Our beautiful Bali will never run low on enchanting sunset vistas. This paradise-island is abundant in photogenic venues for all to enjoy the daily dose of rays until they finally set, whilst capturing that picture perfect moment to brag about on social media. Of course, sunsets signal the start of an exciting night, so here we present the ultimate sunset spots to order up a cocktail and kick off a great evening.
Beginning in the up and coming Canggu, we start with sunset and cocktail haven Ji Restaurant (www.jirestaurantbali.com). Stood gracefully in a reconstructed 311-year-old temple, adjacent to Hotel Tugu, the contemporary Japanese restaurant is set over three floors with its latest crowd-pleasing addition, Ji Terrace By The Sea. The brand new rooftop dining experience offers a menu full of Japanese and Chinese fusion dishes, contemporary cocktails, all complimented by undisturbed scenes of Canggu’s glittering coastline. You can choose from a selection of fresh light bites, including Spicy Yellowfin Tuna from the special maki rolls menu, whilst soaking in the honey dipped sky view. Their signature cocktails are as Asian-inspired as their food; Ume Hana, Gojuchang Forest, and Kaiso all have an oriental twist. If you fancy a kick in your drink, you and Ji Restaurant’s seaweed-infused sake, smoked paprika and black pepper-based drinks are a match made in heaven.
Day club and sunset lounge Finns Beach Club (www.finnsbeachclub.com), located on Berawa Beach, Canggu, is everything you want your sunset session to be accompanied by; comfortable day beds, a stunning 30-metre infinity edge pool, underwater speakers, huge platters of food, plus a cinemascope-ocean view as the cherry on top. From tapas style grazing options to the classic nasi goreng, there’s a variety of food to share. Finn’s drinks menu ranges from healthy to playful. Health-is-wealth warriors can sip on Rosella energisers and ginger green tea, whilst their counterparts enjoy an extensive list of wine. The cocktails are very on brand; fresh and fruity, incorporating mango juice, melon schnapps, vodka peach, lychee liqueur, and more. The newly opened Finns VIP Beach Club next door offers a more refined and relaxed beach club experience; this expansive, pearl-white beauty spans from a gorgeous colonial villa, through to manicured lawn right up until the beachfront.
Snuggled in between Canggu and Seminyak, Batu Belig is close to the hottest tourist mecca but far enough to space yourself away from the hectic streets. It recently welcomed Tropicola (www.tropicola.info), the area’s newest attraction. Brought to you by the masterminds behind Motel Mexicola and Bondi Beach’s Bucket List, this Batu Belig beach club is anticipated to taste the same sweet success as its predecessors. Long lazy days and fun balmy nights are what to expect in Tropicola. The mansion slash playground has neat touches of clean lines, bright colours, cascading plants, and an amphitheater shaped towards the beach to ensure you’ll get front row seats to the ‘golden mile’ of Seminyak beach. The drinks list includes Tropicolada, which uses jackfruit instead of traditional pineapple, the Arak N Roll, which incorporates the finest Bali Arak, and its own take on an espresso martini using local ingredients. Sticking through to its aesthetics, the food menu is clean and light, such as the raw salmon salad, tuna tartare, prawn cocktail, in addition to indulging food such as pork taco and burger.
Beachside Seminyak is undoubtedly busy come sunset hours. At WooBar (www.woobarbali.com) at W Bali, you’ll witness the magical sunset in the comfort of their sky deck, where sun set sessions are followed by dance parties that last all night. From Mediterranean tapas, thin crust pizzas, to sweet and refreshing Paletas, we guarantee all five senses will be appeased in time for when it’s time to switch from flip flops to heels. To top it all off, WooBar offers sunset session cocktail deals every Monday to Thursday at 4PM to 6PM.
Driving further south, visit The Samaya (www.thesamayabali.com) to immerse in a stunning beachfront setting featuring warm decor, modern amenities, and genuine hospitality. The resort’s Breeze Restaurant & Bar offers an exotic selection of international and local dishes, served with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop. The award-winning dining experience here is exquisite, a must for food connoisseurs. Carefully curated by professional in-house chefs, an overview of the dinner menu involves seafood starters, such as sashimi, baby octopus salad and deep sea scallops; while the mains are a mix of land and sea meals, such as Moroccan organic lamb shank, pan seared Atlantic salmon, and more. Drinks wise, guests are offered a comprehensive list of fine wines. From red to white, to sweet to sparkling, it’s worth considering their selected wines of the week.
A few minutes drive from the previous venue is Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort. It hosts an award-winning beachfront venue, Sunset On Seminyak (S.O.S.) (www.anantara.com), which has been on partygoers’ to-do list since opening its doors. Sunsets at Anantara are complemented with a bang, as a captivating fire display is sparked after dark. Pre-sunset session, guests can enjoy daily afternoon tea from 3PM to 6PM, whilst dining on three types of savoury bites and three different sweet treats. The al fresco experience is highlighted by views of the pool and shoreline. S.O.S’s cocktail selection was created especially for tropical sunset sessions with a cosmopolitan flair in mind.
Rock Bar (www.ayana.com) at Ayana Resort and Spa is a must-visit when you’re heading further south. The unique sunset bar is perched atop a secluded limestone cliff along Jimbaran’s pristine sunset coast. It has successfully enticed the hearts of visitors with their signature cocktails and one-of-a-kind sunset drinks experience. International bar consultant Sebastien Bonnefoi was the genius behind the quirky blends, merging imported liquors, local fruits and herbs and spices that beautifully complement a natural atmosphere. Rock Bar’s martinis are among the favourites. Whether it’s for a romantic rendezvous or a special occasion with friends, Rock Bar delivers a sunset moment to remember. Leave your backpacks and board-shorts at home, as smart attire is highly preferred.
In Four Seasons Resort Bali (www.fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay) at Jimbaran Bay, you’ll savour an aperitif experience with real life culinary entertainment. The chefs at Taman Wantilan restaurant take centre stage with live-action cooking against Jimbaran’s curving 3-mile beach and dusky sunsets. The open-air Balinese style dining pavilion offers an impressive array of Asian and Western cuisine at nine live action stations. Alongside a myriad of innovative cocktails, guests will indulge in hand-made naan and pasta crafted before their eyes, as well as dessert prepared by award-winning pastry chef Yusuke Aoki. The setting is elegant and sophisticated, perfect for upscale sunset drinks.
Located in the same district that boasts unparalleled views over Jimbaran Bay, meet Above Eleven. The rooftop venue was first introduced and celebrated in Thailand’s capital city Bangkok, and made its way to the Island of the Gods in 2017. Inspired by New York’s Central Park, Above Eleven Bali (www.aboveeleven.com/bali) is a chic rooftop sky bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue nestled upon Movenpick Resort Spa in Jimbaran. With creative cuisine and innovative cocktails to offer, Above Eleven is an ideal location to soak up the sunset with friends and family. The bars in this venue don’t only serve alcoholic beverages, they have dedicated a whole bar for raw seafood. Moreover, the Nikkei cuisine is a blend of Peruvian and Japanese food specialties, with DJs spinning tunes to set the right atmosphere. They’ve recently welcomed two new cokcktails; gin-based Bangli cocktail and sake-inspired Tabanan cocktail.
Swaying to Nusa Dua, we greet lifestyle, food and beverage events group ISMAYA’s newest Bali venue, Manarai Beach House (www.ismaya.com/eat-drink/manarai) with open arms. This young face is the new lifestyle destination for everyone to enjoy a full-fledged beach experience from day to night on a pristine beach front. Manarai Beach House embodies the three things ISMAYA is loved for: food, drinks, and entertainment, blending traditional Balinese craftsmanship and contemporary touches. The exclusive selection of international and local dishes was orchestrated by Executive Chef Stefan Poyet, who has worked for Michelin-starred restaurants at Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. The menu highlights quintessential comfort food and friendly options for health-conscious diners as well. Their whimsical cocktails, include homemade alcoholic popsicles to cater to your endless summer needs. Before you know it, Manarai will be a host to Bali’s many sunset parties.
Another five-star resort in Nusa Dua to tick off your aperitif bucket list is Ayodya Resort (www.ayodyaresortbali.com). The team behind Ayodya have carefully blended Bali’s regal hospitality with awe-inspiring views of the Indian Ocean. Situated on the more secluded south side of Bali, Ayodya is one of the oldest hotels in Bali that manages to keep its graceful traditional Balinese values. From Southeast Asian to Mediterranean cuisine, the exquisite dining experience ensures that there is something to suit all palates. The atmosphere at the beachfront bar is harmonised with live music, panoramic views, and an excellent selection of cocktails.
