Published in Gaming & Leisure Magazine
Winter 2010
Through local legend and tradition, the island of Bali
has been labeled the Island
of Gods Bali
has been called Heaven on Earth. As one
of Indonesia ’s 17,500+
islands, Bali is often ranked at the top of
the world’s best islands.
The Kuta district on Bali’s south coast had gained a
reputation as the one of the best nightlife spots in SE
Asia . It has been a
frequent draw for young surfers and beach goers.
Tragedy struck Kuta on the 12th of October 2002,
a Saturday night. While tourists were
out enjoying the local night scene, two bombs ripped through popular nightclubs
in Kuta, killing 202 people (164 foreign nationals, 38 Indonesian). A third, smaller device detonated near the US Bali .
Italian restaurateur Arturo Caruso, a long time resident of
Bali and a fixture in the Bali restaurant and
club scene, had owned The Maccaroni Club across the narrow street from one of
the massive explosions. The club, open
since 1996, was devastated to the point they had to close for reconstruction
and renovation.
In an effort to maintain some of the club’s history, while
offering a contemporary and non-aggressive feel, Arturo re-enlisted Giovanni D'Ambrosio for the reconstruction
effort. Since the Rome-based architect
had designed the original Maccaroni Club, he was able to redesign the club,
blending modernity with local tradition.
The Maccaroni Club
is once again known as a multi-faceted dining and nightlife destination,
offering a casual spot for upscale Italian meals or local fare. The club is also known for its attentive wait
staff, and DJs that spin the latest house & club music.
A few years on, tourists
began to return to Bali , and the Maccaroni
Club had regained its former stature.
However, through 2007, the two locations bearing the brunt of the bombs
remained vacant.
Believing that
tourism had rebounded and Bali was considered
a safe destination, Arturo committed to building his second location in
Kuta. Once again enlisting Giovanni
D'Ambrosio, they went to work on designing and building Vi Ai Pi on one of the
vacant lots. No expense was spared as ViAiPi
has been fitted with state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, hi-tech DJ equipment
and the best furniture and accessories.
Open in late 2008,
Vi Ai Pi has become known as an innovative and trend-setting restaurant –
lounge – nightclub. Along with
Maccaroni, the two have become Kuta destinations for sophisticated dining and
clubbing … located at the center of global headlines of October 2002, yet
providing a casual, laid-back atmosphere.
The face of Kuta had
changed considerably when The Maccaroni Club opened in 1996 with their avant-garde
design. Arturo Caruso’s latest creation,
Vi Ai Pi once again added a higher level of sophistication to the Kuta tourist
and nightclub scene.
