Night Eats and Lights: Balis Coastal Charm Amid Blackout Recovery

TheIndonesia.co - Bali—an island where golden sunsets meet aromatic street food—is no stranger to surprises, but few expected a widespread power blackout to dim the island’s vibrance on the evening of May 2nd, 2025. Still, even in darkness, Bali's spirit shone brightly—especially along its coastlines, where night snack culture provided comfort, community, and continuity during the brief disruption.

A Sudden Blackout on a Busy Weekend

According to Antara News Agency, at approximately 4 p.m. local time on Friday (May 1st, 2025), a major power outage swept across Bali, affecting up to 80 percent of the province. Public facilities, including the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, hospitals, and seaports, were impacted. Initial investigations suggest the root cause may lie in a disruption of the Java-Bali undersea electricity interconnection cable system—a vital lifeline for the island’s power.

Despite the interruption, quick action from state electricity provider PLN helped manage the crisis. Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Gregorius Adi Trianto, reported that hundreds of personnel were deployed across the island to restore electricity. By 7:30 p.m., power had been gradually restored to more than 940,000 residents.

Airport operations were briefly affected, with a few delays reported. However, the airport’s backup generators ensured continued service, allowing flights to resume with minimal disruption. Airport General Manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab confirmed that all systems were back online by Friday evening.

Governor I Wayan Koster urged authorities to prevent the blackout from extending into Saturday, which marked Kuningan Day—a sacred holiday for Balinese Hindus. His directive was taken seriously, especially as the island also hosted the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup in Nusa Dua that same weekend. Power was quickly restored to the event venue, allowing festivities and competitions to proceed as planned.

Balinese Nights: More Than Just Lights

While the blackout briefly threatened Bali’s reputation as a seamless tourist destination, it also highlighted one of the island’s most enduring charms—its vibrant and relaxed nighttime food scene.

Even during the electricity disruption, many local snack vendors carried on as usual, lit by candlelight, portable lamps, or even the soft glow of their customers’ phones. In areas like Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, and Gianyar, the allure of street food remained irresistible.

Seminyak: Casual Elegance Meets Culinary Adventure

In Seminyak, where trendy bars and beach clubs typically buzz under neon lights, street food vendors made do with minimal lighting and maximum flavor. Locals and tourists huddled together at roadside stalls, sharing servings of nasi jinggo—rice, chicken, sambal, and fried tempeh wrapped in banana leaves. For dessert, pisang goreng (crispy fried banana) proved a favourite comfort food under the stars.

Even without full electricity, the essence of Seminyak’s nighttime charm endured: great food, good company, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Jimbaran: Seafood Feasts by Candlelight

Down the coast in Jimbaran, seafood warungs near the beach continued grilling fresh fish and prawns over open flames. The Jimbaran Fish Market and its adjacent eateries turned the blackout into an almost romantic setting, where diners enjoyed ikan bakar (grilled fish) and sambal matah (Balinese raw sambal) under the open sky.

For many, the dim lighting only enhanced the coastal experience—waves crashing nearby, flickering candlelight on tables, and the scent of sea and spice filling the air.

Sanur: Tranquility with a Taste of Tradition

In Sanur, known for its relaxed pace and community feel, the Sindhu Night Market remained active even during the outage. Vendors continued offering local delicacies like nasi campur, sate lilit, and traditional jaje Bali (Balinese cakes). Visitors gathered around portable lanterns, sampling food and striking up conversations with locals. The sense of community was palpable—proof that Sanur thrives on more than electricity.

Gianyar: A Cultural Bite Into the Real Bali

Inland but no less essential, Gianyar’s night market also played a significant role in keeping spirits high. Known for authentic Balinese dishes such as lawar, babi guling, and sate babi, the market buzzed with activity as vendors used generators or battery-powered lights to keep their stalls open. For those seeking real local flavor, Gianyar proved that a blackout is no match for tradition.

A Lesson in Resilience and Hospitality

Bali’s quick recovery from the power outage underscored the island’s strong infrastructure and crisis response capabilities. Yet, more than logistics, it was the people—the food vendors, the families gathering at warungs, the airport staff, the tourists eating street snacks by phone light—who truly kept the island glowing.

The blackout reminded everyone that Bali’s charm doesn’t rely solely on lights or convenience. It's found in the aroma of street food wafting through a warm evening breeze, in the laughter shared over skewered meats, and in the calm resilience of a culture that knows how to adapt.

So, if you ever find yourself on Bali during a temporary disruption, don’t retreat to your hotel room. Head to the coast. Find a night market. Order something sizzling and spicy. Watch the ocean shimmer under moonlight. Because in Bali, the night life isn’t just about power—it’s about presence.