Kuta, TodaysSpill.com
Nightlife in Bali is no longer just about music and drinks. At 69 Bar & Resto Kuta-Bali on Friday evening (Aug 22, 2025), visitors were treated to something fresh and unique: a chance to experience the richness of local culture and products through the “Local Pride Collaboration” event.
The beats of a DJ blended with a live band, while in one corner, foreign tourists were seen carefully rolling tobacco leaves. That night, the bar transformed into a pop-up classroom—hosting a cigar-making workshop, Balinese mixology sessions, and local culinary showcases.
“This is not just another party. We want to create a different kind of experience, where travelers can truly feel Bali’s identity through its local products,” said Ketut Darmayasa, General Manager of Grand Istana Rama Hotel Kuta.
For years, Bali’s tourism has often been synonymous with beaches, sunsets, and beach clubs. But the “Local Pride Collaboration” offered a new perspective—experience-based tourism. Not just watching, but joining in.
Learning to Roll Cigars: Tourists trying cigar-making during the “Local Pride Collaboration” in Kuta.
“Tourists today don’t come only for photos or scenery. They want to go home with stories, with memories that stay with them. That’s what this event is about,” Darmayasa continued.
One of the highlights was the Pranada Cigar workshop. On a wooden table, dried tobacco leaves were laid out, trimmed, and rolled neatly into shape. For many international visitors, it was a rare, hands-on experience—far from mainstream tourist activities.
“A cigar is no longer just a symbol of the elite. We want anyone to be able to enjoy it at an affordable price,” said Komang Ongky Pranadhita, founder of Pranada Cigar from Buleleng.
His cigars are priced from IDR 10,000 per stick to several million rupiah, depending on the variant. According to Ongky, most foreign visitors go for the IDR 100,000 cigars—whether to enjoy on the spot or take home as souvenirs.
“Our quality rivals Cuban cigars. In fact, Indonesian tobacco has a unique spiced character that sets it apart,” he added with confidence.
Beyond the workshop, guests were also treated to local delicacies, signature drinks crafted by Balinese bartenders, and live music that built a warm, festive atmosphere.
For Putu Robby Rudita, Food and Beverage Manager of Grand Istana Rama, the event highlighted a bigger message: Bali’s hospitality cannot be separated from local products.
“This is about pride. It’s about bringing our local identity onto the global stage,” he stressed.
The “Local Pride Collaboration” pointed to a new direction for Bali’s tourism—experience-driven and rooted in local products.
In the face of global competition, Bali is offering more than just beaches and luxury resorts. It is offering something irreplaceable: authentic experiences born from the hands, flavors, and creativity of its people.
Just like that night in Kuta, when a bar, music, and cigars came together as one story—one that travelers will carry home to the world.
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Local Products: Bartenders mixing drinks with local ingredients.
