The Lawn Canggu: Heaven or a Tourist Trap? Read This First

The Lawn, the king of Canggu's competitive beach club scene, is so famous that whether you've been to Bali or not, you've probably seen its iconic lawn and infinity pool on Instagram.

But the more famous it gets, the more controversial it becomes. Some say it's the ultimate sunset spot, while others complain it's a tourist trap, a "walking wallet harvester"[1]. Anjay! So, is it actually worth visiting? I just went to check it out and navigate the pitfalls for you, so let's sit down and talk about it.

Full marks for atmosphere, but the food is like a blind box

Arriving at 4:30 PM, the place was already bustling. It's true they don't take reservations[2], so getting a good spot is all about luck and arriving early. The overall design is definitely on point. By day, it's an Instagram-worthy oasis, and at dusk, the sunset casts a golden glow on the infinity pool, maxing out the atmosphere[3]. With chill electronic music in the background and stylish young people in their 20s and 30s all around, it's truly a great place to Nongkrong[4].

The drink menu is quite extensive. I ordered a Frozen Mango Margarita[5], and the refreshing mango slush was the perfect antidote to Bali's heat. Mantap! For food, I took some advice and ordered the oysters[6]. They were genuinely fresh, with no fishy taste at all. A squeeze of lemon juice and down in one go—so good! My friend's Poke Bowl[7] looked and tasted great, with fresh fish, crisp veggies, and balanced seasoning.

But! There were plenty of misses too. The fried calamari[6] was a bit awkward. The batter separated completely from the squid, and it was so chewy my teeth could barely keep up. And the pasta and fish and chips at the next table looked unremarkable; I heard they were so salty it made you question your existence[8].

It hurts the wallet, and the value for money is a major drawback

To be honest, it's definitely not cheap here. We just ordered some snacks and drinks, and the bill easily came to over 500k IDR per person. If you want a daybed in a prime spot to watch the sunset, the minimum spend starts at 1 million IDR[6].

For this price, the food quality is so inconsistent, so the value for money is really not great. It feels more like you're paying for the ambiance and the sunset[2]; the food is just an added bonus.

Enough talk, here's the 'Save Money & Avoid Traps' guide!

• Best Time: Want to see the sunset without waiting? Arrive before 4 PM! After 4:30 PM, you'll likely face a long queue[9]. It's too hot at noon, so don't go just to get grilled.
• Seating Choice: Don't want to waste money? Head straight for the regular dining tables, which have no minimum spend. Daybeds have a minimum spend ranging from 350k to over 1 million IDR[10]; it's only worth it if you're in a group and can share the cost.
• Ordering Guide: Go for the oysters[11], Poke Bowl[7], and beef nachos[12]. For everything else... it's a gamble, so don't get your hopes up.
• Strict Rules: Do NOT bring any outside food or water! They check bags strictly at the entrance, and if you're caught, you'll either have to throw it away or be denied entry[8]... don't ask me how I know...
• Getting Out: When leaving, Grab/Gojek drivers can't come in! You have to walk 5-8 minutes to a designated pick-up point[13]. Girls, if you've had a few drinks, be careful.
• Hidden Fees: Towels might have an extra rental fee[1]. If you plan on swimming, it's best to bring your own or ask beforehand.