All You Need to Know about Bali Nightlife

Hello, welcome to Bali. Read on for everything you need to know about Bali nightlife. [Updated June 2023]

Balinese nightlife is centered in the southern tourist areas of Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu. After that it is Ubud, Sanur and, once the king of Bali nightlife, but now coming in the way behind, Kuta. There is hope for a Kuta resurgence, but we’ll leave that for later.

Kuta

Kuta was the original party zone of Bali nightlife and the place that back packers, surfers and first time visitors invariably arrived for their first taste of Bali. Cheap accommodation, cheap beer and buzzing at all hours with people from all parts of the world is what Kuta is all about. The demographic has changed in the Kuta area over the past few years as Canggu and Uluwatu have taken a lot of the surfie backpacker youth away, but Kuta nightlife still rocks seven nights a week for a certain crowd. The dress code is very casual; wear your shorts, T-shirt and why not, the ubiquitous Bintang singlet if you like it and you will feel right at home.

Seminyak

Meanwhile, Seminyak has always been the more sophisticated end of Bali nightlife. Luxury villas, classy people and fine dining is the situation in this situation sometimes pricey and up-market enclave of expats and higher-end tourists. Seminyak is back and buzzing since Covid finished. It’s still the place to get dressed up in your coolest linen for a night on the town. Seminyak nightlife is now busy seven nights a week and mainly around Jalan Petitenget and Oberoi where you can find La Favela, Mexicola and Shishi, Red Ruby, amongst many others. Potato Head, Ku De Ta and W Bali also have big events. Also the most busy night for an alternative crowd is Jalan Dhyana Pura.

Canggu

Canggu is just north of Seminyak and in the last ten years became the new playground for the laid-back style, with young international tourists flocking to Bali on a digital nomad tip and hipster ride. Loads of hipsters, surfies and Euros are riding around on their bikes, no-helmets, shirts off looking for hotspots likes Sand Bars, Old Man’s, God, Finns Beach Club, The Lawn or Miss Fish, Morabito, The Shady Pig and a whole bunch of new western influenced bars and restaurants similar to Seminyak a few years ago, but with a new and definitely hipster twist. Berawa, Batu Bolong and Echo Beach are the spots. Pererenan is fast catching up. Well worth a look and a play.

Uluwatu

The Uluwatu area has been bound out of the gates in the past couple of years and taken Bali by storm. The uber-stylish Savaya Day Club, formally Omnia, has become one of the most popular venues on the Bali map since opening at the beginning of 2018. Most weekends there are international superstar DJs on the decks. Another top notch venue in the area is Ulu Cliff Housewhich has been very busy, large events and cozier shows on the lower deck right next to the water. Taboo is the latest hotspot in the new Uluwatu town (you could call it) on the weekends with Bali’s best DJs performing. with El Kabron, Karma Kandara’s Karma Beach and Sundays Beach Club down the road offering great chilled beach-side action, and Single Fin and the other warungs all going nuts at sunset overlooking the Uluwatu surf break, popping just about every day and especially Sunday evenings, Uluwatu has a lot to offer. And let’s not forget the glorious white sand beaches with crystal clean water down that way, too!

Ulu Cliffhouse often has big international live acts on the main stage

Jimbaran & Nusa Dua

Jimbaran made its name with the fish stalls dotted along the long white beach from the airport to the Four Seasons Resort of Jimbaran Bay. Those beach side seafood restaurants continue to pack punters every night of the week. Four Seasons’ Sundara restaurant right on the beach has tasty sunset sessions with chilled DJs and live music action, and one of the most famous bars in town, the RockBar (pictured below) is up the road at the Ayana Resort. Rock Bar is breathtaking and set right on the water’s edge, but go early before sunset as it’s always busy and has a queue for the inclinator, but you can can always walk down on the left side. Further down the road to Nusa Dua, you can find, Manarai Beach House, which has excellent dining and the perfect spot for a Sunday laze by the beach or pool. The Sunday brunches in the Nusa Dua five-star hotels are also worth the drive.

The spectacular Rock Bar at Ayana is normally a lot busier than this pic implies

Sanur

Sanur was the first tourist area of Bali going way back to the 1930s with the likes of Charlie Chaplin or artist Miguel Cervantes staying there on holiday and no doubt having a night out or two. Sanur now, like then, has a languid, chilled out approach to life. There are a number of dining options along Jl. Tamblingan Lake and the hotels along the beach. There are also a bunch of casual restaurants on the promenade along the beach that are well worth a try. Nightlife is limited to a few sports bars and old-timer restaurants and bars. There are also a few of live music joints, Casablanca being a standout.

There are plenty of options for nightlife and entertainment in Bali. Everyone is covered from the backpacker looking for a bamboo beach hut experience to the high-end roller dining in some of the best fine dining restaurants in the world, there is really something for everyone. It may take a while, or a couple of trips to figure out the island’s magic nightlife scene for yourself, or just click the links below for more current information on Bali nightlife.