|
 Bars
and night life in Phuket
 Phuket
has a busy nightlife, second only to Pattaya among Thailand's beach
resorts. Patong Beach is by far the busiest, and seediest, of the
lot, but in addition to go-go bars there are also plenty of other
bars, discos and clubs.
Patong's nightlife spills
out in all directions but the center of the maelstrom is Thanon
Bang La and its four sois - Crocodile, Eric, Gonzo and Seadragon,
packed with a frenetic mix of pubs, beer bars, and go-go bars. Soi
Crocodile is also known as Soi Katoey, a reference to its many transvestites.
While many of Patong's establishments are little more than fronts
for prostitution, there are also a couple of good nightclubs with
dance floors - an unusual sight in Thailand otherwise.
Molly Malone's is a nice place to sit down and have a decent pint
or two.The prices are a bit high, but if you need some good pub
food and want to sit back and watch the human traffic plus the great
music band, this is a good enough pub.
Irish Bar Is another nice and less expensive place also on Beach
Road, though not with a view of the beach. One of the only places
in Patong to sell Guinness, it also has a Celtic cross made with
Guinness cans.
Nightclubs
 Banana
Disco, Thanon Thawiwong (50 m south of Bangla Road) - entry 100
baht, including one drink
D
Club, Soi Crocodile, Bangla Road - recently opened nightclub under
joint Thai/Swedish ownership
Phuket has a thriving night life and
it’s one of the main attractions of the island. There are
plenty of places to party after a day at the beach, including lively
Thai style nightclubs with live bands, Western discos thumping with
dance music, small beachside bars, sedate pubs and go-go clubs full
of friendly ‘company’. In general the nightlife in Phuket
is concentrated around the tourist beaches of Patong, Kata/Karon
and Rawai, as well as Phuket City.
The heart of Phuket night
life is Patong beach, with Bangla Road and Soi Sunset
being the main strips. There are dozens of arcades of tiny bars
packed right next to one another, as well as several large western
style nightclubs. The discos usually charge 100 baht for admission
but this includes a coupon for a single drink. Soi Seadragon is
home to the majority of the go-go bars, while Soi Eric, Soi Tiger
and Soi Crocodile are among the most popular strips. Safari Bar
on the outskirts of Patong is the main after-hours venue. A rock-climbing
wall, food and indoor and outdoor dancing areas are some of the
attractions there.
The Kata/Karon area is a smaller, quieter,
version of Patong and caters more to Scandinavian visitors. There
are a few bar lanes located there, but no large discos. Rawai, on
the southern tip of the island, is a sleepy beach town during the
day, but has plenty going on after dark. Rawai beach is lined with
dozens of small and medium sized bars and many of them tend to bend
the rules regarding closing times.
Phuket night life also offers a number of more family oriented
activities. Both Ocean Plaza and Central Festivals feature English
language cinemas showing major western films. There are two mini-golf
courses on the island, three bowling alleys, a go-karting track
and a shooting range. The Green Man British Pub hosts a Thursday
night pub quiz and there are live jazz jams every Wednesday night
at Music Matters, opposite Ocean Plaza.
The night life in Phuket Town is predominantly made up of Thai style
nightclubs scattered all over the maze of one way streets that make
up old town Phuket. These joints are lively affairs, packed with
a crowd of Thais and foreign residents. They usually feature live
bands playing a mix of western covers and traditional and contemporary
Thai music. If you’re partying Thai style, pick up a bottle
of whiskey at a bottle shop and bring it with you. Corkage fees
are almost never charged, although it is expected that you will
buy ice and mixers from the bar. Grab a table and start clinking
glasses with everyone within arm’s reach. Most Thai discos
have no common dance floor, preferring to pack everyone around ‘standing
tables’.
Karaoke is highly popular in Thailand and there is a wide
range of establishments where you can live out your pop-star fantasies.
These range from hole-in-the-wall places with Thai music and friendly
hostesses to large restaurants that rent out private booths by the
hour. Some hotels offer VIP Karaoke in a private hotel room complete
with an attendant to fill your drinks. Many of these karaoke places
provide a selection of beautiful hostesses who charge by the hour
to sit with you, though not all of them will willingly leave with
you.
For those hoping to find some company for the evening there is no
shortage of places with friendly girls or gay boys. This aspect
of Thailand is very much acceptable and is carried out in a relaxed
and open way that isn’t entirely sleazy and is recognised
by some as one of the country’s attractions! Many of the bars
in specifically designated areas operate for this very purpose,
though the atmosphere is by no means intimidating and you’re
welcome to sit and enjoy a drink and watch the TV or people in these
bars without being hassled. On a slow night some of the girls will
happily sit and chat you (and ask for drinks) even if you have no
intention of taking them home. They are only trying to make a living
and can be genuine and fun company.
The staff members at most of the bars in Patong are more than happy
to accompany customers for the evening, although you will have to
pay a 300-500 baht ‘bar fine’ if you wish to take them
elsewhere. In the smaller areas, such as Rawai, you will find ladies
who are willing to overlook the bar fee, especially if they think
a more long-term arrangement is a possibility. Other places, especially
if they have discreet entrances and dancers, will be a little pushier.
Phuket city
Unlike Patong, there isn’t one ‘strip’
of pubs and party spots in Phuket City, rather, the bars and nightclubs
are scattered all over the city, although there are some areas with
a few places close together. One of those areas is known as
Samkong, a little section of Yaowarat Rd between Old Town Phuket
and Tesco-Lotus. Coming from the Old Phuket roundabout the
first place you’ll see is Rockin’ Angel, a must
for music lovers and artists. The owner is a talented guitarist
and singer with a vast repertoire and impromptu jam sessions are
the norm. The beer selection is excellent as well. Across
the street you’ll find Suea Saming, known to locals
as ‘The Bar with the Big Blue Doors’. This is
a swanky place with a fine selection of imported spirits and energetic
music courtesy of the DJ. Timber Hut, a mainstay on
the Thai pub scene that attracts its fair share of westerners, is
just up the road. Timber Hut features one of the best bar
bands in Phuket and the place is jumpin’ almost every night.
An upstairs seating area is available if you get claustrophobic.
Adjacent to the Phuket Merlin Hotel is Blue Marina, which,
with its basement location and exposed ceiling, is reminiscent of
a hip underground music club, an impression which is borne out by
the crowd of hip Thai university students. Continue down Yaowarat
and you’ll spy E-Sarn Terrace, easily recognized by
the giant projection TV. No live music here but a lovely outdoor
setting, good food and a cool bar area with billiards and a large
selection of downloaded music serving as a jukebox. Just a
little ways farther lies Idea Bar, which has the coldest
beer in town. The help isn’t bad to look at, either.
Sprinkled in between these bars are a number of restaurants large
and small, including Chewy’s Steakhouse, which offers
some excellent food at reasonable prices and has a lovely pool table
surrounded by comfy couches. Many a punter has woken up on
those couches after a late night pool session.
The other area with a good concentration
of bars and pubs is Radsada Road, near the large roundabout in the
middle of old Phuket. This area has really improved recently,
with a number of high end restaurants and shops moving in.
For a hip cocktail in a posh, Los Angeles-type setting try XVI
which also has low key live music from rotating artists. Michael’s
Bar, on Takuapa Road off of Radsada, is popular with expats
and is a great place for a cold beer and a good laugh. Next
door is Kana Sutra, a very good Indian restaurant that hosts
regular singles’ nights and parties. Continue down Takuapa
Road and you’ll find half a dozen places featuring live bands
and an all Thai crowd. One such place is known as Cowboy
Bar, not to be confused with Soi Cowboy in Bangkok. Don’t
expect to find any bar girls here (or cowboys for that matter) do
expect to find a decent live band and lots of faux western kitsch
on the walls. One street over from Radsada Road is the Q Spot,
a new club with excellent atmosphere that hosts some of the top
names in Thai hip hop.
Aside from these areas there are plenty of
hot spots scattered around town like Easter eggs. The Peak
(Mae Luan Rd), Ozone (Thalang Rd) and Kor Tor Mor
(Nimit Rd) are all very popular with Thai youths. They
all have live bands and Ozone features a multi-level dance floor
and scantily clad singers. Other well known nightclubs are
Fantasia and Zanzibar (both on Phang-Nga Road), T2
and Pink Lady Café (both on Tilok Utis 1, near
Ocean Plaza) and the outdoor Godzilla Pub (Thepkasattri Rd).
Inevitably, there is an Irish bar and, inevitably,
it’s called O’Malley’s. O’Malley’s
(Suthat Rd) runs a nightly special that can be a little dangerous:
all you can drink (local beer and spirits), all night for 700 baht.
Many’s the reveller who’s found themselves praying to
the porcelain Buddha after trying too hard to get their money’s
worth. A good place to watch some sport is Lemongrass
(Luang Pho Wat Chalong Rd). The TV isn’t great but they
stay open late and there might be someone around to make watching
the game a little more interesting. For the best Mojito in
town check out Music Matters (Tilok Utis 1, near Ocean Plaza)
which also has a live jazz jam every Wednesday.
Patong
Beach
Discos in Patong stay open until 2 a.m. blasting
out techno and dance music. There is usually a 100 baht cover charge,
but this includes a drink voucher.
Tiger Bar:
perhaps the busiest nightclub in Patong, this large disco is located
above a 
whole arcade of tiny bars. Bangla Rd.
Banana Disco : opposite
Patong beach on the main strip, this venerable establishment draws
large crowds.
Crocodile Bar:
off of Bangla road, this disco offers drink specials via online
coupons.
The
Shark Club Disco:The
Shark Club is one of the most welcome additions to the night scene
in Patong. It is located on the corner of Soi Bangla and Rat-U-Thit
Road directly across from the Rock Hard Go Go and within sight of
the PS Hotel.
With a high-tech laser light system and a good sound system, it
has the most sophisticated disco technology in and around Patong.
The dance floor is large and spacious and because of this,
the club is visited by many tour groups as it can easily accommodate
large numbers of visitors.
The Mix of European and American music, blasts from the high-tech
sound system from early evening until just before dawn.
Club
730 (Patong Beach): Club
730 is smashing stereotypes in Patong Beach. It vibes like any club
in Big City, USA. But with a distinctly Thai twist. The urban aura
is effortless, thanks to hip décor and a pair of DJs –
Thai and American – pumping out cutting-edge hip-hop and international
house. Ditch the crass and try a little class – only at Club
730.
Seduction
Discotheque (Patong Beach):Seduction
Discotheque is the newest and biggest disco in Patong. We offer
our customers an opportunity to enjoy themselves in an atmosphere
unlike the disco's already existing in Patong. With our style, customers
can easily think they are at a disco in cities such as London, Paris
or New York. And with our 2 for 1 happy hour from 22.00 to 24.00,
it's the perfect place to start the night.
The Safari Pub and Disco: A
trip to the Safari Pub and Disco is definitely worth a visit. Set
between several elephant camps and close to Le Meridien Phuket on
the main road between Patong Beach and Karon, the Safari Pub is
one of the most unique buildings around. It is constructed of local
materials such as wood and palm leafs, giving the club an appearance
fitting it's name.
The parking lot is usually jammed with cars, trucks and motorbikes
each night with a young party crowd who want to dance.
Inside, the location twists and turns around bars, staircases and
eventually opens onto an outdoor Treetops restaurant which overlooks
a water basin.
The dance floor is quite large
and a band usually plays live Rock&Roll and Reggae. From time
to time a guest is given the chance to perform his favorite song
for the crowd. Late at night, dance music is played by a DJ and
the Safari Pub closes its doors in the early morning hours. There
are special shows at midnight of every Tuesday and Thursday.
Food can be purchased at the Safari restaurant and there is also
another little restaurant serving Thai dishes located next door.
Phuket
SImon Cabaret:
Going to the cabaret on Phuket has a different
meaning than almost anywhere else in the world. The island boasts
extravagant cabaret shows with stunning costumes, bright lights,
expensive sets and a unique feature, most of the performers are
men dressed as women.
Transvestites and transgendered people
are much more accepted in Thailand than in Western countries, perhaps
because the Buddhist religion practiced in the region does not have
texts or doctrines that are judgmental of different lifestyles.
Whatever the reason, they can be often be seen on the streets and
in everyday jobs where they are employed without persecution.
At the Simon Cabaret, famous well beyond Phuket,
an all-male revue with the the utmost extravaganza can be experienced.
Performers recreate a traditional Thai dance or lip-synch songs
popular in countries around the world.
Besides the Simon Cabaret, the popularity of transvestite and transsexual
cabaret performers has spread to most parts of Phuket. Many of Phuket's
five star resorts featuring transvestite cabaret performers for
special occasions and numerous other venues can be visited. Most
well-known are the Andaman Queen Cabaret and shows at the Royal
Paradise Complex.
A Go Go Bars: In
Patong Beach, the heart of Phuket Night Life and Entertainment,
there are many A Go Go Bars,
most of them located around Soi Bangla, where you can watch Thai
girls dancing to energetic music clothed in nothing more than a
string bikini. These girls are not totally nude, as this is officially
prohibited by Thai law.
The girls may interact with the customers
during the time they are not dancing. They are not owned in any
way by the bar and if they want to share their time with the
guest, it is their decision to make. If you enjoy the company
of a particular lady and would like her to accompany you perhaps
to dinner or a disco, it is customary to pay the bar a small fee,
since if she accompanies you, she is no longer assisting the bar
by providing entertainment.
Anyway, if you have an open mind, visiting
an ago go bar will surely give you a unique insight into this aspect
of tourist entertainment.
Other discos
Phuket city and Patong are the two party centres
on the island but you’ll find plenty of evening fun in other
resort areas. However, they tend to limit themselves to bars and
restaurants to retain a relaxed character and you’re likely
to find a few bars that have a dance floor and good tunes rather
than a proper disco. These are invariably found in the vicinity
of the busy centres.
Partner Sites
www.phukethoteltour.com
| www.phuket-hotels-links.com
| www.hotel-phuket.org
| www.1phuket.com
| www.patong-hotels.net
| www.katakaronhotel.com
| www.phuket-map.net |
