There is a new wave of venues for hipsters in Bali opened by young trendy Indonesians - and we can't stop loving them!
Succoth
This is a true Indo hipster’s paradise – a concept store and an original leather shoe workshop combined. Choose your fancy, we did! Drop in for a light handprinted shirt made of Japanese cotton, cute handmade blings, handcrafted wooden shades, a pair of bespoke brogues, or even just for the latest Monocle mag. They call themselves ‘The Tent Of Appreciation’ – and we do appreciate indeed!
Succoth Store, Jalan Mertanadi, no 21b, Kerobokan, Bali 80361, p.+62 877 617 77500, open 10am-10pm.
La RaMona Tapas Bar & Restaurant
This little bar could be Ubud’s best kept secret, proving Ubud isn’t only about yoga and liver cleansing. La RaMona’s hip underground vibe oozes from its dark corridor covered in handwritten music genre art, artworks of local painters (exhibitions change every now and then), their radio booth ready for action and head-spinningly honest margaritas. The biggest surprise about this find is the food: one of the owners is a professional chef and his tiny, one-man-show kitchen is earning rave reviews. Come late, order creamy mushroom bruschetta and steak, stay for a live gig and skip that 7am group meditation for good reason!
La RaMona Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Jalan Dewi Sita, Ubud, Bali 80571, p.+62 822 3682 8086, open 5pm till late.
The Roots
An old-school barbershop run by hip youngsters is always cool, especially if they know their razor and scissor craft well. The line-up of customers outside The Roots, any time or day, proves Seminyak’s demand for their craft. Sunburnt surfers, Bali hipsters, rockstars-to-be and young professionals all leave looking sharp. And it’s so affordable, your expertly crafted ‘stache will react in surprise – a haircut with all the trimmings and impressive neck and shoulder massage will cost you $5 only!
The Roots Barbershop, Sunset Rd 27x, Seminyak, Bali 80361, p.+62 361 862 5756, open Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sun 12-9pm.
Whale and Co
The newest addition to Bali’s exciting coffee scene, this place with the bright blue façade is just a bit special. Providing a fresh outlook not out of place in London or Berlin, Whale and Co is tucked away by a quiet river in between Legian and Sunset Road. The owner, a true coffee maniac, works behind the bar himself and is always ready for a friendly chat. You won’t notice that you managed to gulp three cups in a row!
Whale and Co, Jalan Nakula, Gang Kresna unit 3, Kuta, Bali 80361, p.+62 878 6156 0977, open Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 8am-3pm.
Habitual Quench and Feed
Two words: killer burgers! Chef Sandy is one cool Indo guy who has spent enough time in New York to bring the best of NYC food culture to Bali. Overflowing with so much homemade goodness, these juicy burgers come stabbed through with a knife and an essential drainer full of hand-cut, shoestring fries. Cubano sandwich and Bhan Mie are two other to-die-for specialties – strongly recommended!
Habitual Quench and Feed, Jalan Umalas 1, no 12B, Kerobokan, Bali 80361, p. +62 361 918 1801, closed Monday.
Lead Image: Succouth Boutique