Entertainment in Surat Thani Province
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A
Samui Shamrock
More classic than chic, Samui Shamrock is a good-times pub where house bands belt out dated cover tunes that inspire the tipsy crowd to sing along. At some point in the night you’ll hear ‘Hotel California’, the ultimate foreigner tribute song.
reviewed
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B
Bar Solo
A sign of things to come, Bar Solo has future-fitted Chaweng's outdoor beer halls into an urban setting with sleek cubist decor and a cocktail list that doesn't scream holiday hayseed. The evening drink specials lure in the front-loaders preparing for a late, late night at the dance clubs on Soi Solo and Soi Green Mango.
reviewed
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C
Tropical Murphy's
A popular fa·ràng (foreigner) joint, Tropical Murphy's dishes out steak-and-kidney pie, fish and chips, lamb chops and Irish stew (mains 50B to 300B). Come night-time, the live music kicks on and this place turns into the most popular Irish bar on Samui (yes, there are a few).
reviewed
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Mellow Mountain
Also called 'Mushy Mountain' (you'll know why when you get there), this trippy hang-out sits at the northern edge of Hat Rin Nok delivering stellar views of the shenanigans below.
reviewed
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D
Q-Bar
Overlooking Chaweng Lake, Q-Bar is a little piece of Bangkok nightlife planted among the coconut trees. The upstairs lounge opens just before sunset, treating cocktail connoisseurs to various highbrow tipples and a drinkable view of southern Chaweng – mountains, sea and sky. After 10pm, the night-crawlers descend upon the downstairs club where DJs spin the crowd into a techno amoeba. A taxi there will cost between 200B and 300B.
reviewed
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E
Nathalie’s Art Palace Bar
You’ve got to hand it to German TV personality Nathalie Gutermann for her unabashed self-promotion. She’s turned a hillside apartment into a boutique hotel and bar, which primarily promote the cult of Nathalie and her ‘fabulous’ lifestyle. Curious about the life of an expatriate claiming aristocratic origins? Stop by for a sunset cocktail, Friday night barbecue or some of the special party events.
reviewed
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Q Bar Samui
Overlooking Chaweng Lake, Q Bar is a little piece of Bangkok nightlife planted among the coconut trees. The upstairs lounge opens just before sunset treating cocktail connoisseurs to various highbrow tipples and a drinkable view of southern Chaweng – mountains, sea and sky. After 10pm, the night-crawlers descend upon the downstairs club where DJs spin the crowd into a techno amoeba.
reviewed
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F
Easy Time Bar
Too old for techno, too young for bed? Then you might be an eternal flower child in need of a dive bar. This closet-sized spot obliges with graffiti on the wall, dreadlocked bartenders and requisite Bob Marley tunes. Globetrotting regulars describe it as a ‘grassroots’ reggae bar and a good conversation starter is an inquiry into your stool mates’ travel itinerary.
reviewed
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Loft Bar Cafe
After hustling through the crowds in central Chaweng, you’ll feel like you’ve landed in the boonies once you reach the quieter southern stretch. To enjoy the relative peace and quiet, climb the wooden stairs to this second-storey bar overlooking the street. Happy-hour cocktails are sensibly priced and make a cheap date when paired with the snack-sized Thai dishes.
reviewed
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G
Coco Blues
At the north end of Chaweng, Coco Blues reinterprets New Orleans-style hedonism for Samui. The multi-storey bar and restaurant is best known for its live music (every night, except Tuesday, at 9pm) ranging from jazz to blues to cover tunes. For visual entertainment, check out the street-side bar overlooking Chaweng’s manic traffic.
reviewed
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Gecko Village
For electronica fans, Gecko Village is the original maven of beats. It's a beachfront bar and resort that has used its London connections to lure international DJs to Samui paradise. The New Year's Eve parties and Sunday sessions are now legendary thanks to the big names that grace the turntables.
reviewed
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Muay Thai Stadium
The pick-up trucks that circle Chaweng advertise moo·ay tai (Thai boxing; also spelt muay thai ) fight most nights. Chaweng’s stadium (south of Chaweng Lake) hosts an increasing number of respected showdowns between title fighters as well as match-ups between foreign and local fighters.
reviewed
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H
Black Jack Pub
A home away from home, this English-style pub has soothed the occasional tropical malaise for 12 years. But its main draw card is EuroSport Live complete with commentary. Free internet, same-day newspapers, toasties and lots of penny-pinching drink specials make Jack a reliable bar-hopping mate.
reviewed
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Dragon Bar
This bar caters to those seeking snazzy, cutting-edge surroundings. There is a happening 'communist chic' retro styling throughout, and everything's dimly lit, moody and relaxing. Dragon Bar is rumoured to have the best cocktails on the island.
reviewed
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I
The Deck
An open-air, multi-terraced bar with comfortable lounging platforms and good views of the street scene below. This place has recently been refurbished to have even more terraces and more lounging platforms. There is also a smaller related pub directly opposite called the Quarterdeck.
reviewed
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Pier
This sleek black box sticks out among Bo Phut's narrow Chinese tenements. It's the hippest address in Fisherman's Village, sporting multilevel terraces, a lively bar, and plenty of wide furniture to lounge around on and watch the rickety fishing vessels pull into the harbour.
reviewed
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Sheesha Bar
The antithesis of grungy Hat Rin, Sheesha Bar swaps buckets of Samsung for designer drinks. The enticing patchwork of beige sandstone and horizontal slats of mahogany fit right in with the arabesque Mandalai Hotel across the street (owned by the same family).
reviewed
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J
Mint Bar
The scene outside on the street is too entertaining to keep crowds corralled in this stylish club on ordinary nights. But the Mint is able to lure a few DJ heavyweights for a Samui spin on extraordinary nights. Watch the entertainment listings for special events.
reviewed
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K
Green Mango
This place is so popular it has an entire soi named after it. Samui's favourite power drinking house is very big, very loud and very faràng. Green Mango has blazing lights, expensive drinks and masses of sweaty bodies swaying to dance music.
reviewed
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L
Christy's Cabaret
This flashy joint offers free gà·teu·i (ladyboys, also spelt kàthoey) cabaret every night at 11pm and attracts a mixed clientele of both sexes. Other ladyboys loiter out front and try to drag customers in, so to speak.
reviewed
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Eagle Pub
At the southern end of Hat Yao, this drink-dealing shack, built right into the rock face, is tattooed with the neon graffiti of virtually every person who's passed out on the lime green patio furniture after too many caipirinhas.
reviewed
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M
Legends
Right on the strip, this bar is run by a friendly expat and draws in fistfuls of faràng for strong cocktails (try the Long Island Iced Tea to knock your socks off) and sport on the TV. It has a casual outdoor seating area.
reviewed
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Billabong Surf Club
Billabong's all about Aussie Rules football – it's playing on the TV and the walls are smothered with memorabilia from Down Undah. There are great views of Ko Pha-Ngan and hearty portions of ribs and chops to go with your draught beer.
reviewed
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Fizz
Recline on mattress-sized pillows and enjoy designer cocktails while listening to Moby, or Enya, mixed with hypnotic gushes of the rolling tide.
reviewed
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N
Reggae Pub
This fortress of fun sports an open-air dance floor with music spun by foreign DJs. It's a towering two-storey affair with long bars, pool tables and a live-music stage. The whole place doubles as a shrine to Bob Marley.
reviewed
