Vientiane
Sip your piccolo latte to a soundtrack of jazz and the scent of cooking beans; tiny Le Trio roasts its own coffee and is the most atmospheric hang-out for…
Must-see nightlife in Laos
Luang Prabang
Lush riverside bar with peaceful views of the Nam Khan, recliner cushions, low-slung tables and leafy nooks. Chill over a fruit shake, burger or breakfast…
Vientiane
Refurbished shipping containers in front of a spooky abandoned building, riverside breezes, and local rum distilled by a Japanese resident. Laodi is hard…
Vang Vieng
This mega-chill riverside bar is a slice of the old Vang Vieng, before the buggies took over. Order a Beerlao (we don't recommend eating here) and swing…
Vang Vieng
Made from driftwood and clay, this artsy hillside bar-restaurant pipes out fine tunes to match the ambience, with live music nightly from 7pm. Check out…
Vientiane
This traditional Lao house facing the Mekong has a well-stocked bar and a witty, helpful menu that doubles as a crash course in cocktails. A chilled…
Vientiane
At first glance, Earth looks as crunchy as a bowl of organic granola, but live music, cultural events, an eclectic soundtrack, craft beers, enthusiastic…
Luang Prabang
A beatnik boudoir more than a club, Icon pays homage to an older era and offers some of the best cocktails in town, including the devilish absinthe…
Vientiane
Snicker at the name all you want to, but TitKafe is easily the city's most sophisticated coffee shop. Local and imported beans make their way into a…
Vientiane
Just your typical German-themed bar as perceived through a Japanese lens and located in Laos. There's a good selection of booze (especially sake), unique…
Savannakhet
What better way to start the day than with a group of older gentlemen shooting the breeze, playing dominoes and sipping jet-black Lao-style coffee? A few…
Vientiane
Landlubbers rejoice: we've found the perfect cruise. This permanently beached vessel features stunning river views, some of Vientiane's better cocktails,…
Northern Laos
Decked in old muskets and rice-paddy hats, Bar How is darkly atmospheric. By night a row of homemade lòw-lów (rice wine), infused with everything from…
Luang Prabang
Oxblood walls, low lights and a handsome bar glittering with polished crystal, this candlelit haunt is central and peaceful, adding a dash of upscale…
Luang Prabang
Parked down a quiet street, there's nothing retiring about this chic, urban bar. Sit outside stargazing on the terrace, inside at the long bar in low-lit…
Northern Laos
Overlooking a lily pond and the distant mountains, The Classic is a great little bar serving up purple rice beer, passion-fruit mojitos, exotic snacks and…
Luang Prabang
It's worth venturing further up the peninsula after dark to discover this little gem. It's not a hardcore biker bar, but a lovely little hole-in-the-wall…
Vientiane
Overlooking mother Mekong, a cast of locals, expats, bar girls and travellers assembles at this tin-roofed, wood-raftered watering hole to gaze at the…
Northern Laos
This is where it's at in Udomxai; a lively wooden and bamboo beer garden that draws a young crowd to quaff Beerlao by the crate. A decent selection of Lao…
Vang Vieng
If you want to recapture the spirit of Va Va Vang Vieng before the clampdown on the town's formerly raucous party scene, the Jungle Project parties are…
Nong Khiaw
Chilled Q sits on the main road with an ox-blood, rattan interior, a little roof terrace, good tunes and a friendly owner. Cocktails are 35,000K to 40…
Northern Laos
It's a fair trek up the hill beyond the gaggle of guesthouses, but it's worth it to find this buzzing little bar. Bring the flyer you receive when jumping…
Nong Khiaw
Set on pontoons, this peaceful, semi-al fresco Lao bar-restaurant relies on the soothing river view as its wallpaper, and dishes up cold Beerlao for the…
Vang Vieng
Still one of the best bars in town thanks to its friendly, unpretentious atmosphere, live music (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9pm), free pool and…
Don Det & Don Khon
Good Western and Indian food, cold drinks, friendly service and a soothing vibe combine to make this a perennial favourite among travellers. You can make…
Luang Prabang
Sports Bar lives up to its name and shows leading games from the world of football, rugby, cricket and more on four screens. It's located downstairs in…
Luang Prabang
One of the late-night haunts for locals and foreigners alike thanks to one of the very few pool tables in town. Get here early if you are hoping for a…
Luang Prabang
A popular spot in the heart of the old town, this bar draws a local crowd thanks to a diverse selection of international beers, including some potent…
Vientiane
Cocktail culture has arrived in Vientiane, and it takes the form of this dark, sleek, new bar concealed in a tiny side street. The signature drinks veer…
Vang Vieng
At the time of writing, Sakura was one of the most popular bars in Vang Vieng, with the largest crowds and loudest music. Expect a raucous night with shot…
Vientiane
Sleazy and smoky, watch Vientiane's nocturnal population emerge from the shadows like vampires as you park yourself at the bar. It often stays open later…
Northern Laos
There is some life beyond the dodgy and dark nightclubs in Sainyabuli and it comes in the form of a pair of lively beer gardens on the banks of the Nam…
Central Laos
Catching whatever breeze is going, this restaurant (mains 35,000K to 75,000K) sits right on the riverfront, and with its import beers, TV and live music,…
Bolaven Plateau Region
Billing itself as the world’s first completely philanthropic coffee roaster and cafe located at the source, Jhai buys its beans at fair-trade prices from…
Bolaven Plateau Region
Though run in part by 'Mr Koffie', this is very much a local spot. Besides regular organic coffees (from 10,000K), he produces his own civet-excreted kopi…
Nong Khiaw
Located 1km out of town (heading towards Pak Mong), Hive Bar is run by a friendly Lao, has a downstairs disco and karaoke for those inclined, plus a…
Vientiane
The stylish balcony here, suspended over a quiet section of the Mekong, functions equally well as a beer garden or dinner destination (dishes 25,000K to…
Vientiane
A self-proclaimed dive bar run by a long-term American resident, this is the place for cheap drinks far from the madding crowd. Craft beers are available,…
Vientiane
Set in the basement of the S Park Design Hotel, this is an upscale club for the Lao hi-so (high society). Drink prices reflect the surroundings and the…
Vang Vieng
For a night out with more of a Lao flavour, head to this big beer garden and nightclub about 2km north of town. This is where the visiting weekenders from…
