Thailand Nightlife: Bars & Clubs

Don't think for a minute that your fun stops when the sun goes down, as the nightlife in Thailand is legendary. Whether you're looking for romance, excitement, fun or all three, there's so much to enjoy in the country's bars and clubs and on its beaches. You'll discover that sunset is when many parts of Bangkok come to life. Here you can easily find a romantic restaurant corner, sophisticated cocktail bar or nightclub.

To start off your evening, we suggest sipping drinks in an open-air rooftop bar, like Vertigo at Banyan Tree, 61 floors up with breathtaking views of the city below, or Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower.

Then make a beeline for one of Bangkok's many hip and happening clubs, among the best in Asia. Try Ce La Vie, Levels Club, Insanity, Beam, Sugar Club or Sing Sing Theater, which fuses a fantastically-decorated 1930s Shanghai theatre with a dance club. Your taste of Thailand nightlife should also include a cabaret show, a surprisingly classy, charming and glamorous night out for all ages. You'll be dazzled by the flamboyant costumes and spectacular sets while highly entertained by songs and comedy.

More adventurous travellers might want to try Bangkok's famous go-go bars for strictly adult entertainment.

Or you might prefer going shopping in one of the many night markets or malls which stay open late.

Outside of the capital the nightlife is more relaxed, though you can find plenty of pumping dancefloors. Head to Nimmanhaemin in Chiang Mai for Warm Up Café, Monkey Club and Insanity and Bangla Road in the Patong area of Phuket, where you'll find international DJs at Seduction and Illuzion.

Nightlife inside the Old City wall of Chiang Mai is more laid-back. Lie on comfy cushions at THC Rooftop Bar or catch some mellow live jazz.

On Phuket, head to Kata Hill overlooking Kata Noi Beach for the perfect sunset bars. You might find your favourite pace of nightlife is chilling out on a beach. Cafe de la Mar, Xana and Dream are popular beach clubs in Phuket offering drinks, food and relaxing music right on the shore.

On Koh Samui, head for ARKbar, Nikki Beach or Coco Tams for beanbags on the beach beneath the palm trees.

On Railay island in Krabi, it's worth going off the beaten track to find Trew Lay Bar. Stroll along the eastern seaside trail, past the wrongly-named The Last Bar, until you reach the headland and this bamboo, thatched hut between the mangrove forest and sea. You'll be rewarded with a fantastic view and gentle reggae music as you lounge on a hammock or treehouse on stilts over the sea and sip your cocktail or cold beer.

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