Entertainment in Laos
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A
Royal Theatre
Inside the Royal Palace Museum compound, local performers put on a show that includes a bąasǐi ceremony, traditional dance and folk music. There are traditional dances of Lao ethnic minorities such as the Phoo Noi and Hmong people.
reviewed
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B
Sinouk Coffee Shop
In a renovated French shophouse this café is best-known for its coffee, sold both in the cup and by the bag (from US$2 for 250g). They also sell Beerlao and have a small menu of Western dishes.
reviewed
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C
Jaidee’s
In town, Jaidee’s has consistently good music and Supermao (ask him). Jaidee maintains an upbeat vibe.
reviewed
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D
Martin’s Pub
This relaxed drinking hole is an English pub à la Laos. It’s got the obligatory curved wooden bar with stools but the décor is distinctly local. There’s a good range of booze and burgers on the menu and ’70s, ’80s and ’90s classics in the background. Movies are screened nightly at 6pm and you can buy and sell sci-fi books.
reviewed
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E
Jazzy Brick
Run by a Lao who studied in Australia, the Jazzy Brick is a cut above most of its competitors on the style front. It’s ostensibly a cocktail bar, and the cocktails are well mixed, but the prices (US$4 to US$5, or US$2.50 for a small Beerlao) are difficult to justify in a town as cheap as Vientiane. It’s often open later than midnight.
reviewed
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F
Bor Pen Nyang
The rooftop bar in this four-storey building was the place to be when we were researching. And it was easy to see why. With expansive views over the Mekong, a reliable range of music (if a little Aussie-centric), decent food and a generally ‘up’ atmosphere, it was a lot of fun. If you want to avoid backpackers, however, go elsewhere.
reviewed
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G
Hive Bar
This sultry den has a honeycomb of brick-lined, candlelit rooms and corridors, plus a cluster of alfresco tables out the front. The debaucherous mood is offset a tad by the blaring soundtrack, which travels from old-school Pixies to Thai pop. Lào-láo (rice whiskey) cocktails are the house specialty.
reviewed
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H
Monkey Bar
Almost every place serves cold Beerlao and a range of alternatives. There’s also the falang -run Monkey Bar, in the heart of Ban Hua Det, which had the best mix of music when we passed and organises occasional barbecue trips to surrounding islands. It’s especially popular late.
reviewed
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Lunar 36
This was the hottest nightclub in town when we passed, partly because two nearby clubs that had been popular were mysteriously forced to close after the Don Chan Palace Hotel opened. In fairness, it is fun, though only on the prescribed nights – at other times it’s just karaoke in private rooms.
reviewed
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J
LPQ
Numerous name changes in recent years hasn’t changed the sexual orientation of this chichi bar, which remains gay-friendly. A hint of the South Pacific permeates the interior and the atmosphere is subdued until the after-dinner crowd creates a relaxed and happy buzz. Women and couples are welcome.
reviewed
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K
Vins de France
Vins de France is one of the best French wine cellars in Southeast Asia. Even if you don’t like wine, it’s worth popping in for a look at a place so completely out of character with its surrounds. If you do like wine, the US$6.90 degustation might be a wise investment.
reviewed
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L
Music House
This tiny venue was On The Rock until the owners, and the house band, had a dose of ‘artistic differences’. It’s still worth a look, though, with the band crammed into the corner and the mainly Lao patrons inches away, it’s good fun.
reviewed
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Dao Fah
A young Lao crowd packs this cavernous club, located off the road to the southern bus terminal. Live bands playing Lao and Thai pop alternate with DJs who spin rap and hip-hop. The bar serves Beerlao as well as mixers for patrons bringing their own liquor.
reviewed
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M
Lemongrass
This sleek and sophisticated bar serves classic cocktails and good wine in a chic setting. Unfortunately it’s mostly for the benefit of gay travellers (women might find they are presented with this fact in hushed tones if they attempt to enter).
reviewed
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N
Wind West
A Western-US–style bar and restaurant, Wind West (yes, Wind, that’s not a typo) has live Lao and Western rock music most nights – the music usually starts about 10pm. Depending on the night it can be heaving, or completely dead.
reviewed
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O
On The Rock Pub
Down a lane off Th Luang Prabang, On The Rock isn’t quite what is was in its intimate old location, but has still been known to put on a good show. The live music is usually rock, or some variation of it. Well worth a look.
reviewed
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Maylek Pub
This French-managed pub is stylishly decorated with modern furniture of original design. The fully stocked bar includes such hard-to-find items as pastis, Southern Comfort and Bailey's. Snacks and sandwiches are also available.
reviewed
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P
National Circus
The old ‘Russian Circus’ established in the 1980s is now known as Hong Kanyasin. It performs from time to time in the National Circus venue, in the north of town. Check for dates in the Vientiane Times.
reviewed
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Q
Laos Traditional Show
The Lao National Theatre has a performance of traditional music and dancing aimed directly at the tourist market, and it’s quite good. It plays nightly, though only during the tourist season (from November to March).
reviewed
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R
Chicago Bar
The Chicago Bar is a sort of cocktail-cum-lounge bar with a leaning towards jazz and blues. It’s fun, especially as it tends to stay open later than most Vientiane bars. Tip though: avoid the mojitos.
reviewed
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S
Future Nightclub
Future Nightclub is on the way to the airport and is not far past the Novotel. The music here can make stepping into the Future seem more like leaping into the past. Fun though.
reviewed
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T
Dragon
When we hit the town Dragon was the place of choice for young Savannakhet hipsters, though the deafeningly loud karaoke might not be so appealing to Western tastes.
reviewed
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U
Blue Sky
Blue Sky is a four-storey backpacker bar with the seemingly obligatory Hollywood movies on screen. Better is the rooftop bar, which is ideal for sundowners – when it’s open.
reviewed
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V
Anou Cabaret
On the ground floor of the Anou Hotel, the cabaret has been swinging along for years. It’s a funny place, with booths and old crooners that feel very 1960s.
reviewed
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W
Singsavanh Nightclub
Most of Muang Sing is dead asleep by 9pm except at the Singsavanh, near the Sing Charean Hotel, where the locals get down to live Lao and Chinese pop.
reviewed