Imagine relaxing at the poolside with a green view all around and a cool drink in hand; that’s exactly the experience waiting for you at a pool bar in Ubud. The mood here stays relaxed and casual, a world away from Bali’s crowded beachside bars.
Ubud is home to plenty of calming pool bars, each with its own atmosphere, concept, and view. This guide will take you through the best spots for a day of relaxation, cocktails, and jungle views.
The Best Pool Bars In Ubud Right Now
Ubud offers no shortage of destinations, each showcasing something different: natural beauty, rich tradition and culture, spiritual sanctity, culinary delights, or calming relaxation. Among these options, pool bars stand out as one of the most appealing choices.
Unlike South Bali’s energetic beachfront bars, Ubud’s pool bars typically carry a calmer, more laid-back atmosphere that blends into the surrounding nature. Here you can take in views of tropical forest or rice terraces while sipping something cool in the fresh highland air, a fitting setting for anyone seeking quiet and relaxation.
With so many pool bars to choose from, narrowing it down to the best can be tricky. Here are a few worth visiting.
- Aura Bar & Lounge
When it comes to the best pool bars in Ubud, Aura Bar & Lounge is guaranteed to top the list. This is the destination for anyone seeking a premier luxury spot in the central part of Bali, one that blends views of terraced rice fields and tropical forest with striking bamboo architecture built in harmony with its eco-friendly surroundings.
Located within Equipoise Resort, one of the most luxurious resorts in the Kenderan area, this infinity pool bar in Ubud is built around calm, scenic views, refreshing cocktails, and satisfying bites. Watch the sunset here as golden hour light washes over the foliage and green rice fields, its glow reflecting across the pool’s surface.
Aura Bar & Lounge also functions as a swim-up bar, letting you sip your drink without ever leaving the infinity pool, with a floating bar built right into the water. The menu rounds things out with light bites, tropical cocktails, and specially crafted non-alcoholic creations, all suited to easing into full relaxation. - Jungle Fish Pool Bar
If you’re looking for an Ubud pool club with a classy, private feel, an extensive swimming pool, a verdant garden setting, and a cozy bar, Jungle Fish Pool Bar at Chapung Sebali Resort on Jalan Raya Sebali is one of the best answers to that search.
This spot is a day club in Ubud that brings together a restaurant and an open-air pool bar, all overlooking the Wos River valley and tropical forest. Beyond the scenery, the bar also serves Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes made with organic ingredients alongside a selection of cocktails to match the relaxed, open-air setting. - Folk Pool & Gardens
Unlike Aura Bar & Lounge and Jungle Fish Pool Bar, both of which bring an infinity pool concept to Ubud, Folk Pool & Gardens takes a different approach with a pool club oasis and garden setting, surrounded by lush greenery, daybeds, and lounging areas.
This bar is a great choice for anyone looking for a pool bar in central Ubud, located on Jl Monkey Forest and close to many other popular destinations. Here you can settle into full relaxation with beautiful views, cool poolside vibes, a Western-style menu for brunch or casual dinner, and refreshing cocktails, all wrapped in a tropical atmosphere. - Cretya Sunset by Alas Harum Bali
The final pick for a trending pool bar spot in Ubud is Cretya Sunset by Alas Harum Bali. This jacuzzi day club and casual restaurant is located on Jalan Raya Bersela No. 8, with beautiful views over terraced rice fields.
Cretya Sunset is a great fit for anyone chasing the sunset pool bar experience in Ubud. With full facilities including an infinity pool, private jacuzzi towers, and lounging spots surrounded by green rice fields, you can settle into complete relaxation while sipping a refreshing tropical cocktail.
How to Choose the Right Pool Bar for Your Trip
With so many appealing pool bars around, not every one of them will suit exactly what you’re looking for. Choosing the right spot means matching it to your travel goals, whether that’s relaxation, a family-friendly setting, or a high-energy party. Here are a few practical tips to help you decide.
- Define your vibe: Pool bars in Ubud come in different styles. You can go for an adults-only pool bar in Ubud suited to couples or solo travelers seeking peace, a high-energy party scene with DJs, foam parties, and dancing that’s fun to share with friends, or a family-friendly option with a kids’ pool, mocktails, and safety-conscious service.
- Pick the atmosphere that fits: Most bars in Ubud come with natural views, but the setting varies; some sit among rice fields, others in valleys, tropical forest, or along a river. Pay attention to this detail so the experience matches what you actually want.
- Check what’s offered beyond the pool: Look into supporting facilities like a private jacuzzi, swim-up access if you want to stay in the water, or a restaurant with a full menu. Some venues also throw in unique extras like a diving board or billiards, so pick a spot whose offerings match your plans for the visit.
- Time your visit around the view you want: Some bars look their best at sunset, while others are more comfortable and scenic during the day.
- Check the food and drink menu: What’s on the menu shapes your experience too, so make sure the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, especially for cocktails. If you’re planning on all-day dining, check whether the bar offers more than basic snacks.
Swim Up Bars and Poolside Bars, Knowing the Difference
Swim-up bars and poolside bars are easy to mix up, since both are built around a pool, but the experience each one offers is quite different. A swim-up bar is built directly into the pool, letting you sit on submerged stools or order food and drinks while still floating and relaxing in the water.
A poolside bar, on the other hand, sits on the dry deck around the pool, so you can take in the view while relaxing on a proper bar stool. These poolside areas tend to be larger and offer a fuller menu, including heavier meals, snacks, cocktails, and coffee.
Beyond these two concepts, there’s also the day club to consider. The difference between a pool bar and a day club in Ubud comes down to scale and experience: a pool bar is typically a smaller, laid-back venue with casual food and drinks, while a day club, often called a jungle club, is a larger, more upscale lifestyle destination built for all-day entertainment, complete with DJs, multiple pools, and sweeping nature views.
Best Time of Day to Visit for Sun, Crowds, and Sunset Light
The best time to visit a pool bar in Ubud, for the right balance of sunshine, manageable crowds, and beautiful sunset light, is between 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Arriving during this window lets you skip the harsh, scorching midday sun and the peak day club crowd while still enjoying golden hour and sunset.
What to Eat and Drink at an Ubud Pool Bar
Everyone has different tastes, but if you’re wondering what food and drinks pair best with the tropical vibes of an Ubud poolside bar, there are plenty of good options to choose from. Here are a few worth trying while you’re here.
What to eat
- Shareable tapas and platters: Perfect for poolside grazing, think nachos, tacos, and bruschetta that you can split with friends, your partner, or family.
- Fresh salads and bowls: Many spots in Ubud serve wellness and vegan menus made from local organic ingredients, a great light complement to your meal.
- Comfort and grill foods: If you’re looking to satisfy a bigger appetite, especially after swimming or working up a hunger, heartier dishes like wagyu beef burgers, grilled pork belly, or sate lilit hit the spot.
What to drink
- Fresh young coconut: Since you’re on a tropical island, fresh coconut water is an easy must-try.
- Tropical cocktails: The cocktails here are distinctive, often crafted around tropical flavors using unique local ingredients.
- Wellness and detox juices: Many pool bars in Ubud serve fresh, organic juices, sometimes blended with island spices.
Zero Proof and Mindful Drinking Options at Ubud Pool Bars
A refreshing cocktail is often the first thing people picture at a pool bar, sipped in with views and atmosphere just as refreshing. But for some visitors, alcohol simply isn’t part of their relaxation.
Pool bars in Ubud have picked up on this, offering a range of zero-proof and mindful drinking options to choose from. Aura Bar & Lounge, for example, takes mocktail-making seriously, giving it the same care as its cocktails rather than treating it as an afterthought, resulting in plenty of alcohol-free creations tailored to the tropical setting with unique local ingredients.
You can find drinks made with fresh, local ingredients like butterfly pea flower, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, or tropical fruit. Some bars also serve functional drinks like kombucha and other jamu-inspired creations, blending the island’s wellness heritage into a refreshing sip by the pool.
What Makes A Pool Bar Worth Returning To Beyond The View
Beyond the view, several other factors make people want to return to a pool bar. Some of the main reasons include:
- Elevated food menus: The best pool bars typically serve full-service menus made with quality ingredients, rather than the usual deep-fried fast food. In Ubud, signature offerings often include fresh young coconut, wood-fired pizza, handmade ceviche, and cocktails and tropical juices pressed on the spot, all designed to fit the concept of the venue itself.
- Functional, immersive design: Pool bars with strong architecture that considers the comfort of wet guests while still allowing them to socialize tend to stand out. These venues usually feature ergonomic seating, such as submerged stools placed at a comfortable depth, along with dedicated dry areas, spacious daybeds, and pergolas, umbrellas, or canopies to shield guests from the harsh sun.
- Attentive, personal service: Proactive staff adds real value, since most pool bar guests are relaxing without their phones or wallets on hand. Roving staff around the pool area are ready to help without requiring guests to swim to the main counter first, and supporting amenities like sunblock, towels, and Wi-Fi add to the comfort.
- Atmosphere and entertainment: The vibe of a pool bar usually shifts with the time of day, with acoustic sessions during the day and live DJ sets at sunset or into the evening. Some bars go further with features like floating trays, mini fridges, or private cabanas, turning the experience into something more social than just a regular swim.
Entry Fees and Minimum Spend, What Your Money Actually Buys
Prices vary from bar to bar, depending on whether you’re paying for standard pool access, a day pass, a lounge spot, a cabana, or a VIP area. For a standard pool bar in Ubud, minimum spend typically ranges from IDR 50,000 to IDR 500,000 (roughly USD 3 to USD 32) per person, which usually covers a fresh towel and can sometimes be redeemed for food or drinks.
Here’s a general price breakdown for accessing pool bars in Ubud:
- Standard pool access: IDR 50,000 to IDR 150,000 (about USD 3 to USD 10), usually including a drink and towel.
- Day pass and lounge access: IDR 200,000 to IDR 500,000 per person (about USD 13 to USD 32), typically redeemable for food and drinks.
- Cabana and VIP areas (for groups or private use): Usually start from IDR 1,500,000 to IDR 2,000,000 (about USD 97 to USD 129).
These prices are estimates only. To get the exact rate, check each venue’s social media, website, or contact their representative directly.
Getting There, Transport and Distance From Central Ubud
Reaching these pool bars from central Ubud is easy, with plenty of transport options to choose from. Grab and Gojek offer affordable scooter or car rides, some resorts with their own pool bars run shuttles for guests, and local taxis or scooter rentals are also readily available.
Distances vary by venue, but none of the recommendations above sit too far from the center of town. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Aura Bar & Lounge: roughly 8.9 km away, about a 26 to 29-minute drive.
- Jungle Fish Pool Bar: roughly 6.1 km away, about an 18 to 21-minute drive.
- Folk Pool & Gardens: just 2.4 km away, a 9-minute drive, or 850 meters if you’d rather walk (around 11 minutes on foot).
- Cretya Sunset by Alas Harum Bali: roughly 11.9 km away, about a 29 to 32-minute drive.
Keep in mind these times can shift depending on traffic; expect a longer ride during busy hours, and a quicker one when the roads are clear.
Practical Tips Before Visiting a Pool Bar in Ubud
To make the most of your visit and truly enjoy the experience, here are a few practical tips worth keeping in mind:
- Book your daybed early or arrive in the morning: Popular spots often require reservations or come with a fairly high minimum spend to secure a daybed or good seat. If you’re on a budget, arriving right when the bar opens can help; you’ll have a better shot at an empty lounger or can head straight for the swim-up bar.
- Check the dress code and age policy: Most pool bars in Ubud are fairly relaxed about attire, as long as you’re in swimwear. Some venues, though, have stricter rules, like adults-only access or a no-drone policy, so it’s worth checking each place’s specific guidelines beforehand.
- Look for spots that aren’t too crowded: Not every pool bar in Ubud comes with a high minimum spend. Some offer a more laid-back vibe with more affordable entry, a good option if you’re trying to avoid the crowds.
- Factor in travel time and traffic: Traffic in Ubud can get heavy, especially around midday. If your destination is far from the town center, build in an extra 20 to 30 minutes and plan your return trip ahead of time, since some areas have specific rules around ride-hailing pickups.
- Protect yourself from sun and bugs: Ubud sits within plenty of tropical forest, which means high humidity and strong UV exposure. Don’t forget sunscreen and mosquito repellent, especially as evening approaches.
Make Your Ubud Escape Even More Memorable
A pool bar in Ubud offers a welcome escape for anyone looking to get away from the buzz of Bali’s beachfront bars. Here you’ll be treated to lush tropical greenery, infinity pools, delicious food, and a range of fresh cocktails and mocktails to round out your day.
There’s no shortage of pool bars worth visiting in Ubud, and Aura Bar & Lounge by Wonderspace is one you shouldn’t miss. This pool bar is one of the few in Ubud open to non-hotel guests, so you’re free to enjoy it and unwind here even if you’re not staying at the resort.
