Having lived in Chiang Mai for 12 years I know that there were some excellent places for food, beer, eye candy, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Great places to go with friends or solo. Nimmanhamin used to have several such places, now they're gone. I have faith that such places are still out there, I just need to find them.
I've been to Bangkok, and it only takes a few days for the crowds, noise, pollution, etc. to get to me. There is a reason people who live in Chiang Mai don't choose to live in Bangkok. When the CMU students I taught graduated they all tried to find a job anywhere but Bangkok.