Must-see nightlife in Northern Thailand

  • BaanChivitMai Bakery

    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…

  • MAHAMITr

    Lampang

    Relocated to a peaceful riverside location, with indoor and outside seating, this sophisticated cafe takes its coffee seriously and uses only Northern…

  • Cat 'N' A Cup

    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…

  • Don’t Cry

    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…

  • Chopper Bar

    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…

  • Doi Chaang

    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…

  • Braverly

    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…

  • Hub

    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…

  • In Town

    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…

  • Cafe de Lao

    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…

  • Border Booze

    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…

  • Peace House Bar

    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…

  • Barnana Cafe

    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 Ramluek

    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…

  • Roast

    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…

  • Cafe Yes I Do

    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…

  • The Riverside

    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…

  • Palamer Cafe

    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.

  • 2 be 1

    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…

  • Santing

    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…

  • Je Bar

    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…

  • Elizabeth Coffee

    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…

  • Rin Bar

    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…

  • U-Wish-Ya Mattraphap

    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…

  • Easy House Bar

    Chiang Rai

    Easy House Bar has a friendly, relaxed, semi-open-air vibe and a dinner menu of Thai and Western classics.

  • Pangkhon Coffee

    Chiang Rai

    Have a cup of coffee brewed from local beans while gazing at Chiang Rai’s gilded clock tower.

  • Cat Bar

    Chiang Rai

    Long-standing Cat Bar has a pool table and, on some nights, live music.