Tradition becomes the spark for creativity in every glass.
Ubud, Bali — At KAWI UBUD, cocktails are more than recipes. They’re conversations—between tradition and modernity, between memory and invention, between the people who make them and the guests who drink them.
The idea behind KAWI has never been to lock down a single definition of “Indonesianness.” Instead, it’s about letting it surface naturally. The founders have always believed that the team should be the heart of the bar, so the spotlight is given to the Balinese and Indonesian bartenders who mix, pour, and share their own stories with every drink. It’s this approach that makes the space feel different: for travelers, it’s a chance to taste and learn about local culture in a genuine way, and for locals, it’s a bar that feels like their own.
That philosophy comes to life in the cocktails. TEH takes the everyday comfort of tea—something you’d find at a warung anywhere in Indonesia—and gives it the shape and depth of an Old Fashioned. Another favorite, DAUN KAYU MANIS, starts from a cinnamon-based herbal remedy and is reborn as a refreshing highball. These aren’t just clever twists; they’re drinks that carry a sense of place, transformed into something you might not expect but instantly connect with.
The reactions often say it all. Locals smile at the taste of something that takes them back to childhood or simpler days. International guests, tasting flavors new to them, lean in with curiosity, asking about the stories behind the ingredients. In both cases, the drinks open a door—making people feel part of something at once familiar and new.
Much of this creativity comes from the team’s willingness to bring their own lives into the mix. Bartenders are encouraged to experiment with ideas drawn from family recipes, favorite snacks, or ingredients that mean something personal. Not every attempt makes it onto the menu, but the process itself sparks new directions. The result is a menu that feels alive, always evolving, always rooted in real experiences.
KAWI shows that tradition doesn’t have to be preserved in glass—it can be reshaped, reinterpreted, and poured fresh. By treating Indonesianness as a source of inspiration rather than a fixed idea, the bar proves that heritage and creativity can move hand in hand. Each drink carries both: respect for where it comes from, and excitement for where it can go.
