Ubud: Dance Show + Dinner at Lost City – Story of Humanity

The unusual part of this Ubud evening is that you do not simply sit and watch. You choose Lemuria, the nature-loving civilization, or Atlantis, the technology-driven one, then find your place in a story that moves around you. Audience participation is part of the design, so be ready to react, follow prompts, and join the action.

I like two things here: the all-you-can-eat buffet, which includes vegan, vegetarian, and halal choices, and the mix of theatre, dance, fantasy, and fire performance. The food is served in traditional wooden bowls, adding a pleasant local touch. You should also know that the venue has many steep stairs, and the show can be confusing if the instructions or sound system are not clear.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose your side at the door: Join Lemuria, linked with nature and human connection, or Atlantis, linked with technology and productivity.
• Dinner is included: The buffet includes dishes and barbecue inspired by ancient civilizations, but drinks are extra.
• You are part of the show: Dancers interact with the audience, so this is not a quiet theatre performance.
• Allow for traffic from central Ubud: The venue is about 6 kilometres away, though the drive can take much longer in rain or heavy traffic.
• Check the stairs before booking: Access to the stage and restaurant includes steep stairs and may not suit anyone with limited mobility.
• Good value at $26.20: You get dinner, the show, and access to the Lost City setting in one evening package.

A choice between Lemuria and Atlantis

Lost City presents The Story of Humanity as a struggle between two civilizations. Lemuria represents people, nature, love, and gratitude. Atlantis represents technology, output, and the belief that machines and progress can deliver happiness.

You choose your allegiance when you arrive. That choice is more than a decorative detail. It gives you a simple role in the story and helps you feel involved from the opening moments.

The show begins with the Lemuria Harmony Dance, set during the royal wedding of Shauja and Halifu. The scene presents Lemurian life as peaceful and closely tied to the natural world. It is a gentle start before the mood shifts.

The Atlanteans threaten that peace. Their attack drives the central story, and the action develops through dance, spoken performance, audience contact, fantasy, and fire dancing. The presentation is theatrical rather than a traditional Balinese dance recital, so you should not arrive expecting a formal cultural performance with a quiet audience.

Dinner in a Lost City setting

Your ticket includes an all-you-can-eat dinner. The food includes dishes and barbecue connected to the show’s ancient-civilization theme, served in traditional wooden bowls. Drinks are not included, and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

I see the dinner as an important part of the value. You are not paying separately for a restaurant meal and a theatre ticket. The combination also gives the evening a social rhythm. You can eat while the story develops, rather than rushing through dinner before a performance elsewhere.

Food choices are unusually practical for a dinner show. Vegan, vegetarian, and halal options are available. Because the information does not specify the exact dishes served on a particular night, you should ask staff what is available when you arrive if you have a strict dietary need.

One point to keep in mind is that dinner and performance may not feel like two neatly separated events. The show is interactive, and the action can pull your attention away from your plate. If you prefer to eat in peace, this may feel distracting. If you like an evening that mixes food and theatre, it is part of the fun.

How the story unfolds during 80 minutes

The experience lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes, with the start time listed as 6:30 pm. The opening wedding scene introduces Shauja and Halifu and gives the Lemurians a human face. Love, gratitude, and connection to nature form the emotional center of this first section.

The story then widens into a conflict between Lemuria and Atlantis. The Atlanteans believe technology and productivity are the answer to human happiness. The Lemurians defend a life built around relationships and the natural world.

The dancers do not remain at a distance. They interact with people in the audience, and your chosen side affects how you see the action. You should be comfortable with performers approaching or addressing the audience. The exact amount of participation may vary, but the basic idea is clear: you are expected to be part of the evening, not simply a spectator.

Later scenes include adventure, fantasy, and fire dancing. These elements give the production a bigger, more dramatic feel than the dinner setting might suggest. The fire work is likely to be one of the most memorable parts, while the human-versus-technology theme gives the spectacle a simple message to follow.

The story can be harder to track if the sound system has problems or if the role of the audience is not explained early. One performance had audio trouble, and the instructions about participation were not clear enough. That does not mean every evening will have the same problem, but it is a fair reason to keep expectations flexible. Think of this as a lively theatrical event, not a tightly scripted West End production.

Why the interactive format matters

The show’s main strength is its connection with the audience. You choose a side, watch dancers work around you, and may be drawn into the conflict between the two civilizations.

That format works especially well for families and groups of friends. Children can follow the simple visual contrast between nature and technology, and the fire dancing adds excitement. The story does not require you to understand a long political background before the performance begins.

The same format can be a drawback for people who want a calm cultural show. Audience participation may feel awkward if you prefer to remain anonymous. The event asks you to respond to the performers, so bring a little willingness to play along.

I also would not treat this as a substitute for seeing a traditional Balinese dance performance. The show uses fantasy and contemporary theatrical ideas, with its own fictional story and strong visual style. It is best understood as a dinner theatre experience inspired by ideas about humanity, rather than as a formal presentation of Balinese heritage.

Reaching Lost City from Ubud

The start time is 6:30 pm, which suits a relaxed evening after a day in Ubud. The venue is near public transportation, but you should still think carefully about the return trip.

The site is roughly 6 kilometres from central Ubud. In ordinary conditions, the provider says the drive can take about 13 to 17 minutes. Traffic and rain can change that dramatically. One drive from central Ubud took about an hour despite the short distance, and the driver stayed for the evening because finding a ride back seemed uncertain.

That is the most important transport tip: do not judge the journey by kilometres alone. Ask your accommodation or driver about current traffic, especially if rain is expected. A driver familiar with the route may be useful. One visitor specifically praised a driver called D for being punctual, respectful, and helpful, though individual transport arrangements can vary.

If you arrange a car, confirm the pickup plan before the show begins. A late finish, wet weather, or heavy traffic could make an unplanned ride back frustrating. The experience includes a mobile ticket, but it does not state that transfers are included, so do not assume transportation comes with the $26.20 price.

Stairs, seating, and practical comfort

The venue has many steep stairs leading to the stage and restaurant. This is not a minor note if you have limited mobility, balance concerns, or trouble with stairs. The experience information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but the stair access remains a real limitation.

You may want to contact the provider before booking if stairs are a concern. The available information does not promise step-free access or a particular seating arrangement. Service animals are welcome, but the physical layout could still affect how comfortably you can use the venue.

Wear footwear that feels secure on stairs. That is simple advice, but useful when the evening includes moving around a theatrical venue and possibly responding to performers. The show is designed for participation, not for remaining completely still at a formal table.

What the strongest parts get right

The most praised features are the actors and dancers, the setting, the audience contact, and the overall atmosphere. The performers give the event its energy. The show has enough visual action to keep children engaged, while the nature-versus-technology idea gives adults something to think about.

The venue also contributes a lot. The Lost City setting, wooden serving bowls, fantasy plot, and fire performance create a clear sense of occasion for a reasonable price. You get more than dinner in a standard restaurant and more than a short dance presentation.

Service can also add to the evening. Arthur was praised for attentive hosting, and Claudia for warm table service. Those names are useful to know, but staff experiences can change by date and shift. The broader point is that the evening depends on more than the dancers. Clear explanations, food service, and transport all shape how smoothly it works.

There are also limits. The show may not meet your expectations if you imagine a conventional stage performance. Its story can be difficult to follow when the sound is poor, and the audience instructions should be clearer. If the technical side is not running well, the fantasy can lose some of its force.

Is $26.20 good value?

At $26.20 per person, the package is reasonably priced if you want a full evening activity rather than a meal alone. Dinner, the interactive performance, and access to the Lost City setting are included. You also get dietary options that make the price more useful for mixed groups.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and friends who enjoy unusual entertainment. You can share the meal, choose a side together, and watch the story build around you. The event gives you a ready-made evening without needing to arrange dinner and a separate show.

The value is weaker if you are mainly seeking a high-quality meal, a traditional Balinese performance, or a polished theatre production. Drinks are extra, transport may add to your total, and the steep stairs may make the venue inconvenient.

I would treat the ticket as a combined dinner and entertainment price. Do not compare it only with the cost of a restaurant buffet. You are also paying for dancers, costumes, audience interaction, fire performance, and the themed setting.

Who should book this evening?

You should consider booking if you enjoy participatory theatre and do not mind a little uncertainty in the format. It suits people who like fantasy, visual storytelling, and the chance to be involved rather than simply watching from a fixed seat.

Families may find the action and fire dancing appealing. Couples and friends can have fun choosing opposing sides, especially if everyone is willing to play along. The vegan, vegetarian, and halal options also make it easier for a mixed group to share one dinner plan.

I would hesitate if you have difficulty with steep stairs, strongly dislike audience participation, or want a quiet meal. I would also be cautious if you have only one short evening in Ubud and cannot allow extra time for traffic.

Book with a transport plan, arrive ready to participate, and keep your expectations aimed at themed dinner theatre. With that mindset, the $26.20 price offers a memorable change from the usual Ubud evening.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

It takes place at Lemuria: The Lost City Mysterious Site near Ubud, Indonesia.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 6:30 pm.

How long does the dinner show last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Is dinner included?

Yes. An all-you-can-eat dinner with dishes and barbecue inspired by ancient civilizations is included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, and alcoholic beverages are specifically excluded.

Are vegan, vegetarian, and halal meals available?

Yes. Vegan, vegetarian, and halal food options are available.

Do I take part in the performance?

Yes. The show is interactive, and the dancers interact with the audience. You also choose either the Lemurian or Atlantean side.

Is the experience suitable for people with limited mobility?

The venue has many steep stairs leading to the stage and restaurant. The available information does not promise step-free access, so contact the provider before booking if stairs are a concern.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.