I’ve spent a great deal of time in Bali. While I used to visit every few years for the fun atmosphere, good waves, and cheap living expenses, these days, I only really pass through Bali on my way to other islands in Indonesia.
The reality is that things have changed in Bali, and not necessarily for the better. With such a gentle culture, beautiful beaches, tropical scenery, and an affordable cost of living that allows even budget travelers to live the high-life, it can only be expected that the island welcomes over five million visitors each year. For an island roughly the size of Delaware, that is a lot of tourists.
The first few times I visited the island, I was young and careless, and I took full advantage of the wild nightlife scene and cheap accommodation. I was a regular visitor of both Canggu and Uluwatu, two of the best neighborhoods for surfers. Every time I visited, I noticed a stark change in the once-tropical landscape, which was quickly filling up with new homestays, villas, and swanky beach bars.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There is still a lot to experience on The Island of the Gods, as long as you’re willing to take the bad with the good.
In this post, we’ll cover:
Food, Prices, and Vibes
One of the main attractions for those visiting the island of Bali is the food scene. Blessed with every tropical fruit under the sun, affordable imports, and an incredible local cuisine, Bali has taken the world by storm with its high-quality yet budget-friendly food options. Smoothie bowls and Buddha bowls were practically born on this island, with every street corner home to another cafe serving avo toast and chia-puddings.
While you’ll find some of the most delicious cafes and bistros across areas like Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, and Kuta, beach clubs and bars are typically not the best spots for a meal. Food at these bars and clubs is typically overpriced and average, even when it comes to portion size and taste.
On the topic of prices, some of the most popular beach bars and clubs ask for an upfront entrance fee. Omnia Bali and Finn’s Beach Club charge up to $32 per adult. Sunday’s Beach Club charges $41 but includes a $25 bar and food tab. While $30 might sound like a steal in other countries, it’s a hefty price when you compare it to the $3 nasi goreng dinner you had the night before…
When it comes to views and ambiance, your expectations will no doubt be exceeded in Bali. From panoramic sea views to lush jungle settings to well-maintained beach bars with clean swimming pools and facilities, there is not much negative to say about Bali’s beach bars and clubs.
Drinking in Bali
You can expect a bit more from drinks at Bali’s beach bars and clubs, although consuming alcohol here should come with a warning. First things first, you need to be 21 to order alcohol in Bali. My advice is to bring a few bottles of your favorite spirits into the country through Duty-Free.
Since alcohol is illegal across the rest of Indonesia, it’s exceptionally pricey on the small island of Bali. While Bali’s alcohol law is relaxed, there have been stories of small bars and local establishments mixing spirits with illegal alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning. In bars where you can’t confirm the contents of a drink, do yourself a favor and order a Bintang (local beer) to be on the safe side.
If you’re a cocktail lover like myself, you’ll be able to find just about every cocktail under the sun here. However, the cost of cocktails are expensive relative to other food and drinks in Bali, ranging from between $5 at a more local bar to over $13 at a well-known beach club. While you could technically purchase three smoothie bowls for the same price, it’s still a pretty decent price for a delicious cocktail on the beachfront. Can’t complain!
The Best Beach Bars and Clubs in Bali
Having spent plenty of seasons in Bali, I’ve found my niche in the smaller, more cozy bars and beach clubs. Here are some of my favorites:
Old Man’s, Canggu
Located in the heart of Canggu, Old Man’s is a laid-back beachfront bar that attracts a crowd of surfers, expats, and tourists. With a relaxed and casual ambiance, live music, and affordable drinks and food, Old Man’s is one of my regular favorites for starting a night out in Canggu.
There is no entrance fee, and it’s relatively easy to get in; however, it can get crowded during special events. There is something going on every night at Old Man’s, and they organize events like live music performances and themed parties on Fridays and Saturdays.
Motel Mexicola, Seminyak
I don’t visit the busy streets of Seminyak often, but when I do, Motel Mexicola tops the list. Motel Mexicola is one of my favorite spots purely because of its incredible ambiance. Decorated with colorful and vibrant Mexican interiors and artwork, every inch of the space is worth taking a photograph of.
Open throughout the day, the restaurant turns into a vibey bar come night time. Visited mainly by tourists, the crowd here is typically trendy and eclectic. There is no entrance fee, and you can expect to spend around $6 to $9 for one drink.
Single Fin, Uluwatu
Easily my favorite bar in Uluwatu, Single Fin is known for its Sunday evening ragers hosted weekly. Listening to the DJs getting started as I catch my last few waves out at Uluwatu will always be a core memory for me.
The bar is located on the cliff overlooking the iconic surf spot. To match the scenery, the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, attracting surfers and beachgoers. Other than Sundays, the music is usually pretty chilled. Sunset hours are the busiest, and naturally, Sunday evenings get super crowded.
A beer costs around $3, as is evident by the crates of empty bottles that get thrown out on Monday mornings.
The Lawns, Canggu
One of my favorite things about Bali is that you can begin your night out at midday, and the best place to do this is at The Lawns in Canggu. Perched on the beachfront with a swimming pool and floor seating under frilly umbrellas, playing relaxed music day in and day out, there are few places I spend as much time at as here.
That said, The Lawns is a prime example of how things have changed in Bali. When I first visited, the lawns were literally ‘lawns’ of lush grass, with just a mobile bar and umbrellas to get things going. Today, there is no denying that the astroturf, formal menu, priority seating, and VIP rooftop have totally changed the vibe.
The Lawns hosts beach parties with live bands and DJs as well as movie nights, with a stage set up on the swimming pool. Regardless of how much it has changed, it’s a good vibe, and I would totally recommend spending your Canggu days lounging around on the lawns.
La Brisa Bali, Canggu
One of the few beach bars on Echo Beach in Canggu, La Brisa boasts a rustic and boho-chic ambiance that somehow doesn’t feel like a pretentious beach club at all. It’s surrounded by lush jungle plants and invites the bare-foot, casual traveler to its shaded swimming pools and beachy terraces.
Paired with delicious cocktails and the neverending hum of the ocean, it easily tops my list of favorite beach clubs in Bali, no doubt. The club also features a restaurant with delicious food for a reasonable price.
Check out their website online for special events, as they often host live music performances, yoga classes, and even beach clean-ups.
Pretty Poison, Canggu
Pretty Poison is a skatepark-bar hybrid located in the rice terraces of Canggu. This edgy spot draws a totally unique crowd of surfers, skaters, and artists. They play rock and roll music and have a swimming pool turned skate bowl where local skateboarders show off their skills. Their schedule changes regularly, but they often host live bands, skateboarding competitions, and even art exhibitions.
When I first visited, the bar was located on what we called the ‘secret shortcut’ road, but with Bali’s booming tourism, this shortcut and road is by no means a secret anymore.
Finns Beach Club, Canggu
While I won’t be rushing back here anytime soon, Finns is absolutely worth checking out if it’s your first time in Bali. It’s one of Balis’s most famous beach clubs, sprawled across the beachfront in Canggu, offering an upscale atmosphere that can give off a bit of a pompous feel.
Grab a drink at one of the swim-up pool bars, relax on the comfortable loungers, and attend one of the prestigious parties.
Popular with international travelers, celebs, and socialites, entrance, drinks, and food are pricier here than at most other beach bars on the island. It’s an excellent spot to check out Bali’s social scene and maybe even spot a celebrity in the wild!
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