Laughing Buddha Bar Ubud: Live Music & Nightlife

Laughing Buddha Bar

If you are exploring Ubud, Bali, you absolutely cannot miss out on the local nightlife. There is one legendary spot along the main road that everyone eventually ends up at: Laughing Buddha Bar. It is always packed, the energy is electric, and since it sits right on Monkey Forest Road, it is impossible to miss.

A few years back, when I first visited Bali, I did not know many hidden gems, so I practically lived here every night. Honestly, it took some getting used to. I usually love the laid-back live music vibes you find in places like Bohol, Philippines, where you just sip a cold beer and listen.

But Laughing Buddha Bar is a different beast. The first half of the night is relatively chill, but as the night progresses, the vibe shifts, the music gets louder, and suddenly everyone is on their feet dancing. There is not even a proper dance floor, but people just squeeze between tables and make it happen anyway!

I ended up arriving late around 11:00 PM because I stopped by another bar called LOL first (which turned out to be a bit of a dud). I caught the very end of the live set at Laughing Buddha. The crowd was wild, chanting "One More Song!" for an encore, and the band delivered one last epic track.

The energy was absolutely infectious. Even after the music stopped, some people just kept on dancing.

They feature a rotating lineup of live bands every night, and this place easily fills up faster than almost anywhere else in town.

While Google Maps might say they close at midnight, they actually stay open until 1:00 AM. The live music runs from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. If you want to snag a prime seat, I highly recommend arriving a bit before the band starts because it fills up fast!

Even without a map, you will naturally stumble upon it while wandering down Ubud's main street—just follow the crowd and the music.

I noticed they have a second-floor seating area now. I did not quite remember if it was there during my last visit, but looking back at my old memories, I think it might have been.

Years ago, I managed to grab a front-row seat right by the stage all to myself. Nowadays? That is almost impossible unless you get incredibly lucky.

Sitting right in front of the stage is the ultimate spot, but with how popular this place has become, every single table is constantly booked or occupied.

As for drinks, they did not have local favorites like Bali Hai or Prost on the menu. I tried to order a small Bintang, but they were completely sold out, so I settled for a Carlsberg instead.

To go with my beer, I ordered a side of churros.

Once the live band packs up, the crowd thins out quite a bit, making it much easier to find a seat. That is also exactly when my churros finally arrived...

Wait... nobody warned me the portion size would be this massive! I was already pretty full, but look at this mountain of churros!

It is amazing how quickly the vibe shifts. Right after the live set, the packed house...

...turns into this calm, relaxed space.

If you are planning a trip to Bali, Laughing Buddha Bar is a must-visit spot for an unforgettable night out in Ubud.