equivalent of a night at the opera, from shadow puppet displays to dance performances, there’s always something interesting for the culture vultures to enjoy.
FAQs
When Do Bars And Clubs Stay Open Until In Bali?
The majority of venues here that are nightlife oriented will stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. However, that’s not a hard and fast rule and some may close at midnight and others stay open until the last customer leaves (like at Friends Bar in Canggu – one of our favourite after hours watering holes).
The best thing to do is check with the venue before you plan your night, opening hours aren’t a secret and they’re often listed on Google too.
Is It Safe To Party In Bali?
There is no place on Earth where people are drinking alcohol where your safety is guaranteed on a night out but Bali is, generally speaking, a very safe place.
If you do find yourself around people giving off bad vibes, move away from them, and as long as you don’t let your drinks out of your sight, you should have a great time without any downsides.
What’s The Legal Drinking Age In Indonesia?
The official drinking age in Indonesia is 21. The odds of it being enforced are roughly zero on most nights out. There are a very few venues that might ask to see ID but we’ve never found them.
Is Tipping Expected In Bars And Cubs In Bali?
No, tipping is most definitely not expected in Bali. You will hear a lot of people going on about how poor people are here, but wait staff are actually paid a decent wage in most places and there is a tip already added to every bill on the island in the form of a service charge.
And yes, those service charges are distributed to the staff, by law.
However, if you want to tip, please do so. We’ve never heard of anyone being offended by being given a decent tip.
Where’s The Best Nightlife In Bali?
Canggu is where the best nightlife in Bali is at the moment. The area just has so many great options for a night out. Though, you’ll find the Best Beach Clubs in Bali staff at FINNS as often as not.
What’s The Best Party Street On The Island?
There are several party streets in Bali and they all have their own vibe, there’s Jalan Legian over in Kuta, Jalan Petitenget and Jalan Laksmana Oberoi in Seminyak and our favourites Jalan Pantai Berawa and Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong in Canggu.
Are Drugs Available In Bali?
Yes, drugs are sold in Bali. No, it’s not a good idea to buy drugs in Bali. Indonesia has the death penalty for drug offences and it has used this option on foreigners in the past.
At the moment, you are not likely to be executed, but we’re not sure that a life sentence in an Indonesian jail is a better option.
Bali is a bad place to get involved with drugs. You should know that if you are caught, then your embassy cannot help you and that the local people and local media will cheer if your sentence is severe.
Why Is Bali’s Nightlife So Popular?
Bali’s nightlife is super popular because it’s way cheaper than it is in most Western cities, sure it might not the THE cheapest in Southeast Asia, but compared to a night out in Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York, etc. it’s cheap.
It’s also very varied and you can always find your people and your scene here, the crowd tends to be diverse and friendly and there’s very little attitude to spoil your good times.
Final Thoughts On A Night Out In Bali
Bali is an amazing place for a night out and as you can see from our list of nightlife venues and areas here on the island, you’re never too far away from a party.
Wherever you are in Bali, you’ll be able to find a pub or bar where you can settle in for an evening, but the best party spot of them all is FINNS Beach Club in Canggu.
