Think that Ubud is only yoga studios, rice paddies and Balinese temples? Think again.
Busy by day, peaceful by night, Ubud isn’t necessarily known for its raging nightlife. But if you know where to look, which roads to peer down and the best bars to pop your head into, you’ll find a growing number of trendy watering holes (and a few old favourites) dotted around town for the after hours crew. So fill up at Ubud’s best restaurants before a night on the Ubud town, then whet your whistle at these top spots – the best bars in Ubud for a late-night cocktail or post-temple tipple. Cheers!
THE BEST BARS IN UBUD
Lacasita Fonda Mexicana
Lacasita Fonda Mexicana is the third Mexican honcho from Bali’s trailblazing Lacalongtime group (the guys who gave us (Lacalaca in Seminyak and Lacalita in Canggu). And while we love the tacos and tostadas at this Ubud address, it’s Laca’s legendary Jalapeño Margaritas that have us propping up their techni-coloured Ubud bar every evening (what can we say, they have daily happy hours!). For one of the best libations we’ve found in Bali’s hippie heart, order up the new Margarita de la Pasion – a twist on the classic graced with a passionfruit twang!
Lacasita Fonda Mexicana, Jl Sri Wedari No. 4, Ubud, p. +62 822 4784 7216, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – midnight.
Spice Night Bar
A stylish gastro-bar that’s loved for its innovative food and cocktail-paired dinners, after hours, Spice by Chris Salans transforms into a buzzing Night Bar where Ubud’s cocktail crew can gather ’til late over locally-inspired concoctions. The drinks here are all dedicated to celebrating the island’s flavours and spices, as well as featuring traditional Balinese Arak (a clear spirit distilled from rice) and Brem, a gentle rice wine. These local ingredients are then transformed into dramatic, bespoke cocktails, like the Red Line (made with jackfruit and grape Arak, clarified pineapple and pandan) or the Biu Batu with banana Arak, Brem, caramelised banana and orange bitters. And it goes without saying that you’ll want to graze on the lineup of gourmet bar snacks too…
Spice Night Bar, Jl Raya Ubud No 23, Ubud, p. +62 361 479 2420, e. [email protected]; Open daily 11am to midnight.
Hippie Fish
Not only home to awesome Mediterranean fare, Hippie Fish is where you’ll find one of Ubud’s largest wine cellars alongside a fab selection of drinks for every occasion – all served up in a stunning yet cosy bar that’s awash with natural wood, brick and rattan. Laid-back and loungey, the vibe here is relaxed yet alive, vibrating with the sounds of great conversation and easy-going tunes, including live jazz and acoustic sessions every Thursday, Friday and Sunday. As for the cocktails, you’ll want to sip on the “Let Your Hubby Home” that uses rosemary gin, lime, berries and soda. Or try the “Kombucha is the New Black” with rum, apples, spices, pineapple and a basil kombucha – this is healthy Ubud after all!
Hippie Fish, Jl Raya Ubud No.14, Ubud, p. +62 812 4641 8938, e. [email protected]; Open daily 10am – 11pm.
Apéritif Bar
For an extra special tipple, head to the opulent and Colonial-style bar at Apéritif – the signature and award-winning restaurant at Viceroy Bali. Here, at this fine dining showpiece, you can prop up the mahogany bar and sip on upmarket cocktails inspired by the Roaring Twenties. Each one has been specially created with Bali’s tropical climate in mind, while showcasing the best artisanal spirits and in-house infusions. As the name suggests, the aperitifs here are unparalleled (the Tamarillo Negroni is on another level!), as are the unique house cocktails. Our fave is the Tres Limon – a refreshing twist on the classic Gin & Tonic using lemongrass, kafir lime, yuzu, and lemon basil. Yum!
Apéritif Restaurant & Bar at Viceroy Bali, Jl Lanyahan, Banjar Nagi, Ubud, p. +62 361 917 777, e. [email protected]; Open Wednesday – Sunday, 4pm – late.
Room4Dessert
Turns out, there really is always Room4Dessert (and cocktails!), especially when it’s this uber cool dessert & drinks venue helmed by renowned NYC chef, Will Goldfarb. The UFO-industrial venue may look like it’s just crashed down from some galactic junkyard, but don’t let the look fool you – this place is the real deal with sublime sweets and some of the best drinks in town. Shaken, stirred, smashed and swilled, the five-star tipples here make it a must-visit for post-dinner boozing ’til late.
Room4Dessert, Jl Sanggingan, Ubud, Kedewatan, Gianyar, p. +62 81 236 662 806; Open Tues – Sun 5pm – 11pm.
Night Rooster
Pull up a pew at this super-cool new speakeasy on Jl Dewi Sita and enjoy some of the best cocktails you’ll find anywhere, thanks to resident alchemist Raka. From the same team behind restaurant-of-the-moment Locavore, the upstairs 40-seater bar area is dripping with a cool late-night atmosphere and the drinks are simply sensational works of art, both visually and in their subtle, delightful flavours. Oh, and they won a spot on Asia’s 50 best bars list.
Night Rooster, Jl Dewi Sita 10B, Ubud, p. +62 361 977 733; Open Mon – Sat, 4pm – late.
Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen
This Ubud underdog may well be small in size, but it makes up for its cosy interiors with its hella flavourful drinks and big, bold flavours. The food here excels all expectations (Pan Asian bites done right) but it’s the cocktails that cause the biggest stir. The Smoked Negroni would fit right in at a New York speakeasy; the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini is up there with Bali’s very best; and the Your Majes-Tea is served up in a teapot for both taste and Instagram kudos. Cheers to that!
Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen, Jl Monkey Forest, Padang Tegal Kelod, Ubud, p. +62 361 9084861, e. [email protected] Open daily 12pm – 12am.
Dumbo
On the ground floor of this so-hot-right-now veggie restaurant, you’ll find a dazzling bar that’ll knock your design-loving socks off – and that’s before you even get a glimpse of the expertly crafted cocktails. Crunchy polenta chips and seasonal antipasto platters sit alongside house-infusions and homemade bitters and cordials, used to mix up the classics like the Thousand Islands Old Fashioned, the Kemangi Gimlet and the Pineapple Sage Martini. Top tip: dine upstairs in the restaurant and your very own mixologist will shake up a stellar sip right at your table-side.
Dumbo, Jl Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, p. +62 812 3838 9993, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 10pm.
Current Social Club & Kitchen
A social club, bar and restaurant in Ubud’s trendiest neighbourhood, Current Social Club & Kitchen is electrifying Ubud’s party scene with its high voltage cocktail list that uses local and organic ingredients, alongside cool events and a sleek space that’s described as “a place for Ubud to get down with it’s casual-sexy self”. Try the Bali Mule and the “I Wanna Jamu With You” cocktail that uses Indonesia’s famous elixir, and swing by for ‘FUSE’ Fridays & ‘Undercurrent’ Tuesdays for its weekly late night jam sessions, bookended by live acoustic nights, DJs, movie nights and the occasional Bloc Party.
Current Social Club & Kitchen Jl Nyuh Bojog, Mas, Ubud, p. +62 361 971377, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7.30am – 11pm.
Lazy Cats
Less of a ‘wild party’ kinda place and more of a ‘sit back in a cushiony armchair with a fabulous cocktail’ kind of place, Lazy Cats is an Ubud bar that’s designed for soaking up the good times and mingling with great friends – all in industrial-bohemian interiors dotted with art, plants and vintage furniture. Its outstanding drinks list features all the classics and more, from mojitos and piña coladas, to the Drunken Cat or Tipsy Tiger, the latter of which is shaken with tequila gold, cointreau and watermelon. Top tip: arrive early to watch the evening sun filter hazily through the skylights, changing to a blanket of deep blue as the nighttime vibes come alive.
Lazy Cats, Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, p. +62 813 3882 2589; Open daily 8am – 10pm.
The Laughing Buddha
One of the liveliest bars in town, the Laughing Buddha is your go-to spot if you’re looking for good fun, live music and of course, delish drinks. You can’t miss it either, it’s right on Monkey Forest road, and the whole place is usually up and grooving to the nightly live bands who always raise the roof.
The Laughing Buddha, Jl Monkey Forest, Ubud, p. +62 361 970 928; Open daily 9am – 1am.
No Más
Toting “easy food, stiff drinks, failed marriages, bad app ideas. Your new island sinkhole awaits”, No Más is a funky downtown bar doesn’t take itself too seriously. Well, apart from the drinks of course, which are a sublime mix of thirst-quenchers, designed to get you up and grooving to the music – especially on their regular Sunday Soul Sessions. You won’t want to miss their multi-day happy hours either.
No Mas, Jl Monkey Forest, 80571 Ubud, p. +62 361 908 0800; Open daily 5pm – 1am.
Copper Kitchen & Bar
Set within the jungle-like surrounds of Bisma Eight, Copper Kitchen has been making waves with its fantastic mix of Indonesian and Western seasonal ‘earth-to-table’ cuisine. Open all day, the gorgeous bar follows a similar model, with the expert mixologists shaking up a variety of original creations based on what’s hot right now. It’s soulful, it’s crafty, and it pays homage to Ubud’s lush surrounds.
Copper Kitchen & Bar at Bisma Eight, Jl Bisma, Ubud, p. +62 361 479 2888; Open daily 7am – 11pm.
Divine Wine & Cocktail Bar
Part of the sprawling Bridges restaurant and overlooking the beautiful Wos River gorge, Divine Wine & Cocktail Bar is a casual yet sophisticated spot to indulge in a few pre or post dinner drinks. One of the best wine lists around and a selection of small bar bites available complete the picture at this Ubud favourite.
Bridges Bali, Jl Raya Campuhan, Ubud, p. +62 361 970 095. Open daily 11am – 11.30am.
CP Lounge
Open all day for casual grazing, CP lounge comes alive after dark with a buzzy international vibe. Situated next to the central football field near central Ubud, it’s one of the only places in town where you can dance the night away into the wee hours while enjoying top-notch cocktails and icy cold beers at super reasonable prices.
CP Lounge, Monkey Forest Road (Jl Wenara Wana), Ubud, p. +62 361 978 954. Open daily 11am – 4am.
The Bar at Murni’s
One of Ubud’s true hidden gems, this atmospheric cocktail bar is hidden down a few flights of stairs below Murni’s restaurant – one of the first ever to open in the area over 30 years ago. Its magical ambiance harks back to a forgotten era of Bali, and a tried and tested cocktail list ensures you’ll end up staying way longer than you expect.
The Bar at Murni’s, Jl Raya Campuan, Ubud, p. +62 361 975 233; Open daily 9am – 11pm.
Thirsty yet? We are too! See you at the bar…
