Vientiane
Sip your piccolo latte to a soundtrack of jazz and the scent of cooking beans; tiny Le Trio roasts its own coffee and is the most atmospheric hang-out for…
Must-see nightlife in Laos
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Luang Prabang
Lush riverside bar with peaceful views of the Nam Khan, recliner cushions, low-slung tables and leafy nooks. Chill over a fruit shake, burger or breakfast…
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Vientiane
Refurbished shipping containers in front of a spooky abandoned building, riverside breezes, and local rum distilled by a Japanese resident. Laodi is hard…
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Vang Vieng
This mega-chill riverside bar is a slice of the old Vang Vieng, before the buggies took over. Order a Beerlao (we don't recommend eating here) and swing…
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Vang Vieng
Made from driftwood and clay, this artsy hillside bar-restaurant pipes out fine tunes to match the ambience, with live music nightly from 7pm. Check out…
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Vientiane
This traditional Lao house facing the Mekong has a well-stocked bar and a witty, helpful menu that doubles as a crash course in cocktails. A chilled…
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Vientiane
At first glance, Earth looks as crunchy as a bowl of organic granola, but live music, cultural events, an eclectic soundtrack, craft beers, enthusiastic…
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Luang Prabang
A beatnik boudoir more than a club, Icon pays homage to an older era and offers some of the best cocktails in town, including the devilish absinthe…
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Vientiane
Snicker at the name all you want to, but TitKafe is easily the city's most sophisticated coffee shop. Local and imported beans make their way into a…
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Vientiane
Just your typical German-themed bar as perceived through a Japanese lens and located in Laos. There's a good selection of booze (especially sake), unique…
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Vientiane
Landlubbers rejoice: we've found the perfect cruise. This permanently beached vessel features stunning river views, some of Vientiane's better cocktails,…
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Northern Laos
Decked in old muskets and rice-paddy hats, Bar How is darkly atmospheric. By night a row of homemade lòw-lów (rice wine), infused with everything from…
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Luang Prabang
Oxblood walls, low lights and a handsome bar glittering with polished crystal, this candlelit haunt is central and peaceful, adding a dash of upscale…
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Luang Prabang
Parked down a quiet street, there's nothing retiring about this chic, urban bar. Sit outside stargazing on the terrace, inside at the long bar in low-lit…
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Northern Laos
Overlooking a lily pond and the distant mountains, The Classic is a great little bar serving up purple rice beer, passion-fruit mojitos, exotic snacks and…
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Luang Prabang
It's worth venturing further up the peninsula after dark to discover this little gem. It's not a hardcore biker bar, but a lovely little hole-in-the-wall…
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Vientiane
Overlooking mother Mekong, a cast of locals, expats, bar girls and travellers assembles at this tin-roofed, wood-raftered watering hole to gaze at the…
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Northern Laos
This is where it's at in Udomxai; a lively wooden and bamboo beer garden that draws a young crowd to quaff Beerlao by the crate. A decent selection of Lao…
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Vang Vieng
If you want to recapture the spirit of Va Va Vang Vieng before the clampdown on the town's formerly raucous party scene, the Jungle Project parties are…
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Nong Khiaw
Chilled Q sits on the main road with an ox-blood, rattan interior, a little roof terrace, good tunes and a friendly owner. Cocktails are 35,000K to 40…
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Northern Laos
It's a fair trek up the hill beyond the gaggle of guesthouses, but it's worth it to find this buzzing little bar. Bring the flyer you receive when jumping…
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Nong Khiaw
Set on pontoons, this peaceful, semi-al fresco Lao bar-restaurant relies on the soothing river view as its wallpaper, and dishes up cold Beerlao for the…
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Vang Vieng
Still one of the best bars in town thanks to its friendly, unpretentious atmosphere, live music (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9pm), free pool and…
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Luang Prabang
Sports Bar lives up to its name and shows leading games from the world of football, rugby, cricket and more on four screens. It's located downstairs in…
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Luang Prabang
One of the late-night haunts for locals and foreigners alike thanks to one of the very few pool tables in town. Get here early if you are hoping for a…
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Luang Prabang
A popular spot in the heart of the old town, this bar draws a local crowd thanks to a diverse selection of international beers, including some potent…
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Vientiane
Cocktail culture has arrived in Vientiane, and it takes the form of this dark, sleek, new bar concealed in a tiny side street. The signature drinks veer…
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Vang Vieng
At the time of writing, Sakura was one of the most popular bars in Vang Vieng, with the largest crowds and loudest music. Expect a raucous night with shot…
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Vientiane
Sleazy and smoky, watch Vientiane's nocturnal population emerge from the shadows like vampires as you park yourself at the bar. It often stays open later…
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Northern Laos
There is some life beyond the dodgy and dark nightclubs in Sainyabuli and it comes in the form of a pair of lively beer gardens on the banks of the Nam…
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Nong Khiaw
Located 1km out of town (heading towards Pak Mong), Hive Bar is run by a friendly Lao, has a downstairs disco and karaoke for those inclined, plus a…
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Vientiane
The stylish balcony here, suspended over a quiet section of the Mekong, functions equally well as a beer garden or dinner destination (dishes 25,000K to…
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Vientiane
A self-proclaimed dive bar run by a long-term American resident, this is the place for cheap drinks far from the madding crowd. Craft beers are available,…
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Vientiane
Set in the basement of the S Park Design Hotel, this is an upscale club for the Lao hi-so (high society). Drink prices reflect the surroundings and the…
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Vang Vieng
For a night out with more of a Lao flavour, head to this big beer garden and nightclub about 2km north of town. This is where the visiting weekenders from…
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Luang Prabang
A young Lao crowd packs this cavernous club, located just near the southern bus terminal. Live bands playing Lao and Thai pop alternate with DJs spinning…
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Northern Laos
Offering some prime views of the Mekong River, this is a popular spot for sundowners and late drinks. Happy hour runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and there are…
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Vientiane
The only gay bar in town, this place draws a convivial crowd and pushes things up a notch on weekends. From 1am it attracts a mixed crowd as one of the…
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Pakse
A chill place to drink and snack, this Thai-owned bar has live music (usually Carabao-style Thai country music) most nights except Sunday from about 7…
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Northern Laos
Try this simple shack for sunset beers over the rice-paddy fields. Locals gather here to play guitars and munch on barbecued meat.
