NYE place to be?

[deptrai]

Arriving in Chiang Mai for the first time ever on 31-Dec.   The wife and I are staying at the Le Meridien.  I'd like to go somewhere to celebrate (not at my hotel).  Is there a good place to have a few beers, watch some fireworks and maybe light off one of those Loy Krathong type lanterns?

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

In years past you could walk 5 minutes down Loi Kroh Rd. Local Frangs in front of the Lady bars putting on a huge display of tube launch rockets  in the street. This year Khrathongs will probably be banned so the Chinese Airlines can fly zero baht tourists in 24 hours a day. If we are lucky the police will allow alcohol sales until 1:00AM, as a special favor.

 

There is always the mini bar in your room at  Le Meridien.

[lordblackader]

Blue Bat at the top of the PornpIng Hotel, short distance from you, it's a roof top bar that also serves meals. You may need to book in advance. 

 

Note also that a Khrathong is a floating basket put into water. The lanterns used during Yi Peng are Khom Loi in Thai and yes, NYE is the only time outside of Yi Peng they're allowed to be released. Anywhere along the river from the Iron Bridge through to Narawat Bridge, Night Bazaar, Loi Kroh and the area around the Thaepae Gate. 

[Dipterocarp]

Le Meridien Chiang Mai  on NYE?

You might as well attend the compulsory Gala Dinner as you will be paying for it at 5999 Baht per person (not including alcohol drinks).  Been several times used to be free-flow, now you have to get a drinks package on top of that. A great event though every year the spread seems to be getting smaller and price increasing. The food is outstanding, one year they had a seared Foie Gras station, another fresh oysters from France. 

[Fore Man]

Try River Market, an excellent Western-owned Thai restaurant located on the West Bank of the Ping River adjacent to the Iron Bridge.  I’m not sure if they accept reservation requests or not, but if you arrive early and order dinner like we did, you can remain there, ordering drinks as the night latens.  Great location and a rousing crowd.  The food is excellent too.  Say hello to its owner, David Duke, a great restaurateur who operates the popular Duke’s branded eateries around the city.. Duke’s also offers the finest beef and pizza I’ve found in Chiang Mai.

[aslimversgwm]

Try Ram Bar for super cabaret show. Originally a gay bar but now attracts most everyone. It's not far from Iron Bridge where you can watch all the fireworks going off on either side of the river and the sky lanterns being launched.

6 Chareon Phrathet Soi T. Chang Klan Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, 

[scottiejohn]

57 minutes ago, aslimversgwm said:

Try Ram Bar for super cabaret show. Originally a gay bar but now attracts most everyone. It's not far from Iron Bridge where you can watch all the fireworks going off on either side of the river and the sky lanterns being launched.

6 Chareon Phrathet Soi T. Chang Klan Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, 

I assume the post was meant in jest.

 

RAM bar IS a tiny GAY bar which will be full of all the queens/Gay community etc watching the identical crap poor man's fake "Lady Boy" 40min show that is available all over Thailand any night of the week.  New Year celebration it is not!

Suggesting a Man and Wife attend such a bar, which does not even overlook the river (except over buildings), is misleading!

 

I suggest the OP disregards the above quoted stupid post and concentrates on the earlier (positive) suggestions.

 

Edited October 3, 2017 by scottiejohn

[Dante99]

3 hours ago, Fore Man said:

Try River Market, an excellent Western-owned Thai restaurant located on the West Bank of the Ping River adjacent to the Iron Bridge.  I’m not sure if they accept reservation requests or not, but if you arrive early and order dinner like we did, you can remain there, ordering drinks as the night latens.  Great location and a rousing crowd.  The food is excellent too.  Say hello to its owner, David Duke, a great restaurateur who operates the popular Duke’s branded eateries around the city.. Duke’s also offers the finest beef and pizza I’ve found in Chiang Mai.

When did David Duke buy the restaurant?

[bubba45]

For fireworks at midnight you want to be high up with a good view of the river area. Very nice firework display. I can't recall if there's a rooftop venue at the LeMeridien, but if so, use it. Or have another arranged. If you're down on the street you'll regret not having a good view. 

Live been to the once-a-month Sunday brunch in Favola restaurant in LeMeridien, and the food is excellent. If a nice meal for NYE is important, not many places will match the quality of LeMeridien. 

Finally, be aware CM is a VERY popular destination for NYE, particularly for well-to-do Thais from BKK. (They come up to see what "cold" weather is like, among other things.). As a result, traffic is more horrendous than usual. That whole week. Be aware if you want to get anywhere. 

[Gruff]

7 hours ago, lordblackader said:

Blue Bat at the top of the PornpIng Hotel, short distance from you, it's a roof top bar that also serves meals. You may need to book in advance. 

 

Note also that a Khrathong is a floating basket put into water. The lanterns used during Yi Peng are Khom Loi in Thai and yes, NYE is the only time outside of Yi Peng they're allowed to be released. Anywhere along the river from the Iron Bridge through to Narawat Bridge, Night Bazaar, Loi Kroh and the area around the Thaepae Gate. 

I liked the bar on the roof at Pornping and agree a good recommendation but i recall they only had a 'snack' type menu. Maybe different now or even for New Year but would be worth checking if you are looking for a full meal venue.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Gruff

[Jeffkp]

7 hours ago, Fore Man said:

Try River Market, an excellent Western-owned Thai restaurant located on the West Bank of the Ping River adjacent to the Iron Bridge.  I’m not sure if they accept reservation requests or not, but if you arrive early and order dinner like we did, you can remain there, ordering drinks as the night latens.  Great location and a rousing crowd.  The food is excellent too.  Say hello to its owner, David Duke, a great restaurateur who operates the popular Duke’s branded eateries around the city.. Duke’s also offers the finest beef and pizza I’ve found in Chiang Mai.

How much are you getting paid for this endorsement?

 

[deptrai]

11 hours ago, Dipterocarp said:

You might as well attend the compulsory Gala Dinner as you will be paying for it at 5999 Baht per person (not including alcohol drinks).  

I was concerned about this during the booking process.  I later confirmed (in writing) that the Gala Dinner is optional for Starwood Preferred Guests.  

[themerg]

 NightGo to Thapae Gate.

Thapae Road is closed from the bridge to Thapae Gate.

Very big market from Thaepae Gate to the bridge.

At close to midnight, there will be the launching of lanterns near the bridge.

On the Old City side of Thapae Gate is The Sunday Night Market, 10 city blocks of market.

If anything big is happening in Chiang Mai, it is at Thapae Gate.

 

Edited October 3, 2017 by themerg

[Dipterocarp]

4 hours ago, deptrai said:

I was concerned about this during the booking process.  I later confirmed (in writing) that the Gala Dinner is optional for Starwood Preferred Guests.  

I would attend the Gala anyway. It is an "all hands on  deck" event. Quite impressive setup and all the crew from check-in even the GM will be serving drinks in the ballroom. Usually an exclusive countdown party area on the Lawn with the obligatory booming bass DJ music so you can strut your stuff Lanna style. Once a year it is nice to do something "Hi-So". Last year I was ensconced in a hotel room in Korea on a job watching TV it sucked!

[Ulysses G.]

I used to love Thapae Gate many moons ago. There would be hardly anyone there and about 15 minutes before midnight, people would start arriving from all over the place. The fireworks would go off at midnight and lanterns would be launched and eventually the crowd would drift off to the bars.

Nowadays, the whole area is closed to cars most of the night and it is crowded as hell with food stalls and merchants. I find it claustrophobic. 

Edited October 4, 2017 by Ulysses G.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

On 10/3/2017 at 1:18 PM, scottiejohn said:

 

RAM bar IS a tiny GAY bar which will be full of all the queens/Gay community etc watching the identical crap poor man's fake "Lady Boy" 40min show that is available all over Thailand any night of the week. 

 

It's a 'straight-friendly' gay bar as per their website.  I think the show is quite fun, and there is no charge for it as long as you buy drinks at the bar.  Now it also doesn't strike me as 'the place to be for NYE' but overall not a bad recommendation for one of the other nights.

 

Personally I always go to the Thapae Area.  Doesn't matter if I actually get all the way there or not, anywhere along Loy Kroh for drinks and then towards the moat for the hot air balloon thing is fine for me.

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 5:58 AM, themerg said:

 NightGo to Thapae Gate.

Thapae Road is closed from the bridge to Thapae Gate.

Very big market from Thaepae Gate to the bridge.

At close to midnight, there will be the launching of lanterns near the bridge.

On the Old City side of Thapae Gate is The Sunday Night Market, 10 city blocks of market.

If anything big is happening in Chiang Mai, it is at Thapae Gate.

 

On the Old City side of Thapae Gate is The Sunday Night Market, 10 city blocks of market.

I went once, never again. It is crowded to the point of claustrophobia and they sell nothing that isn't for sale in the night bazzar or Anusorn night market at the same prices.

However, if they have a parade past Thapae Gate, could be worth it. The one I attended last year for Loy Krathong was fine.

[evenstevens]

four seasons resort maerim for this old champ.nice early arvo to all