I already wrote an article about the 12 best nightclubs in Bali, but here I will focus on the nightlife areas and their specificities. I hope it will help you decide where to party, what kind of atmosphere to expect and how much you will spend. I will also recommend the best hotels in each area.
As usual, you can ask any question by leaving a comment at the end of the page and I will do my best to answer them.
Kuta
 |
| Skygarden from outside |
Though it has much improved in the past ten years (new sidewalks, new malls, new luxury resorts), it is still a rather lower-class area, popular mainly with Australians, Indonesians, and backpackers under 25 on a budget.
Clubbing in Kuta can be fun, especially if you are young. The atmosphere is similar to that of a massive frat party with an additional holiday vibe. Sure, the music sucks, you drink from plastic glasses and people are drunk way too early. But on the positive side, you meet people easily and you can score with basically any girl past 2 AM.
In general, there is no entrance fee (except in Skygarden after 11 PM) and the prices of drinks are cheap for Indonesia standards. A beer is around IDR40,000 and cocktails start at IDR80,000.
Where to Party in Kuta:
The biggest party zone in Kuta is located on Jalan Legian, near the Ground Zero monument (in memory of the 2002 Bali Bombing). There are at least 15 nightlife venues there, side by side.
The most famous is the 4-floor Skygarden nightclub. They have plenty of exciting promotions, some very interesting if you are a woman (free drinks on specific days - check their Facebook). The club has several dancefloors to choose from (EDM, Rn'B, Top 40) and a rooftop with old school hip-hop. Famous DJs play at least every week.
The other popular and recommended venues are Vi Ai Pi (live music), Apache ("reggae" bar with a long terrace) and maybe Eikon (for Australians). The renovated Engine Room is huge but too trashy. Elsewhere is often terrible, for instance in Paddy's or Bounty which are both bogans' territory. It doesn't hurt to have a look but don't say I didn't warn you.
You should know that in each club in Kuta, there is a fair number of prostitutes. If a girl stares at you for no reason, you can assume she is after your wallet.
Where to Stay in Kuta near the Nightlife:
Here are a few recommended hotels in Kuta walking distance from the nightclubs (Book early to get the best prices!)
- Harper Kuta (40$ per night, rated 8.3)
- Grand Barong Resort (50$ per night, rated 8.5)
- The Bene Hotel (70$ per night, rated 8.2)
- Citadines (70$ per night, rated 8.3)
- Sheraton Beachwalk Mall (160$ per night, rated 8.6)
Read more: Kuta Nightlife in 500 words and Best Girl-Friendly Hotels in Bali
Seminyak
 |
| Entrance of La Favela |
While the beach looks average, it is a great location for those who want to relax, eat well and receive spa treatments.
The Seminyak crowd is mostly made of upper-class Australians, rich Indonesians from Jakarta, European travelers, and expats living in Asia. Typically, they are between 25 and 45 years old.
Weekdays can be quiet, especially on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. On those days, it is better to go to Kuta instead.
Naturally, bars and nightclubs are rather expensive. A beer will cost you at least IDR50,000 and a cocktail over IDR110,000. Some venues have an entrance fee on weekends and a dress code, for instance, Mirror.
Where to Party in Seminyak:
Seminyak nightlife is spread out in at least 5 streets: Jalan Oberoi (officially Jalan Kayu Aya), Jalan Petitenget, Jalan Dhyana Pura (officially Jalan Camplung Tanduk), Jalan Double Six and, finally, in Jalan Batu Belig.
Jalan Oberoi is the best street for dining out and partying in Seminyak. Its heart is near the bar/club La Favela and it extends until the Italian restaurant Ultimo. Most venues are in the open-air so you can see which ones are interesting or not from outside. Apart from La Favela, the most happening spots are Red Carpet Champagne Bar, Rumors and Mexicola (in a parallel street).
5-minute away, Jalan Petitenget has more stylish venues, including several beachfront bars and restaurants (Potato Head, Mrs Sippy, Woo Bar, Kudeta). There are also small clubs and hip bars like Da Maria, Mirror, Hacienda or the newly-open Red Ruby (replacing The Elektrik which replaced Mint). At the end of Jalan Petitenget, near Batu Belig, the bar Jungle throws great parties every Friday. They are extremely popular with young expats and foreign residents.
Jalan Dhyana Pura is famous for having several small gay bars (Bali Joe, Mixwell, Bottoms Up) and LGBT-friendly clubs (Opivm, the new Wild House). You'll also find old-style live music pubs (Frankenstein's, Santa Fe).
Jalan Double Six is a tiny road along the beach. It used to have the best clubs in Bali but they were all razed and replaced with condominiums. Nowadays, two venues are worth a visit around sunset time: La Plancha (same owner as La Favela) and Cocoon. Every month, both organize a beach party and a pool party (respectively). Check their Facebook for more information.
Finally, the area of Batu Belig is near Canggu. It is rather trendy and less touristy than the rest of Seminyak. Some of the hippest venues in Bali are now located there, such as the beach club 707 (the equivalent of La Plancha 10 years ago).
Where to Stay in Seminyak near the Nightlife:
Near Jalan Oberoi
Ananda Hotel (45$, rated 8.4)
U Paasha (110$, rated 8.6)
Near Jalan Petitenget
Agura Bungalows Petitenget Beach (40$, rated 8.8)
W Retreat and Spa (Home of Woo Bar - 300$ per night, rated 9.0)
Near Jalan Dhyana Pura
Ping Hotel (40$, rated 8.5)
Tijili Hotel (55$, rated 8.8)
Courtyard by Marriott (200$, rated 8.8)
Near Double Six:
FuramaXclusiv Beach Hotel (70$, rated 8.1)
Double-Six Hotel (220$, rated 8.7)
Near Batu Belig:
This area has hundreds of private villas which can be great for parties. A recommended one is 007 Villa (180$, rated 9.2).
Read more: Seminyak Nightlife in less than 500 Words
Legian
 |
| Y Sports Bar in Jalan Padma Utara |
Where to Party in Legian:
Jalan Padma, Jalan Padma Utara and Jalan Melasti.
In those streets, walking distance from the beach front, you will find several laid-back open-air sports bars with an occasional live band. The crowd is overwhelmingly made of Australian families who visit Bali regularly for holidays. It's perfect for people who just want to drink cheap Bintang and chill with their friends.
Prices are low, on average IDR50,000 for a beer and IDR80,000 for cocktails. If you need a bar recommendation, you can try Y Sports Bar which has the particularity of holding midget boxing fights every night.
Jalan Dewi Sri / Jalan Nakula
This area of Legian, near Denpasar, is a borderline red-light district. It has several late-night nightclubs (Jenja, Pyramid, the brand-new Eden) and some naughty massage parlors (Star Bugar, Delta).
Where to Stay in Legian Near the Nightlife:
Legian is a strategic location for a stay in South Bali. It is close from everything and its beach is less crowded than Kuta's. Here are a few recommended hotels:
AQ-VA Hotel (45$ per night, rated 8.6)
Mercure Bali Legian (75$ per night, rated 8.1)
You can also read Best Cheap Hotels in Sunset Road - Legian.
You can also read Best Cheap Hotels in Sunset Road - Legian.
 |
| Party in Old Man's |
Canggu has a relaxed atmosphere, affordable housing, and a tight-knit community. If you are a hipster, a vegetarian, a designer, a cook or a yoga enthusiast, you'll certainly fit right in.
Where to Party in Canggu:
Canggu still has a countryside feel and there isn't a single street with a high density of night spots.
The best place to go to is Old Man's, a sort of hippie beach bar that has a popular party every Wednesday (the same people will go to Jungle on Friday). It is near the minimalist beach lounge The Lawn.
Apart from that, you can try the skate park/café Pretty Poison (if you are a teenager) or check Arboon's Facebook for the date of their next moon parties (Full Moon, Black Moon, etc).
Finally, Finn's Beach Club is a happening spot during the day and until sunset time.
Where to Stay in Canggu Near the Nightlife:
If you can afford it, it's better to stay in a villa. Villa Echo Padi is near the Batu Bolong Beach (Old Man's) and rated 9.4 on Agoda (200$ per night).
Some cheaper alternatives are:
Echoland Bed and Breakfast (40$, rated 8.4)
Aston Batu Bolong (75$, rated 8.6)
Nightlife in Other Balinese Cities:
Denpasar
Denpasar used to have a cool underground nightclub, Akasaka. Unfortunately, it closed down in early 2017 after the police found 7-million $ worth of ecstasy pills inside.
Nowadays, there aren't any decent venues apart from hostess karaokes and massage parlors (for instance: H69, Royal Palace or Sriya Spa). Clients are usually local Indonesians.
Recommended hotel in Denpasar: Ibis Styles Denpasar (30$ per night, rated 7.5).
Sanur
Sanur has a rather important sex industry for both locals and older expats. Prostitutes will usually wait for customers in "fishbowls" inside villas marked with an X (for instance 18X). Most can be found near Jalan Danau Poso or Jalan Tirta Ening.
Apart from that, there are a few expat pubs too. Nothing really interesting in my opinion.
Recommended hotel in Sanur: Taksu Hotel (50$, rated 8.5) or Akana (100$, rated 8.6)
Ubud
 |
| No Mas party |
I would also recommend Night Rooster by Locavore to those who want to taste great cocktails (5 minutes by foot from No Mas).
Once a month, there is a big pool party called Invasion Ubud. For the date and location (always secret until the event), you can check their Facebook page.
Recommended hotels near Ubud nightlife: Anywhere along Monkey Forest Road.
Nusa Dua
 |
| Mixologist in ZJ's |
Uluwatu
The busiest hangout spot in the Uluwatu-Bukit area is Single Fin. After sunset, though, it gets rather quiet and it closes early. On weekends, they open until 1 AM and they have a DJ/live band.
There are also occasional parties in Karma Kandara Beach Club, including the monthly "Glow Parties". More information on their Facebook page.
Lovina
I must say I haven't been to Lovina in a really long time (almost 14 years). Based on a quick internet search, it seems that Kantin 21 Bar is the place to go.
Gili Trawangan
 |
| Jiggy Boat Parties in Gili Trawangan |
