Nightlife
The largest cluster of bars and restaurants is found near the Karon circle, with a mix of beer bars, pubs, seafood eateries and Western restaurants lining the main road and side lanes. The area can get quite loud at night, with each bar competing for customers by blaring their sound systems to the full.
Another fairly busy area is Luang Pho Chuan Rd, at the south end of Karon Beach. Just off the road is Karon Plaza, which has a jumble of huts and open-air bars that have been set up mostly by local artists. One of the largest 'art bars' is Nakonnai Gallery, a lovely, modern place built by hand in glass and wrought iron by Mon, a painter and the proprietor of the bar-gallery. His work is displayed in a room behind the bar.
Prices
Beer - Local beer 50-60 Baht; Imported beer 60-90 Baht. Prices might be as high as 100-120 Baht per bottle in hotel lounges and upscale spots.
Cocktails - Usually around 100-150 Baht.
Admission - There are no known venues that charge entry fees in the area.
Bar fine - This is the fee to cover a bar's 'loss' when taking a lady out of the place for a 'date'. Usually 200 Baht for the evening. If planning to spending a few days or longer with the lady, you'll probably need to negotiate a fine with the bar. This does not cover the costs of spending time with the lady, which would be discussed directly with her.
Hours of Operation
The official closing time for pubs is 1 am while discos may remain open until 2 am. Most bars shut down by around 2 am in Kata-Karon, and in the low season (June-October) as early as midnight or 1 am.
Many places have happy hours with up to 50% discounts on cocktails or beer, usually during the sunset period of 5-7 pm.
Dangers & annoyances
The streets of Kata and Karon are quite safe at night, safer than many Western cities. Incidences of violence against tourists are rare, though there have been cases of purse snatchings and pickpocketing. Women are generally safe to go out at night, though they may encounter some harrassment while wandering the streets. It's also not advisable to travel by tuk-tuk or motorbike alone at night.
Walking can be a hazard as there are few proper sidewalks, especially around the busy Kata centre area - pedestrians must tread cautiously at the margins of the narrow roads. Also note that vehicles rarely stop to let pedestrians cross the roads, even at designated crossing zones.
Touts - though Kata-Karon's intrepid salespersons are far less aggressive than those in Patong, you may encounter these "overfriendly" characters from time to time.
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