Jimbaran Beach Nightlife

Getting to the Rock Bar itself is an experience. Past Ayana’s green cliff-top lawns you’ll notice two ways to descend, and both provide spectacular bird’s eye views. First is the ‘hard way’ down the extended flight of stairs that leads you to the Kisik Bar & Grill, which serves fine seafood under a thatched roof restaurant and at the tables on the sand. Continuing to the Rock Bar, you stroll along the cliff base causeway around Ayana’s free-form ocean beach pool.

The second access is an effortless option, by means of a funicular ride down. However, expect queues, especially moments before sunset time. Queues are divided into two, one of which is a ‘fast lane’ reserved for hotel guests – one of the perks of staying at the Ayana. If you have the energy, we’d recommend going the ‘hard way’ as there are several stops along the descent that provide you memorable scenic and photographic moments of the seascape and horizon, the beach and cliff base, and most of all, the Rock Bar.

Perched 14m above the waves, the Rock Bar is a small centrepiece with the vast sky and Indian Ocean as backdrop. There are several round tables at the lower foyer and eight more steps up leads you to the main bar, which is bordered by glass screens. The Rock Bar’s innovative design was conceived by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japanese design studio Spin. Wooden deck areas provide additional viewing points on both sides of the main rock that stretches along the coast, one of which is accessed via a natural cave. The cave walls sparkle with what seems to be crystal, quartz-like minerals.

The bar centrepiece was built using thousands of layers of recycled glass canes, and was created by Bali-based Japanese glass artist Seiki Torige. The barmen and team of beautiful waitresses clad in elegant, signature black outfits are swift and gracious. At the centre of the all-weather wicker tables are unique upright cylindrical menus. The moment you get here and just in time for sunset, pick a spot and go straight for the cocktails.

Among the favourites are the Rock Bar’s martinis, comprising quirkily-named blends such as Punch Rock, Rockberry Martini and Spa on the Rock, the latter comprising vodka, blackcurrant liqueur, blueberry and cranberry juice. Spa on the Rock is also the name of Ayana’s equally dramatic spa option located on the resort’s southern coastline. The cocktails were designed by international bar consultant Sebastien Bonnefoi, using imported liquors blended with local fruits, herbs and spices to complement the natural setting. Simple bites include a tray of crispy calamari served with stone bowls of spicy tomato sauce, prawn spring rolls with chilli sauce, and chicken popcorn served in a spiral cone stand with herbed olive oil and spiced Egyptian duqqa dip.

Besides resident music director Martin East leading a stellar DJ line-up spinning Mediterranean beats, Nu-disco, deep house, and chill outs every sunset and late night weekends, international Ibiza and Indonesian guest DJs have also ‘rocked’ the Rock, such as Jez Colin and Jakarta DJ Riri Mestica, spinning tunes from a special booth carved into the rock face. Eleventh-hour schedules include international bands playing exceptional unplugged sessions, such as previous gigs that featured Stephan Jenkins and his band Third Eye Blind, Alma Desnuda, blues king Jim Larkin, and other acts from Down Under and the States.

• Opening Hours: 16:00 – 01:00
• Location: Ayana Resort and Spa Bali, Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran
• Tel: +62 (0)361 702 222