---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bali, the "Island of the Gods," has an estimated 20,000 puras (temples) and shrines. Unlike the predominantly Muslim peoples of other Indonesian islands, Balinese are Hindu and animist, making their culture unique, and quite different from that of neighboring Java. Interwoven with art and ritual, Balinese Hinduism has produced a graceful people, decorous in their behavior, in harmony with their land, at ease with themselves and one another. Self-assured, curious and genuinely friendly, they bathe naked at rivers in rural areas, but outsiders should await an invitation before joining in. Sexuality is seen quite differently than in the West, and though tolerant and gay-friendly, Balinese themselves rarely embrace gay lifestyles as an identity.

The tourist-popular Seminyak-Kuta-Legian area is mostly a place for foreign visitors and off-island Indonesians to play, and young guys arrive here from all over Indonesia for the freedom to live more openly. Some of those might sideline as freelance 'money boys' for tourists, and the Javanese are well represented among local drag divas.

Androgyny figures prominently among the mythical figures of traditional music and dance, and homosexuality is not listed among the various sins. So while marriage and children are vital to full participation in village life, same-sex intimacies are no big deal for the young and unmarried. Even after they yield to family pressures to produce children, many continue to have relationships with men. Blogs tell of flings with horny locals, but encounters might involve only playful flirtations. Some knowledge of Balinese or Indonesian can be helpful outside tourist zones, where English is the most commonly spoken foreign language.

Food is inexpensive, with a wide variety of foreign cuisines to complement the intriguingly different flavors of Balinese food with their complex blendings of spices and fragrant roots. Unlike Indian Hindu preferences for vegetarian food, the Balinese eat meat, including pork, not eaten elsewhere in Indonesia where Islam predominates. Fresh fruit and seafood are plentiful, and young green coconut milk is a daily staple, considered very good for health.

The town of Ubud, set among the rice paddies and steep ravines of the central foothills, is the cultural center of the island, with museums, art galleries and performance spaces, but there are others scattered across the island. See the Bali-Indonesia and BaliGuide websites for listings.

The Kecak Fire Dance, Balinese dance and music drama based on the Hindu Ramayana, employs gamelan suara, storytellers, and a choir of a hundred or more men sitting in concentric circles. Performances can be seen by members of the Taman Kaja Community at Pura Dalem Taman Kaja, Jalan Raya Ubud.

The Bali Theatre mega-stage complex at the Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar, presents grand productions with over 150 dancers and performers along with puppets and animals.

 

Neighborhoods/ gay scene

Seminyak, North Kuta and nearby areas along the coast, to the west of the capital city of Denpasar, are the heart of the island's newer tourist district, home to most of its gay and gay-friendly businesses, north of the more established parts of Kuta between here and the airport. Jalan Laksmana (also known as Jalan Kayu Aya), at its center, is Bali’s ‘Eat Street,’ just east from the coast at Legian Beach, with plenty of restaurant options, and some fashion boutiques too. 

To the south a bit, along a short strip on Jalan Camplung Tanduk (formerly Dhyana Pura), there are a half dozen or so gay bars all in a row. Also marketing themselves to gay men, sometimes exclusively, are a number of Seminyak resorts, some with clothing-optional pools. The area has several men-for-men massage spas as well, one with a sauna. See below for listings.

Batu Belig Beach, on Jalan Pantai Batu Belig near W Retreat, north of Seminyak, was known as the ‘Gay Beach’ but according to recent reports you might find more guys at Berawa Beach these days. The Double Six Beach, a small strip of sand near the Double Six Hotel, can be found where rainbow flags flap above beach chairs and umbrellas for rent, and cold drinks can be bought. Also nearby is the Blue Ocean Restaurant on Pantai Double Six, once a hippy hangout in what was the middle of nowhere in those days.

 

Getting here

The Ngurah Rai International Airport (aka Denpasar) is located just to the south of Kuta, on the isthmus at the southernmost part of the island. Lt.Col. Wisnu Airfield is found in north-west Bali. Thirty-day non-renewable visas are issued on arrival for Europeans, North Americans, Australians and Kiwis among others from 169 countries. 

There are plenty of public taxis for the trip to town. Fixed-fare tickets for anywhere on the island can be purchased at the ticketing booth, and a driver will be assigned to you. Hotel shuttles and  transfers are often available too, free, or for as little as $15-20 to Seminyak resorts.

 

Getting around

Besides Blue Bird metered taxis, there are "bemo" minivans to get you around quite inexpensively in Kuta and beyond. Bali street maps are hard to follow, but drivers generally know the resort, restaurant and nightclub locations. 

Motorbike, moped and car rentals are widely available for those with an international permit, but Bali can be informal about traffic rules, roads are crowded, and they drive on the left -- so first-timers might want to resist that temptation, and hire a seasoned driver to handle the roads.

Cheap and easy bus services link Bali to all major cities on Java and Lombok and to ferries for sea crossings to other islands. Perama, and Safari Dharma are two bus company options.

 

Currency

The rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia (code IDR). Indonesians also use the word "perak" ('silver'). Each rupiah was subdivided into 100 sen, but with inflation (one US dollar equals around 13,650 rupiah in early 2020) sen are now obsolete. ATM machines are to be found at banks and other locations in major cities. Inform your home bank of plans before leaving for credit card transactions and cash withdrawals to work smoothly, and for info on partner banks or ATM networks to save on fees. US dollars are widely accepted, but exchange rates vary widely, and crisp new hundred dollar bills are preferred over old, damaged, or smaller denominations. 

 

Media & Resources

Wolfy Gay Bali and Nomadic Boys are websites with gay guides and travel listings.

The Bali Guide, My Bali Guide, and the Bali Bible websites have general public information on where to eat, sleep, shop and party in Bali. 

Utopia, and Travel Gay Asia, the gay Asia travel websites, also have up-to-date listings for Bali, including explorations of the "real" Bali, away from the commercial Kuta scene. They also list gay-friendly resorts all over the island from central mountain jungles around Ubud to the North or East Bali coasts.

Bali Medika is a modern clinic providing GP consultation and sexual health care at international standards.

Indoleft.org is maintained by the Asia Pacific Solidarity Network (APSN), "a network of activists building solidarity with and support for movements for social justice, genuine democracy and self-determination in the Asia Pacific region."

Bali Sun, Bali Times, Indonesia Expat and Seminyak Times are English language news sources for Bali and elsewhere in the country.

Utopia reports that some Indonesian ISPs block gay content websites, and suggest avoiding Telkomsel or Indosat SIM cards, or hotels that use these providers. The locals have found other ways to get around the problem, so ask around.

Recreational drugs are a big deal to authorities in Indonesia, as the recent marijuana case of Jed Texas illustrates.

Other useful sites for visitors include: the Bali Tourism Board, Lonely Planet/ Bali, Bali by Hotels, and the Bali Travel Guide. 

The Arma Museum, Bali Music and Dance, Bali Spirit, Bali Sutra, Bali Theatre, Indonesia Travel (the official Ministry of Tourism website) and UNESCO websites have traditional culture listings, including Legong, Kecak and Barong dance performances.

The Beat/ Bali is a bi-weekly print, and daily internet magazine and facebook page about the clubs and entertainments scenes of this island, and Jakarta too. They also have a radio station, Radio Plus 98.5FM, with internet live stream and archive shows.

The Yak is a slick fashion, culture, food, music, travel and lifestyle magazine about Bali and beyond.

See the Jonathan Copeland blog for photo essays of Bali sights.

Our gay Bali listings page has a map of gay and gay-friendly businesses.

 

Going Out
The gayest bars and nightclubs are clustered along a short strip of Jalan Camplung Tanduk (formerly called Dhyana Pura).

Bali Joe (Jalan Camplung Tanduk, 8), gay/mixed crowd, men/women, sofas, bar/lounge, drag shows, go-go dancers on the bar. See their gallery.

Bottoms Up Bar (Jalan Camplung Tanduk 10), gay club, men/women mix, drag shows, go-go boys and shower dancers. May be closed.

Cafe ChicoRico (Jalan Kunti 7, Kuta), daytime cafe with WiFi from 11am, lunch and dinner, gay-popular evening cocktails and snacks.

F Bar (Jalan Camplung Tanduk 10), aka Face Bar, gay pub, drag shows, go-go boys and ladyboys, theme parties.

M.A.N Resort  (Jalan Padma Utara, Gg Bujangga, Legian, Kuta), cafe/ bar at boutique day club exclusively for men, restaurant cocktails, lunch and dinner; also spa sauna, whirlpool, steam room, meditation room, foam room, and massage services.

Mixwell (Jalan Camplung Tanduk 6), cocktail bar, terrace, DJs, dancing, mixed men/women early crowd, drag shows, go-go boys, theme parties.

Red Ruby (Jalan Raya Pettitenget 919, Seminyak), Western dining w/ Asian twist, cocktail lounge, live Jazz and Blues, dancing, DJs play rotating nights of Hip Hop, RnB, EDM, House, Techno and other music genres.

Sea Vu Play (Jalan Petitenget at Taman Ganesha), Australian/Mediterranean food, drinks and music, TV sports, outdoor tables under the palms; weekly parties include drag shows.

Seven Elephant, a local entertainment/ events company, throws unrestrained and raucously fun events in association with different venues, collectives, musicians, artists and brands, local and foreign, for unique party experiences.

Other mostly straight but gay-popular nearby establishments include:

The Double Six Club, at the eponymous luxury beach resort, the after-2am dance club of choice for many gay people and friends, with bungie jump alongside, and pool too.

The Ka De Ta (Jalan Laksman Oberoi 9), popular Seminyak beachfront restaurant and nightclub with international DJs and performers.

The Potato Head Beach Club (Jalan Petitenget), next to the W Retreat hotel resort; gay-friendly and known for distinctive old window shutters of many colors and sizes -- a nice place for cocktails by the pool, relaxing music and great sunsets.

Sky Garden (Jalan Legian 61, Kuta), nightly mixed bar on 4th floor of nightclub complex, with restaurant service and dancing; former location of Club Pride gay dance nights.

CLOSED: DIX Club, gay/mixed bar/lounge, divas, go-go boys; Koh, underground EDM dance club; After a series at Electrik/Red Ruby/Terrace, the Koh team are now nomadic between venues for one-off dance parties; Mint, Tech/House/Electronic music dance club, international DJs. Their Terrace Bar became Electrik, then Red Ruby.

 

Spas, Massage Services and Sauna

Banana Spa: Bali Men’s Club (Jalan Drupadi, 69), gay day spa/ club next to the Harris Hotel; massage services, swimming pool, sun deck, barista coffees, beer, wine and juice bar, free WiFi, all-day breakfast, burgers, ice cream and snacks.

Elegantz Spa & Sauna (Jalan Tangkuban Perahu 18, Kerobokan), man-to-man Balinese warm oil and body-to-body massages, body scrubs, sauna, dark room, steam, plunge pool, TV lounge, smoking terrace, and cafe.

M2 Spa (Jalan Petitenget 41B, Kerobokan), men's club provides massage and spa services, sauna, Jacuzzi, garden plunge pool, and TV lounge with WiFi.

M.A.N Resort Dayclub Spa & Sauna | Cafe and Bar (Jalan Padma Utara), men's pool, sauna, massage; restaurant, bar and guest rooms.

Several other spas, including Adam’s Apple, Antique, Baliman Healing Spa,  Bonita, Coco Grande, Jari Menari, and teMAN, also offer man-to-man massage services of many varieties, plus scrubs and facials -- all at hard-to-resist prices.

CLOSED: Fantasie Gym & Sauna (Jalan Tangkuban Perahu 101, Kerobokan), gay men's sauna/gym, dark room, cabins, maze, cruise/play area, bar.

 

Lodgings
Of the dozen Seminyak resorts we listed for gay men until recently, some with clothing-optional pools, all have now either closed or gone mainstream, at least online. One of them requested we remove their listing altogether - see the bottom of this page.

Green Chaka Paradise (Petitenget 41, Seminyak Beach), private 2-bedroom villa, short walk to beach, restaurants, bars; clothing-optional mineral water swimming pool and water-massage, lush garden, laundry, satellite-TV, WiFi.

Spartacvs Bali (Jalan Pura Telaga Waja Petitenget), boutique resort near beach and restaurants; pool-side bar, Jacuzzi, massage services.

Sunclad Villa (Jalan Umalas Klecung 10, Kuta), secluded private villa, kitchen, pool/Jacuzzi, garden, steam sauna, satellite TV, WiFi.

Villa Angelo (Jalan Petitenget 884), friendly guesthouse, five guest rooms, pool, terraces, tropical garden, cable TV/ Apple TV; near beach and commercial area of bars, restaurants and shops.

Villa Layang Bulan (Gang Daksina 10b/ Jalan Batu Belig), adult resort/spa, villas and private rooms, pool, garden, home-cooked Western and Asian meals, motor-bike and car rentals; near beach, restaurants and massage services.

Villa Burgis (Jalan Drupadi Gang Cempaka 14, Seminyak), over 30 Balinese-style 1 to 6 ensuite-bedroom villas in four seperate but central Seminyak locations; each with large private pool, sun bathing terrace, lush tropical garden/lawn, fully-equipped kitchen, bar, living/ dining facilities, and most with BBQ and gazebo.

The Wood Double Six Villa (Jalan Baik Baik, Gang Taman Sari 7), six villa rooms, pool, gardens, WiFi, room service.

The Seminyak coast has plenty of luxury resort options. With beachside gourmet dining, infinity pools, spas, lush tropical gardens, tour and concierge services and every other kind of amenity, you hardly need to wander -- and the central gay nightlife and restaurant scene isn't far away. Browse these websites to check out a few: Anantara Seminyak Resort, Double-Six, The FuramaXclusive Ocean Beach, Grand Balisani Suites, The Legian, The Oberoi, The Royal Beach, The Semaya, The Seminyak, and W Retreat Hotel Bali.

On the north coast Bali au Naturel (Jalan Airsanih, Tejakula, Desa Bondalem) offeris a tranquil escape from the busy Kuta scene; two swimming pools, whirlpool, small gym, tropical gardens, and massage services.

Some other resorts are less expensive, and there are many private full-service villas for rent all around the area. See more hotels and guesthouses, and some restaurant options -- from beach cafes, noodle shops and BBQ/burger joints to some of the finest world-class dining establishments -- at our map & listings pages.

 

CLOSED

Lazy Monkey Guesthouse Lombok Senggigi (Jalan Pantai Batu Belig Gg Papuan 8), men-only studio apartments near Batu Belig Beach; private garden, pool, deck. Former Zen 4 Men.

Phil’s Place (Gang Melati 40), gay men-only boutique hotel near gay clubs; central pool, garden gazebo, breakfast, cable TV/ DVD, massage services.

 

Travel alert - January 2020.

“Gay is a human right, right? But if it violates order, it can’t be ignored because we don’t legalise same-sex marriages.” -Putu Astawa, Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office (IndonesiaExpat, January 14, 2020).

Anti-LGBT sentiments and the persecution of gay men have made the news in Java and elsewhere in Indonesia for several years now, but Bali, has generally been seen as more tolerant. Local media headlines this month, however, and the initial reactions of local authorities, suggest there is reason to be concerned that this island is no longer immune to harsh attitudes that plague the rest of the country.

The Angelo Bali Gay Guesthouse is at the center of this storm - a villa described as an all-male, small and luxurious guesthouse, where clothing is optional. Local police representative I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, of the Satpol PP in Badung, has said “We will follow up on this issue" - but added in comments to the Merdeka reporter, “Their website highlights the villa as specifically for the gay [community], here in Bali we don’t recognize that culture.” The head of the Badung Cultural Agency, I Made Badra, told the Tribun Bali, that the existence of such a villa is “tainting Bali’s tourism reputation," and Gede Ricky Sukarta, of the Bali Villa Association (BVA), is reported in the Bali Post to have said that "the accommodation’s marketing approach was not ethically appropriate."

In their news report, Coconuts wrote: "the villa and its alleged specialty don’t seem especially troubling, but authorities on the island seem unhappy about its existence. Should they find evidence backing the allegations, Suryanegara said Satpol PP would urge the villa to tone down its gay-exclusive marketing, but he did not say if local authorities would shutter the guesthouse (possibly on the grounds that homosexuality is not illegal in Bali or most of Indonesia)." The Bali Times also has a report, and The International Business Times concluded that "Closing LGBT- friendly establishments would impact a significant part of the island’s economy... it remains to be seen if those that hold attitudes of intolerance and homophobia in Indonesia are willing to accept the drop in tourist income if well-heeled LGBT folks move on to friendlier beaches."

Pink News reported that another three villas catering to gay guests are now being investigated, and we here at Xtra received a request this month from the owners of a Bali guesthouse, asking to have their listing deleted from our website. We did so, and then went looking to see what was going on, as they had given no reasons. Of the dozen Kuta/Seminyak resorts we listed for gay men until recently, some with clothing-optional pools, all have now either closed or gone mainstream, at least online. It also appears that some Bali gay bars have tamed their websites and facebook galleries lately, with fewer sexy dancers or images of male couples to be seen.