BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – The sound of billiard balls colliding blended with music from a live disc jockey (DJ), creating a warm and lively atmosphere at NextShot Billiard & Bistro on road Tukad Yeh Aya No. 93, Denpasar, on Saturday (July 11, 2026). As the clock approached 11:00 p.m. local time, nearly every table was occupied by visitors from all walks of life. Some came with friends, partners, and families, while others played alone with assistance from attentive staff.

The welcoming atmosphere is no coincidence. Since opening its doors on May 15, 2024, husband-and-wife founders Adi Wijaya and Sandy, originally from Surabaya, have built NextShot around a simple philosophy: “feel like home.” Their vision was to transform the traditional image of a billiard hall into a comfortable, inclusive venue where everyone feels welcome.

The idea was born from their shared passion for billiards. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Adi noticed that Bali had relatively few modern billiard venues, inspiring the couple to turn their hobby into a business.

“We’ve loved playing billiards for years. After the pandemic, we realized there weren’t many billiard houses in Bali, so we decided to open NextShot on May 15, 2024,” Adi said.

Comfort and accessibility remain the venue’s top priorities. NextShot welcomes not only experienced players but also complete beginners who have never picked up a cue.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before. Our staff are happy to teach you. Even if you come alone, you’ll still feel comfortable because we want everyone to feel accepted here,” Sandy explained.

For the couple, a billiard hall should no longer be associated with nightlife. Instead, they envision it as a community space where families, friends, and young people can gather in a relaxed and friendly environment.

That family-friendly concept is reflected in its facilities, including a smoke-free VIP room and a dedicated non-smoking area on the second floor, allowing guests with children to enjoy the venue comfortably.

According to Adi, public perception of billiards has changed significantly over the past few years.

“In the past, billiards often carried a negative image. Today, it’s completely different. Billiards has become part of a modern lifestyle. Everyone, from children to seniors, enjoys the sport, and many young players are now becoming competitive athletes,” he said.

He believes billiards has enormous potential to produce future champions and deserves greater recognition as a legitimate sport rather than merely a form of entertainment.

To reinforce that image, NextShot strictly prohibits all forms of gambling within its premises.

“We want people to understand that billiards can be a place for families and friends to spend quality time together, not something associated with the old nightlife stigma,” Sandy added.

Built on a 300-square-meter property, NextShot features 11 billiard tables, including a regular playing area, a smoking VIP room, and a non-smoking VIP room. Every table uses Mr. Sung equipment, a brand commonly featured in international tournaments, complemented by high-quality billiard cloth to provide a premium playing experience.

Beyond its facilities, customer service remains one of the venue’s defining strengths.

“We prioritize service. Our staff are friendly and always ready to help customers enjoy their time here,” Sandy said.

Playing rates start at Rp40,000 per hour during the evening. Daytime visitors can enjoy a promotional package offering two hours of play plus two glasses of iced sweet tea for Rp70,000. Special packages are also available for students, who can play for three hours at Rp70,000 by presenting a valid student ID.

NextShot has also played an active role in supporting Bali’s growing billiards community through regular in-house tournaments. Since opening, it has hosted seven to eight competitions focused primarily on beginner players in Handicap (HC) 3A and 3B categories.

“We want beginners to stay motivated and improve. Tournament experiences shouldn’t be limited to professional players,” Adi said.

The venue’s second floor, equipped with three billiard tables, is also available for private events, including corporate gatherings, community meetings, and birthday celebrations. Sandy recalled that even a three-year-old child once celebrated a birthday at NextShot because the parents were loyal customers.

Meanwhile, Giostanovlatto, Coordinator of the Bali Tourism Journalists Alliance (AJIP Bali), said the sport continues to gain popularity across the island, particularly among younger generations. He believes family-oriented billiard venues are helping erase the negative stereotypes that once surrounded the game.

“Billiards no longer has to be associated with nightlife. Today, fathers, mothers, children, and entire families are enjoying the sport together,” he said.

He also encouraged local governments to support more billiards tournaments as part of Bali’s sport tourism development.

“If Bali wants to strengthen its tourism industry, billiards can become one of the gateways by hosting international championships capable of attracting visitors from around the world,” he added.

As competition among billiard venues in Bali continues to intensify, Adi and Sandy remain committed to the concept that has defined NextShot since its opening: a welcoming environment, warm hospitality, and an inclusive space where everyone can enjoy the sport together.

Through its “feel like home” philosophy, NextShot Billiard & Bistro hopes to inspire more people to see billiards as an enjoyable, healthy, and family-friendly sport—free from the negative stereotypes of the past.