Ubud is not a particularly cosmopolitan place and if you're looking at partying all night, you might want to stay in Seminyak or Canggu. There is also a noise limit from 10.30pm.
However there are still plenty of options for a drink or three ranging from the fun and basic to the very upmarket. Head to the western end of Jl. Monkey Forest for the majority of bars, or catch a Gojek to any of the other places on the list.
🎶 denotes live music: see list at the bottom for all live music venues.
If I've missed your favourite - please let us know via our contact form.
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL
Laughing Buddha 🎶
Super fun little spot on Jl Monkey Forest, this bar has all the standard drinks and almost always sports a great band. The location is super convenient, the decor is unassuming, and the menu is basic international fare.
No Mas 🎶
Up the stairs above Jl Monkey Forest is a great bar with a fun menu and friendly bar staff. There is often a live band which can be loud, but the bar is surprisingly cozy with a great cocktail and beer list.
Hideout 🎶
A couple of fun bands keep this little place lively on any given evening over on Jl. Bisma. The menu is standard international and Indonesian fare, the cocktail and beer list is basic, but the vibe is cheerful and friendly.
The Grill 🎶
Drop in for the yummy steaks and ribs, stay for the band and happy hour cocktails. The Grill has live music on Wednesday and Saturday nights from 7pm and you can find it up Tirta Tawar street slightly north of Ubud.
Otokafe 🎶
Right on the corner of Jl. Hanoman and Jl Monkey Forest, the newly expanded Otofake is a very hip, motorbike-themed place with quite a local feel. There always seems to be fun and friendly Balinese biker guys hanging around. Weekend nights are particularly lively with a great band and outside tables where you can have a beer and people watch. The BBQ menu is particularly good, and they have a decent breakfast and coffee for the mornings.
Mingle
I have a soft spot for Mingle and their super strong cocktails. Happy hour is amazing (2 for R105,000 pretty much all evening) and perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The food is heavy on the fried items so have a snack only before going somewhere else.
Bintang Warung 🎶
For anyone on the north side of Ubud, Bintang has a great Indonesian menu and live music (classic rock) three times a week. A fun and relaxed place with a lovely outlook overlooking the rice fields up near Petulu.
MIDLEVEL
Bacari
My new favourite wine bar on cute Jl. Goutama, this place has a delightful small plates menu to go with a great wine list. Due to the cost of importing International wines, you aren't going to be paying less than you will in Sydney or Singapore, but all the wines are good and if, like me, you are happy to splash out on a decent drop, this place is for you.
Dumbo
This is a fun Italian (vegetarian) place on Jl. Raya Sangingan. It has great cocktails and a small but decent wine list, and often has live music. There isn't much of an outlook but the wood fired pizzas and friendly staff make up for it.
CPs 🎶
Up until recently, this was Ubud's only real nightclub, and hidden dance space is pumping until 3am with great music. Until midnight there is often a latin-style band and the snack menu is decent.
Donna
A relatively new nightclub, Donna on Jl Monkey Forrest has a great downstairs area with excellent cocktails and a fantastic tapas menu. Upstairs, the dancing at the al fresco rooftop starts towards 11pm for the night owls.
The Blue Door 🎶
The amazing bar menu at this busy spot on Jl Monkey Forest is great for a lunchtime drink, pre-dinner cocktail or late night tipple. I'm not fond of the tvs with the football distracting your discussions, but its not invasive. By 11pm, the doors to the nightclub area open up and you can enter the lounge area with its mini dance floor. The happy hour lasts for 7 hours until 7pm and the food menu is great.
Folk
This pool bar is down a little alley off Jl. Monkey Forest is perfect for a beer and a swim on a sticky evening, or just enjoy the relaxed vibe with a lychee martini and delicious burger.
Ibu Susu
The cocktails here are amazing and the pan-asian food is excellent. A friendly, comfortable and chill place, Ibu Susu is a personal favourite of mine. You will need to book at this popular place.
Cantina Rooftop
Fabulous spot just over the bridge, overlooking the Campuhan ridge walk. Get there before 6pm for excellent 2-for-1 cocktails and stay for the amazing food. This is a tapas style place with a variety of international dishes and everything on the menu is excellent and great value.
Meru
Right below Cantina Rooftop is the even better value Meru. A tight, international menu, fun cocktail list and gorgeous views, Meru is a lovely spot at any time of the day. Happy hour from 4-6pm makes it particularly fun!
Kaamala Resort 🎶
The Wild Air restaurant at this beautiful resort has a perfect sunset view overlooking the jungle ridge across from Penestanen, and yet is practically in the middle of Ubud. The plates are delicious although quite small, but the view makes up for it. If its a hot steamy evening you can use their gorgeous pool if you eat at the restaurant (and in fact you can do this all day). There is also live music on Wednesday (Regae) and Saturday (Jazz) nights.
Others
* Boliche - you need the password to get into this late night speakeasy!
* Bar Luna - temporarily closed
* Belle - A new wine bar I haven't tried yet.
* Current Social Club - A convenient spot on Jl. Raya Ubud but I find it a little ordinary
* Mai Mai - A new beer garden, looks pretty and ready for a review!
UPMARKET
Night Rooster
Night Rooster has recently re-opened on Jl. Goutema with its excellent esoteric cocktail menu. The sharing, small dish food has been upgraded and every dish is amazing - although my vegan drinking buddy could only try one dish. Its a gorgeous speak-easy style interior, and drinks comes with a fun krupuk basket.
Aperitif 🎶
This bar, in the fancy Aperitif Restaurant, is gorgeous, the selection is fantastic and the mixologist, Panji, is a gem. Keep your eye out for deals and special events like their gin nights and cigar nights. The bar food menu also gives you a little snapshot of just how good the restaurant is. Wednesday and Saturday nights there is often live music.
The Sayan House
Perfect for sunset, get here at 6pm for an amazing cocktail and spectacular view over the river valley. You will need to book for dinner, which is a delightful Japanese/Latin fusion style.
Copper Kitchen
The Cocktails and food here are amazing. It's a beautiful setting, and the decor is gorgeous. Although it's a great rooftop bar, the ambience is not great since the tables are too spread out, and there tend to be fewer people due its spot on a side street of Ubud. If you are staying on Jalan Bisma, though, it's recommended just for the beautiful walk through the hotel alone. I haven't eaten here, but apparently, the food is excellent if a little expensive. Happy hour is 5-7pm every night with 2-for-1 cocktails at R170,000.
Kawi Ubud
This new and eyewateringly cool speakeasy- there isn't even a sign post - is up in north ubud. The cocktails are very exciting and interesting but there's only a tiny food menu so you'll need to go somewhere before or after to eat. You'll find it opposite the Fly Cafe and next to a laundry.
Others
Room for Dessert
Akar and the pool bar next door (Tegallang)
Check out Upmarket Restaurants in the Ubud Guide.
LIVE MUSIC
Laughing Buddha Every Night (Classic Rock) 8-11pm
Hideout Every Night from 6pm (Classic Rock and Pop)
The Grill Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7pm (Classic Rock)
CPs Every night from 8pm (Latin and Rock)
Blue Door Every Night ~7pm unless there is a big sporting event on
No Mas Weekends
Bintang Warung Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Otokafe Friday Nights (Classic Rock)
Ciao Nonno Tuesdays - live Jazz from 7pm
Sayuri Every Night (world & new age music)
Bohemia Thursdays
Table Talk Wednesday nights
Onion & Co. Thursday through Saturday
Biji World Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Wild Air Restaurant Wednesday (Reggae) and Saturday (Jazz)
Famous Pizza Saturday nights
Indus Jazz Saturday nights
HAPPY HOURS
The Elephant All drinks buy-1-get-1-free (cocktails R95,000) every day 3-5pm
Meru Discounted drinks and complimentary Tapas 4-6pm
Cantina Rooftop All drinks 2-for-1 cocktail 4-6pm
Mingle All cocktails buy-one-get-one-free R105,000 every day 3-9pm
No Mas Five cocktail options at R150,000 for two; 5-11pm every night
Copper Kitchen Signature cocktails every evening 5-7pm. 170,000 for 2 cocktails
Blue Door Four cocktails available in a 2-for-1 deal, everyday 12-7pm (R150k)
Famous Pizza Saturday nights 2-for-1 cocktails
Tropical View A short list of standard cocktails for just R45,000 every day 4-8pm
Kelapa Muda Everyday 2-for-1 cocktails between 4-6pm
Folk Everyday all day 2-for-1 cocktails (R125,000).
Titi Batu. Everyday 3-6pm 2-for-1 cocktails from a short list (R150,000)
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