Nightlife in Chiang Mai

Glamorous Nightlife

Although Chiang Mai has plenty of relaxing bars, loud discos, go-go bars, and karaoke lounges, it is a lot tamer and quieter than other cities in Thailand.  This is hardly big bad Bangkok or wild Patong.  However, the people here do enjoy partying and the bars and discos are well known for their live music, brilliant singers, and talented DJs. Because most of the clubs, bars, and lounges are close to each other, revelers prefer walking through the city center from locale to locale rather than hiring a cab for the night. To avoid the spoilsport tag, the city governor has issued a directive in the public’s interest, restricting nightlife after midnight, except in select places that are allowed to remain open until 2 A.M.  In Chiang Mai, you could spend anywhere from 100 baht to ten times that amount and have an equally enjoyable time. 

Bars in Chiang Mai

There are a diverse range of bars here ranging from quieter, more staid affairs to noisy-to-the-point-of-being-raucous bars and pubs.  Most of them crowd along the Ping River around the Nawarat Bridge or the Night Bazaar, where there is plenty of late night shopping and eating going on.  All that bargaining and carting around of laden shopping bags can make you dehydrated, and there are plenty of watering holes in the area to slake your thirst.  The Simon Chiang Cabaret famous for its dazzling live shows, entertains tens of thousands of tourists every year.  A little ahead down the Chan Klan road, there are more informal bars and coffee houses.  

Karaoke

Karaoke is a national obsession in Thailand, and Chiang Mai has plenty of Karaoke lounges for those who fancy they can carry a tune. An added attraction – pretty young hostesses will sit with you and sing along for a small hourly fee.  Needless to say, the clientele is overwhelmingly male.  For those who prefer clean, wholesome fun, the city center is lined with multiplex cinemas, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, and go-karting zones.