REVIEW · BALINESE DANCE AND CULTURAL SHOWS
Ubud: Dance Show + Dinner at Lost City – Story of Humanity
A rivalry starts the moment you walk in. This Lost City evening pairs a buffet dinner with a hands-on dance show where you choose Lemuria or the Atlanteans and your evening’s story unfolds around you.
I like the clear payoff for the money. You get a real sit-down dinner with BBQ plus multiple dietary choices, then you get an evening activity that feels built for audience participation rather than passive watching.
One thing to plan for: getting to parts of the stage or restaurant involves steep stairs, so it can be tough if you have mobility limits.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Where the night starts: choosing your side in Ubud
- Dinner at Lost City: a BBQ buffet you can actually build your way
- The interactive show: how the audience participation really feels
- Meet the team and why service matters here
- Price and value: what $26.20 buys you in Ubud
- Timing, getting there, and what to do about the stairs
- Who should book this dinner show, and who should skip it
- Should you book Lost City: Story of Humanity in Ubud?
- FAQ
- What time does the Ubud dinner show start?
- How long is the experience?
- What is included in the ticket price?
- Are drinks or alcohol included with dinner?
- Do I have to choose a side like Lemuria or Atlantis?
- Are vegan, vegetarian, and halal options available?
- Is there a mobile ticket?
- Is the venue easy to access for people with mobility issues?
- What happens if the show is canceled due to weather?
Key things to know before you go

- Pick Lemuria or Atlantis on arrival, and the show steers your role and attention toward that side of the story
- Eat all you can with BBQ and buffet dishes from ancient-civilization themes, with vegan, vegetarian, and halal options
- Interactive dancing and audience involvement, including dramatic set pieces like fire dancing
- Timing matters: starts at 6:30 pm and runs about 1 hour 20 minutes
- Stairs are a real factor, and the venue access is easier if you are able-bodied
- Staff can make or break the flow, and several named team members were specifically praised for being attentive and warm
Other performances and where they are staged
Where the night starts: choosing your side in Ubud

This is a Ubud night out built around choice. When you arrive, you don’t just sit down and wait. You choose allegiance, Lemurian or Atlantean, and that decision becomes part of the way you’re positioned and guided during the performance.
The story framework is simple and fun to follow. Lemuria connects to people and nature, while the Atlanteans connect to technology and productivity. The show then plays out an eternal struggle, with dancers moving through the space and drawing you into the action. Even if you are not a big theater person, you’ll likely like the way your evening has a storyline rhythm, not just a random sequence of dances.
There’s also a strong myth-and-meaning vibe. The opening centers on a royal wedding moment with Shauja and Halifu, framed by a Lemurian dance called the Lemuria Harmony Dance. After that, the plot turns into a clash between emotion and technology, with the show layering in adventure, fantasy, and life-lesson themes as the action escalates.
Dinner at Lost City: a BBQ buffet you can actually build your way

The dinner part is not a token snack. You get a buffet and BBQ, and the meal is set up so you can choose what your plate is made of. Drinks are not included, and alcohol is also not included, so plan on buying anything like juice or soft drinks separately.
The buffet is described as eat-all-you-can, and it’s themed like dishes from ancient civilizations. Practically, that means you should treat it like a normal buffet with some creative flavor themes, not like fine dining. The big win is that it’s built with real dietary lanes: vegan, vegetarian, and halal options are available.
Food served in traditional wood bowls is something one guest specifically praised. That small detail matters because it signals the venue’s tone, not just the food itself. You’re meant to feel like you’re in the world of the story, and the table presentation supports that.
One logistics note: this is a dinner show, so your dinner schedule is tied to the performance flow. The overall time is about 1 hour 20 minutes, so you will want to eat at a comfortable pace, but also not linger for ages if you want to stay fully engaged when the dancers start moving closer.
The interactive show: how the audience participation really feels

The show runs on choreography plus staging, with dancers interacting in a way that pulls you into the scene. At the basic level, you’ll be doing more than watching. You’ll be encouraged to follow along, respond, and take part in the story moments as the two sides clash.
The best way to think about it is like this: you’re placed as part of the environment, and the performers use you as a living backdrop. That’s why the show’s “choose your side” setup is so important. It helps the performance feel directed toward you instead of generic.
As the evening unfolds, the Lemurians celebrate connection and nature, and then the Atlanteans move in with their technology-first worldview. There’s also a dramatic escalation phase, where an attack unfolds and many Lemurians are lost. The show uses that momentum to shift from weddinglike wonder into something tense, chaotic, and theatrical.
Fire dancing is included, and that alone can be a big crowd-pleaser. It adds high-energy visuals without needing you to understand every line of the plot. You’ll also notice how the show blends life lessons and fantasy. That mix is why people who come for an easy night out often end up liking it more than they expected.
Two practical cautions to keep expectations realistic:
- Because it is interactive, you’ll want to be ready to stand, move slightly, and pay attention to instructions from the team.
- The audio can make or break clarity. One guest had trouble with audio and felt their audience role was not explained well enough. If you speak little Indonesian, it can help to focus on visual cues from the performers and staff so you can follow what’s happening even if some audio gets messy.
Meet the team and why service matters here
This is one of those experiences where the staff can quietly shape your whole night. In feedback, host Arthur was described as very attentive, and server Claudia was praised as amazing and sweet. That kind of service matters because you’re eating while also trying to watch the show, so you want help that feels smooth and responsive.
There’s also mention of helpful, on-time pickup and drop-off support in one account. That suggests the operation tries to handle the full evening experience, not just the show itself.
If you want a low-stress night, treat this like a planned event. Eat first, settle in, then let the show timing take over. Good service helps you do that without feeling rushed or lost.
- Ubud: Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple★ 5.0 · 7,160 reviews
- Bali: Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket★ 4.4 · 3,979 reviews
- Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach★ 5.0 · 3,681 reviews
- Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey★ 5.0 · 3,620 reviews
- Body Massage Experience in Ubud Traditional Spa★ 5.0 · 3,506 reviews
Price and value: what $26.20 buys you in Ubud

At $26.20 per person, you are basically paying for three things in one ticket: dinner, access to the show space, and the show itself.
Here’s the value math that matters:
- You get eat-all-you-can dinner with BBQ and themed buffet dishes.
- The venue is offering multiple dietary options rather than forcing you to improvise.
- The show is not just seated dancing. It’s built around audience participation, plus dramatic elements like fire dancing.
Is it “cheap”? Not exactly. But it does feel like a packaged night in Ubud where you don’t have to plan multiple separate activities. If you’d otherwise spend money on dinner plus a separate show, this bundles it into one evening plan.
The main “value risk” is if you strongly prefer fully passive shows. If you hate being pulled into scenes, or if you are sensitive to stairs and standing, you might end up wanting a different kind of theater experience. For everyone else, the price tends to make sense because dinner is a real part of the ticket.
Timing, getting there, and what to do about the stairs

Start time is 6:30 pm, and the total time is about 1 hour 20 minutes. Plan to arrive with enough buffer that you can settle in and choose your side before the show really starts.
Getting to the venue is the only part that can get weird depending on traffic. One account said it took about an hour to drive from central Ubud even though the distance was listed around 6 km. That sounds like traffic and routing issues more than actual distance. The venue is near public transportation, but if you’re taking a car, you’ll be safest giving yourself extra time.
Now the big physical consideration: steep stairs. One guest said access to the stage or restaurant is only for able-bodied because it involves steep steps. That means if you have knee issues, use a cane, or prefer minimal stairs, this is not the kind of venue to gamble on. If you are unsure, it’s worth checking with the operator ahead of time to understand what access looks like for your specific needs.
If you do go, a simple strategy helps: wear supportive shoes, and take your time on the stairs. This is one of those places where the pace matters more than your fitness level.
Who should book this dinner show, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you want:
- A single-ticket evening plan in Ubud
- Dinner plus performance in one sitting
- A show where you can follow along through action, not just dialogue
- Options for vegan, vegetarian, and halal food
It’s also a nice choice for people who enjoy mythy, theatrical stories. The Lemuria vs Atlantis concept is easy to grasp, and the story uses visual drama to keep the pace moving.
Who should rethink it:
- Anyone who cannot manage steep stairs at all
- People who prefer quiet, fully seated performances
- If you are very sensitive to audio clarity, consider arriving with a mindset of watching cues, not just listening
For families, there’s positive evidence. One guest said their kids loved the interactive show and the beautiful venue setting. If your kids are curious and energetic, this type of participation-based show is often a hit.
Should you book Lost City: Story of Humanity in Ubud?
I’d book this if you want an evening that mixes a proper buffet dinner with a story you actively follow. The choose-your-side setup makes it feel structured, and the fact that you get BBQ buffet food with vegan, vegetarian, and halal choices is a real advantage in Bali.
I would hesitate if stairs are a dealbreaker for you, or if you don’t want any audience interaction at all. Also, if clear audio is essential for you to enjoy a show, keep expectations flexible and rely on what you can see.
If your goal is a fun, story-driven night in Ubud with food included, this is a solid pick for the price.
FAQ

What time does the Ubud dinner show start?
The experience starts at 6:30 pm.
How long is the experience?
It runs about 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.).
What is included in the ticket price?
Your ticket includes dinner (eat all you can), the interactive show, and access to the Lost City.
Are drinks or alcohol included with dinner?
Drinks are not included, and alcoholic beverages are not included.
Do I have to choose a side like Lemuria or Atlantis?
Yes. You choose your allegiance when you arrive, between the Lemurian side and the Atlantean side.
Are vegan, vegetarian, and halal options available?
Yes. Vegan, vegetarian, and halal options are available.
Is there a mobile ticket?
Yes. The ticket is listed as mobile.
Is the venue easy to access for people with mobility issues?
There are steep stairs. One important note is that access to the stage or restaurant is only for able-bodied due to the steep steps.
What happens if the show is canceled due to weather?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Kecak, Legong and Barong Performances
Fresh Ubud write-ups from the review desk
Balinese Dance and Cultural Shows, compared.
★ 4.4Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show TicketFrom $63,979 reviews
★ 5.0Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran BeachFrom $353,681 reviews
★ 4.4Ubud Kecak and Fire Dance Show TicketsFrom $62,631 reviews
★ 4.5Uluwatu Sunset Tour: Kecak and Fire Dance with Jimbaran DinnerFrom $65597 reviews
★ 5.0Uluwatu Temple Entry and Kecak Fire Dance TicketFrom $29479 reviews
★ 4.2Tanah Lot Temple Sunset Kecak & Fire Dance Show TicketFrom $6242 reviews
★ 4.0Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu TempleFrom $11222 reviews
★ 5.0Private Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, Dinner at Jimbaran BeachFrom $50160 reviews
Browse the lists this tour appears in






