Memorable nightlife lures tourists to paradise island
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): It's Friday evening, the lights are on and everyone turns up the music for a memorable night in Bali.
The paradise island of Bali offers a large variety of night entertainment for those who can afford to stay up late.
For tourists who want to start their night cruising early, they can pick up a sunset package.
To enjoy the sunset, you must head out to the beaches on Bali's southwest coast. The obvious first choices are Kuta Beach or Hard Rock Cafe's second-floor terrace. While sipping a cappuccino and enjoying the restaurant's signature brownies, you can certainly enjoy your early evening happy hour.
Another popular spot is Terace Cafe, midway along Kuta Beach. It serves a variety of ice creams and cakes. If you don't want to add calories while you enjoy the sunset, you can just stroll barefoot along the beach, taking turns with friends to snap sunset pictures.
One of the most stunning sunset settings is Balangan Cafe, perched on a tranquil hill between Jimbaran Bay and the Nusa Dua area. And unless there is cloud cover, you will witness the spectacular round orange ball sinking into the sea. Enjoy late afternoon tea or coffee or a sundowner cocktail.
To kick your heels up in style, La Lucciola is a nice open-air beachside Italian restaurant. Watch the sun sink below the horizon between the coconut trees while hundreds of tiny birds return to roost for the night in the leafy surroundings. Also, you won't have to move on for dinner anywhere.
For honeymooners, a dinner cruise under the stars isn't a bad idea. There is Waka Experience with its silver-service Starlight Dinner Cruise aboard Benoa Sakti, departing from Benoa Harbor each evening, and Bali Hai Cruises offers a "party cruise", circling the harbor.
For more Italian fare, the top players are Macaroni Club in Kuta or the popular Teras rooftop restaurant in Seminyak.
For fresh fare with a French flair, Kafe Warisan on Jl. Raya Kerobokan, is favored by visitors and local residents. Surrounded by stunning rice paddy views and an antique shop, you can watch the sunset, dine on spectacular food and do your shopping, all in one stop. Another newcomer with a French menu is the 24-hour KK's on Jl. Double Six in Legian.
For a night with Balinese entertainment and a stroll through a night market, where food stalls serve Asian and European dishes, all freshly cooked, Grand Hyatt Pasar Senggol offers attractive alternatives.
Made's Warung in Seminyak serves a wide variety of dishes and is an easy spot to carry on to the next stop for after dinner drinks. Don't be surprised if you bump into half the people you saw at Made's in the bars and discos later in the evening.
Other after-dinner watering holes, where people idle away the night until the discos open at 11 p.m. are Goa 2000 and Cafe Luna, facing each other on Jl. Seminyak. Goa 2000, a huge pavilion with reasonable prices, is a good trolling spot to find partners to carry on for an all night rave.
For other party spots, there are two main night clubs in the Seminyak area which are both open-air and play the most updated alternative dance music. Established years ago, even the names of the roads where they are located are commonly referred to by the club names. Double Six is larger than Gado Gado and adds an extra dimension by offering an A.J. Hackett bungy jump tower.
With such a great variety, you can fill your holiday nights in Bali and mix with people from around the globe. (Kora Amalwati)