Chiang Mai’s nightlife scene

Posted by paul on September 8th, 2008 filed in Attractions, tourist tips

Nightlife in the city of Chiang Mai is much calmer and tamer than Pattaya and Bangkok, but pleasurable all the same. Folk in Chiang Mai like to have a good time and are glad to party with the huge crowds of visiting foreigners. The downtown area offers a wide range of laid-back bars, several pulsating discos, a street lined with girlie and go-go venues, and an extensive selection of karaoke clubs.

This provincial capital is an ideal destination for a pub crawl as it is very easy to walk from one bar and pop into another. It takes about 20 minutes to cross the downtown area on foot. There are several bars and pubs in Chiang Mai which offer live music performances and most of the Thais are outstanding singers, playing musical styles that include blues, soul, rock, Thai ballades and popular pop tracks. The city centre also houses a number of booming discos which feature talented DJs creating a party ambience by playing the most popular dance floor anthems, house, techno, retro classics and hypnotising trance and ambient tunes.

Unfortunately after midnight the city’s nightlife scene is rather restricted due to a recent Governor’s to spoil the pleasure. The majority of the nightlife venue owners expressed considerable complaints, but so far only a limited number of nightspots have been given permission to stay open until 2am.

Pubs and bars are found throughout the city. However most of the bars are located in the Tapae Gate area, on both sides of the Moat’s eastern flank, in the Night Bazaar area and near Nawarat Bridge along the Ping River. Several are vibrant, hospitable affairs while others are relaxed and more sophisticated.

One of Chiang Mai’s top tourist attractions, the lively Night Bazaar keeps the centre busy after hours, and on offer here is plenty of late dining & wining and shopping. Next to the Night Bazaar is the Galare Centre where you can have a quick meal while watching free performances of Thai classic dancing and listening to traditional Northern Thai music.

The Galare Centre by night

At the Loi Kroh and Chan Klan road intersection a selection of bars can be found as well along with restaurants and coffee shops. A little farther down Chan Klan road there is a modestly-sized arcade, featuring the well-known ‘Peak Climbing wall’ where a number of more informal venues are positioned, several with plenty of available ‘company’.