Bali's nightlife is among the hottest on earth

Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Many visitors wonder where crowds of expats suddenly come from around 1:00 in the morning - even when all of Kuta has been very quiet during the whole evening, the in-places often become crowded after midnight.

There's a simple explanation: during the early evenings many of Bali's night owls either still work, visit friends at home, or simply sleep. Most of them visit pubs, bars, or discos only in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you plan a night out don't start your dinner too early. Between 9:00 p.m. and midnight there are not many places we can recommend.

Visitors looking for company don't need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur and the Kuta area, there are many other single travelers with the same problem around - day and night. In Bali's discos you'll meet also many kupu kupu malams ("night butterflies", or working girls) and young boys who compete with the females and service all sexes. All taxi drivers also know the more popular karaoke bars and massage parlors in Kuta and Denpasar, and the various "Houses of Ill Repute" in Sanur's narrow back lanes.

Prostitution is illegal in Bali. However, like in most countries, everyone turns a blind eye. Many girls can be found in nightclubs and bars in most areas. They look usually just like the girl next door, albeit with a bit more make up on, and they usually dress to please the eye. For the most part, they are gentle, easy to be with, and a lot of fun if you want to dance, drink and have a little fun with, beforehand. Most will be yours for the whole night for about Rp. 200.000 although they CAN vary from Rp. 50.000 in Sanur to Rp. 500.000 and more depending upon the time of night and the situation.