Ko Phi-Phi
Slinky is still the best fire show on Ao Lo Dalam and still the beach dancefloor of the moment. Expect throbbing bass, buckets of liquor (from 350B) and…
Must-see nightlife in Thailand
Ao Nang
Roots, rock and reggae – the three Rs of live music are covered at this sublimely chill bar on the main road to Krabi. There are happy-hour cocktails …
Ko Pha-Ngan
A restaurant by day and a eardrum bursting bar-cum-club at night famed for its fire shows and young, energetic crowd. If you're in town outside of Full…
Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf
Right by the beach, Raya Coffee is an air-conditioned haven to beat the heat and indulge in pretty cakes, pastries and iced drinks. Flower arrangements…
Ko Kut
Across the river from Hat Khlong Chao, Sunset Bar is a favourite with locals and expats at sunset and beyond. It's a rustic place with views over the…
Trat
An eclectic crew of locals and expats gather at this cubbyhole corner bar, with wooden furniture and a retro 1970s and '80s soundtrack. It's a great…
Mae Sot
This amenable bar is probably the most foreigner-friendly place to drink in Mae Sot, with beers, shots, cocktails, a mellow music selection and a laid…
Thanon Sukhumvit
High-profile guest DJs spinning deep house and techno, a diverse crowd and a dance floor that literally vibrates have combined to make Beam Bangkok's club…
Ko Lanta
The Monday-night live reggae session (in high season) at this ramshackle joint has become famous across Lanta (they put on rock bands sometimes too), but…
Chiang Rai
Flying the Rasta flag in Chiang Rai, the Peace House has a pool table, live music a few nights a week, a mellow vibe and a shady garden that's popular…
Mae Hong Son Province
A family-friendly cafe – paints for the kids – with sofas and comfy leather seats that offer good river views. It does coffee and smoothies as well as…
Kanchanaburi
Serious about coffee, this small, quiet, owner-managed shop just up from the Thailand-Burma Railway Center brings in new beans from new places (Laos to…
Ko Samui
Serving excellent coffee and delicious artisan bread and pastries baked on-site, this hip, little coffee shop, decked out in gorgeous dark wood, also has…
Ko Samui
Way down on the south shore at Ao Bang Kao, this fun beachside bar really comes alive on Saturdays at 5pm when a live DJ and the occasional fire show…
Chiang Rai
For a Thai-style night out on the town, consider this lively place. There's no English-language sign, but follow the live music and look for the knot of…
Ko Pha-Ngan
High up a road east of Ko Ma, the Three Sixty Bar does what it says on the packet, with splendid, wide-angle panoramic views that mean sunsets are killer…
Ko Tao
Rivalling Fizz for its entrancing sunset visuals and relaxing mood, Maya has nightly DJs and party nights. Make a move for a beach lounger and stay put.
Ubon Ratchathani
The craft beers are all imported from abroad rather than brewed locally, but this modern, family-run bar has up to 14 taps on the go at a time, and plenty…
Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
This corner spot has a typically Thai indoor-outdoor vibe and an army of staff to keep your table in beer. There's Premier League, nightly live music and…
Ko Tao
Come sunset, sink into a green beanbag at the Fizz, order a designer cocktail and let the hypnotic surf and ambient music lull you into uberchill mode at…
Ao Nang
Sit at one of the breezy tables overlooking the beach, or perch at the long-tail-boat-shaped bar, to enjoy your sundowner at this mellow but popular place…
Ko Ngai
This popular, laid-back beach bar is pure Ko Ngai. Everything – the bar, tables and chairs – is made from local driftwood and found objects brought in by…
Ko Samui
Bar Solo's neat lines, bubbly party mood, expert DJs and evening drink specials lure in front-loaders preparing for a late, late night at the dance clubs…
Satun Province
A breezy beachfront bar (and restaurant) next to Pansand Resort, this is the place for chilled music and sunset cocktails. The food (both Thai and…
Ko Chang
Ostensibly a fancy restaurant and cocktail bar on Kaibae's main street, Filou is locally regarded as the best place in these parts for live music, which…
Ko Samet
On the sunset side of the island, this is a lovely sea-view restaurant perfect for a sundowner. You will need private transport to reach it, or it's a 2…
Ko Samet
Location, location! On the sand, with tables and lounge mats, this place lives up to its name with welcoming staff, though it's 50B for a deck chair even…
Ko Pha-Ngan
With flip-flops on the walls, this popular beach bar on the sands of Thong Nai Pan has a fine beach perspective, cool swing benches, a pool table and a…
Chiang Mai
Open since 1985, Kafe is nonetheless a timeless place to sip a Singha and dig into classic Thai-style drinking snacks (mains 80B to 150B) such as deep…
Northern Bangkok
This is probably the most sophisticated club along RCA – evidenced by the hefty entry fee and the coiffed and coddled clientele. Check the Facebook page…
Chiang Rai
This ‘drip bar’ treats local coffee beans with the utmost respect. Th Sankhongluang is a block south of Chiang Rai Technical College, about 1.2km from the…
Banglamphu
Located right in the middle of Th Khao San, this cavern-like dance hall hosts a good mix of locals and backpackers. Check the Facebook page for upcoming…
Chiang Mai
Our vote for Chiang Mai's best juice shack. Tonnes of fresh fruit, heaps of delicious combinations, generous serves and all this for prices that are…
Chiang Rai Province
A pleasant cafe that offers coffees, teas, smoothies and simple Thai dishes. The big draw is the breezy terrace with fine views over the countryside south…
Ko Phi-Phi
Rivalling Slinky as the best beach dancefloor on Ko Phi Phi, Apache is perfect if you're after buckets of booze, gyrating bodies, fire shows and loud,…
Chiang Khan
The closest you'll get to craft beer in Chiang Khan, this wooden shack, set back off the road, serves up home brew made by Jo, the owner of nearby…
Lampang
This expansive wooden bar with a large terrace right by the side of the Mae Wang has live music most nights. There's also a thick menu of local and…
Banglamphu
This is one of the few riverside bars along this stretch of the Chao Phraya River. Come for the sunset views and breezes – or for the generous happy-hour…
Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
The brick interior, spongy couches and bric-a-brac, alongside good strong coffee and cakes make this a soothing pitstop from the heat of Si Racha's busy…
Bangkok
Featuring an inviting open-air balcony, sultry curtained private lounges, and an intimate club, Banana Bar is a one-stop-shop for a fabulously gay night…
