If you’re looking to party in paradise, look no further than Gili Trawangan. More commonly known as “Gili T”, this little island packs quite a punch when it comes to nightlife. Whether you’re looking for affordable drink specials or wanting to dance the night away, Gili T is sure to deliver. Read on for your Gili Trawangan party island nightlife guide for 2019:
About the Famous Gili Trawangan Party Island
Beach bars: check. Live DJs with your choice of house, hip hop, top 40 and so on: check. Nightly drink specials: check. Live bands: check. Pub crawls: check. Boat party: check. All the Joss shots: checkcheckcheckcheckcheck.
Backpackers have been flocking to Gili T for years, as it’s been known as a party island where you can find pretty much any vice your heart desires. However, do be wary as there are police on the island and drugs are as illegal as it gets in Indonesia. That being said, it is very much “island life” here so things are much more lax within the 3 x 2 kilometers of Gili T. Also remember that Gili Trawangan and Indonesia in general is a Muslim country so you should be mindful and respectful.
Gili Trawangan Party Schedule
Because of its small size and sense of community, the island of Gili T has a somewhat scheduled party scene (organized chaos, if you will). Each night, one bar stays open late, while every other bar shuts down around midnight or 1am (depending on the season and current laws). Not only does this make it easy to find the most happening spot, but it means that this one bar is pretty much guaranteed to be packed with locals and tourists alike. You can easily spot the late-night bar as you walk along the main east side strip, as there will be a large banner above, guiding the sober and drunk alike to the party.
Monday: Blue Marlin
Tuesday: Jiggy
Wednesday: Tir Na Nog (Irish bar)
Thursday: Quiet night because of Friday Prayer
Friday: Sand Bar
Saturday: Sama Sama
Sunday: Evolution
Live bands and DJs are hosted regularly and each bar has different drink specials to satiate you. All are located right on the beach on the east side of the island and most have a bar area on the sand as well.
Gili Trawangan Party Scene: Top Bars on Gili T
First things first, because there’s always a pre-party and it’d be rude not to go. There isn’t an organized schedule like there is for the after-hours bars so you’ll have an array of bars with different vibes to choose from. Check out one of our favorite bars below, or just walk along the main beach strip on the east side to find something to your liking.
Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan: Best Beach Venue
Okay, so we might be a bit biased, but our property right on the beach easily has the best views of any bar on the island. With an infinity pool and attached DJ booth, Mad Monkey will be throwing the best pool seshes with live music and epic sunset views every Tuesday and Friday. Come check out the international DJs we’ll often host and enjoy drink specials all day, plus free shots on the hour. Happy Hour is every day from 5-6pm and includes buy 2 get 1 free cocktails and house spirits. Be sure to come by for our daily Open Bar from 7-730pm where you can get all-you-can-drink of our Signature Cocktail. Join us for our nightly events — Live Music every Sunday, Trivia Night, Music Quiz, Beer Olympics, and more!
Book your stay HERE.
Jiggy Bar: Best Happy Hour + Jiggy Boat Party
Who can say no to 3 hours of free flow drinks for only 150k (or 100k if you’re female)? Not only does Jiggy run this happy hour every single night from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., but they also offer 10k shots from 8:30 to 10:30pm. Most nights they host a live DJ playing those catchy (albeit mainstream) jams that never fail to make you dance.
If you want to party hard, be sure to hop on the Jiggy Boat Party. This 5-hour party cruise takes you around the Gili islands from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. so you can watch the famous Gili T sunset from the water. With epic views of all three Gili islands, free shots, a stop to jump in the water and swim around, and a live DJ throughout the entire trip, this boat party should definitely be on your Gili T Bucket List. Kicking off every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (during high season, twice a week otherwise), the Jiggy Boat Party is guaranteed to be a good time.
Lava: Rock ‘n Roll Bingo & Cheap Drinks
Serving up some of the cheapest drinks on the beach, Lava is a staple for every tourist and expat. They’ve got drink specials every day (50k Mojito Monday, 15k Shot Time Saturday, and so on) and a vibing atmosphere nearly every night. It helps that they have literally every flavor of Joss for your drinking pleasure (who knew there were more than two types?) Be sure to come on Friday for Rock ‘n Roll Bingo — yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds. No skills or even music knowledge required (Shazam-ing is encouraged) and a night full of excellent music and fantastic company. Bingo starts around 8 p.m. but come early if you want a table, as it gets packed every week.
Sama Sama: Live Reggae Music
With a live reggae band nearly every night, Sama Sama has become famous on Gili T. Come listen to live tunes at this two-story bar with a bar full of both locals and travelers. Centrally located, you can’t miss Sama Sama as you’re walking around town.
Tir Na Nog (the Irish Bar): Gili T Pub Crawl
The Irish Bar is a go-to for most. Not only do they consistently have a great atmosphere, but they serve the best espresso martinis on the island (that are 2 for 1 on Thursday nights!) This beachside bar is the perfect place to pre-drink any night of the week.
There’s no better way to make instant besties than on a pub crawl. Running every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday night for 250k a person, this pub crawl offers the best of the Gili Trawangan party scene wrapped into one evening. Get a free shirt, free shots, a free bucket and even more drink specials while checking out reggae music at Sama Sama, beer pong at Evolution, and more! Starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at the Irish Bar with live music.
Jungle: Gili T’s Nightclub
The infamous pre-drinking bar and “club” on Gili T. This neon-lit bar has everything you need to start your night (or continue it): cheap drinks, blasting music, and a dance floor that comes alive nightly. Most people will come here before the late night bar to let loose and dance along to those top 40 hits that you’ve grown to love. Close down Jungle with the rest of the island and then head to the late night bar together!
Gili Trawangan Nightlife for a More Mellow Night
If you’re looking to have a more chill evening (or for those who just can’t shake that hangover from last night), there are still plenty of places to choose from. Head to the west side for some epic views for sunset. The Exile has live music and traditional drumming, while Malibu Beach Club hosts a live DJ.
Kick back with some shisha and a film at Pesona or check out one of the many live music spots right on the sand of the east side. You can find numerous beach spots hosting acoustic music covering everything from Ed Sheeran to Elton John. This relaxing alternative under the stars is the perfect way to spend an evening in paradise.
More Information about the famous Gili Trawangan party island
Did you enjoy this article about the Gili Trawangan party scene? Are you looking for more places to slam shots and dance your face off? Or some more chill spots for a more intimate evening out? Then check out these other articles we’ve rounded up to help you plan your Gili Trawangan trip!
- How to Party like a Pro in Gili Trawangan by Lavanya Rajaian from Ithaca
- The 10 Best Bars in Gili Trawangan by Edira Putri from The Culture Trip
- 10 Best Nightlife in Gili Trawangan from Bali by Hotels.com
- The Ultimate Gili T Party Guide to Bali’s Most Sinful Island from Wild & Away
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