You think I’m joking, but I’m not. For those of you who have met me or read this column before, you will know I am fanatical about “real Bali,” the protection of the culture and the preservation of nature. So first of all why have an issue of NOW! Bali dedicated to cocktails? Then why call Bali the “capital of cocktails”? Have I lost my marbles?

Soapbox

Two reasons.

Firstly we are here to give good information to top level visitors (like you!) and one of the things people like to do on holiday is relax at sundown (or slightly before!) with a nice drink, so our duty is to make sure you get the right one at the right place! Hopefully at the right price too!

There are hundreds of places offering “cocktails,” many in jamjars with very suspicious contents which are as likely to make you ill as to make you happy, so we thought “Let’s actually recommend what we think are the best,” and save you the time and trouble (and a trip to the doctor).

WOOBAR
Who doesn’t like cocktails with umbrella?

Secondly, a cocktail is a cocktail, and many are concocted by the same genius “mixologists” across the world, meaning that, except for a few unique brews, many are quite similar. So that leaves the place, the atmosphere, the ambience and the service as the defining factors, and this is where Bali comes into its own.

Here in Bali cocktails are served in bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants, rooftops, gardens, beaches, cliff tops, river banks, forests, fields and even hotels of the most wonderful design, location and atmosphere anywhere! And by some of the nicest, most charming, most elegant, most caring people. If you are going to do cocktails, do them well, do them with people you love, have them served by people who smile (and don’t demand huge tips) and enjoy them in places that those in crowded cities would give their right arm to be in.

Of course I am presuming you have already  been to see Bali’s amazing sights, enjoyed the dance & culture, the art and the fields and mountains, first. If not, then don’t touch that drink!

Go and enjoy Bali before you enjoy the cocktails!

Alistair G. Speirs

Alistair G. Speirs

Alistair G Speirs, OBE, is the Publisher of NOW! Magazines. He has been in the publishing, advertising and PR business for the last 25 years. He started both NOW! Bali and NOW! Jakarta as each region's preferred community magazine.