Seminyak is the more laid back and sophisticated part of south Bali. It’s north of Kuta and south of Canggu. It was originally the area inhabited by the European expats frequenting Bali’s shores back in the 70s to 90s. They brought with them the new electronic sounds and European dining.  Now it’s a growing metropolis where you will find all the best that the world has to offer from food, shopping, beaches and the famous Seminyak nightlife.

Sunset starts the action and is a good warm up for the night to come. Try the restaurants on the Double Six/Blue Ocean strip for the hubbub of racket ball playing Euros and the buzz of the beach scene. Well, it used to be like that, now it’s more full of Indonesian and Bule (foreign) families and a sea of umbrellas and daybeds.  The restaurants are good enough and the price is right. Try Blue Ocean, Pavilion, Zanzibar, they are all good or Doublesix Rooftop with its sweeping ocean views,  Move along the beach north and get a seat at La Plancha or the myriad beach side cafes along that stretch. Cheap beers, food, and you can find exactly what a lot of people coming to Bali are looking for along this stretch of beach. Sunset drinks and food are also good at Ku De Ta, Potato Head Beach Club, and W Retreat’s Woo Bar with DJs chilling the tunes and great dining – all in the Petitenget area. Further north, down Jl Batubelig you can find an old Bali style sunset beach bar called 707 Beachbern and next door Il Lido – both spin tasty sounds, 707 is little more party like, and they are always busy with expats and tourists around sunset. The new Oyster Dealer Beach Haus is also pretty cool. The newly opened Mari Beach Club and Cafe del Mar beachclubs (further north) are mostly busy every day now and sunset with more house techno flavours and special guest DJ events.

As the sun sets and the tummy rumbles it’s time to find some grits (if you haven’t already). ‘Eat Street’ or Jl. Laksmana in Oberoi/Petitenget is still offering decent options. Ultimo has moved down the road across from Bistro Batu Kali. The new GOAT is serving up burgers and live music most nights.  Cafe Bali, Junction House and Batik are serving up good food. For finer dining, try KU DE TA, La Luciola, W’s Starfish Bloo, Sarong, Merah Putih and the excellent all you can eat dinners at ShiShi are not to be missed. Further along Jl Petitenget Ling Ling’s and Shooters are always busy and right between those two is The Forge which quickly became the hottest place in town when it opened a couple of years ago.  Mamasan and Boy’n’Cow on Jl Kerobokan, don’t disappoint.   Another spot in Seminyak for dining with a touch of Bali history is Made’s Warung on Jl. Raya Seminyak – a truly authentic Bali experience.

Seminyak still offers the best high-end nightlife of Bali, with stylish, upmarket clubs and restaurants serving the finest food, drinks, entertainment and classy electronic music. Be sure to dress up if you are out for a big night. That includes shoes!