The tropical island of Bali in Indonesia is world-renowned as an idyllic beach paradise and top travel destination. With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and friendly locals, it’s easy to see why over 6 million tourists flock to Bali each year.
One of the great pleasures for visitors is enjoying a cold beer or two while taking in Bali’s natural beauty. As the hot sun beats down, an ice-cold Bintang or Bali Hai can be incredibly refreshing. This leads many travelers to ask: how much does a beer cost in Bali?
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of beer prices in Bali. We’ll cover the costs of local Balinese beer brands like Bintang and Bali Hai, as well as imported beers from brands like Heineken and Corona. Prices are given in both the local Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) currency and converted to US Dollars (USD) for easy reference.
Whether you’re a backpacker watching your budget or a luxury traveler less concerned about cost, this guide offers key insights into how much you can expect to pay for beer across Bali. So grab a cold one and read on!
Cost of Beer in Bali
Beer prices in Bali can range quite significantly depending on where you purchase it. Large tourist hotspots and upscale venues typically charge higher prices compared to local shops and restaurants. However, even at the most expensive venues, beer remains relatively affordable for international visitors.
Here is an overview of beer costs based on location and brand in Bali:
Local Beers
Local Indonesian beer brands like Bintang, Bali Hai, Anker, and Storm are widely available across Bali.
Bintang is the most iconic Balinese beer. A 330ml bottle costs:
- Supermarkets/shops: 25,000 – 30,000 IDR ($1.75 – $2.10 USD)
- Local restaurants/warungs: 30,000 – 50,000 IDR ($2.10 – $3.50 USD)
- Beach clubs/upscale venues: 50,000 – 70,000+ IDR ($3.50 – $5+ USD)
Bali Hai is another very popular local lager, typically slightly cheaper than Bintang:
- Supermarkets/shops: 20,000 – 25,000 IDR ($1.40 – $1.75 USD)
- Local restaurants/warungs: 25,000 – 40,000 IDR ($1.75 – $2.80 USD)
- Beach clubs/upscale venues: 40,000 – 60,000 IDR ($2.80 – $4.20 USD)
Anker and Storm beers have similar pricing to Bintang and Bali Hai. Expect to pay 5,000 to 10,000 IDR less than Bintang at any given venue.
Imported/Craft Beers
In addition to local lagers, many restaurants, bars and hotels in Bali also serve imported beer brands like Heineken, Corona, San Miguel, and Guinness. Prices are higher compared to local beers:
- Heineken: 50,000 – 70,000 IDR ($3.50 – $5 USD)
- Corona: 60,000 – 80,000 IDR ($4.20 – $5.60 USD)
- Guinness: 60,000 – 90,000 IDR ($4.20 – $6.30 USD)
There are also some locally-brewed craft beers like Stark, Island, and Storm gaining popularity in Bali. These generally range from 50,000 to 100,000+ IDR ($3.50-$7+ USD) per bottle.
Cost Variance Based on Location
As shown above, the same beer brands can have vastly different price points depending on where you purchase them in Bali:
Supermarkets and Local Shops
- Cheapest prices for beer
- Bintang, Bali Hai, Anker around 20,000-30,000 IDR ($1.40-$2.10 USD)
Local Restaurants and Warungs
- Slightly higher prices than shops
- Bintang, Bali Hai 30,000-50,000 IDR ($2.10-$3.50 USD)
Beach Clubs and Upscale Venues
- Most expensive beer prices
- Simple lagers around 50,000-70,000 IDR ($3.50-$5 USD)
- Imported beers 60,000-90,000+ IDR ($4.20-$6.30+ USD)
So if you’re on a tight budget, head to small local shops and warungs to pay the lowest prices for beer. But if you want to splurge on a fancy beach club with gorgeous views, be prepared to pay higher prices for the convenience and atmosphere.
Tips for Finding Cheap Beer in Bali
If you want to enjoy plenty of cold beer without overspending in Bali, here are some useful money-saving tips:
- Buy from shops/supermarkets – As shown earlier, you’ll always pay the lowest prices at local shops and supermarkets. Stock up on cheaper beers to drink later.
- Go to happy hour – Many beach clubs, bars and restaurants offer happy hour specials in the early evenings with large discounts on beer, cocktails and other drinks.
- Try local beer brands – Opting for local beers like Bintang and Bali Hai over imported brands can save you 10,000 to 20,000 IDR ($0.70-$1.40 USD) per drink.
- Visit local bars/warungs – Small local establishments charge much less than flashy tourist spots. And getting to know some friendly Balinese locals is a bonus!
- Buy beer at duty-free shops – If you have access to duty-free alcohol at the airport or other shops, you can get beer for nearly half the regular prices in Bali.
Additional Considerations
A few other useful things to know about enjoying beer and alcoholic drinks in Bali:
Happy Hour Deals and Promotions
Many popular bars and beach clubs entice guests with excellent happy hour promotions in the early evenings. Discounts around 30-50% off are common during happy hour in Bali, making for an affordable way to enjoy a few drinks while watching the sunset.
Some places like Mrs. Sippy in Seminyak even offer all-day happy hour deals on certain days. So if you plan your drinking around happy hours, you can save substantially in Bali.
Laws Around Drinking in Public
While enjoying cheap beers at the beach sounds appealing, there are laws in Indonesia that prohibit public drinking in most areas. Technically, it is illegal to drink alcohol in public spaces across Bali.
However, the enforcement of this law tends to vary depending on the location. At many smaller beaches and temples, police may strictly enforce no public drinking. But at larger tourist beach hangouts, they often turn a blind eye provided people are being respectful.
So it’s best to discretion when drinking in public places in Bali – be subtle about it, don’t leave lots of empty cans/bottles lying around, and don’t draw excessive attention to yourself. And some temples and sacred sites will always strictly prohibit alcohol, so know the rules before visiting.
Prices of Other Alcoholic Drinks
While this article has focused specifically on beer prices, here is a brief overview of what to expect for other popular alcoholic drinks in Bali:
- Wine – Very expensive in Bali due to high import duties and taxes. Even bottom-shelf wine starts around $25+ USD per bottle at shops and restaurants.
- Cocktails – Similar to beer, the price can range widely from $3 USD at local bars up to $10+ USD at high-end venues. Look for happy hour specials to save.
- Vodka/whiskey/rum – These imported spirits are unfortunately taxed heavily as well. Expect to pay at least $5-10 USD per mixed drink made with spirits.
So wine and cocktails can hit your wallet hard in Bali. If you’re on a budget, stick to affordable local beers to avoid sticker shock at restaurants and bars.
Conclusion: Enjoy Cheap Local Beers in Bali
Bali remains a heavenly destination for travelers even during turbulent times globally. And one great way to increase your enjoyment is by responsibly indulging in a few cold local beers for an incredibly reasonable price.
The many excellent local lagers like Bintang, Bali Hai, and Anker give you plenty of refreshing options without breaking your budget. By visiting local shops, warungs, and bars, you can easily find cheap beer for 25,000 to 50,000 IDR ($1.75-$3.50 USD) all over the island.
So grab a cheap Bintang, put your feet in the sand, and experience Bali’s laid back culture with other like-minded travelers and locals. The affordable local beers may be simple, but they capture the carefree spirit and hospitality that this island is so famous for.
And that cold, crisp Bintang will be even more satisfying knowing you paid a great local price at 25,000 IDR instead of tourist prices at fancy bars. So stay budget-savvy and enjoy the beach with cheap local beers in beautiful Bali!