Nan
What an unexpected pleasure to find this sophisticated but snug bar in remote Nan. Enter speakeasy-style up the unmarked staircase to the 2nd floor of a…
Must-see nightlife in Northern Thailand
Chiang Rai
In addition to a proper cup of joe made from local beans, there are surprisingly authentic Swedish-style sweets and Western-style meals and sandwiches at…
Lampang
Relocated to a peaceful riverside location, with indoor and outside seating, this sophisticated cafe takes its coffee seriously and uses only Northern…
Mae Hong Son
Technically a restaurant (mains 80B to 260B), Sunflower takes its design inspiration from Fred Flintstone's house – with a low stone roof supported by…
Chiang Rai
The coffee and cakes here are good enough, but it's the presence of 25 cats – all different breeds – that have made this place wildly popular with both…
Pai
Located just across the river from central Pai, Don't Cry touts itself as the kind of reggae bar you used to get on Ko Pha-Ngan. In fact, when it's…
Sukhothai
Travellers and locals congregate at this 2nd-floor bar with a vague cowboy theme for drinks, food (the menu is thoughtfully divided into spicy and…
Mae Sot
Stylish for Mae Sot, Braverly is light and bright and serves bagels, paninis, salads and local coffee. There are sofas and swing seats to perch on. The…
Chiang Rai
Doi Chaang is the leading brand among Chiang Rai coffees, and its beans are now sold as far afield as Canada and Europe. This flagship cafe makes for a…
Mae Hong Son
This ramshackle bar is a crossroads in every sense, from its location at one of Mae Hong Son’s main intersections to a clientele that ranges from wet…
Chiang Khong
The Hub is attached to the next-door Funky Box hostel: the Belgian and Thai owners serve Belgian beers and reasonable cocktails (from 140B). There's also…
Phitsanulok
Set in a converted shophouse, with exposed brick walls and a wooden counter to sit at, this is perhaps Phitsanulok's most sophisticated bar. There's an…
Chiang Khong
Chiang Khong's coolest cafe is tucked away in a shaded wood-framed building strewn with sofas. There's excellent coffee and smoothies, as well as a small…
Tak Province
Owned by a Thai musician, this place multitasks: during the day, it's a coffee and souvenir shop selling local products; at night, it serves rice and…
Mae Hong Son
The ground floor of this traditional wooden house houses a cafe-bookshop that makes perhaps the most atmospheric pit stop in Mae Hong Son. Lounge in a…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Chiang Rai
A stylish but relaxed place that offers both local and foreign coffee beans in a refined atmosphere. There's a good bakery here, too.
Chiang Rai Province
The pool table has gone to make room for a general store, but this shop/bar has kept its outside seating area and still serves tolerable cocktails, as…
Chiang Rai Province
Refresh yourself after the climb to Wat Santikhiri at this open-air coffee shop perched to the side of the pagoda. There are great views over Mae Salong…
Northern Thailand
This isn't a bar, but a cafe on the ground floor of a traditional wooden house in the heart of Phrae's most historic neighbourhood. It makes a good…
Northern Thailand
This cool and bright cafe with an outdoor terrace makes for a good retreat from the heat. There's coffee, tea, smoothies and juices, as well as rice and…
Tak Province
Um Phang's only genuine bar is also a barber shop and a tattoo parlour. If you don't need a haircut or new ink, sit out front with a beer or cocktail and…
Chiang Khong
The most lively of the bars on Chiang Khong's main drag, Rin has a pool table, live sport on TV and, if you really want it, karaoke. There's also a menu…
Phitsanulok
A biker bar as perceived through Thai lens – which means it's a heck of a lot friendlier. There's gentle live music most nights and a menu of Thai-style…
Chiang Rai
Easy House Bar has a friendly, relaxed, semi-open-air vibe and a dinner menu of Thai and Western classics.
Chiang Rai
Have a cup of coffee brewed from local beans while gazing at Chiang Rai’s gilded clock tower.
