Lombok’s bar scene consists of magnificent sunsets, hip-shaking local bands and ingenious settings, where cocktails are served from inside a VW bus or on top of a treehouse.
Many travellers see Lombok island as an extension of Bali, or rather, a quieter, more remote version of the world-famous destination. While there’s truth in that, Lombok’s nightlife is anything but sleepy. Every night, the two main traveller hubs of Senggigi and Kuta, light up with music, dancing and drinking, welcoming hip international crowds all year. Culture Trip lists the 10 best bars to visit when you’re in Lombok, Indonesia.
La Chill lives up to its name, especially if your idea of chilling involves beanbags on the sand, watermelon cocktails and glorious sunsets. Other than its fine selection of imported wine and signature cocktails, the bar serves delicious Indonesian food and fresh seafood, in case dancing to the live music makes you hungry. While cocktails at sunset are the main draw, La Chill opens early in the morning and also makes a great breakfast junction – offering sunshine, coffee and toast to start the day.
Parked in Lombok’s hip Kuta neighbourhood, the Bus Bar serves tequila shots and blasts house music from a classic 1974 VW bus. A night here is an all-around delight, complete with free-pour shots and a fun, friendly crowd. Also well known for its scrumptious pizza.
Surfers Bar is the quintessential beach bar, based in an idyllic bamboo hut, touting cold beer and a hip surfer crowd. Friday nights are usually the liveliest time, when music and special performances serenade merry crowds well until early morning. Watch out for special events and promotions like ladies night, jamming sessions and open mic nights.
Happy Cafe’s laid-back and welcoming atmosphere lures travellers wandering through Senggigi’s noisy main strip. Among the crowds are those following rave reviews, looking for good live music, delicious sushi and cheap bottles of Bintang beer. Happy Cafe has a humble, wooden design, decorated with lights and beautiful carvings that invoke ‘happy’.
Known for summoning the best local talents to set the party mood, Marina is the go-to place in Lombok for dancing and live music. This bar has built a base of loyal patrons thanks to its daily happy hour and pool table, making it a staple of Senggigi’s nightlife scene. Marina has a wide selection of imported beers and wine, but their flaming cocktails are easily the highlight of many a merry evening.
Set in a dreamy tree house, this bar is the fusion of both your childhood and grown-up dreams. Snuggle yourself onto one of the beanbags or swings by the bar before ordering the cocktail of your choice (ours is the infamously potent ‘Northern Lights’). Music is tastefully selected for chilled out evenings after long adventurous days by the beach.
A boisterous bar and grill in Lombok’s Senggigi, Cowshed will fill you up with an impressive selection of drinks and steak. The venue also entertains splendidly well, with different music performances and lively theme nights – even at its most uneventful it’s pretty eventful. Too drunk to drive back home? Charter their lovely VW minivan shuttle.
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Of all the bars that line up tourist hub Senggigi, Verve lies on the more modern side, with a striking contemporary design rivalling anything you’d find in Bali. Yet as is the beauty of Lombok, you don’t have to battle crowds for a seat at this ocean-front cabana. Instead, kick back in a serene, romantic nook, wining and dining under the palm trees while the sun sets.
This restaurant-cum-bar gets livelier as the night wears on. As happy hour kicks in and the hip Kuta crowds gather, Riviera becomes one of the most raucous places on the island. On weekends, acoustic live bands or DJs add revelry to the routine. Pizza and beer is the ultimate combo at Riviera Lounge, although they do have excellent cocktails and Western food as well.
Part of the lavish Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort, everything about Senja Lounge oozes five-star glamour. The restaurant and lounge has a prime beachfront location, giving it a splendid view of Lombok’s blue ocean by day and orange sky by dusk. Senja has an exquisite selection of wine and cocktails, along with a fine menu of Indonesian specialities like the delicious soto ayam and Lombok’s traditional ayam taliwang.
