In general, Indonesia’s attitude towards homosexuality is fairly intolerant, owing to the religious influences in the culture. Fortunately, Bali has a far more relaxed outlook and the island is popular among LGBT travellers. From luxury villas to spas and bars, The Island of the Gods is the perfect retreat for a fun vacation in the sun!
Bali’s small but thriving gay scene is centred around Seminyak on Bali’s popular southwestern coast. This beachside town has a variety of venues and services catering specifically to the LGBT community, from saunas to hotels. For nightlife, check Seminyak’s modest but lively collection of gay clubs.
From beaches to bars, here’s how to see the best of Bali’s gay scene!
Gay bars and clubs in Bali
Bali’s LGBT nightlife consists of just four bars on Jalan Camplung Tanduk road in Seminyak. The scene may be small but size isn’t everything and this short strip of bars and clubs comes alive after dark. All are positioned next door to one another, so bar crawls are inevitable and you’re likely to visit all of them during your stay! Each has an awesome atmosphere, great music and live entertainment to keep you partying until the early hours.
Bali Joe
Start your night right with pre-drinks at Bali Joe’s, located next to F Bar on Jalan Camplung Tanduk road. Their outrageous entertainment and buzzing atmosphere are sure to keep you for at least a few hours; plenty of time to sample a few drinks from their extensive cocktail menu! If you do decide to stay all night, BJs is open every day until 3 am.
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Face Bar
Ready to take things up a notch? Step next door to F Bar, where the focus is on the performers. Go-go dancers, pole dancers and the infamous shower show are sure to keep you entertained, and F Bar’s wide range of cocktails won’t disappoint, either. F Bar regularly hosts fabulous parties and events, so keep an eye out for these while you’re in Seminyak!
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Mixwell Bar
Mixwell is one of Seminyak’s best-known and most popular gay bars, so you’re sure to end up here at least once during your stay. Famed for their flamboyant drag performances and go-go dancers, Mixwell is the perfect place to really get your night going! Come for the entertainment, stay for the atmosphere – the party at Mixwell lasts until 3 am, so you can dance and mingle until late.
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Bottoms up
For the sexiest shower shows in Seminyak, Bottom’s Up Bar is the place to go. Nightly drag shows and go-go dancers mean this place is always busy, but weekends are the best time to catch the wildest parties. Bottoms Up is located on the same strip as Mixwell, BJs and F Bar, so it’s the perfect spot to finish up your night.
Other gay venues and services in Bali
Your nights in Bali are sorted, but how should you spend your days? Read on for Bali’s gay spas, saunas and beaches, where you can relax and enjoy your time on the island.
For gay beaches in Bali…
Head to Batu Belig, Bali’s only ‘gay-popular’ beach.
This picturesque stretch of white sand paradise is located just a short drive from Seminyak, between Canggu and Berawa. Batu Belig is less popular than other beaches in the region and is usually pretty quiet. With just one cafe and a few sun loungers, this is the ideal secluded spot for an afternoon of relaxing. Grab a beer and pull up a lounger to enjoy Bali’s tropical climate and island-paradise scenery.
For gay spas in Bali…
Check out the Elegantz Spa and Sauna in Seminyak, for an afternoon of indulgent pampering during your trip. This men-only spa houses a sauna, plunge pool, TV lounge, open and private showers, garden, balcony and even a mini-gym. Get a massage or relax in the jacuzzi and enjoy the private, comfortable environment.
The flippantly-named Banana Spa is another men’s only club in Seminyak and offers a wide range of services and amenities. Take a dip in the pool, grab a cold drink at the bar, or book in for a male-male massage at this luxurious club. As an added bonus, Banana Spa is located very close to Seminyak’s strip of gay clubs, so you can jump straight from the sauna to the bar!
For gay-friendly accommodation in Bali…
The best place to be in Bali for close proximity to the scene is surely Seminyak. This upmarket party town has all of the island’s gay bars, spas and saunas, as well as fantastic beaches and shopping opportunities.
The LGBT scene in Seminyak is centred around Jalan Camplung Tanduk road and there are several options for accommodation nearby. Consider renting a luxury villa in the area to enjoy your trip in true style. Here, you can relax by your own private pool after a night out partying, for the ultimate in comfort and luxury.
Considerations for gay people in Bali
Homosexuality is widely accepted in Bali and there is no region that is unsafe for gay people to visit. However, you should observe the same rules as straight travellers when it comes to public displays of affection. PDA of all kinds is frowned upon in Bali (though hand-holding is usually considered fine).