Rimba Bali bar

The creators of the award-winning Rock Bar have opened a rooftop bar and restaurant at Rimba Jimbaran Bali, with dramatic 360 degree views of the Uluwatu Hills to the south-east and sunset over the Indian Ocean to the west.

Unique Rooftop Bar and Restaurant is a chic pool club by day, evolving into a spectacular spot for sunset cocktails and dinner perched high above the treetops, with a refreshing seabreeze and views of Rimba’s surrounding forest to the ocean beyond.

The two-storey bar is a juxtaposition of design concepts: spacious yet intimate, modern yet earthy, eclectic yet ordered, reflecting Rimba’s sophisticated geometric design, art-hotel style and use of natural finishings.

American Idol 2010 winner Lee DeWyze performed at the grand launch of Unique on 12 April, wowing guests with his Idol-hit ‘Hallulujeh’, as well as ‘Blackbird Song’ which he wrote for AMC’s Walking Dead series and tracks from new album ‘Frames’. The 300 guests also enjoyed a sample of Unique’s new dinner menu, Moet Hennessy Champagne, Belvedere ice bar, and sideshow entertainment ranging from a laser show and live music to animal print body artists, robots in the lifts and mermaids in the pool.

Rimba rooftop Bali

“I have been lucky enough to travel to a lot of places around the world to sing at various events, but this is a highlight. Unique is a stunning venue and as a performer I really enjoyed the intimacy of this VIP launch, with a great crowd, beautiful people and even a mermaid in the pool!” said Lee DeWyze.

Unique’s design is based around a central bar with a raised infinity-edged 25 meter pool facing the sunset, and multi-levelled seating to enable guests to enjoy the 360 degree views from any location. A set of ‘rainbow’ coloured stairs leads to the 2nd-floor mezzanine, which acts as a viewing deck over the bar and sunset, and captures the cool, breezy ambience of the open-air hillside setting. Earthy finishings like exposed timber trusses, recycled shipwood walls, andesite stone flooring and mother-of-pearl ceiling contrast with the sleek sophistication of chandeliers, tinted mirror columns and angular spaces.

The intimate bar and casual poolside dining area – with oversized daybeds, retro decor and bench seating – open into to an expansive venue for events and gatherings, and a perfect spot for an all-day chill-out that carries you into the night.

With capacity for 150 people seated or over 300 standing, Unique serves a menu of Asian-inspired comfort food, the perfect complement to the casual poolside dining and innovative cocktails. Highlights include Caramelized Angus Beef Cheek skewers, Crispy Salted Pork Loin, Korean-spiced Chicken Lollipops, Whole Tail Scampi, and Thai Red Duck Curry, and sweet treats like Mango Sticky Rice and Durian Cheesecake.

The restaurant’s grand launch follows Rimba’s opening in September 2013 as another 5-star hotel within the 77-hectare grounds of Ayana Resort and Spa on the cliffs above Jimbaran Bay. As the only integrated resort in Bali, Ayana and Rimba offer guests unrivalled selection of on-site facilities including 15 restaurants, cafes and bars, private beach, and 11 swimming pools. With seamless service, integrated room charge and complimentary shuttle bus between both resorts, guests can ‘hotel hop’ and enjoy all facilities at both hotels.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management