Bali Nightlife

Nightlife

From the weird to the wonderful, the tacky to the chic, Bali has a nightlife mix unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Very few venues insist on a dress code and the legal age for drinking (17 years) is not enforced. Hoards of sun-burnt teenagers from around the globe take full advantage of the relaxed … more rules to party 'til they drop in Kuta, where things don’t really heat up in clubs until around midnight. Be careful when heading out on the town here ­ Kuta is a notoriously seedy, neon-lit swamp of tacky bars, cheap thrills, and aging bar girls tied to local pimps. Never accept drinks from strangers (they may laced) and avoid drugs at all costs (you could spend 25 years in jail if busted). Up in Seminyak and Legian the crowd is older, more refined, and dressed accordingly; just be aware that August is “party” month in Seminyak, with restaurants rolling out the red carpet and socialites showing up in droves, driving up drink prices and cover charges (it’s not uncommon to spend to as high as $60 just to get in the door). In Ubud, a royal decree stipulating that bars and clubs may not remain open later than 11pm keeps things calmer.