Usually, it's rare to find a large dance crowd trying out moves on the dance floor while listening to Jazz music. The next best thing is probably to groove along with slight movements and appreciative nods your while enjoying the sexy saxophone and thick bass sound in your comfy couch. Now erase all your previous notions of a typical jazz club, head down to the Ubud area, famously known as The Art and Cultural Center in Bali , and prepare your best moves! This is the first place I ever saw an elderly old man dancing with his dog, both looking so happy…

Been in Ubud for about 10 years and still going strong, the Jazz cafe is still the choice for live music in this region. It is easily accessible from the main road so it shouldn't be any trouble finding the location. It opens from 5pm so you can enjoy dinner; sample the cocktails and fine wines and all the while still dancing to the jazz sounds playing. You can choose to be seated at the regular table or the 'lesehan'. As for the decor, the place isn't so much done up but still keeps the Balinese touch to it with the alang-alang roof. However, there are portraits of well-known jazz musicians hanged on the wall, very apt indeed.

Don't let the name fool you. On Wednesday nights, you can also enjoy Latino music instead of just jazz as the name suggests, and it will be hard not to follow the rhythmic beats and practice your Salsa here. A small dance floor in front of the band is the place where you can showcase your stuff! What got me interested here was the fact that most of the customers are regulars, so both the staff and the guests interact like buddies throughout the night making the general atmosphere of the place homely and comfortable. Try to come on Tuesdays as Jazz Soul will entertain your jazzy grooves those nights. As for true acoustic blues, Saturday will be the perfect time to come as the father of the owner himself will play his guitar and sing along with you.

Do not expect to have this place open to late hours like those in Kuta. Because of the strict regulations of the village, the live music is only allowed until 10.30 pm. But you can still stay to finish your drink until midnight. With the friendly staff and great live music, Jazz café is quite a catch not to be missed in Ubud.

Jazz Café
Tebesaya, Ubud 80571, Gianyar, Bali
Tel: +62 361-976594