We won’t beat around the bush: The best nightclubs in Bali are some of the best nightclubs in the world. Seriously, this island of mystical Hindu temples, yogi-brimming towns, roaring surf breaks, and emerald jungles is up there with the most hedonistic places to party on planet Earth. Move over Koh Phangan!
So, what’s on the menu? Well, Bali’s got slick beach bars and clifftop lounges where the sunsets glow orange and pink, but also ramshackle rock venues and DJ-thumping clubs wedged into lively resorts. Mhmm…we’d say Bali has something for all sorts of travelers on the nightlife front, although it certainly helps to know where to look.
This guide has you covered on that front. It lists seven of the most happening places to let loose once the sun has dipped on the Isle of the Gods. From the golden-hour drinkeries of Bukit in the south to the chichi lounges of Seminyak, the jet-setter haven of the Bali strip, you’ll have plenty to pick from.
ShiShi, Seminyak
An eclectic Asian-fusion restaurant by day but a three-floor nightclub by night, ShiShi is part of the furniture in the Seminyak nightlife scene. With a lavish interior and opulent facade, this nightspot advertises as Bali’s most elite venue. But ShiShi is more approachable than it may seem. Welcoming all crowds with attractive free drinks on entrance, mainstream music, and even ladies-go-free nights each week, it has earned quite a reputation as being the epitome of Euro-Asian clubbing.
Like many nightlife establishments in Bali, ShiShi blends eating out with partying. Their Japanese-inspired menu takes visitors on a journey through fine-dining, strong and sake-infused cocktails, the perfect primer for those late-night dancing sessions if you will. They even host an all-you-can-eat sushi evening for the staggeringly low cost of 200,000 IDR ($15) per person. Hip-hop, RnB, techno, and K-Pop grace the halls, and better yet, it’s open every evening of the week until three in the morning. What more could you want for a spontaneous night out?
The Vault, Berawa
This cocktail bar and bunker-style nightclub mashup is one of the closest things you’ll get to the European club scene in Bali. Basically, it’s an expansive underground venue with state-of-the-art sound systems that would fit right in on the line-up in Ibiza or Ayia Napa.
Located in Canggu’s Berawa area, hidden behind the Tamora Gallery Mall, you’d be none the wiser about its existence by day – the entrance is little more than a concrete doorway. But by night, crowds of revelers give away its subterranean location as they line the block to descend the downwards steps and party the night away underground.
They regularly showcase some of the leading local DJ talent but also worldwide figures in the sphere of deep house, techno, EDM, electronica, and trance music. But don’t expect all that to be played on the usual Balinese beach-side deck. The whole point of The Vault is to channel a touch of the Berlin noir. Gritty concrete walls and industrial fittings see to it that the backdrop gets the tone right, while the drinks menu offers edgy tipples like chili-topped whisky sours and tequila mixes.
The Warehouse, Kuta
With a gallery-style feel and balconies fringing the air-conditioned dance floor, The Warehouse is a small events space on the border between Seminyak and Kuta. It’s now an integral part of the nightlife in this built-up corner of the island. Like the vault before it, the spot summons the gritty muses of Eastern European techno spots to present an industrial-chic space amid the shopping strips and restaurants. It’s marked out by a gaudy neon sign and opens into cavernous, black-hued, laser-lit dance spaces.
Open Friday to Sunday, The Warehouse is one of the only true late-night clubs on the island. Most parties here really get going at around two in the morning, but the spot will almost certainly be heaving with crowds until five in the morning on most weekends.
The music policy is electronica and dance for the most part, but the folks here hardly shy away from more challenging shows and lesser-known names making waves on the scene. The space is also available for private hire and the second floor allows for bottle service and table bookings.
Behind The Green Door, Tibubeneng
A new addition to Bali’s hidden nightlife scene, Behind The Green Door is an upscale cocktail lounge and late-night establishment. It might be free to get in, but the required password on entry gives this bar a mysterious feel and keeps crowds to a minimum.
Speakeasy-style establishments have been on the rise on the Isle of the Gods, playing into the exclusive vibes that glamorous revelers seek. Still, Behind The Green Door is becoming ever-popular and its strategic location in between Canggu and Seminyak makes it a great final location for a night out. The dimly lit venue occupies one floor with small candle-adorned tables and a compact dance floor, reminiscent of a late-night New York jazz bar or something lifted out of 1930s Chicago.
Enjoy craft cocktails concocted from local alcohol and bitters by skilled mixologists, and snap a selfie in front of the iconic hallway mirror, lit up by neon lights reading We’re All Mad Here. DJ tunes play until the early hours every night of the week.
Da Maria, Kerobokan
A venue that has risen to the peak of Bali nightlife with the launch of its successful midweek Hip-Hop night. Da Maria was once better-known as the sister-restaurant of Canggu’s Luigi’s Hot Pizza, serving up classic Italian cuisine made with imported ingredients bestowed with the “Made in Italy” label. But now, it is a dining experience-come-nightspot, with an energetic dance floor taking over the bar and restaurant when it hits nine pm.
Da Maria boasts a modern Italian Osteria style interior, with an inside water feature and Amalfi Style table layout. Still, the walls are adorned with edgy photographs of world-class rappers to bring the cozy eatery into the world of modern clubbing.
Da Maria has been put on the map as one of Bali’s best nightclubs by Inno, the weekly Wednesday event where crowds of young travelers and residents can enjoy contemporary chart tunes, mainstream rap, and 90s Hip-Hop. In a world where Bali was once dominated by techno fiends, Inno is a refreshing release from the repetitive beats of dance music.
Enjoy a bowl of pasta before throwing some Limoncello down the hatch and heading to the dance floor to enjoy your favorite Drake hits.
Savaya, Uluwatu
It would be wrong not to throw one of Bali’s exclusive day clubs onto this list, especially as they’re among the most frequented nightspots among visitors to Bali. The Isle of the Gods is often associated with these ocean-view venues complete with infinity pools and elevated DJ decks. Quite right, too – they are something truly special. Of the lot, we’d say Savaya is the finest of all and one of the most elite of all entertainment venues on the island as a whole.
Nestled between the dense Uluwatu jungle and the majestic limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, Savaya is an otherworldly paradise hanging 100 meters above the Indian Ocean. Characterized by the glitzy disco cube that balances above the elevated platform bar, Savaya is the epitome of luxury day clubbing in Bali.
Lounge on a daybed by one of the infinity pools, or dance the night away to the sounds of world-class names like Jamie Jones and Peggy Gou who have both graced the decks at Savaya – the choice is yours. Entrance is always ticketed and you’ll need to be on the guest list before you just turn up. Book far in advance if you want to bag a table, especially at a sought-after event, and be prepared for minimum spends in the hundreds of dollars. We never said it would come cheap!
Mirror, Seminyak
Most notable for its unique interior, Mirror occupies a European Gothic-style venue with grand cathedral-esque adornings, stained glass windows, towering ceilings, and hanging chandeliers. This might be the last place you’d expect to party, especially in Bali, but it makes for an eclectic and exciting space, where the acoustics complement the DJ tunes and the cool air conditioning is a welcome relief from the balmy outdoors.
Mirror is part of the ALL IN Group, who are responsible for bringing some of Indonesia’s best nightlife establishments to the capital of Jakarta, such as FABLE Club and the Odysseia Lounge. Enter through the enchanting flower garden and green facade of Gardin Bistro and Patisserie, also owned and operated by ALL IN, before being taken aback by the expansive and glamorous interior of Mirror.
The club is frequented by a local crowd and you’ll hear contemporary dance tunes echoing off the walls. The viewing balcony that overlooks the club from the top of the stained glass wall is the best place to escape the action and observe, but you’ll need to book in advance and pay a premium for the best seat in the house.
The best nightclubs in Bali – our conclusion
We’ve already said it, but we’ll say it again: The best nightclubs in Bali really are among the best in the world. This island has garnered a reputation for being one of the true party hotspots of Southeast Asia, drawing in everyone from DJ fanatics to Aussie bachelor parties by their masses.
Overall, the areas of Kuta and Seminyak lead the way for late-night venues, offering gritty EDM clubs like The Vault and others. However, we think you’ll also have to spend at least one day at one of the island’s uber-famous beach lounges, of which exclusive Savaya in Uluwatu is the standout – just look at the views!
Does Bali have good nightlife?
Bali is recognized as one of the best places for nightlife in the world and has day clubs and evening events to rival that of Ibiza. There’s something for everyone whether you’re looking for live music, poolside cocktails, European clubbing, or speakeasy-style evenings.
How late are the clubs open in Bali?
Most day clubs and nightspots close far earlier in Bali than in Europe and this is mainly due to alcohol restrictions and licensing on the island. You’ll find that the beach clubs and most bars close strictly around 12 or 1 am. But there are a few late-night dance spots with early hour licenses like The Warehouse or Behind The Green Door where you can party until the sun comes up.
Where are the best clubs in Bali?
The best clubs in Bali are concentrated in Seminyak and Kuta, although Canggu has climbed the ranks when it comes to partying in recent years and more nightlife spots are popping up in the bustling Berawa area. Seminyak is home to old favorites like ShiShi and La Favela, but Canggu is best for underground clubbing like the European-style techno nights at The Vault and the speakeasy-style clubbing at The Shady Pig or Behind The Green Door.
When is the best time to visit Bali for partying?
Bali’s nightlife is a year-round affair. Unlike Ibiza and the Greek Islands where you’ll find closing parties happening in early October, Bali is thriving no matter the month and you can find a bustling nightclub even in the depths of the rainy season. For this reason, we recommend visiting outside of the summer months when blue skies are the norm and tourists flock in their thousands.
There might be some of the best events and DJ headliners at this time of year, but ticket prices will be bumped up and hoards of tourists will be harder to navigate. You’ll still find big names gracing the stage at Savaya in January and February, and the rain won’t matter when you’re tucked away in The Warehouse until 5 am.
