The Melting Pot Saloon — Restaurant in Bali

Negative reviews....... Hmmmm.......each to their own I guess.

My partner and I came here after seeing a sign board that the State of Origin (rugby league) would be shown live. I had emailed the place for info and got a pretty prompt reply......this is Bali, prompt isn't usually in the vocabulary. Well, I'm glad that we tried out the MPS as we had a damn good time.

The food that we had was great (beef quesadilla, Texas chilli) and we had started with the chilli taster bowl (my words, not theirs) and were pleasantly surprised. After that we ordered more food! Did it take a long time? Sure, but we were pre-warned that it would be a lengthy wait. We did end up asking if the food was on its way and we were given a pleasant response and the kitchen was checked, the food came not long after. Was a 45 minute wait an issue for a good hot meal? Hell no.

The drinks selection here is phenomenal especially if you prefer something other than the usual Bintang bir. The porter is excellent if you like a good dark beer and it's excellent with the Texas chilli. My only critique with the chilli is that it needs more heat, but I know that most westerners in Bali can't handle anything beyond mild. So maybe it could be served up with a bottle of Tabasco or some sliced chilli's for those of us that aren't pussies. But, back to the beer....there are some great choices and the prices are reasonable especially for craft beers and imports.

This place is pretty big with a good amount of entertainment on the screens and on the pool tables etc. I'm keen to have a go at the axe throwing, but maybe next time and before the beers. The music here is a great blend that reflects the setting, I felt right at home with a good mix of country, southern rock, soul and blues etc.

If this place is not for you then it's not for you but don't whine and moan about the temperature, slow service and so on. If you expect western standards etc, go to a Western country for your holiday. This is Bali, jam karet dan tidak apa apa (sing ken ken).

Thanks to the MPS crew for a great night, we'll be...

On a very very wet Sunday evening during an absolute downpour, we crashed into the melting pot,

I have to say, the melting pot is very unique to Ubud, But I really like it. It’s not trying to be pretentious or anything. It’s not. It’s just a rock solid pool hall with tons of excellent well, maintained Brunswick pool tables.

I have to say the staff are great. They let my two young kids play on the tables even though they were not exactly careful repeating the whacking the lights and being a bit rough on the tables but the girls were Great,

I also want to say that the craft beers Selection was very very good, far better than anything else I’ve seen in the area,

I was a bit apprehensive when I ordered locally brewed IPAs, but I have to Say everything I tried was exceptional, I wish it was a bit more busy, but to be fair it was only 7:30pm and the heavens were literally pouring down.

I hope this bar Picks up as it is clearly a labour of love and somebody has poured a lot of money into the Interior and pool tables ax throwing a hockey, basketball and I honestly don’t believe you spend that much money on Unless it’s your pet project the time and effort to get all the flag signed and the old memorabilia sourced was clearly a lot,

My only slight criticism would be the bar snacks were a bit odd sausage on crackers with cheese is a new one on me but to be fair, it was ok…but to be honest if you want flowers in cocktails and random fruit you’ve never heard of on cold porridge probably not the place for you anyway,…. Go and give it a try help these guys out. It’s got a huge potential. Ubud could do with some more places like with actual real character, and this less other Instagram nitwit posing with smoothies,

go help the guys out order a few local craft cold ones, play pool, throw some axes around, go nuts on the air hockey and pet the dog …..spend a few extra pennies,… and I’m pretty sure it’s a public good, i’m definitely better for your soul than eating quinoa bowls and doing yoga..up the melting pot!! You right...

in ubud, where incense is currency and smiles float like dragonflies, there sits a bunker— not a bar, not a temple, not quite hell, but close—

The Melting Pot.

where the cue chalk is holy and time slips slow as the beer foam, ruled by a king not crowned, but crusted— a man of the homeland, grumpy and proud, stomach out like a small nation refusing diplomacy.

he watches like a hawk shot down mid-flight, eyes sharp, mouth loaded like a slingshot.

insert a coin, and the arcade groans. 40 seconds only— fun, rationed like wartime sugar.

“don’t touch that.” “don’t ask me that.” “read the sign.”

hospitality here wears a bandana of don’t-push-it and smells faintly of Miller Lite and sweat. his staff, disciples of disdain, move like snails who’ve seen too much.

the tables are worn, but not with love— they’re survivors, scarred by a thousand hangovers and one man’s war with the world.

yet— on Google, he shines.

every star lost is a battlefield found. every 1-star review a chance to write his own epic of vengeance:

“You were the problem, Karen.” “We don’t do hugs here.” “Your attitude was the real power outage.”

and the pilgrims still come— hipsters, misfits, lost boys charmed by the myth of the mean American in Bali who guards pool tables like relics of a forgotten empire.

they come, and they leave with photos, confusion, and a story.

because The Melting Pot does not melt— it simmers, on the edge of rage and neon, a small dictatorship of cue sports in the land of...