The Legal Age For Drinking In Bali And Indonesia: The Law & The Facts
Indonesia may be a majority-Muslim country, but alcohol is freely available all over the archipelago and especially in the Hindu-majority island of Bali.
However, while the island may offer plentiful access to alcohol, there are some things you really need to know if you want to drink here.
The Absolute Basics Of What You Need To Know
- The legal minimum age – the law across Bali and Indonesia is that you must be over 21 to drink alcohol.
- The reality – ID checks are very rare, and most venues don’t seem to care about the age of purchasers: however, big clubs and major events do sometimes ask.
- Where you can buy alcohol in Bali – bars, pubs, clubs, beach clubs, convenience stores, bottle shops and supermarkets. We recommend that you stick to licensed and reputable vendors for safety’s sake.
- The law – alcohol regulations in Indonesia are part of Permenperin No. 20/2014, and they were laid down by Indonesia’s Minister of Trade.
- Staying out of trouble – it’s best to avoid public drunkenness, never drink and drive, and respect local customs at all times.
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age In Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s legal drinking age is the same as the legal drinking age throughout Indonesia. That is 21 years old.
No, it’s not 18 years old, as it is in many European countries and Australia, it’s 21.
This law applies to everyone in the country, whether they are a visitor or a local, and establishments such as shops, bars, etc,. are within their rights to ask you to provide ID before they serve you alcohol.
In reality, this almost never happens. There is almost no enforcement of alcohol regulations on the island.
The one exception to this tends to be parties and club events. If the ticket states a minimum age for attendance, the door staff may ask for ID and refuse entry if it’s not forthcoming.
We would argue that it’s respectful to obey the law and avoid drinking under the age of 21, but there is little risk if you decide to drink at a younger age.
What Is Bali’s Official Legal Drinking Age?
The legal drinking age here is 21 years old. This is true for both Indonesian citizens and foreign guests.
Can I Purchase And Drink Alcohol In Bali At The Age Of 18?
Legally? No. The drinking age here is 21. However, you are very unlikely to be asked for ID or to have anyone refuse you service in bars, clubs, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.
However, if the authorities were to carry out a spot check of whatever establishment you are drinking in and you are found to be under the age of 21, you may face legal penalties.
What Are The Consequences Of Drinking Underage In Bali?
While the odds of being caught drinking underage in Bali may be fairly low, there are some clear penalties laid out under the law for drinking under the age of 21:
- Fines – local authorities may issue you with a substantial fine.
- Legal charges – if you have broken any other laws or offended the local culture here while drinking, you may be arrested and/or jailed and incur a criminal record.
- Deportation – the authorities here may revoke your visa and require you to be forcibly deported from Indonesia.
- Travel ban – they may even ban you from ever re-entering the country or place a 5-10 year ban on entry.
The Balinese authorities are big believers in responsible tourism. That means we think it’s best to obey the law rather than risk serious consequences, no matter how remote the chances are of getting caught.
How To Avoid Methanol Poisoning In Bali?
Methanol poisoning is a serious and potentially deadly side effect of drinking contaminated alcohol. It comes from poorly distilled spirits.
The way to avoid it is to only consume drinks that you can trust the provenance of:
- Don’t drink any alcohol that is too cheap to be believed. Taxes on alcohol are quite high in Indonesia, and drinks here aren’t as inexpensive as you might expect. We strongly encourage you to stick to drinks from convenience stores, restaurants, bars, etc., rather than from street vendors or back alley dealers.
- Always choose a branded product. Sealed, commercial Arak (the local spirit) cans of Bintang, etc., are safe to consume. Stuff sold in plastic bags may not be.
- Stick to venues with a good reputation. Places that regularly cater to large volumes of tourists are all about safe alcohol.
If you should experience the symptoms of methanol poisoning (nausea, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headaches, confusion, etc.), you should immediately seek medical treatment.
How Much Is Alcohol In Bali?
The cost of alcohol in Bali can vary a lot depending on where it’s bought and where it was made.
Nightclubs, beach clubs, and high-end bars are more expensive than warungs and convenience stores.
Similarly, a locally made beer (Bintang), spirit (Arak), or wine (Hatten) is cheaper than imported products.
Rough prices for drinks might be:
- Beers – $2-$8 for a bottle
- Wine – $4-$15 a glass
- Cocktails – $6-$30+ depending on the alcohol and size of serving
Why Are Imported Alcohol Brands So Expensive In Bali?
The Indonesian government uses a form of protective taxation to enable local industries to thrive, and thus, imported alcohol is subject to large additional taxes.
Is The Legal Drinking Age The Same As The Legal Driving Age In Bali?
No, the legal drinking age is 21. The legal driving age for a car or scooter in Bali is 17.
You should know that if you want to drive here, you must have a valid driving license from home (with a motorbike endorsement if you want to drive a scooter) and a valid International Driving Permit (IDP), which is issued in your own country, too.
Where Can I Purchase Alcohol In Bali?
Alcohol is stocked in most convenience stores (particularly Circle K and M Mart) and supermarkets, as well as in bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.
There are also “bottle shops” which are dedicated alcohol retailers, such as Bottle Avenue, with much larger selections of brands to choose from.
What’s The Local Alcoholic Spirit In Bali Called?
Bali has a single traditional alcoholic spirit, and it’s called Arak. Arak is made from distilled palm sap or rice.
There have been issues with impure Arak in the past, but today, there are several professional manufacturers of this spirit that provide safe, clean Arak to drink.
Always buy Arak in branded bottles from either the verified producer or from trustworthy sources.
You can also find locally made gin, whiskey and other liquors in convenience stores and other alcohol retailers.
What Is The Official Law Regarding Alcohol Consumption In Indonesia?
The minimum drinking age is established in this Indonesian law: Peraturan Menteri Perdagangan Republik Indonesia Nomor 20/M-DAG/PER/4/2014
Specifically, Article 15 of this law states that the sale of alcohol can only be made to consumers who are 21 or older and that they are legally required to show proof of age.
Can I Bring Alcohol Into Bali?
Yes, you may bring in a single litre of alcohol (wine or spirits) duty-free on arrival in Indonesia. This must be declared on the customs form to avoid any penalties.
Any alcohol in excess of your duty-free allowance may be confiscated if it is discovered by customs, and you may face a fine, too.
Is Alcohol Banned During Religious Events In Bali?
It depends on the faith and event. For example, Nyepi is the Hindu day of silence in Bali. All businesses on the island are closed for the day. So, though you may consume alcohol at home, you can’t go out and buy any.
Muslims do not drink alcohol at any time of the year, and alcohol is forbidden inside mosques.
Any additional restrictions will be notified to you, and it’s important to respect these constraints even if you do not agree with them.
Bali is famous for its amazing nightlife and laidback vibe. However, that doesn’t mean that there are no alcohol laws in Bali.
There’s no doubt that attitudes towards alcohol in Bali are far more relaxed than in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. This is partly because of the Hindu faith of the majority of the locals and partly because of the tourism sector.
However, there are some concerns regarding the consumption of alcohol here, particularly when incidents arise from tourists behaving inappropriately, particularly in religious sites and during village ceremonies.
You should be aware that poor behaviour under the influence of alcohol may result in arrest, fines, prison and/or deportation.
Remember That Responsible Travel Is Respectful Travel
If you want to be a responsible tourist here in Bali. You need to understand and respect the local mores.
It’s not a good idea to drink heavily in public or at all around temples and other sacred places, as it’s considered to be disrespectful.
It’s fine to enjoy a drink here; everyone agrees it’s part of the holiday experience. Just stay mindful of others, show respect to them and be aware of the potential impact of how you behave on future guests
Please Don’t Drink And Drive
Not only is driving under the influence of alcohol illegal in Bali (as it is in almost all of the world), but when combined with the use of a scooter on Bali’s terrible roads, it’s incredibly dangerous to you and to other people.
So, please, if you’re going to drink, use a ride-sharing app (like Grab or Gojek) to get a lift home, and you can always pick up your bike in the morning.
Have Fun But Keep Your Alcohol Intake Responsible
Everyone should enjoy a drink in Bali, but make sure to have fun and not endanger yourself or others.
One thing you should know here is that the heat and humidity can often strengthen the effects of alcohol, and you may be able to drink much less than you would at home before you are drunk.
It’s a good idea to alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water to get the most fun out of your drinking time here. Isotonic drinks can help with the next day if you feel especially hungover, too.