Jl. Pantai, Batu Bolong 97, Canggu www.theslow.id The Slow may be a ‘luxury boutique hotel’, but the building is more of an exhibit and the bar a significant drawcard. Created by Ksubi co-founder George Gorrow and wife Cisco Tschurtschenthaler, the fit out oozes with great design, divine artwork and optimal people-watching conditions. Consider it heaven for those in the Architecture Appreciation Society as well as the Cocktail Appreciation Society. There’s ‘booze before noon’ on the menu, featuring bellinis and punch (sunny day or rainy day, they have you covered). Even the shots have extra detail, paired with everything from elderflower to wasabi. In the evening, sip on a Negroni – which has a coffee twist – while admiring the couple’s personal art collection housed throughout the space.

Jl. Pantai, Batu Bolong, Canggu www.oldmans.net A backpacker’s playground, Old Man’s is an absolute institution in Canggu catching most travellers stumbling in off the beach. Situated in front of Old Man’s surf break, the colourful bar attracts an equally vibrant crowd daily when happy hour rolls around. Sink into a Bintang or San Miguel, followed by just one more, and maybe just three more after that. On Wednesdays club rascals roll in from Seminyak, which keeps the venue pumping until the early hours of the morning. BYO dancing shoes, and get in by 5pm to capitalise on 60 minutes of two-for-one margaritas.

Jl. Pura Dalem, Batu Bolong, Canggu www.thelawncanggu.com If you’re familiar with Bondi’s Grassy Knoll you’ll understand pasture-referenced places are reserved for the cool. And The Lawn is no exception. Situated on the foreshore of Batu Balong beach, the bar overlooks a busy surf break making it prime real estate to catch a sundowner. It’s no regular drinking establishment. Owned by Single Fin’s Tai Graham, the bar’s pool plays second-fiddle to a large lawned area where groups lounge on woven grass mats, settling in for the afternoon beside carafes of sangria. Classier than the bigger pool bars like Finns and Potato Head, its genius lies in its intimate venue. Cocktail highlights include the caramel and white chocolate espresso martini, frosé, and any of the kombucha cocktails. Because, health.

Jl. Subak Canggu, Canggu www.prettypoisonbar.com A bar dedicated to the Dogtown days, this drinking venue is for those wanting a bit of edge with their Bintang. The brutalist fit out includes an empty swimming pool turned skate bowl ‘designed to shred’. Consider it an exact replica of the Californian pools frequented by the Lords of Dogtown crew. The Thursday night skate comp draws in a packed, young and dishevelled crowd where cheap beers and cocktails accompany free tattoos. Worth popping in for the people watching alone, but the cocktails are exceptional and named after the Z-Boys, of course. Slightly aggressive hint: order the Zephyr.

Jl. Pantai Kayu Putih, Berewa Beach, Canggu www.facebook.com/lalagunabali A magical, mystical genius of a venue, La Laguna is the work of wizardry. Lying on the outskirts of Canggu, the bar and restaurant is nothing short of a fairytale. After passing a visual feast of low-hanging fairy lights, gypsy buggies and other Alice in Wonderland apparatus, your jaw will be on the floor by the time you arrive at the restaurant HQ. Dinner is quite expensive and so are the cocktails but it’s a total ‘treat yourself’ venue worthy of at least one cocktail for those on a budget. Arrive in time to catch the sunset and enjoy a stroll along the jetty after dark.