Canggu's Old Man's: Just crowds and cheesy hype?

Just squeezed my way out of the crowd at Old Man's, and my ears are still ringing. The moment you step inside, the feeling is… like crashing a homecoming party for some American or European university fraternity. It's so packed you're shoulder-to-shoulder, and the music is so loud you can feel the floor shaking! 🔊

Seriously, if you're looking for a quiet place to Nongkrong and chat, you can just swipe left and exit now. But if you're a Party Animal looking for a place to get high until the early hours, then this is definitely your turf. Especially on "Dirty Ol’ Wednesday," the scene at the beer pong tournament[1], Anjay! It's basically like a massive team-building event; even strangers cheer together for a single shot, and the energy level just goes through the roof. ⚡️

The Day Doesn't Get the Night's Hype

At night, this place is an adrenaline junkie's paradise, but daytime Old Man's has a completely different vibe. Sun, sand, lazy Bintang time, it's super Chill. Coming over for a sit-down after surfing, ordering a drink to watch the sunset—now that's the right way to do Bali. 🌴

As for the food, don't have high expectations; it's a bar, after all. But if you get hungry between dance sessions, grabbing a hot dog[2] is surprisingly Mantap! It's much better than what you'd get at many similar places. However, I've also heard friends complain that the food quality here is inconsistent; some find it delicious, while others say it upset their stomach[3], so you be the judge.

Time for Some Hard Truths

Alright, rant time. The music here... how should I put it, is a bit cheesy[4]. It's basically a medley of Western pop hits. You can dance to it, but don't expect anything tasteful. The Happy Hour drinks feel like the alcohol content has been discounted too[5], like drinking "happy water." Plus, when it gets crowded, the service is basically non-existent. You have to squeeze your way to the bar to order[6], and finding a seat is completely up to fate.

Heartfelt Tips, Take 'Em and You're Welcome!

Although there's a lot to complain about, I have to say, the atmosphere is genuinely great. For the girls who want to check it out, save this guide to avoid the pitfalls:

• 💰 Money-Saving Hacks: Breakfast! You have to go for breakfast! Before 11 AM, all breakfast items are 50% off[7]. The portions are huge, and the value for money is so good it'll make you cry. There's also a Happy Hour from 5-7 PM, with buy-one-get-one-free on select drinks.
• 🎫 The Mysteries of Entry: Girls usually get free entry at night, and sometimes you can even skip the line! But guys have to queue up and pay an entrance fee of 100k IDR[8]. However, many events have free entry before 10:30 PM[9], so you can time your arrival.
• 🛵 Avoiding Transportation Traps: Important! On weekend nights, Gojek/Grab aren't allowed to pick up at the entrance, so you have to walk about 10 minutes away to get a ride[10]. If you're on a scooter, parking is 10k IDR[11].
• 💃 Best Time to Go: If you want to watch the sunset, go in the evening. If you want to dance, come after 10 PM. If you want to snag a good spot, you'd better get there early, otherwise you'll be standing and partying all night[12].