Bars
Stretching from gaudy Kuta to classy Seminyak, the southern resort area of Bali is the centre of the island’s nightlife, where most of the bars are located. The main drag in Kuta is bursting with cheap drinks deals and thumping beats, but when you want a little sparkle, there are upmarket spots too.
One of Bali’s most glamorous addresses, Ku De Ta swoons with people having a good time and the DJs doing their thing. With a spectacular sea view, it’s the place to come and sip cocktails as the sun goes down, then continue this most elegant of parties into the small hours.
Jalan Kayu Aya 9, Seminyak 80361.
Nightclubs
Bali’s clubs have reached legendary status among the world's party animals. Think huge complexes covering multiple floors and as many decadent forms of entertainment as you can dream up. Legian Street in Kuta is one of the go-to places for all-night revelling.
Sky Garden
Cocktail bars, shot bars, VIP lounges, dance floors, and DJ rooms – these are just some of the features occupying the cavernous, multi-floored space of Sky Garden. It’s a nightclub on a vast scale, the kind of place euphoric clubbers emerge from, feeling like they've been lost inside for days on end – in a good way.
Jalan Legian 61, Kuta 80361.
Bounty Discotheque
Much adored for its cheap drinks and eclectic entertainment, this ship-themed club is one of Bali’s loudest and brashest. From drag queen fashion shows to foam parties, it’s a flamboyant venue where the drinks keep flowing and the beats keep pounding all night long. Just prepare for a sore head the next day.
Jalan Legian, Kuta 80361.
Rooftop lounges
Sometimes, you just need a break from the frenetic pace of street-level Kuta. All you need to do is look up – there’s a constellation of chic rooftop bars hidden away up there, and this sky-high world is chilled-out Bali at its best.
With deep, wicker chairs and luxurious sofas that invite lounging, the roof garden of New York inspired Townhouse has an instantly calming effect. Arrive early to catch the sunset from this great vantage point, or sashay in after dark for exclusive DJ sets setting the atmosphere with chilled out beats.
Jalan Laksamana 151, Seminyak 80361.
Dance shows
Beyond the bars and clubs of Kuta, Bali offers an after-dark world of cultural experiences. Traditional dances, often accompanied by the percussive beats of Gamelan music, are performed by firelight in ancient temples, shrouded in the shadows of the jungle.
Set in the amphitheatre of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple in the southernmost part of the island, this Balinese dance is perhaps the most electrifying. The performance begins at sunset, as a troupe of performers enact the Hindu story of Rama and Sita in a unique blend of dance, drama and body percussion.
Jalan Karang Mas, Jimbaran 80364
