Denpasar bars guide and nightlife
Denpasar after dark is a very different atmosphere than places such as Kuta or Seminyak. The bar scene is far less hectic with only a handful of venues open beyond midnight. There is no clubbing culture to speak of in Denpasar with most locals choosing to linger in restaurants and cafes which have occasional live music or karaoke.
All establishments generally cater to locals with Indonesian ‘dangdut’ music as popular as Western pop or dance tunes, and you may feel a little out of place as a Western tourist even though everyone will be extremely friendly.
There are several karaoke bars situated south of the city centre along Teuku Umar Street while in the Renon district the scene is a little more fashionable with some of its nicer restaurants transforming into late night lounge bars.
Denpasar’s party animals looking for a night of hardcore drinking and dancing tend to head to Kuta or Seminyak. There are numerous Western pubs and bars just a 10 minute ride away at Sanur beach which offer a lot more variety. To get the most out of a night out in Denpasar, here is our list of the liveliest spots in town.
Recommended Denpasar pubs and bars
The Amsterdam
A western run bakery and restaurant by day, this place hots up after dark with rock bands and live TV sports. It is a popular watering hole for a young stylish crowd of locals and is often full after 21.00 especially at weekends. The eccentric decor and laid back atmosphere gives it a faintly bohemian appeal.Jalan Diponegoro no140, Tel: +62 (0)361 235035, open daily 08.00 to 16.00 & 19.00 to 01.00.
Bintang Karaoke
Located in a spacious purpose built building, this is one of the largest venues in the city. Garish neon lighting and floor to ceiling mirrors give it a slightly seedy appeal but is generally a laid back place that only really gets going at weekends. It is frequented by a mixed crowd and is Denpasar’s most gay friendly venue. Jalan Teuku Umar no63, Tel: +62 (0)361 243301, open 20.00 to 02.00, closed Monday.
Istana
A busy lounge/restaurant attracting a mature crowd of drinkers along with a small band of expat regulars. There is a pool table, live sports and live bands at weekends when the atmosphere can get a little rowdy. There is a decent mix of Asian and European dishes on an extensive and well priced menu and beer is cheap. Jalan Teuku Umar no89, Tel: +62 (0)361 228578, open daily 10.00 to 23.00.
Akasaka Disco
The title is a little misleading as this place is more of a trendy lounge bar. A plush interior has wall to wall TVs, a pool table and low comfy sofas to relax on. Drinks are a little more expensive than other Denpasar bars of this ilk.
The atmosphere is fashionably laid back and very civilised most of the time. There is a separate karaoke room available for private hire which is a popular haunt for Japanese tour groups. Jalan Teuku Umar, Tel: +62 (0)361 264878, open Wednesday to Sunday 19.00 to 02.00.
Cilanjur
Located in elegant Renon district, this vast seafood restaurant has an attached lounge bar that attracts a fashionable crowd and is a lively meeting place for clubbers heading off to the fleshpots of Kuta and beyond. There is live jazz at weekends and it boasts the best range of cocktails in Denpasar. Jalan Cok Tresno, Renon, Tel: +62 (0)361 230015, open daily 11.00 to midnight.
Bali Beer
A lively dimly lit pub and restaurant with regular live music and karaoke. It is well off the beaten path so very few tourists make it here. It hosts retro club nights and live music at weekends which can get very crowded. It has a friendly laid back ambience at all other times and is a good place to socialise with locals in unpretentious surroundings. Jalan Raya Pelabuhan, Pedagan, Tel: (0)361 227490, open 17.00 to 01.00.
Arena
Located on the borders of Denpasar and Sanur, this is the area’s most tourist friendly venue and frequented by many Sanur expats. It is always lively and a good bet for live sports action and late night dancing to rock bands. There is a sizeable dance floor and a good selection of cocktails and imported premium beers. It also has a wide range of decent European food from Spanish tapas to spaghetti. Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai No.115, Tel: +62 (0)361 287255, open daily 11.00 to 01.00.
