Nightlife – Party, Bars & Clubbing
Getting Ready for the Night
Every night of the week, visitors and local residents hit Bali’s many pubs, clubs, and beach clubs bars. Low-key spots, with affordable drinks let you unwind and make new friends, while upscale bars and pubs
attract you with delicious cocktails, imported beers, fantastic food,
and world-class musical entertainment. Not keen on dressing up for the
night and want to stay in your shorts and t-shirt? No worries. Bali will have a spot where you’re welcome.
Want to get dressed up in your fancy gear and step out to be seen? Then
you’ll feel right at home here in Bali. The island offers a wide range
of nightlife experiences for visitors of all type.
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Nightlife Facts
- Bali’s real nightlife starts after midnight
- Rooftop Lounges and Bars are gaining ground
- Kuta – for the party animals
- Seminyak for stylish clubbing
- Every day is good to go out, Fridays and Saturdays really happening
- Some 5 star Hotel Bars & Clubs are very popular
- Going out alone is no problem
- Don’t drink and drive (also not a scooter!)
- 100% NO DRUGS!
- Bali is generally a peaceful place, let’s respect that
- Single girls are safe but stay alert and choose good company (particularly in Kuta area)
- Guys! Put on a T-Shirt!.
- Watch out for Happy Hours and Special Events
Bali Loves the Night
Bali has long been a center for clubbing and going out at night.
Nearly half a century ago, the island was a popular stop for hippies
and surfers, and its relaxed and tolerant culture has allowed a thriving
party scene to grow over the decades. Its relative proximity to
Australia, Japan, Singapore and the continous stream of visitors from
those countries turned Bali into a world-class destination for nightlife.
Bali has no enforced opening and closing times
for clubs and discos allowing them to stay open till late, with the
music sometimes still playing at sunrise. Although the real parties and action happens after midnight, going out might start early, with happy hours
available in many restaurants, bars, and clubs, and sunset drinks are a
daily pastime, whether in a luxurious beachside lounge in Seminyak or
on a bench by the waves in Kuta.
Bali’s South – Kuta or Seminyak?
Bali nightlife is diverse, yet certain types of crowds, venues, and music are found more in specific areas.
Kuta tends to pull in a younger, wilder crowd with megaclubs, ultra-cheap drinks, and a musical focus on reggae, top 40, R&B, and mainstream dance music, while Seminyak typically attracts a hipper, more refined group of clubbers. Here, also most expatriates hang out. The focus is on beautiful venues with top of the line sound systems and international DJs playing house, techno, dubstep,
and other cutting edge sounds. Drinks are of a higher quality, often
made by the most skilled bartenders with imported ingredients. Make no
mistake though, Seminyak’s clubs can get as wild as they come.
New
hot spots often pop up and then shut down as soon as they get popular.
Some of Bali’s clubs are rowdy and wild, some are hip and contemporary,
and other more elegant and sophisticated. These can all be sampled in
one night by simply grabbing a taxi and club-hopping.
Some mega clubs
have made things easier for those who don’t want to travel by offering
restaurants, bars, and multiple dance floors with different music
styles, all under one roof.
Live music is available in Kuta, Sanur, and Denpasar,
and tends to draw also a local crowd. Cover bands are common, as is
karaoke, and the scene is more about drinking and meeting someone new
than all-night dancing. When all of the clubs and bars shut down,
clubbers can keep going at a number of afterhours spots or at one
of the late-night restaurants or street food centers that cater to the
night owl. Alternatively they may prepare for bed.
Playing it Safe on Bali – Crime on Bali
Bali’s crime rate is low considering that around 4
million foreign tourists hit the island every year from abroad and 8mio
more come from the surrounding Indonesian islands. Bali is not Brasil,
Mexico, or L.A. – But crime does indeed exist. There is theft,
murder and rape like in any other country in the world. These crimes are
committed by Balinese, Javanese, Australians,…from people from all
over the world. And law enforcement is not what one would like to see
and expect when one is in trouble. Money rules, and money talks
everywhere, where alcohol, drugs and prostitution create this crazy
mixture that attracts a certain crowd (mainly in Kuta).
Most crimes happen in the Kuta area where very very drunk youngsters who have lost the grip on things can become easy targets. Stay away from drugs and excessive drinking.
Bali is a peaceful place, but going “down that road” in Bali increases
the chances drastically to end up mugged, hurt or in deep trouble. And
suddenly Bali can show a side that is far off paradise.
Girls going out alone are generally safe, but it’s always good to be alert and to set clear boundaries
when guys (of any nationality) with a few Bintang beers too much feel
encouraged by reading the signs the wrong way, in certain situations.
Although this happens rarely, in some cases also Indonesian youngsters
got pushy around Kuta area very late at night after they run into single
women who were obviously drunk. Stay with friends as you would in any
other big city when you have a glass or two too much.
Bali Beach Boys:
The
Bali Beach boys that hang out mostly at Kuta Beach and Legian Beach are
never too shy to approach foreign women – age and looks don’t matter to
them, they look for the willingness for interaction. If they start to
bug you, give them a clear feedback that you are not interested. And if
you are neither in the mood to talk to a stranger or to accept his all
so kind offer to help you put sun-lotion on your body, tell them clearly
so. Also here, setting clear boundaries is important.
They would never dare asking an Indonesian women, let alone touch one. It’s not appropriate in their culture.
Some
of the Bali beach boys who start holiday affairs with tourists have
actually not just one girlfriend, but many.. Some foreign ladies come to
Bali regularly and enjoy a good time as a couple, and pay the bills.
Some beach boys are married and have children, while the wives do know
about the business that brings in some extra cash. It’s between adults
what happens between adults, but many foreign women – young and old –
had to realize that nothing is at it seems and that true love between a
Balinese Surf Guide and a lady from abroad is not easy to find in that
kind of holiday setting.
Kuta, Kuta, Kuta (and Legian)
Kuta is a special place in many ways, always has been. It is simply the epicentre of drugs and prostitution
(Although when it comes to the fancy and more expensive drugs, Seminyak
is picking up fast. Hundreds of thousands of Australians come to Bali
every year with one aim in mind: to party hard. Real hard. The clubs,
bars, the Bali girls, the drug market and even the security guards in
this area are controlled by gangs who know how to intimmidate and use
violence if necessary. They are not to fool around with.
So, although
it is very tempting on Bali to NOT behave like one would behave at
home, it is advisable to keep some common sense running.
Note:
Showing off abs while walking around without shirts might be a cool
thing to do for some guys, but it’s odd and not really appreciated. If
you think you have a nice body everybody should see half naked, take it
to the beach and not into the restaurants or shops.
Bali Girls & Bali Boys – Prostitution in Bali
Bali’s clubs and bars are a great place to meet people.
An exciting mix of locals and tourists from around the world head to the
discos and clubs to mix and mingle, making it easy to find a friend for
the evening or something more long-term.
Visitors looking for company don’t need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur, Kerobokan, Seminyak, Legian and the Kuta area, there are many other single travelers, expats and locals who are looking to meet new people – day and night.
Sex for MoneyIn Bali’s discos, clubs, bars and even pubs you’ll meet also many young local girls, “kupu kupu malam”
(“night butterflies” or working girls mostly coming from the poorer
rural areas of Java) and young boys who compete with the females. All
taxi drivers, security guards, street vendors will know the more
“popular” karaoke bars and massage parlours in Kuta, Legian and
Denpasar, along with the various “Houses of ill Repute” in narrow back
lanes. These helpful people want to share their knowledge, whether you
want to know or not. Anything you might be tempted to experience or
consume is available. A silent but direct “massage?, young girls?,
marihuana?” slips the tongue of many you might pass, while walking the
streets of Kuta, Legian or Seminyak.
Prostitution
Travelers should keep in mind that prostitution is a big business
in Bali, and that what may seem like innocent fun can sometimes turn
into hassling or a demand for cash. Luckily, things are quite direct, so
cautious visitors will easily be able to tell what they are getting
themselves into in any situation. Note “Prostitution is illegal in Bali“,
however, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye, and
prostitution is not necessarily a tourism related phenomena. Indonesian
men who can afford it like to go to massage places regularly, asking for
a massage with what they call: “Happy End”. People don’t get killed
here in the red light district, Bali is not Mexico City, but some
tourists wake up without their wallet or watches after their adventures,
or with a transmitted disease that is difficult to get rid off and more
difficult to explain once they are home.
Drugs and Marijuana on Bali
A simple DON’T DO IT! sums it up.
Drugs are
offered and available quite openly in the backstreets of Kuta, even
during daytime. Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroine, Ecstasy…whatever people
are ready to buy – it is available. It’s dangerous to become part of that game for many reasons. And
don’t get fooled that it is safe to buy and consume drugs just because
they are offered openly by a security guard or because you might see
many actually taking them without hiding it much!
Magic Mushrooms:
Magic Mushrooms ARE NOW ILLEGAL.
The effects of this natural drug can be severe. No mushroom is like the
other and some people react strongly getting strong hallucinations. The
biggest problem is, that you will simply lose control over your actions
and that can be a dangerous thing on Bali. Many party hungry youngsters
lost their money, passports, credit cards, sanity, health and even
their life on Bali, because of drug abuse. Horrible scooter accidents
happen regularly, many youngsters drowned after drinking too much or
taking some “mushies” before taking a little dip in the ocean in the
night. The currents can be fierce and unpredictable. “Tourist
drowned…” is a rather common headline in the local press.
Clean and dirty drugs
The
numerous drug pills that come in fancy colors are, as most people know,
very dangerous, causing a lot of damage to the body and mental system.
Here on Bali, like in many other places in the world where people have
an average daily income of 5 US$, one can never really know what’s in
the pill – it could be sugar, it could be some strange chemical.
Although some party animals are ready to take that risk, drug consumption in Indonesia can really get you into trouble.
Even though it seems that in some areas, clubs and environments, people
are pretty relaxed about it, this can turn out sour in a split second. In Indonesia drug trafficking can come with the death penalty. – and it does like the case of the Bali 9 has shown clearly.
Drug Trafficking in IndonesiaDrug laws are fierce and officials are not afraid to make use of those laws when necessary, as the case of Schapelle Corby and the infamous Bali Nine Group
has shown. The police regularly controls some high-end clubs, and not
only the dodgy places. Some tourists feel safe when renting a private
villa. They throw parties and consume drugs such as marijuana, cocaine,
ecstasy etc. BUT, at times it happens, that neighbors call the police
and the officers have no hesitation to raid the place and take everybody
into custody. Something really unpleasant.
If you get
caught, with drugs or in bed with a 16year old girl that insisted she
was 20 when you met her in a bar, there is no easy way out!
The Bali Nine
The Bali Nine is the popular name given to a group of nine Australians
arrested on 17 April 2005 in Bali. They got caught in the attempt to to
smuggle more than 8 kg (18 lb) of heroin back to Australia at a market
value of about A$4 million. All of these Bali Nine were aged between 18
and 28 by the time they got arrested. They faced the death penalty or
life in prison if convicted.
In February 2006 seven of the nine
were sentenced to life imprisonment. The two leaders of the Bali Nine
Group, Chan and Sukumaran, were sentenced to death. This was the very
first death sentence imposed by the Denpasar District Court in Bali.
A couple of months later for 4 their life sentences were reduced to 20-year on appeal.
In January 2015 the new president, Jokowi, turned down Australian Prime
Minister Tony Abbott together with the Australian Minister for Foreign
Affairs Julie Bishop and denied clemency for the two ring leaders.
Jokowi, otherwise known as a moderate democratic leader did not give in,
which surprised many observers who had hopes that the new president of
Indonesia would no doubt save the lives of Chan and Sukarman.
On 2 February 2015, Indonesia’s Attorney General confirmed that both will face the firing squad in the next round of executions
On April 28th 2015 eight people were executed by a firing squad, two of them were Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
Schapelle Corby
Before
the Bali nine, she was probably the most famous foreigner who got
sentenced to a heavy penalty – although she is by far not the only one.
Born in 1977 the Australian woman was convicted to 20 years in
prison on May 27th 2005 for drug trafficking in Indonesia (importation
of 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) cannabis / marijuana). Corby insisted that she is
innocent and claims, that the drugs were planted in her body board bag
and that she did not know about them at all. Her trial and conviction
were a major focus of attention for the Australian and world media at
the time.
She could have been technically sentenced to death.
This did not happen but she still got sentenced to 20-years by the court
and imprisoned in Kerobokan Prison Bali. The prison contains
about 1000 male and female prisoners of various nationalities and is
famous for not being a 5star resort! It’s hell in paradise to say the
least. On appeal her sentence was confirmed by the Indonesian Supreme
Court. In 2010, she petitioned the President of Indonesia for clemency
on the grounds of mental illness. In 2012, she was granted reduction to
15 years. She was released on parole on 10 February 2014 after serving nine years in prison she will not be able to leave Indonesia until 2017.
