Rock Bar Bali at Ayana Resort and Spa wins accolades from travel media the world over, partly thanks to its unique setting on a secluded limestone cliff. This premier sunset venue continues to win the hearts of patrons, some who fly to the island just to experience its signature cocktails, exceptional views, and moods set by its resident DJ and a regular line-up of world-class international artists.
The Rock Bar features a minimalist design with an open-top platform seamlessly built onto the natural formation. Ambient lighting from around the bar and the shades at sunset, together with traditional fishing boat lanterns that dot the seascape add to the dramatic appeal of the bar.
Getting to the Rock Bar itself is an experience. Past Ayana’s green cliff-top lawns you’ll notice 2 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 2nd access to Rock Bar Bali is an effortless option, using a funicular ride down. Expect queues, especially moments before sunset time. Queues are divided into 2, one of which is a ‘fast lane’ reserved for hotel guests. If you have the energy, we’d recommend going the ‘hard way’ as there are several stops along the descent that provide you with scenic and photographic moments of the seascape and horizon, the beach and cliff base, and most of all, Rock Bar Bali.
Perched 14 metres above the waves, Rock Bar Bali is a small centrepiece with the vast sky and Indian Ocean as the backdrop. There are many round tables at the lower foyer and several more steps up lead you to the main bar, which is bordered by glass screens. The 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, you’ll find 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.
Rock Bar Bali’s resident DJ spins 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 Bar, such as Jez Colin and Jakarta-based DJ Riri Mestica, spinning tunes from a special booth carved into the rock face.
Location: Ayana Resort and Spa Bali, Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Badung, Bali, Indonesia
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