Vibrant Nightlife in Thailand – 10 Top Places to Try

Immerse in Thailand’s vibrant nightlife! Explore the top 10 places for an unforgettable experience. Discover the pulse of Vibrant Nightlife in Thailand.

Vibrant Nightlife in Thailand

Coco Tam

What is its location? Samui Island 

What exactly is it? An open-air beach bar with flowing cocktails and fire dancers lighting up the shore. 

Why go? Coco Tam’s is the nicest spot of sand to spend an evening on Koh Samui, the little palm-fringed isle in the Gulf of Thailand, with laidback island vibes and a stunning seaside backdrop. Relax on a cabana, beanbag, or hammock, or get close to the action on their swinging bar seats. The beverage menu is extensive, and bar nibbles range from Bangkok’s famous Peppina pizza to modern seafood meals. Every night at 9.30 p.m., the brilliant fire dancers set the shore ablaze with swirling lights.  

Chalong Bay Rum Distillery 

What is its location? Phuket 

What exactly is it? A boutique rum distillery provides an interactive experience with Phuket’s native spirit.  

Why go? Chalong Bay distillery is located in Phuket’s tranquil south and uses only Thai sugar cane. Visitors can not only participate in daily tours of the rum-making process, but also in a cocktail workshop. Take a seat at the boutique bar for cocktails like Thai Fling (lime, chilli, mint, and basil) and Siam Twist (lime, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves), as well as tapas-style snacks. 

Café del Mar 

What is its location? Phuket 

What exactly is it? This upscale beach club overlooks the calmer Kamala Beach and is a laid-back night scene.  

Why go? Away from the boisterous Patong, the newly opened Café del Mar on Kamala Beach is an upmarket setting to spend the evening. Sip sundowners in your own private cabana or cool down at the swim-up bar, all to the soothing background of Ibiza-born Café del Mar’s beachside rhythms and an A-list DJ line-up. Prices are higher here, so the backpacker crowd has given way to high-society locals and more mature tourists. 

Old Town  

What is its location? Bangkok 

What exactly is it? An burgeoning riverside neighborhood with a thriving community of lively small bars. 

Why go? Talad Noi, or Old Town, is a charming neighborhood with heritage shophouses and tranquil laneways located between Bangkok’s Chinatown and the Chao Praya River. Start with craft gin at Teens of Thailand; sip pretty cocktails on Oneday Wallflowers’ garden-covered rooftop; try retro Chinese-style cocktails and snacks at Ba Hao; grab a few modern-Thai eats at 80/20; and finish the night at Tropic City, a rum-fueled cocktail bar that hosts disco nights and DJ sessions.  

Warmup Café  

Where is it? Chiang Mai 

What is it? A multi-space pub/club that locals have loved for years. 

Why go? This night-time institution has been a music hangout for Chiang Mai’s student population for almost 20 years. Don’t expect anything too trendy or high quality here, but the big crowds and multiple dancefloors make Warmup a consistently fun night out. Electronic dance tracks dominate the dancefloor inside, and the outside stages host a local line-up of indie, rock and pop bands. On Sundays you can catch a small flea market from 4-11pm. 

Sky Gallery 

What is its location? Pattaya 

What exactly is it? A beachside pub that provides a refined alternative to Pattaya’s walking street’s red lights. 

Why go? Pattaya is recognized as the unofficial sex capital of the world, and it attracts a seedier crowd. If the walking street isn’t your thing, head to the seaside Sky Gallery for sunset drinks on the sand. Alternatively, head to The Glass House in North Pattaya for a seafood feast and elegant beverages. Locals recognize the Hilton Hotel’s rooftop Horizon Bar as a premium sanctuary from the streets below, offering magnificent views from the 34th floor. 

Violett 

What is its location? Bangkok 

What exactly is it? Thonglor, the capital’s entertainment zone, has a new nightclub. 

Why go? Thonglor’s alleyways are home to some of Bangkok’s most sophisticated party zones, but Violett, a newcomer, offers a secret, underground dancing hub. The sleek, cement area is illuminated by a UV glow, with ‘F#ck The Mainstream’ – a tongue-in-cheek neon-lit sign on the wall – setting the tone. Drinks here aren’t your typical dancefloor fare, with both clever, photogenic cocktails and excellent shooters on sale. The music changes nightly, although it focuses on underground hip hop, techno, trance, and funk. 

Cicada Night Market 

What is its location? Hua Hin, Thailand 

What exactly is it? A thriving weekend artists’ market complete with food, beer, and live music. 

Why go? This outdoor night market has hundreds of stalls that, happily, do not sell the traditional Thai trinkets that tourists have grown tired of. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, local artists, designers, and crafters congregate here to sell their one-of-a-kind wares, while local dancers, singers, and musicians play in the market’s amphitheatre. The beer garden offers a full bar and live music every night, and the cashless street food market is a wonderful destination for a seafood feast. 

Hotel Yayee 

What is its location? Chiang Mai, Thailand 

What exactly is it? A rooftop bar on the roof of a boutique hotel with stunning mountain views.  

Why go? This boutique hotel in Chiang Mai’s cool area Nimmanhaemin boasts contemporary and lovely rooms, but the 360-degree view of Doi Suthep mountain from its green, candle-lit rooftop bar is incentive enough to visit. The atmosphere is more relaxed here, but the specialty cocktails are as tasty as they are beautiful – try Ananda’s Flyboy, named for the hotel’s actor owner Ananda Everingham, or the tropical Kim’s Berries Julep. It’s a gorgeous setting to spend the night, especially when paired with a tasty East-meets-West meal. 

Wishbeer 

What is its location? Bangkok 

What exactly is it? A warehouse with the largest selection of artisan beer in Bangkok. 

Why go? Despite the fact that brewing is banned in Thailand, craft beer abounds in the capital, and bars dedicated to artisanal beers from across the region (and even some manufactured illegally in the country) make for relaxing nights out. Wishbeer Home Bar is both a warehouse with global, local, and regional beers on tap and a shop with 500 take-home bottles. For Chinese-influenced specialty brews, try Phuket’s legendary Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale or Hong Kong darlings Young Master. 

Full Moon Party 

What is its location? Phangan Island 

What exactly is it? Haad Rin Beach’s sandy cove is transformed into an open-air disco once a month. 

Why go? Did you genuinely party if you didn’t attend a Full Moon Party while in Thailand? The neon-lit Full Moon Parties of Koh Phangan are a must-see on any backpacker’s bucket list. Up to 30,000 people flock to Haad Rin Beach to drink powerful buckets of mystery liquor and dance to a combination of dubstep, hip hop, drum & bass, and trance. The party begins at 10 p.m. and continues until early morning. Bring your buddies, your money, and no inhibitions.