The best bars and nightlife in Bali
The Bukit Peninsula (Bali's far south) has also seen rapid development, with new beach clubs and bars opening almost every week. Nightlife here tends to focus on the beach areas and vibrant Ubud town, but with more than 400 miles of coastline, there are enough spots to appeal to everyone, whether you're looking for a party zone or a chilled sunset cocktail venue. Here are some of the finest.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Bali. Find out more below, or for more Bali inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants, things to do and beaches.
Best beach-front venues
Rock Bar
Named more for the geological setup than the style of music, this incredibly exciting nightspot at Ayana Resort and Spa is the setting for a night out that you'll talk about long after your holiday has ended. The evening begins with the funicular ride (expect queues) down to the waveside grotto – and it just gets wilder and more exciting. The Round Deck, a private VIP island high above the crashing waves, is the centre point of this incredible 880-seat venue.
FINNS Beach Club
Much more than a mere nightlife venue, FINNS is a Bali institution. It's often described as the world's best beach club and some people come to the Island of the Gods specifically to visit. Dedicated party-goers sometimes arrive before lunch and keep going until closing time at midnight. This adults-only venue is vast and, while the music varies, the background beat is cleverly maintained across the three pools, 11 bars and two 'party restaurants'.
La Plancha
Styled on a Spanish chiringuito (beach bar), this spot is perhaps the best-value nightlife venue on the island. La Plancha, meaning grill in Spanish, serves great meals – from Cajun chicken skewers to snapper ceviche – and tapas-style snacks. Most visitors are drawn for sundowner cocktails and live music, but all enjoy the beanbags that sit beneath a kaleidoscope of parasols. This wide section of beach is great for people-watching, with beach volleyball, football and surfing coming to a climax around sunset.
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Best bars for a laid-back vibe
Pinstripe Bar
It's like stepping back in time to the roaring '20s when you walk into Bali's most glamorous and romantic speakeasy-style venue. This soulful, atmospheric and supremely cool bar often serves as a nightcap spot for those who have just enjoyed a seven-course degustation menu at neighbouring Apéritif restaurant – part of Viceroy Bali. Yet Pinstripes should be considered a destination in its own right. Order from a tantalising menu or ask head mixologist Panji to rustle up something bespoke.
Single Fin Bali
A super-cool retro beach hangout where you can gaze down on the surfers challenging Uluwatu's famous waves. Single Fin Sundays are a regular fixture for many islanders and expats who come for the laid-back vibe and comfort food; fish and chips, tacos and well-stacked burgers. The Guinness beef stew is a firm favourite and the Last Wave cocktail, a fruity mix of spiced rums and absinthe, serves as the finest possible accompaniment to an Uluwatu sunset.
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Best for music
The Iron Fairies Bali
Award-winning designer Ashley Sutton has created this magical nightspot by transforming a 500-capacity venue in the heart of Seminyak into a stylised Australian mine. It's tooled in hand-hewn timber, leather and – you guessed it – iron. A mind-bending combination of industrial steampunk and avant-garde chic, this incredible venue (open until 3am) is considered by many to be the place to be seen in Bali. The live music and sophisticated cocktail menu are added incentives to visit.
Area: Seminyak
Website: theironfairies.com
Price: £££
Getting in: Strictly no beach wear or vests
Motel Mexicola
If it's margaritas that rock your boat, then this place, offering six different recipes, is unmissable. If you're a fan of mezcal, even more so – there are almost a dozen varieties on the menu. Looking for great dance music from celebrated DJs? You'll find that too. This is almost certainly Bali's most colourful nightspot; full of typically flamboyant Mexican flair and excellent Mexican cuisine. Motel Mexicola celebrates everything from Mexican Independence Day to Day of the Dead and International Margarita Day.
Savaya
Uluwatu's trendiest nightspot is the venue for some of Bali's hottest DJs. The cliff top location, high over Uluwatu's crashing waves, is absolutely sublime – especially at sunset when the ocean seems to turn to fire. Savaya is often rated as Asia's premier spot for clubbing and is focused around a sinuous infinity pool. Since it opens at 1pm, it's also an ideal daytime pool hangout.
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Best for cocktails
Sundara
Just 20 minutes after leaving Bali's international airport, you can find yourself sitting in front of a 57m infinity pool overlooking Jimbaran's white sand, sipping a zero-waste tropical cocktail: try the Mangrove Revival, an irresistibly zesty, fruity and fresh gin and absinthe combo topped with a mangrove flower. Sundara is part of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and the Day At The Bay package includes a Sundara lunch.
The Shady Pig
Vintage bootleg Bali, with all the intrigue and mystery of the 1920s prohibition era, comes alive at this secret spot in Canggu. The password that gains you access changes daily. Find it by contacting them via WhatsApp or Instagram, although you'll still have to use some detective work to find the exact location – unless the queue outside gives you a clue. It's a tiny, cosy venue with a great vibe and even better cocktails. Try the barrel-aged Negroni or the Sexy Colada.
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How we choose
Every bar in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
About our expert
Mark Eveleigh
I first fell in love with West Bali during a surf trip 25 years ago. Since then, I've returned at every opportunity and, whenever I'm not on assignment, I write from a bamboo and thatch house in the West Balinese village of Pekutatan.
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