Wine & Beer Experiences in Lombok and Gilis

If you’ve spent any time in Lombok and the Gilis, you know that the drinking scene isn’t about fancy wine bars or mega breweries. It’s more chill, laid-back, and deeply connected to island life. Grab a cold Bintang or locally brewed beer at a beach bar in Gili Trawangan and watch the sunset change colors. Yeah, it’s cliché but trust me, it never gets old.

Wine lovers, don’t expect a massive selection, but you’ll find decent bottles here and there, especially in a few restaurants on the mainland and Gili Air,some places stock Australian wines because of proximity and tourism trends. If you want something different, try a small glass of Arak, the local spirit distilled from coconut palm sap. It’s potent and not for everyone, but it’s part of the local drinking culture that you should at least taste (responsibly!).

For craft beer fans, Lombok’s microbrewery scene is still tiny, but there are a couple of places experimenting with local ingredients – like the forest honey-infused beers you can sometimes find in Senggigi. My advice? Skip the big chain vibe, head to modest dive bars or beachfront shacks for an authentic experience. And if you’re on Gili Meno, bring your own – shops are limited there. Oh, and always strike up a chat with the bartenders,they’re full of stories and may pour you something off-menu.