A recent methanol poisoning incident in Laos has sparked concerns about alcohol safety in Bali, particularly for young travellers. The article recounts personal experiences of drink spiking and methanol poisoning, highlighting the need for caution despite Bali's stricter alcohol regulations. It advises travellers to avoid spirits at dive bars and stick to pre-bottled drinks or patronize reputable establishments.
A few months after I moved to Bali in 2016, I reported on a spate of drink-spiking incidents targeting both men and women at well-known bars in Canggu. While deeply traumatic, the victims did not lose their lives. Had it been methanol, it could have been a different story., following a mass methanol poisoning in Laos recently has instilled fear in travellers, especially parents with teenagers visiting the island for schoolies.
Bali has some excellent small and specialty bars, including wine bars Mosto and Bar Vera, and high-quality cocktail joints, such as Segno. There are plenty of bottle shops in Bali, too. Buy a brand you know and drink at the villa or before you go out.“Bali used to have a bad reputation, but the government has become really strict on the regulation of alcohol,” says Jan Jurecka, the former bar manager at Four Seasons Jimbaran.
“I have really not encountered any harmful or dangerous spirits being sold in the main tourist areas. If you go somewhere more remote, such as the north, be more mindful.” The Slovakian expat has worked in the industry for 15 years and is in the process of opening his own bar Eazy in Seminyak.. I don’t want to discourage drinking it, it’s part of the Balinese culture. But make sure the bartender shows you the bottle, that’s it’s labelled, and that it has the tax sticker on the neck to show the tax has been paid.
He recommends new bar Syrco BASE in Ubud for those wanting to try local spirits. “The head bartender Aris Sanjaya Putra is Balinese and he works with local suppliers and growers. Everything he uses is certified and sustainable,” says Jan.The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox.
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