The most efficient way to decide between a party-centric holiday and a relaxing getaway is to choose both, naturally.
The quintessential overseas experience is finding the balance between the two: days spent switching your brain off as you sip specialty cocktails by the pool and evenings turned up a notch as you boogie your booty off and rub shoulders with revellers from all corners of the globe.
Atlas Beach Club has been established almost purely for this reason. Touted as the biggest beach club in the world (and the largest nightclub in Bali), the 2.9-hectare patch of paradise in Canggu caters to partygoers and loungers in one fell swoop—ideal for groups of travellers with varying social batteries.
Poolside Perfection
Bali is teeming with clubs and events to keep eager visitors satiated, but only some have mastered the poolside experience quite like Atlas Beach Club. During the day, the sprawling venue is an aquatic haven for all walks of life—families looking to cool off, 20-somethings celebrating nothing in particular, or the solo flyer with a 500-page mystery novel tucked under their arm.
Reserve a lagoon daybed atop the pools, or entice your group to book an island daybed with its own swim-up bar for levelled-up holiday vibes. This is a beach club after all, so there’s of course an option to go full-throttle in the VIP sofas—with a max capacity of 12 pleasure seekers, the sofas include dedicated butler service and front-row views to the mainstage that comes alive as the sun sets.
If you’re simply looking for a day of refreshing frivolity, one-off passes to the pools are also available—just make sure to take the kids home by 9pm when the festivities really begin.
Live Entertainment By The Bucketload
The Atlas Beach Club serves as a sprawling entertainment hub across Kuta Utara, attracting some of the world’s biggest DJs and music acts. Last year, frequent Sam Smith collaborators Disclosure played a three-hour set to 5000 soaking attendees, so that should give you an idea of the kind of parties this place throws.
When musical heavyweights like Disclosure, Tyga and Martin Garrix aren’t set to take the floating stage, Balinese culture is front and centre with daily shows that speak to the island’s rich history. Bring along the family for dazzling tales of Danu Goddess and Kecak, or show-stopping performances featuring traditional Balinese characters intertwined with fire dancers against the backdrop of a yellow and red-tinged sky.
For the imminent Bali-goers, Ghanaian singer-songwriter King Promise will be heading to Atlas Beach Bar on 27 April, so start packing your swankiest pair of bathers now.
An Island Feast
You can’t have an island getaway without an accompanying feast, and Atlas Beach Club serves it up by the platter.
Dive into the day menu and graze on moreish Balinese spiced nuts (Kakang Bawang) or tangy, salty mixed olives before graduating to crispy squid and prawn Fritto Misto to restore some energy lost to the pools.
For a heartier fix, try Atlas’ signature Nasi Goreng Jutawan—1.25kg of prime Wagyu MB5 Tomahawk steak buried in authentic Indonesian fried rice and served with spicy sambal. Leading up to the night’s entertainment, load up on Ayam Betutu, a juicy, braised half-chicken swimming in Balinese spices served on a pillowy bed of rice and sambal matah.
Of course, pairing your Ayam Betutu with the right drink is half the experience. Opt for a devilish Rich Jungle to balance out the intense Balinese spices—a concoction of white rum, tropical fruit juices, passion fruit foam topped with vibrant basil leaves, and a splash of banana liqueur.
To accompany you by the pool, swim up to the nearest bar and ask for a Rosso Fresco. The Aperol, vodka and sparkling wine give a welcome kick to a blend of lime juice, strawberry syrup and refreshing watermelon. If that’s not the signature cocktail to commemorate a good time, who knows what is?
Experience one destination for everyone. For a full rundown of what’s in store, head to Atlas Beach Club and reserve your spot at the pinnacle of poolside paradise.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Atlas Beach Club and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Supplied