The coolest places to party in Bali

With a beautiful beachfront location in the heart of Seminyak, Potato Head easily wins the hearts of many with its scenic sunset infinity pools and uber-cool music. Before the pandemic, Potato Head Beach Club rebranded itself to Desa Potato Head – promising a creative village where patrons can look forward to music, wellness, local craft and sustainability all in one place.

Desa Potato Head boasts two beachfront infinity pools, a music library, a listening room, a streaming booth made of upcycled plastic, an art gallery and restaurants that serve plant-based dishes. Music-wise, the club has seen artists like Grace Jones, Peggy Gou, Honey Dijon and local DJs with impeccable music taste and talent. Truly a representation of the Indonesian creative community and a benchmark for others to follow. 

Tucked away in the heart of Berawa, the underground scene that Vault offers would make you not want to party mainstream again. Oh-so-secret speakeasy vibes, enter Vault via a dark passageway and through the bunker door concealed by heavy red velvet drapes.

The late-night club typically plays house and techno on Friday nights and hip hop on Saturdays and everything else in between. It has played host to renowned names like  Jackmaster, Amine K, Richy Ahmed, Lee Foss, Art Department and even Jazzy Jeff. The club is always buzzing at any given time due to its sublime sounds and because it runs late, it's perfect for nightcrawlers who wish to make some bad decisions… 

Oddly, despite its second-floor location, this bar still offers an underground experience like no other. Head down to Jalan Petitenget and find the secret entrance hidden away above Mad Ronin ramen shop. You’ll be greeted with Bali’s craft cocktails and of course, good vibes. 40 Thieves doubles up as a place for DJ-centric nights, and with its ample space, the dance floor gets crowded real quick. Come early and enjoy a drink at the bar and boogie down into the night.

This day club cum beach club cum nightclub has seen many top tier DJs spinning and influencers patronising. This iconic venue is all about chic tropical vibes with multiple pools overlooking the ocean. La Brisa is built entirely out of reclaimed wood from over 500 old fisherman boats with great music to boot. The place is known for its DJ booth overlooking the waves of Canggu, with swaying palm trees – promising the perfect clubbing experience. La Brisa also has curated soundtracks for music lovers so it’s wise to check out their schedule before you turn up. 

Sitting along Batu Belig Beach, Mari Beach Club is unlike any other venues in the Bali lot. Dripping in nature-based design and cultural inspiration, the club is committed to the hospitality, heritage and craftsmanship of the Balinese. This new beach club boasts sustainable architecture with bamboo, wood and thatched roofs cleverly weaved into the whole design. Programming runs the gamut across sounds and styles from Afro house to techno. Come here and experience the food, drinks and the glory of what Bali has to offer.

Offering tons of Instagrammable moments, this pool club is for those who enjoy the flashier things in life. Artists like Basement Jaxx, Cassius, Claptone and Purple Disco Machine have all played alongside its famous saltwater pool. Aesthetic-wise, think ice-blue pool flanked by palm trees and a 10-metre diving platform for all those aerial Instagram photos you need. The club recently reopened after the pandemic, so hurry up and order that frozen margarita and watch the place roars back to life.

Disco balls, dance cages, dope music, Red Ruby is always a good choice. The club seduces you with its ruby red hues that floods the dance floor, and great music selection that makes it a night to remember. Taking cues from NYC’s disco era and Europe’s avant garde clubs, Red Ruby puts a spin to itself to make it accessible to all. Delivering house and techno to tourists, the club sees anything from local curated line-up like Shammui and El Didion to international acts like The Martinez Brothers and Oskar Offerman gracing the decks. Oh yes, they play hip hop too as part of the mix.

Warehouse occupies former Santa Fe, which is known for its 24-hour live music policy. Currently serving house and techno experience, Warehouse is dark, raw and loud, and full of great party goers who want to keep it going till the sunrise. Hopefully this scene continues to get louder now that the island is open to tourists.

This beach club is on the shores of the Batu Bolong surf spot. Serving up a soundtrack of skillfully chilled Afrobeat and yacht rock, The Lawn is perfect for long, leisurely lunches, seaside-inspired cuisine and getting cosy at the daybeds that face the ocean. But once the sun goes down, the beach lounge is a place where big-name artists helm the decks and famous parties take place. Live DJs till late and cocktail crowd dancing beneath the stars, you may find yourself being a regular at The Lawn until vacation’s done. 

Introducing the newest kid into Bali’s already bustling music scene: Behind the Green Corridor. Start off with cocktails at this place (it is a cocktail bar first), before debauchery seeps in through the night. This lush and intimate venue is a space where international acts come to perform, and newcomers looking to break into the music community. Blending stiff drinks with late-night revelry, you’ll hear anything from R&B classics, to evening jazz and tech-house.

This late-night haunt, which exudes glamour with a touch of grittiness to it, starts off as a cocktail bar that unfolds into a bustling club by night time. Sip on barrel-aged cocktails, nibble on wagyu canapes and rub shoulders with the fashionable people in Bali. For music, expect live jazz and blues if you arrive early, before the DJ takes over to keep you going to the wee hours of the morning. 

An oldie but always a goodie. Famous for the coolest parties in Seminyak, La Favela functions as a restaurant at day, but transforms into a club on weeknights. The eclectic space has a unique atmosphere to it, think Vintage design, intimate cosy heavily decorated corners, and graffiti and stencil art adorned walls. Amazing drinks, awesome food, great music and crowds, great interior, a hangover is almost guaranteed.

People flock over here for their famous chilled-out Sunday Sessions. Overlooking the cliffside of Uluwatu, take in the stunning views of Bali’s surfing home accompanied by delicious cocktails. Spend your day at this laid-back space while watching surfers ride the waves of Bali. Enjoy great grub and watch the space transforms into a magical evening as the sun sets.