Cosmopolitan Chiang Mai guide
Glass Onion is a popular gay bar
Although traditionally a quiet town of northern Thailand in a valley ringed by mountains, Chiang Mai has become a cosmopolitan hangout boasting quality restaurants plus many hip bars and clubs. While not on the scale of Bangkok in this regard, it has the benefit of being much more subdued and laidback.
The best thing is that Chiang Mai is only a few kilometres across and so most of it can be done on foot. The other major plus is that everything here is so much cheaper than in Bangkok, as well as the beach resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
Cosmopolitan Chiang Mai bars
There are loads of options for drinking out and anyone who says Chiang Mai is staid either hasn’t given the place a chance or doesn’t really know what they’re talking about. There are oodles of relaxed hangouts and restaurant-bars, along with a couple of noted go-go strips, tucked away karaoke lounges and pumping discos.
The area around Thapae Gate – the cultural heart of Chiang Mai – has the lion’s share of bars. Namely, up and down Moon Muang Road, farther east around Nawarat Bridge, and along the girlie bar road of Loi Kroh, which connects the moat with the popular tourist hangout of the Night Bazaar. More on the Night Bazaar.
The Night Bazaar doubles as a shopping and entertainment area. It runs nightly and is stuffed to the gussets with street vendors and lively bars and restaurants. Perennial favourites include the revamped Galare Centre, for food and complimentary shows; the cluster of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and fast food joints around McDonalds, farther south; and the burgeoning Anusarn Market area, farther south again. The latter is known for its seafood restaurants and expat bars.
Those looking purely for girlie-bar action should head for Loi Kroh Road. Although there are only a few traditional go-go bars along here, there are plenty of places to hangout and enjoy conversation with the girls. One of the hippest in the area is the Number 1 Bar, which is just off a side street of Loi Kroh.
Warm Up is a perennial student favourite
The most hip, non-touristy area to have a drink today in Chiang Mai is the student-centric Nimmanhaemin Road area to the west of the city centre. This area is burgeoning with condos, shops, coffee shops, bars and beer gardens. Two of the hippest places to head for of a night are Warm Up Bar and Monkey Club.
Another up-and-coming area for nightly entertainment is JJ Market, off to the northeast of the city centre. This area consists of a strip of low buildings either side of the road and contains coffee shops and terrace bars. It is mostly a local hangout and is busiest on weekends. More on Chiang Mai bars.
Noted Chiang Mai cosmopolitan watering holes
Riverside Restaurant: a vibrant restaurant-cum-bar with live music over the river. The food here is pretty good and there are a couple of bars and bands nightly. It resides up on Charoenrat Road (west of Thapae Gate) and near Nawarat Bridge.
The Brasserie: this is one of the top hip joints in town and can be found just up from the Riverside. It is also a music bar - concentrating on blues and rock - although is pricier than the Riverside.
The Pub: an old favourite and one of the very first expat pubs to appear in Chiang Mai. It is an English-style pub and has a quaint beer garden and renowned Sunday roasts. The Pub also has accommodation and is located on Huay Kaew Road, not far from Nimmanhaemin.
Chiangmai Saloon: this American-styled joint has good food and cheap beer and is located along the top end of Loi Kroh Road between major girlie areas. It is popular with all types and has friendly staff and a nice disposition. The more recent Saloon 2 is up near the (UN) Irish Pub.
The (UN) Irish Pub: most popular with expats is the well-located ‘UN Irish’ on Ratwithi Road, just up from Thapae Gate, near the moat. It has real ales and Guinness, along with tasty food and a huge TV with sports.
O'Malley's Bar: another Irish-themed pub is the long-running O'Malley's, which has a comfy interior and a laidback persona. Although hardly hip, it has seen resurgence of late, mainly owing to the growing Anusarn Market where it resides.
Rasta Bar: this hip hangout sits among the cluster of bars behind the (UN) Irish Pub on Ratwithi Road and has the familiar sound of reggae playing out nightly, along with cheap beer. There are several other hip joints nearby.
THC Rooftop Bar: this quirky bar is not obvious to the uninitiated as it is accessed through a dingy looking hemp shop and is several storeys up. The views of Thapae Gate are outstanding, however, and the roof is pulled back when the stars are out.
The Writers' Club and Wine Bar: situated within the old town along the main Ratchadamnoen Road is this funky place which bustles with the odd author and wannabee writers of a night. The wine selection is its main draw, plus they also have good food. Best visited on a Friday evening.
WOW Bar: an upmarket bar located within the Shangri La Hotel on Chang Khlan Road boasts fine ‘whisky and wine’ and a funky terrace.
The Mix Bar: another hotel-based bar known among the in crowd resides under the D2 hotel. It is most popular with locals and the more upmarket expat and has a fantastic buzz.
Chedi Terrace: this five-star hotel’s terrace bar resides in the former British Consulate building on the river and is good for cocktails and snacks.
Mo'C Mo'L: funky pub and restaurant near Chiang Mai University up on Huay Kaew Road is mainly popular with students and has a variety of ‘zones’, including a coffee shop, indoors and outdoors dining, and live music.
Hip clubs in Chiang Mai
Warm Up Bar: this buzzing place resides on Nimmanhaemin Road and has quickly become one of the best known joints in town. It is a large venue with several bars, including a disco, and is most popular with young locals and eager foreigners looking to score with the moneyed crowd.
Monkey Club: Nimmanhaemin Road’s second best known joint is more of a traditional disco than Warm Up, yet also has a chilled seated area removed from the din of the dance floor. Another one for young uns.
Mandalay Bar: the biggest venue in town doubles as a typical stage Thai slapstick show and a disco later on. It is well done and glitzy, although comes with a ridiculous entrance fee for foreigners.
Gay and Lesbian cosmopolitan venues
Chiang Mai is perhaps the top place in the country for gay people to relax and do their thing. Many expat gays have settled here and there are several well known gay bars and discos.
Glass Onion: this is perhaps the best known gay joint. It is located on Nimmanhaemin Road and is a popular and sophisticated wine bar. The Warm Up Bar is just over the road.
Golden Ball (Bon Tong): a more laidback gay bar on Santitham Road resides in a Northern Thai-style bar and restaurant with an outdoor setting. Features well priced drinks and friendly staff.
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