I actually stayed up the road from Kuta in Legian but travelled into Kuta to look around on most of the days I was in this region of Bali. I was in Kuta about 18 months before the bomb attack. I didn’t like it as much as other parts of Bali as I found it culturally less ‘Balinese’ because the locals were so geared up to provide services to tourists. This is a shame, but understandable – the locals have to make a living.
Anyway, had some fun in Kuta – got my hair braided, wandered around the shops buying clothes, etc. and spent a little bit of time on the beach.
Kuta is worth a look, but if you only have a short stay in Bali I would prioritise other areas over Kuta.