Rock Bar Bali is on the bucket list for many travellers. Over the years it has changed and expanded so that it can accommodate demand for the cliffside sunset bar. So what is it like now? And how do you score a coveted table at the Round Deck? We also take a peek into After Rock, the late night bar designed to be a flow on bar after Rock Bar closes at midnight.
AYANA Bali's Rock Bar has been open since 2009 and every night people flock to this bar to enjoy a cinematic sunset with full, unobstructed views over the Pacific Ocean. Rock Bar was one of the first cliffside bars carved into low lying rocks at the base of the limestone cliffs at AYANA Bali. It won many accolades and awards for best bar and remains on people's bucket lists even almost two decades later.
When the bar first opened it was extremely hard to get a seat there but over the years it has grown to meet demand. It now seats 880 people who line up for the chance to take sunset photos at this iconic bar every single night.
Rock Bar Bali is open from 4pm until midnight and booking is strongly recommended. For AYANA Bali guests there is no minimum spend and there are areas reserved depending on where you are staying. The coveted Round Deck is for AYANA Villa guests only while there are other sections reserved for RIMBA and Segara guests. If you aren't staying at the hotel the minimum spend depends on where you are sitting and starts at 300IDR/$24AUD/$17USD per person.
Queuing takes around 30 minutes (AYANA Villas guests have their own fast track queue). Although the bar opens at 4pm, we recommend booking for 5pm as at 4pm it can be very hot and sunny and the bar has no cover at all. Also bring sunglasses, hat and sunscreen because until sunset, it can be scorching hot with just umbrellas to protect you.
Staff are very friendly and welcoming and treat everyone with deference. We travel down the scenic travelator to Rock Bar in small groups, where we can hear the music from the DJ pumping. Everyone heads to the Round Deck for photos - you can walk the catwalk up to the round deck and take photos there. After sunset, seating at the Round Deck is available to everyone.
Diners can enjoy cocktails and snacky style dishes like samosas, fries, sushi and chicken wings or dine from the a la carte Greek inspired menu. Mr NQN starts with a Mistral cocktail with Three Peaks Gin, pear, jasmine, elderflower and prosecco while I adore the Solflame with ranchito's tequila, Campari, bell pepper, jalapeno, honey and strawberry finished with a little dried chilli inside it that is spicy and sweet at the same time.
The seared scallops are four seared scallops with purple cauliflower puree, prosciutto chips, pickled vegetables, lemon oil dressing and caviar. It's a beautiful dish that is a nice, light starter with plenty of flavour and texture from the prosciutto chips and seared scallops.
For the mains, we both enjoyed the lobster orzo with a fat tail of grilled lobster meat and served with a chilli, bacon and tomato based orzo pasta. The lobster is well cooked and the orzo has a good al dente texture.
We watch as the sun sets, evolving before our eyes, turning from a golden yellow to a rosy salmon hue. The blue sky deepens in tandem with the water to inky black. Everyone is busy trying to capture the perfect sunset photo.
For dessert, I wholeheartedly recommend the chocolate pie with chocolate cake, cremeux, chocolate gel, and passion fruit. It is so chocolatey and delicious yet light at the same time. Normally, chocolate desserts can be quite heavy after two courses, but this is light and divine.
The Mastiha with white chocolate mousse, lemon curd, dehydrated chocolate mousse, walnut streusel, and strawberry compote is also very nice. Although out of the two, the chocolate pie wins every time.
In June 2024 AYANA Bali unveiled After Rock, a late night bar as guests wanted a later night venue post Rock Bar. It is a short tram ride away from Rock Bar and is located between AYANA and RIMBA. After Rock opens at 7pm and stays open until 2am. The rooftop level has a view of the SAKA museum dedicated to Nyepi or silence day and there is also a view of the statue Patung Garuda Wisnu Kencana.
Inside the venue is air conditioned and they have live music playing every night. Tonight's band is Soulfeggio and we take a seat at one of the booths and order drinks and snacks.
Each cocktail has helpful 3 word flavour adjectives next to it that makes it easier to choose their signature cocktails but there are also classic cocktails available too. Mr NQN and I sip on an AYANA Collins made with Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, AYANA Farms Sweet Leaf, calamansi, CO2 and described as "fizzy, sweet and sour". We also try the Futari No Yume with Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, brandy umeshu, passion fruit, orange, apple and chamomile foam and described as "sweet, sour and fruity" which I really enjoy.
We also nibble on a couple of plates while the band is playing. The Tuna Tataki is fantastic with petite slices of seared tuna marinated in ponzu sauce with chili caviar cherry fluid gel and dabs of mayonnaise. My hankering for crispy shrimp continues and the crisp shrimp platter has 6 large, crumbed deep fried prawns served with two types of mayonnaise: chilli and wasabi lime for a light citrus kick.
There's also a nice surprise as a couple celebrating their honeymoon are given surprise shots as are another couple who are celebrating an anniversary!
So tell me Dear Reader, have you visited Rock Bar Bali before, or is it still on your Bali bucket list? Which would you choose: sunset cocktails at Rock Bar or late night drinks at After Rock?
NQN and Mr NQN were guests of AYANA Bali but all opinions remain my own.
Rock Bar Bali & After Rock
AYANA Bali
Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Phone: +62 811-3810-0083
www.ayana.com/bali/dining/rock-bar/details/
www.ayana.com/bali/dining/after-rock/
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