From Tea to Twilight: Discover Tamba, Sanur’s Tea Room and Listening Bar

Sanur has always had a slower rhythm than many of Bali’s busier hospitality precincts, and Tamba by Junsei fits neatly into that pace. Located on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the intimate 10-seat venue shifts character throughout the day: Japanese tea room from morning to late afternoon, then vinyl listening bar from 5pm onwards.

The idea is simple, but carefully executed. Tea, cocktails, music and atmosphere all share equal billing, creating a space that feels just as suited to a quiet afternoon matcha as it does to a late-night drink with a record playing in the background.

A Tea Room and Listening Bar in Sanur

Tamba sits beside Junsei, the modern yakitori restaurant founded by Executive Chef Aman Lakhiani. The venue was designed around two distinct moods without making them feel like separate concepts.

During the day, natural light filters through floor-to-ceiling glass while Japanese teas and sweets take centre stage. As evening arrives, the lighting softens, the cocktail menu comes into focus and the custom Hi-Fi sound system takes over.

Dark timber, shelves lined with vinyl and a central bar that doubles as both drinks station and record deck give the room a close, intimate feel. It is small by design, encouraging guests to slow down and spend time with what is in front of them.

Japanese Tea, Matcha and Slow Afternoons

Tamba’s daytime menu offers a guided introduction to Japanese tea culture, with staff able to talk guests through the origins, flavour profiles and preparation styles of each tea. 

The selection moves from a first-harvest Okumidori from Wazuka, Kyoto, served as usucha, through to fuller-bodied matchas from Shizuoka and Kagoshima. There is also hōjicha with smoky, cacao-like notes and genmaicha with a warmer, nutty character.

Some drinks incorporate raw, unpasteurised Indonesian honey sourced from single-origin Java apiaries, adding a local element to the otherwise Japanese-led menu. Tea is served alongside small sweets and snacks, including mango mochi and lemon and Earl Grey tart.

The experience is deliberately unhurried, making Tamba an easy fit for a long catch-up, solo afternoon or a quieter stop between exploring Sanur.

After Dark: Cocktails, Vinyl and Hi-Fi Sound

From 5pm, Tamba shifts into its second identity. The cocktail list, titled Volume 01, was developed by Head Bartender Dedi Mulyadi and moves from lighter drinks early in the evening towards richer, more textured flavours as the night progresses. Fermentation and umami run through much of the menu.

Koji adds a savoury edge to the Quiet Path, kombu vermouth gives the Umetini its depth, while the Burnt Rice combines roasted rice syrup with brown butter foam.

The drinks are matched by the music program, with vinyl played through a custom-built Hi-Fi sound system designed to fill the room without overwhelming conversation.

Weekly programming includes Wax Wednesdays, Tamba’s open-deck vinyl night, along with Flip Friday and Highball Hi-Fi Saturdays, which feature selectors and guest DJs. A daily Happy Hour also runs from 5pm to 7pm, with selected cocktails available on a buy-one-get-one basis.

For more places to drink around the island, explore Bali’s best bars.

Two Experiences, One Tamba

While the tea room and listening bar offer different experiences, they are connected by the same attention to detail. Chef Aman Lakhiani, a long-time vinyl collector, describes the idea behind the venue as “vintage soul with modern precision”. That philosophy carries through the music, acoustics, drinks and design.

Tamba also feels like a natural extension of Junsei next door. Where Junsei focuses on yakitori and Japanese-inspired dining, Tamba expands the experience through tea, cocktails and music.

Guests can stop in for tea during the day, begin the evening with cocktails at Tamba, or move next door to Junsei for dinner. It adds another layer to Sanur’s increasingly diverse hospitality scene while keeping the neighbourhood’s more relaxed character intact.

If you’re spending more time in the area, read our guide to why Sanur deserves your next stay.

Tamba Sanur: What to Know

Location: Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 49, Sanur, Bali
Open: Tuesday to Sunday
Tea Room: 10am–5pm
Listening Bar: 5pm–late
Happy Hour: 5pm–7pm

For the latest programming and updates, follow Tamba on Instagram.

FAQ

What is Tamba by Junsei?

Tamba by Junsei is a Japanese tea room and vinyl listening bar in Sanur. During the day it serves Japanese tea, matcha and sweets, while evenings centre on cocktails, rare spirits and vinyl played through a custom Hi-Fi system.

Where is Tamba in Sanur?

Tamba is located at Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 49, Sanur, beside Junsei restaurant.

Is Tamba a tea room or a listening bar?

Both. Tamba operates as a Japanese tea room from 10am to 5pm, before transitioning into a vinyl listening bar from 5pm until late.