There’s no doubt that Bali has become one of the world’s finest party destinations, wherever you are from New York to London, from Mumbai to Melbourne, this paradise island is associated with good times in the tropics.
But the vibrant and exciting nightlife scene in Bali can often seem a little daunting to newcomers. Where do you stay? How do you choose between the beach clubs, night clubs, bars, pubs, and even restaurants and cafes that double as nightlife venues?
Well, you grab a copy of our guide to Bali’s nightlife, of course, and then you let us show you around and explain how to have the best of times on this little island in the Indian Ocean.
What Kind Of Nightlife Is There In Bali?
Whether you’re into wild nights out with your mates or something a little more sedate, Bali has got you covered and you’ll find plenty of choices for things to do of an evening. You might enjoy:
- Night clubbing – Bali has some amazing night clubs including one of the biggest in the world and they tend to get going around midnight and then finish around 3 a.m. or even later
- Beach Clubs – not all beach clubs are party spots, but the best of them, like FINNS in Canggu are super popular places to have a good time. These places tend to start early and then wrap up around midnight offering you a chance to transition from beach club to night club.
- Rooftop Bars – while these spots are usually a little more laidback than the beach clubs and night clubs, they offer cold cocktails, and great views and sometimes a DJ or live band too.
- Bars & Pubs – there are bars and pubs in every corner of Bali from simple beach huts selling cold Bintangs to high-end cocktail bars offering bespoke cocktail mixing services in speakeasy style environments
- Live Music Venues – bars like Dino’s in Canggu and Gimme Shelter also double as live music venues, with bands offering everything from modern reggae to covers of all your favourite hits
- Night Markets – the island’s night markets are not party spots, but you can enjoy some cold beers and cheap food in these places and feel more authentically local
- Cabarets – if you enjoy a good show, places Nusa Dua’s Devdan Show can keep you entertained in the evenings and they are usually child-friendly too
- Cultural Activities – from kecak fire dancing to wayang kulit shadow puppets, there are plenty of highbrow traditional cultural activities you can enjoy in Bali in the evening.
What You Need To Know Before You Party In Bali
OK, Bali’s not heavy on rules but there are a few things you should know before you head out the door to party here:
- The Dress Code – it’s fair to say that 95% of venues here are pretty much “anything goes” but there is a 5% with an expected standard of dress to get in. We strongly recommend that you call a venue before you go and check the dress code. There’s nothing worse than travelling a long way to be denied entry.
- Stay Hydrated All Night – it sounds silly, but the heat and humidity here mean that you process alcohol differently than you do at home, make sure to make every second or third drink a glass or bottle of water and you’ll feel better for it.
- Exercise Your Common Sense – mostly the nightlife here is safe and fun, but always keep an eye on your bags and drinks. Only accept a drink from a stranger if you’re certain it’s safe to do so.
- Stay Respectful – Bali is a cool place to party which is incredible given that most locals don’t party. They’re happy for you to do so, mind you, but they’d like you to stay respectful of the island and its people while you do. So, no streaking down the road at 2 a.m. please.
- Always Use A Ride Share To Get Home – staying safe means taking responsibility for your safety, Grab and Gojek will get you home for a fixed price and safely. It’s always better than walking late at night.
Where To Party In Bali – The Best Areas And The Best Places
While you can almost certainly find a pub or a bar in any area of Bali, there are 6 main areas to visit if you want to enjoy a party vibe and they are:
Canggu – Bali’s Biggest Party Zone
There’s no doubt that at this moment, if you want to party hard, Canggu is killing it. The area has more night clubs, beach clubs, bars, and pubs than you might believe. Even some of the local cafes and restaurants transform into nightlife spots after the day’s trade is done. We recommend:
- FINNS Beach Club – there’s no disputing that if you want the best night out in Bali, you go to FINNS. Their blend of world class entertainment, sunset views, infinity pools, and amazing food and drinks can’t be beaten anywhere.
- XBar Canggu – this place used to be a convenience store where clubbers would stock up on cheap drinks, so they turned it into a bar and now it has good music, a decent open-air vibe and cheap drinks. It’s a superb warm up spot.
- Swingers Tapas Bar – if you like finger food, salsa dancing, delicious food and drinks and a whole lot of fun, you’ll love Swingers. It’s got that casual Bali thing going on in spades but with a touch of Spanish charm.
Uluwatu And Ungasan – The Up And Coming Fun Spot
Little Bingin will be based in Uluwatu and that’s because it’s a real up and coming spot that is super popular with the surfing community already. There are loads of places to have a great night out here, but be warned, they are spaced widely apart – so it’s best to pick one and stick to it than to try and attempt a pub crawl.
- Rock Bar – this is one of the island’s most exclusive bars and it’s named not for the music that it plays (unlike the Hard Rock in Kuta) but for the rock formation on the beach in front of it. It’s pricey but if you want a legendary experience, it’s hard to beat.
- High Tide Bar – this excellent cocktail bar on Labuan Sait has good music and first rate drinks. Their happy hour deal of 2 for 1 cocktails ought to keep most people in a party mood and the service is relaxed but extremely efficient.
- White Rabbit Cocktail Bar – this place gets really busy and we’d recommend reserving a seat or getting there early. It blends rooftop chic with the laid back vibe of Bali and you’ll find that the service is very good too. Just don’t take your kids, this place is adults-only.
Kuta – Party On A Budget Without Going Broke
Kuta was once the jewel in Bali’s crown but over the last few years, it’s been running out of steam a little. It’s still a great place for budget nightlife though and it excels in bars with live music too. Check out:
- Engine Room Bali – an old school clubbing venue which has four separate rooms with DJ stands in each of them. You can party all night long here and many people do. It’s rarely anything but busy and buzzing.
- Sky Garden Bali – it’s not as good as it used to be and if you want the best service, you’ll want to go with VIP bottle table service, but Sky Garden remains a big hit with the clubbers of Kuta all the same.
- 69 Bar and Resto – this place has both a band and a DJ on every night and the crowd love them. Their award winning cocktail waiter Karma ensures that you get amazing drinks and top class service all night long too.
Seminyak – Where To Splash The Cash
Seminyak is falling behind Canggu, partly because it’s a bit more expensive and partly because Canggu is newer and has a wider variety of things to offer partygoers. However, you can still enjoy a really good night out in Seminyak, particularly, at these places:
- ShiShi Nightclub and Izakaya Lounge – there’s no doubt that if you like Japanese food and hip beats, that this could be a great place to spend your night in Seminyak. The cocktails are a cut above too.
- Motel Mexicola – it’s surprisingly affordable for Seminyak and a huge favourite with tourists and expats alike. If you’re in the mood for TexMex and tequila as well as a heaving dance floor, you can’t go wrong.
- Red Carpet Champagne Bar – a great place to play the celebrity and enjoy some of the finest bubbles on the island. The live band is very good and you will often find their kitchen sends out free sample treats to feast on too.
Ubud – Where To Party Away From The Beach
Ubud is in Central Bali away from the beaches and while it’s a big draw for tourists, it’s not quite got the same energy for nightlife as the beach towns do. There’s no denying though that you can have a great night out in Ubud and we’d check these places out:
- No Mas Bar – this place is super popular with the backpacker crowd and it tends to be packed out all night long. They have live music, cheap drinks and some of the nicest bartenders around.
- The Lair – we think The Lair is one of the best bars in Bali and we can’t really understand why they haven’t opened other branches in the beach towns, yet. If you want amazing ambience and music, you can’t go wrong here.
- Night Rooster – this cocktail bar is in a stunning setting and you’re going to look awesome in your Insta snaps when you visit. The cocktails are no slouches too, with some of the most creative concoctions we’ve ever seen.
Nusa Dua – Where Parents Can Party
Nusa Dua is a family resort town and there’s not much in the way of banging parties going on, but there is a sophisticated resort-based nightlife scene of elegant cocktail bars and epic views out over the water. We really like:
- Sky Bar at Mulia – you need to be prepared for the enormous bill that you will run up but if you want high class ambience, there’s no better bar for it than this one. The views here are spectacular but then, so is the food and the drinks.
- Mandala Bar & Grill – for the best value happy hour in Nusa Dua, you can’t beat this place. They have first rate live music most nights and the food is an awesome mix of Asian and International fare.
- Liquocean Bar and Kitchen – this locally run bar has awesome vibes and one of the best music playlists we’ve come across in a very long time. You’ll find they have really good service and strong, cold drinks.
FAQs
What’s The Legal Drinking Age In Bali’s Bars?
Indonesia has a fixed legal drinking age of 21. However, we should note that this is almost never enforced and it’s almost unheard of for a bar or club to carry out an ID check unless someone looks incredibly young.
That means it’s on you to decide on your limits and willingness to expose yourself to new experiences. There’s no safety net provided by the venues.
Are There Drugs Available In Bali’s Nightlife Spots?
Yes, where there’s nightlife in this world, there will be people willing to exploit the party goers and sell them illegal drugs.
However, we need to stress, getting involved with drugs in Bali, Indonesia is a terrible idea. Unlike in most Western nations, drug use is treated as an extremely serious crime here.
Even tiny quantities of drugs can see someone spend years in jail, larger quantities may demand life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Bali is an amazing place to party, but we strongly advise you to stay away from drugs here, particularly as many of the dealers are working directly with the police to turn in tourists after selling to them.
Is Tipping Mandatory In Bali?
Sort of, all across Indonesia, if you visit a bar, club, restaurant or hotel, you will find that they charge a fixed percentage of the bill as a “service charge”.
That is the tip and it’s legally mandated by the government. And yes, it is paid to the staff under a tip sharing scheme each month.
However, if you want to add an additional tip to the bill above and beyond that to go directly to your server, you are welcome to do so. It’s neither mandatory or expected but it will always be appreciated.
Where Can I Party Safely In Bali?
The big party areas of Canggu, Uluwatu, Ungasan, Seminyak and Ubud are usually the safest place to party. They attract the more affluent crowd and that brings in fewer of the kind of people who are likely to misbehave on your night out.
Is Partying Always Safe In Bali?
We don’t think there’s anywhere on Earth where people consume alcohol that you can guarantee that partying will be 100% safe. However, if you keep your wits about you, move away from groups of people that seem to be getting hostile and ensure that you always have eyes on your own drink to prevent drink spiking, Bali is about the safest place you can party.
What Time Is Kicking Out Time In The Clubs And Bars Of Bali?
There is no central control over closing time in the bars and clubs of the island. Each venue is left to decide on their own hours.
The majority of beach clubs close between 11 p.m. and midnight and the pubs tend to follow suit. But many of the bars and night clubs are open until 2-3 a.m. and some will go all the way through until dawn or until the last customer leaves.
It’s best to ask the venue when they close if it’s important for you to be able to stay out until a certain time.
Where Are The Big Party Streets Here In Bali?
Uluwatu doesn’t really have a party street but Canggu has Batu Bolong and Berawa, Seminyak has Laksmana Oberoi and Petitenget and Kuta has Legian Street. All of these are great places for bar crawls and the like.
Why Does Bali Have Such A Good Reputation For Nightlife?
We think it’s because Bali’s nightlife is safe and relatively drug free. It’s extremely affordable compared to most of the places that Bali’s tourists come from, while a beer here isn’t as cheap as it is in, say, Vietnam, it’s way cheaper than in Adelaide, Edinburgh, Miami, etc.
The scene here also caters to almost every taste, you can find brutal death metal on in live music venues, EDM in the beach clubs and then, some gamelan orchestra at a cultural display. It also draws in a fun loving crowd from around the world ensuring you can always find “your people” too.
Is Methanol Poisoning Common In Bali?
No, while there have been incidents of methanol poisoning in Bali in times past, it’s been a long time since such an incident occurred on the island.
These incidents only take place when buying back street alcohol at prices far below the market rate. If you confine your drinking to pubs and bars on the island as well alcohol bought from supermarkets and corner stores, you will never have to worry about methanol poisoning.
It is important to note that if you think you may have drunk some alcohol that was contaminated with methanol, that you should see a medical practitioner immediately.
Final Thoughts On Bali Party Spots In 2025
If there’s an island on Earth with a better party scene than Bali, we don’t know where it is. Bali is just amazing for high-energy nights out.
While the Southern Beach towns such as Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu and Ungasan tend to have the best spots to rage all night long, Ubud is swiftly improving its nightlife scene to rival them.
You can find a pub or bar in almost every town on the island and you will always be welcomed warmly and made to feel at home.
We hope that our guide to the best party spots in Bali has helped you plan a few great nights out for your holiday.