Nightlife Overview
Raucous and loud, Patong's pulsating nightlife never fails to attract curious visitors every evening.
Like a magnet, it's hard to resist a wander down Soi Bangla - the heart of bar scene where girls, neon lights and deafening rock music compete for your attention. Over a hundred bars, mostly outdoors, ranging from beer bars (girlie bars), Go-Go bars, nightclubs, Karaoke bars and pubs are condensed into the small action packed area fondly known as "Bangla" where the only priority is to have a good time.
Generally it gets going after 9pm, when diners have finished eating at one of the many restaurants along the Beach Road, Ra-U-Thit Rd and the smaller sois just beyond Bangla. Patong offers lots of food choices from local Thai and seafood specialties, to Italian , French haute nouvelle cuisine, Korean and more.
Since many local shops and vendors are open until 11pm, there's plenty of time to fit in some shopping and decide whether to order those hand-made shirts or buy those really good value DVD's. Clever shoppers can fit in drinks at "Happy Hour" prices (times are variable) at one of the larger (non-girlie) bars along the Beach Road which offer a live band on an outdoor stage.
As well as the bar scene around Soi Bangla and the surrounding smaller streets like the notorious Soi Katoey where super-sexy 'ladies' dance on stage, you can also find western style dance clubs and discos. Among Patong's' hottest, are the ever popular Banana, Tai Pan and VIP, Star Club (formerly the Shark Club) Tiger and Safari outside town. The new Pirate Club, just off Bangla has western DJ's. more about ladyboys here!
Fans of Thai Boxing - King or the Martial Arts, can see live matches at two venues close to the junction of Rat-U-Thit and Soi Bangla. Football, Rugby and Grand Prix fans can catch their events on Satellite TV, available at numerous sports pubs with satellite TV links.
Quieter more sedate options can be found at the beach cafes (south end) and lounge bars along the small sois along Rat--U-Thit Rd and for a different perspective try a bungy jump! (Or alternatively just go bowling instead) The myriad shopping outlets and open-air markets, bookshops and cafes offer an alternative for those looking for quieter nighttime options.
Patong's discos and dance clubs are great, not the same as in Europe, but far more relaxed and fun. The fashion police are noticeably absent, which makes for a friendly and generally welcoming place to groove, so before you say " I don't dance," check them out; but not before 11pm!
Banana Disco
The oldest and most popular disco in Patong still packs em' in after 10 years! An outdoor bar area directly in front of the air-conditioned disco, usually has a live band until around 11pm, and makes an ideal venue to survey the talent before before getting up-close-and-personal inside.
Despite the crowds (especially around midnight) Banana rarely has any trouble, mainly due to good music, efficient bar staff and strict ID policy that keeps the very young out. A cover charge (200 Baht which includes the first drink) ensures Patong's working ladies remain at arms length - at least for most of the week. Mainly House music with some old favs depending on the crowd. Patong's international crowd ensures you'll never have the same experience twice.
Located right on the Beach Road, close the entrance of Soi Bangla.
Safari Disco and Pub
Patong's late night disco venue, Safari often stays open long after everywhere else has closed. Outside speakers mean you can dance indoors or outside where bar areas are set up among the rocks and greenery. Faux rocks surround a pond in a lovable kitsch jungle type atmosphere. As well as grooving to the sounds, you can also show off on the climbing wall outside, or listen to live bands in the air-conditioned inside.
Safari only gets going after midnight and heats up in the wee hours. Since most people have already had a few drinks, the mood here is almost always buoyant with good music that keeps just keeps it going. Safari seems to stay open later than the other discos. Free entry.
Located on the outskirts of town, on the road towards Karon, just south of Patong.
Tiger Disco and Bars
Enter the slightly surreal world of Tiger! Crouching tigers and a fantastic hooded cobra mark the entrance to this extravagant entertainment venue just off Soi Bangla. It's like entering a set from the Flintstones!
Downstairs, the bars offering a platter of groovy music and pole dancers draw in a mixed international crowd looking for a party! Designed like a colourful and rather bizarre cave, outdoor bars like the Hot Rock Bar occupy the main ground level while the disco located an upper floor above the bars is usually packed most nights of the week. Hang around the bars and be entertained by the girls. Located Soi Bangla.
Club Pirate - Dance Club
Driving techno, trance, house and hip hop from a a variety of foreign DJ's s from all over the world. No cover charge and reasonable drinks prices (100 Baht for mixed drinks and Heineken beer) Patong's latest club offers over 10,000 watts of sound and a real international nightclub atmosphere. No live bands. Open from 9pm until early morning. Located off Soi Bangla in Soi Sea Dragon.
Crocodile Disco - Competes with Tiger. On Soi Crocodile (Soi Katoey), off Bangla Rd.
Baya Beach - One of Patong's original hot spots, Baya Beach always seems to be celebrating a party of some sort! The entrance is often covered in balloons and the girls appeal to male egos by wearing outfits last seen on Barbie in the 90's. Baya is a kind of legendary mini-disco and party place which you either love or hate.
Next door, VIP with its shiny chrome interior, still draws a Thai and international crowd of Patong party-goers with a mix of excellent music and a mini dance floor. Across the road, Rio seems to have broken out of the mould with salsa sounds - an excellent alternative to the pounding rock belted out by 90% of Patong's bar owners, and comfy seats! All located at the junction of Rat-U-Thit Rd and Bangla Rd.
Beer Bars or (Bar Beers!)
Patong's famous bar beers are concentrated (and we mean concentrated) along Bangla Rd spilling over into the small streets off it.
Beer bars (or bar beers) are basic outdoor bars with barstools and a sound system. Many look exactly the same but for some reason you'll see one bar packed out while the near-replica beside it is barren. The bars are usually staffed by a bevy of girls clad in their sexiest gear trying to attract customers with pole dancing and simple bar games (like hammering a nail into a block of wood)
Although the most bars cater to men, women and couples are equally welcome with no hassle. There are also a number of bars like Kangaroo Bar and U2 on Bangla Rd, that simply play good music and regularly attract a young international crowd who often dance in the street and on tables.
Lounge Bars
Patong also offers some surprisingly trendy lounge bars where you can relax in a classy atmosphere and listen to cafe del mar type music.
Offering plush sofas, great cocktails and groovy tunes is Home Bar (with an upstairs room designed like a large lounge with plush modern sofas and pile carpets. Low tables and even lower lights keep the atmosphere cosy. Just off Soi Bangla.
La Salsa (at the Phuket Impiana Cabana) on the beach road is a good spot to watch the world go by while sipping a mean Mojito. Baan Rim Pa (on the coast road at the north end of Patong) offers an elegant pre-dinner bar, while next door Joes Bar (white beach house decor) makes a perfect spot for a sundowner.
Another great sundowner spot is the terrace of the Novotel Phuket which has views over the entire Patong Bay area, while the Hourglass (also at the Novotel) has a live band most evenings. Newcomers to the scene are the Corsicana and La Diva (photo), both on Rat-U-Thit Rd.
Live Music
Until relatively recently you could almost guarantee a rendition of "Hotel California" in every live music venue, but times are a changin' and a new wind is blowing through the live music scene. The old favs still get an airing out but the both the venues and the bands have really gone up a notch.
Saxophone (Beach Road, north end) is the latest venue to elevate the music scene in Patong. Cloned from the original Saxophone in Bangkok, famous for its quality jazz, R & B and reggae Saxophone Phuket has some excellent musicians and a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can just get up and dance to quality live music and feel totally unembarrassed.
Rock City (Beach Road, north end)
All you metal fans requiring your daily dose should head to Rock City. Among the head banging bands is a AC/DC tribute band that just belts it out. Various live bands pump up the volume with cover versions of Scorpions, Van Halen, Metallica and other vintage metal.
The enthusiastic house bands at Scruffy Murphy's and Molly Malone's rarely fail to rouse the crowds, while the band at 2 Black Sheep usually coaxes more than a few out to the dance floor.
Live music has also hit the beach road with the rather obvious realisation by the hotels that people like to sit out in the open and listen to live music. (Strange but true) Some of the larger restaurants now offer a live band with your lobster at places like The Port at Banthai Beach Resort, featuring a lively and talented Filipino band.
On the corner of Soi Bangla and Rat-U-Thit road, Tai Pan, Safari and Star Club all feature a mix of live and DJ-spun music. A lesser-known spot called Relics, on Sai Namyen Rd, is very popular with local Thais and packs people in most nights.
A-Go-Go Bars
These are mainly indoor bars with dancing ladies performing around chrome poles. Various levels of nudity depending on the bar and prevailing tolerance level of the local authorities. Most Go Go's are concentrated along Soi Seadragon, and others are found on the side lanes off Bangla Rd.
Names and owners seem to change frequently but one of the "old timers" is Rock Hard on Bangla Rd - a very popular place with a sidewalk cafe, good music and enthusiastic, dancers. It claims that "couples are welcome", though it probably wouldn't be at the top of most women's list of places to see when planning a night out with her partner.
Beach Bars
Surprisingly for a beach resort, Patong has very few beachfront bars, and none of them are very busy after the peak sunset cocktail period. Just south of Loma Park (Patong north end) are several bar-restaurants serving Thai/Western food, beer and cocktails. You might have to walk on the beach starting in front of Bangla Road and follow the seafront to find the first ones.
Sports Pubs
There are a scattering of pubs showing live satellite TV broadcasts of international sports including Formula 1, football and rugby. Many also have pool tables, darts, special buffet nights and competitions. Popular pubs include Champs (Soi Kepsap), Heroes (Sawatdirak Rd), Amigos, Football Crazy and Lek Murphys.
Karaoke Bars
Not often frequented by tourists, Karaoke bars are plentiful all over the island and in Patong. They're usually found away from the main areas and are not always easy to recognize as the signs are usually in Thai only - look for the telltale string of coloured lights and tinted windows. Some also have hostesses sitting out front to beckon passersby. The bars are usually simple affairs - a few tables, dim lighting and a Karaoke machine. The hostesses usually take their turns singing local Thai favourites and invite customers to try it as well.
Cool theatre/Cabaret
Captivating ladyboy performers attract throngs of people every night at Phuket Simon Cabaret. Not as well known but well worth seeing is the Sphinx Restaurant & Theatre on Rat-U-Thit Rd, which runs cabaret shows every evening in its small yet spectacular theatre. Excellent restaurant attached. More of the same can be seen at some of the Soi Paradise bars and at the Moulin Rose (formerly Andaman Queen) at the end of the famous Soi Katoey. (Katoey literally translated means Ladyboy. more about ladyboys here!
Wacky & Unusual
Some bars don't fit neatly into any category, but there are some truly unique places to tip a glass around Patong.
One such spot is Nicky's Handlebar, a biker bar that's friendly, relaxed and welcoming to non-bikers too. Great fun watching the Harley riders ride up into the bar. Has a pool table, a tattoo parlour, a bike repair shop and a small area selling T-shirts and leather goods.
Rasta Pub at the end of Soi Seadragon, is a small stand run by some happy deadlocked characters - quite an unexpected surprise as it's reached only by walking through a sea of a-go-go and beer bars.
Minivan bars. Catch them if you can, these little mobile bars have fitted out of the side of a VW van by some enterprising local folks. Locations vary, but usually seen near the Bangla-Rat-U-Thit road intersection or along the northern part of the beach road, near Loma Park. A cute and cheerful place to stop by for a beer or two.
Alternatives - Thai Boxing
Those feeling tired of the bar scene can instead check out the night markets, go for a relaxing spa-massage treatment, lounge in a cafe, browse the shopping centres, do some bowling, try a thrilling bungy jump or watch some Muay Thai Fights.
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is one of the world's fastest growing martial arts and revered as one of the most challenging. There is no substitute for a real fight, which is an adrenaline pumping experience especially if there's a good local crowd heavily betting. It's generally not as bruising as western style boxing with more skill and athleticism required. High kicks and punches area allowed and short rounds allow the protagonists to recover those karate style kicks. Wins are determined by points, although knockouts do occur.
You can see Muay Thai in the boxing stadium located above the Margarita Bar at the junction of Soi Bangla and Rat-U-Thit Rd. Tickets are 750 Baht - more expensive than in Phuket Town. but then you don't have cab fare if you're staying in Patong.
Muay Thai can also be found at Sala Muay Thai at the top of Soi Vegas off Bangla Road.
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