FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Dance, Dine and Unwind in Bali After Hours

by Johnny Motley

Aug 10, 2023

PHOTO: © PETER GALLEGHAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

August 2023

Bali, the Indonesian tropical paradise, has long been known as “The Isle of the Gods” — a fitting epithet, as the island is blessed with regal temples, majestic mountains and spectacular beaches. Dazzling scenery aside, one of the gods in question surely must be Varuni, the Hindu deity of wine and revelry. While Bali evokes yoga retreats, luxury spas and cozy beachside bungalows, the island is equally celebrated for pulsing clubs, glamorous beach parties and roaring nightlife.

Receiving untold thousands of tourists annually, Bali’s Denpasar International Airport — the most advanced in Indonesia — receives direct flights from most major cities in Southeast Asia and Australia. At nearly 2,300 square miles, Bali is a large island, home to several sizeable towns, each boasting a distinct personality and after-hours diversions.

In Kuta, the closest town to Denpasar Airport, hard-hitting clubs keep the party rocking each night until sunrise … or even later. The crowd in Kuta tends to skew younger, mostly 20-somethings brimming with spring- break energy. For packed dance floors, strobe lights and seismic speakers, head to Sky Garden, a four-story super club. Sky Garden frequently attracts big-name international DJs, and each floor boasts a distinct aesthetic and sound. Paddy’s Pub, another multistory nightclub, churns out house music and pours of Bintang beer until the wee hours. If you need a break from dancing, Paddy’s has quieter sections for lounging with a hookah or beverage.

North of Kuta lies the gorgeous beach town of Seminyak, the Malibu of Bali. Seminyak has its share of thumping nightclubs, but the town is better known for glitzy beach parties. Seminyak attracts a more refined clientele than Kuta does, and prices are noticeably higher. Go to Potato Head Beach Club, a glittering beachside resort, to sip cocktails by the pool and rub shoulders with the rich, famous and beautiful. Entry into some pool parties requires a reservation and cover charge. After dark, La Favela, a famous Seminyak nightclub, keeps the dance floors hot and the libations flowing. The top floor of La Favela treats patrons to exquisite views of the ocean and island. Bali’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife scene is small, with Seminyak its current center, but growing.

© LCCHEW | DREAMSTIME.COM

In the center of Bali, about an hour by car from the coast, discover Ubud, a mountain enclave renowned for yogis, Balinese theater and Hindu holy sites. While Ubud’s ethos is more subdued, the town offers no shortage of evening fun. Laughing Buddha Bar, a popular haunt among travelers and locals alike, serves up live music, cold beer and delicious bites. Ubud proves a fantastic place to watch traditional Balinese dance, a venerated tradition with all the beauty and subtlety of French ballet. You can watch Balinese dance most nights at Uluwatu Theater, with tickets about $7 and performances lasting around an hour. Ubud boasts plenty of fabulous dining options, too. The chefs at Restaurant Locavore use traditional Balinese ingredients to craft Michelin-quality plates. Try the seven-course tasting menu for an unforgettable dinner.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
September 2024
Sep 11, 2024

Barcelona Serves a Full Menu of After-Hours Treats

Barcelona comes alive after 5 for tapeando at bars, where drinks pair with tapas in small-plate portions, bite-sized pintxos on bread, or sharing-size raciones. Order anchovies, olives, marinated mushrooms, chorizo, jamón ibérico (ham), grilled shrimp, pan con tomate (garlicy tomato spread on baguette), patatas bravas (fried potato cubes in a spicy sauce), tortilla omelet, or lobster in brandy and tuna tartare.

Elevate Your Travels with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

What if you could earn rewards and benefits when traveling, shopping and relaxing at any IHG-branded hotel? Well, you can with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Daily
Sep 11, 2024

How to Indulge in Boutique Luxury in Coastal Mississippi

Not quite ready to switch your closet over to sweaters and snow boots? Head to laid-back, still- warm Coastal Mississippi. Steeped in Southern charm and dotted with quirky waterside towns, it’s the perfect destination antidote to temperature drops in other parts of the country. Here are a few boutique hotels to consider as a base for a getaway:

eFlyer Reviews
Sep 11, 2024

The Somerset on Grace Bay Review

If you’re taking a large family getaway or a “friendcation,” regular hotel rooms might not cut it. Even if you book adjoining rooms or a more spacious suite, accommodations most likely still won’t have all of the amenities to make your stay as comfortable as it could be. But if your brood happens to be planning a beach getaway to Turks & Caicos, The Somerset on Grace Bay can provide an inviting oceanside home away from home.

Daejeon Prepares for Its Iconic Zero O’Clock Festival

Daejeon, South Korea, looks forward to August 2024 and the return of its iconic tradition, the Zero O’Clock Festival. This year, the event is held Aug. 9 –17 with a time travel theme featuring past, present and future zones. Find events pertaining to each zone’s characteristics in the area of Jungang-ro Street, from Daejeon Station to the former site of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office. These streets will be free of vehicles, and public transportation is highly recommended.

eFlyer News
Sep 11, 2024

Aurora Expeditions Expands Beyond the Polar Regions in 2026

Aurora Expeditions announced an expansion to new destinations beyond the Polar regions, including the Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast and Southeast Asia, a first for the brand. As part of its new 2026 Arctic and Beyond season, the travel company introduces a brand-new style of exploration: small-ship cruises.

eFlyer Lead
Sep 11, 2024

Bali Bans New Hotel, Tourism Developments

Indonesia just announced a moratorium on the building of new hotels, nightclubs and villas in some areas of Bali in a bid to control overdevelopment of the land and reform tourism on the popular resort island.

Sunflower Accessibility Program Featured at O’Hare and Midway Airports

Travelers with invisible disabilities passing through O’Hare and Midway International Airports can now discreetly signal they need assistance thanks to a new Chicago Department of Aviation partnership that helps create more accessible and inclusive spaces.

Daily
Sep 11, 2024

AmaWaterways Introduces Stateroom Upgrade Program

AmaWaterways officially launched its new Stateroom Upgrade Program, allowing travelers to enhance their river cruise experience by upgrading to a higher category stateroom. Guests who already reserved a river cruise can participate in an online auction system to request and bid for stateroom upgrades. The program offers cruisers the chance to name their ideal price for an upgrade on select sailings.