Ambar at The Ritz-Carlton, Ubud
Flush with dense forests, rice fields and stunning rolling hills, Ubud is the jungle gem of Bali, which is why a rooftop bar here is the prime location for a sundowner. One of our favourites is Ambar at the Ritz-Carlton, which features a stunning wooden deck surrounded by lush vegetation, views of Mandapa village and, most importantly, an excellent bar service. The cocktail list is inspired by nature and is a mixologist’s dream (head barman Adi will look after you), while the Japanese fusion cuisine is the perfect accompaniment. You absolutely must try out the eight “medicinal” cocktails, too – but perhaps not in one sitting.
ambarubudbar.com; @ambarubudbar
Ulu Cliffhouse, Uluwatu
Uluwatu, on Bali’s southwestern-most coastline, is a surfer’s paradise and decidedly more bohemian and relaxed than many of Bali’s other destinations. The elevated position of the cliffs here makes for some of the best sunset bars on the island. Ulu Cliffhouse on the Bukit coast has to be one of our favourites. Panoramic views aside, the vibe is more European beach club than traditional Bali haven, with a cracking set of menus to dine on throughout the day, before sinking into your sunbed with a lychee martini and watching the sky glow up. The nights at the Cliffhouse are eclectic, often with international DJs at the weekends (Carl Cox has been known to throw parties here).
ulucliffhouse.com; @ulucliffhouse
Terraza at Santanera
Santanera, a restaurant set among the cool shops and rice fields of Canggu, has fast developed an excellent reputation for its Latin American cuisine (dinner is a must here). Hidden on its rooftop is Terraza – one of the best bars in Canggu – riffing off a Barcelona-esque vibe with painted nude murals and a sophisticated cocktail menu. It’s something of a secret oasis among Ubud regulars, so definitely book ahead. It often throws rooftop parties too (its La Di Da nights on Friday are great fun), so keep your eyes peeled on its socials.
santanerabali.com; @terrazacanggu
Hippie Fish, Pererenan Beach
If you are hankering after a heady mix of European tastes and Bali sunsets, then get on your moped and pootle on down to Hippie Fish, nestled on the picturesque Pererenan Beach. The views are all Indian Ocean but the cuisine and vibe is distinctly Mediterranean, which sounds like the best of both worlds to us.
The loungy rooftop bar has a smart, contemporary feel to the design and it’s where you’ll want to park your behind as the sun starts its descent and you knock back some excellent signature cocktails (the Italian paloma and honeycomb old fashioned go down far too easily), while indulging in some king prawns, soft shell crab and beef arancini. Once the golden orb has done its dance with the horizon, head to the second floor for dinner: the black ink pappardelle or the spaghetti alle vongole are hard to beat.
tavologroup.com/hippiefish; @hippiefishbali
Wild Air, Ubud
As the second of our Ubud bars, Wild Air is just a hop, skip and a moped-ride from the Monkey Forest, nestled within the Kaamala Resort. And, if one of the cheeky little primates hasn’t nicked your wallet, we suggest you make a beeline there as the sun starts to fall. The views at Wild Air are some of the best we’ve seen. From its perch in the dense canopy of trees, it’s a beautifully lush place to switch into cocktail mode, with the jungle ginger beer quenching the thirst remarkably well, and the jalapeño agrio (a spicy twist on a pineapple margarita) kicking the night into action. That said, much like Ubud, the vibe is super chilled at Wild Air, making this a great spot for date night.
Sunset Park, Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak
Part of the extremely popular Potato Head Beach Club, Sunset Park in Seminyak is one of Bali’s OG bouji sunset bars and definitely the place to be spotted if that’s your thing. By day, it’s a vibey people-watching spot but at sundown the beautiful set arrive to sip on watermelon spritzers or martinis spiked with dragon fruit gin. The tapas-style bar food is top-class too, embellished with Indonesian flavours. It’s a great place to start a night out in Seminyak.
seminyak.potatohead.co; @potatoheadbali
Ryan Thompson is a UK-based menswear and lifestyle writer, whose work has appeared in, among others, the Financial Times, Mr Porter, The Rake and Ape to Gentleman
