Bali Nightlife Guide
Kuta Beach, Seminyak Beach, Sanur & Nusa Dua Beach
Life in Bali after dark starts late, nearing midnight; even in
Kuta where the whole evening will be very quiet. But come the stroke
of 12, and just like Cinderella, Bali's night spots and in-places
will pulsate and throb with fun, music and revelry. So, when planning
a night out, don't start too early.
Tourists on the prowl for a spot of companionship and fun will
find in every corner of Sanur and Kuta, like-minded travelers, locals
and future friends! The plus point is that all taxi drivers also
know the popular and up-to-date karaoke, bars, clubs, nightclubs
and discos anywhere on the island at night.
Kuta Beach Nightlife
Party central. Kuta at night refers to the area extending about
7km north of the original village of Kuta. This area now includes
Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa.
The Kuta area is the epicenter of Bali's nightlife. The majority
of Bali's better entertainment places offer anything and everything
a 'night owl' would want. Located at the center of the original
village are Kuta's many open-air pubs and discos.
Entrance to bars is usually free with special drinks promotions
and Happy Hours from 6pm to 9pm, and sometimes even longer. Jalan
Legian and Jalan Padma have the biggest concentration
of watering holes.
Take up the option of joining surfers to guzzle beer, play pool
and watch surfing videos at Tubes Café. Or drop by the eye-catching
and uniquely sailship-shaped Bounty Restaurant I, which sways
to the music of its dance floor till dawn. Other happening outlets
in town are the trendy 66 Club (but say 'double six'), terrific Goa 201 Pub Restaurant and hyper chic Gado Gado.
For Kuta's magnetic live music, The Maccaroni Club is irresistible.
One of Bali's latest and most extraordinary, this place jazzes it
up every Sunday from 10.30pm and invites guests to jam along on
Friday nights.
For a rare and special combination of Balinese dancing and rock
bands near the beach, head straight for the Zero Six in Tuban;
while the new Hard Rock Café draws the crowds with
live music and pricey drinks.
Other live music spots include the Aussie-style 'pubs' along Jalan
Melasti and the semi-submerged Joni Sunken Bar & Restaurant.
Classier up-market hotels like the Bali Padma Hotel on Legian
Beach offer more relaxed entertainment.
Seminyak Beach Nightlife
Seminyak has the most sophisticated nightlife in Bali with new
chic bars, clubs and restaurants opening every week. Full on and
funky this area draws in people with creative skills such as young
fashion designers and artists which has given the area a lively
but classy nightlife.
Sanur Beach Nightlife
Sanur at night is a wealth of restaurants and international hotels
offering traditional Balinese dancing most nights. Sports enthusiasts
may also want to check out the Bali International Sports Club.
Jalan Pantai Sidhu has Rumours Nightclub which possibly
attracts the biggest dance crowd in Sanur, chiefly tourists and
beach boys. Popular with Denpasar yuppies and tourists is the slick Bali Janger disco in Jalan Danau. But if you prefer the beat
of live reggae, there is the Puri Mango Guest House.
In Blanjong, south Sanur, is Jalan By-Pass 9X, home to the marvelous
air-conditioned Koki Pub & Restaurant. This friendly
spot is the popular haunt of many foreigners who drop in for a chat
with the pub's affable Austrian manager and his friendly team of
waitresses while "chowing" down large portions of satisfying
German/Austrian home cooked fare at very reasonable prices.
This great hangout offers a good game of Billiards to those interested,
and stays open until the last guest decides to leave. For more variety,
visit the Trophy Pub, in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel, and the
Borneo Pub, on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, also extremely happy meeting
places
Ubud Nightlife
Entertainment in Ubud is more traditional and cultural. Gently
sedate without being boring, there are intriguing and compelling
types of traditional Balinese dances performed nightly in several
places, both in and around Ubud.
The closest thing to a pub in all of Ubud is Beggar's Bush Pub,
but this outlet boasts of 4 levels surrounded by wonderfully breathtaking
views. Ubud Restaurant, Yogyakarta Café, Casa Luna and Bamboo Restaurant are among the many restaurants in Ubud, which
offer showings of free videos every other night.
Candidasa Nightlife
The Pandan Harum Dance Stage, literally meaning 'fragrant
pandan', in the heart of Candidasa stages traditional Balinese dance
on Tuesday and Friday evenings. While the Candi Agung Warung restaurant offers Balinese dance.
Chez Lilly and Raja's are pleasant eateries with video
movies, but for live music and dancing in Candidasa, seek out the Legend Rock Café.
Lovina Nightlife
Lovina's hotel restaurants like the Rambutan Beach Cottages,
offer mesmerizing traditional dancing and Balinese buffet meals
or Dutch-style rijsttafel. Or try to find out the latest events
at the Geweka Budaya Dance Stage, although Lovina's social
scene does center on Malinu Club. Video nights at Warung
Karma Padang Lovina and Bali Apik restaurants are the
favourite haunts of families, either visiting or staying in Bali.
When the sun finally decides to rise again on spectacular Bali,
the sights, seas and sounds of Bali will once again, take center
stage. For who would want to party in the face of such breathless
beauty? - Bali's 'Critters of the night', of course!
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