Born in Ibiza, reborn in Bali: the island’s most anticipated new beach club has arrived.
Ibiza’s iconic lifestyle brand has just arrived in Indonesia, with the long anticipated Café del Mar Bali opening its doors to the public today. Known worldwide for its dazzling sunsets and euphonic music sessions, the brand will feel right at home in Batu Belig on the celebrated Canggu shoreline with front row seats to Bali’s own famed sunsets. Café del Mar Bali invites guests to drop in for a lunch that lingers on through sun down, and stay on through the night to dine, dance and revel under the stars.
Visitors to Café del Mar Bali can expect all of the laid-back luxury associated with the hospitality and lifestyle brand which first launched as a sunset bar in Sant Antoni de Portmany on the Spanish island of Ibiza in 1980. Café del Mar has since blossomed into one of the world’s most revered entertainment venues, boasting multiple venues around the globe. It’s no surprise that music forms a key focus for each of these venues, as Café del Mar is also the world’s leading Chill House music label, and the birthplace to one of the longest running and most successful music compilation series in history.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding further into Australasia, offering new guests the same unforgettable Café del Mar experience,” says Café del Mar Australasia CEO John Zappia. “The Café del Mar lifestyle is renowned worldwide for iconic sunsets, sophisticated dining and amazing live music events. This is our first large-scale expansion and the opportunity in these thriving tourist destinations was evident. Our guests will be able to sit back with a cocktail in hand, watching the sunset while building special memories with family and friends.”
“Bali is the perfect location for Café del Mar,” Zappia continues. “With international tourist numbers increasing year-on-year, the island is set to become ‘the new Ibiza’ with a growing market for music-based events. As the brand continues to grow, guests will always enjoy a stand-out experience with a fusion of the best Balearic music and hospitality. An offering that will continue to set us apart as we expand into Asia.”
Leading Café del Mar Bali on site is Kirk Bouffard, an industry veteran who brings a wealth of experience to the venue courtesy of time spent with Pure Management Group (now Hakkasan Group), the Atlantis Bahamas and CÉ LA VI. “Having the opportunity to help bring the Café del Mar brand to Bali is truly exciting as we believe strongly that it will deliver something very special for all of our customers to experience.” he says of his latest project.
As for the venue itself, Café del Mar Bali is set to impress. Open Monday to Sunday from 11.00am until late, the venue offers something for everyone courtesy of its extensive array of facilities. Wrapping around an impressive 700 square-metre infinity pool with views over the beach and ocean are a collection of varied seating areas; guests can take their pick from an assortment of 48 seats at beach club dining with 60 outdoor benches, 58 sun loungers, 37 day beds, 13 cabanas, 3 semi-submersed luxury pool booths, 4 sunset booths and swim-up pool bars. Those eager for privacy, or a party of their own, will be able to experience one of 3 deluxe private suites, and one mac daddy suite adjacent to the state-of-the-art stage which forms a key feature of the venue and will host a rotating line-up of international DJs, musical guests and large scale outdoor music events in the months to come.
Just like its Ibizan sister property, Café del Mar Bali will treat guests to the best in food and drinks just steps from the ocean. There will be a plethora of creative cocktails at the venue’s variety of bars, and of course plenty of food. While an extensive menu of casual bites will be available to enjoy poolside (juice and gelato bar included), those after something more substantial will find it in the properties restaurant. The refined eatery will seat 120 guests indoors and 60 alfresco overlooking the beach and ocean, and features a modern Mediterranean menu intertwined with touches of Indonesian flavor and flair.
Just as impressive as the amenities is Café del Mar Bali’s design. The jaw-dropping space was conceptualised by architect Rafael Pasaribu, and is heavily inspired by its Spanish origins, with large arches sprawled throughout the estate and, in a nod to the location, topped with a Balinese-style roof. “We believe good architecture comes with strong narration about the space, and ability to tell a good story while forming a distinctive identity,” says Pasaribu. “[The building is] modelled after simplified Spanish Mediterranean architecture, to pay homage to its Ibiza history, while also paying respect to the vernacular
of the local people.”
