Whether you are looking for parties or just want to chill out, you are in luck. Chiang Mai boasts of many lively nightspots to eat, drink and be merry. The first thing that foreigners notice about the Thai “discos” or clubs is that there’s usually no open dance floor - it’s already packed with drinking tables. The locals just drink and dance at their tables. The seasoned clubber may find that Chiang Mai pales in comparison to Bangkok in the big clubs aspect, but there are a lot of lovely chill out pub cum restaurants.

Nightlife in Chiang Mai

Discos/Clubs

• Space Bubble, Pornping Hotel basement. Tel: 053-814 548.

Packed with all kinds of party animals: tourists, Thais, gays, lady boys. This has been a long time magnet for tourists in Chiang Mai. Loud music with some small dance areas.

• Mandalay, 5/3 Soi off Moonmuang Rd. Tel: 053-208 395.

This is a big multi-storey setup. Mostly local crowd with local DJ. Used to have entertaining local bands and performances but this seems to have been discontinued.

• Bossy 2002, Chiang Mai Land Village. Tel: 053-204 039.

An old favourite among Chiang Mai youngsters in their 20s. Alternates between live music and DJ. Good place to dance.

Pubs/Restaurants

This is where Chiang Mai shines. Take your pick from the huge selection of cool places to hang out, chill out or eat drink and party.

• The Riverside, Charoenrat Rd.

This has become a landmark on this road. Hot favourite with tourists and the place is usually packed. Good mix of local Chiang Mai customers too. Great dining by the river with a good local band playing Western pop/rock music. Serves reasonably priced Thai and Western food with inexpensive drinks.

• The Good View, Charoenrat Rd.

Just beside The Riverside, this is like its twin. The live music here is less contemporary though, focusing more on all-time favourites. Food is good here too.

• Warm Up Cafe, 40 Nimmanhaemin Rd. Tel: 053-306 253

A hugely popular place, attracting hordes of young and beautiful Chiang Mai girls and guys mostly in their 20s. This place is famous enough to attract some farang and tourist visitors too. Has outside and inside dining areas, including a small dancing area indoors with live music.

• Monkey Club, Soi 9 Nimmanhaemin Rd.

Newer than Warm Up and already attracting a huge crowd everyday. A trendy establishment with outside/inside areas. Also with live music and dancing area indoors.

• Berlin, 13 soi 5 Nimmanhemin Rd. Tel: 053-222 443

This is my favourite for a chill-out because they have really good local food at low prices, romantic cosy ambience, comfortable sofa chairs and nice wines. Good place to have a chat. Has the usual indoor/outdoor areas and live music.

• Fine Thanks, 119 Nimmanhemin Rd.

The main draw of this pub/restaurant is the very attentive and sexily dressed team of young Thai waitresses, mostly from the nearby universities in Chiang Mai. The food is good too and there’s a live band playing both Western and Thai songs. Popular with locals but you’ll often see a handful of tourists too.

• Ahhhh… many more places to be added in the near future.

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