Favorite chiang mai night spots

[heybruce]

can we switch the discussion of this thread from favorite chiang mai night spots that if you get into specifics are in violation of the forums rules to favorite chiang mai night spots whose discussion does not violate tv forum rules then?

My favorite spots are:

-Say Hi #3 - Near JJ market. Large open air place with a roof. Pretty good Thai bands playing 99% Thai music with an occasional cover of an American song thrown in. Good food, cheap prices, and great staff. Heads up tho, most of the staff speak almost no English. (This is in no way a knock on the place or staff, just letting people know so they are prepared!)

-Time Bar - Santitam area. Use to be a small shop with decent prices and good food. The've relocated across the street. Quite large place now. Open air, mostly uncovered. Great friendly staff. Again, not much English spoken here. No band, just DJ playing Thai music.

-Interbar - This place is ok. Bands are pretty decent. Playing all American cover songs. No Thai music at all. Targeted towards tourists, but locals (both Thai and Farang frequent the place as well). Drinks are bit more expensive than you would find at primarily Thai places such as the 2 above. Example 1 Large Chang beer here is 105 THB, whereas at the Thai places you will often find promotions of *3* large Changs for 100-120 THB.

-Cafe Del Sol - Love, love, LOVE this place. Located in Boon Yoo market area. Also known as Reggae corner. Really relaxed and fun place. Music is 99% English with an occasional Thai song played towards the end of the night. Music varies from hip-hop to rock to reggae to pop. Something for everyone. Usually a crowd of people late night dancing and letting loose till the early hours of the morning. Drinks are cheaper than most tourist oriented places. Staff is absolutely wonderful. Cafe Del Sol has a well earned large following in the 20-40'something year old local expat crowd.

Places I also sometimes visit that are good, but not my favorites:

- Several bars in the same area as Cafe Del Sol. Zoe In Yellow, Heaven's Beach. Zoe has friendly staff, several guest DJ's and a large dance floor. Like Cafe Del Sol, this place usually stays rocking till the wee hours of the morning. Heavens Beach has a pretty good band. Worth checking out if you are in the area. Doesn't stay open very late. The crowd from Heavens Beach usually migrates to Del Sol and Zoe once they close. People usually bounce back and forth between these two bars all night long. On busy nights there will usually also be a large crowd outside on the Soi between them.

- 51 Club - Somewhere in the area behind Jet Yod. Good Thai band playing thai songs. Cheap prices, good food, and friendly staff. A little bit on the small side. Hard to get table if you dont come early.

Places I been meaning to check out, but haven't yet:

- Roots, Rock, and Reggae. In the same area as Cafe Del Sol/ Zoe in Yellow.

- Babylon Club. In the same area as Cafe Del Sol/ Zoe in Yellow.

- Oxide Pub. This place used to be located back behind Carefour and was pretty decent. It has since relocated to Santitam area. Almost directly across the street from the Time Bar mentioned above. Last time I drove past, it seemed *extremely* popular with the local Thais. Had a band playing, etc. Pretty large outdoor'ish place. Appeared to have alot of potential and worth checking out.

Places I am boycotting:

- Jackie Van - Outdoor late night van next to Spicy. Staff is extremely unfriendly. Several problems reported here on Thaivisa with short changing, etc. Heard many several similar stories from the local expat crowd, including a long time expat woman who told me of being punched by the male staff here. Visit here at your own risk.

- Mandalay - Tried several times to visit this place. Always try to charge me the 300 THB to enter. The times I have tried to go, I was with all my Thai coworkers. All IT professionals, well dressed in business causal attire. They have made it clear to the doorman that we will all leave if I am charged to enter. Doesn't seem to matter. 3 tries. 3 strikes. Manadalay is out

- Fabrique - Been here a couple times, again with Thai colleagues. I am aware of previous reports on Thaivisa of Fabrique charging foreigners to enter, but I've never once been asked to pay. Place is extremely packed. Music is not my type. Parking is very difficult. Have had several instances of Thai guys shoving me a bit to hard to pass by thru the packed crowd and a few too many drinks spilled on my feet. Overall not a bad place, but just somewhere I dont really want to be.

Hope this is enough to get back the thread back on track. Looking forward to hearing other's favorite spots.

-Mestizo

I obviously don't get out enough. Where is the Santitam area?

[Lizard2010]

Maybe im getting too old for this LMAO

[sarahsbloke]

I obviously don't get out enough. Where is the Santitam area?

Drive straight over the traffic lights from moat by ChaingMai Ram hospital ........ left at next traffic lights, end of that road is Santhitam area.

Many bars with university girls waiting tables, choose a bar where a girl sits with your table to pour beer.

(learn to speak and read Thai first though)

Edited May 21, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[thaiguy55]

Great post Mestizo! Thanks for the info. I've never heard of the Santitam area - sounds great. I'll have to check it out soon. Thanks for the directions sarahsbloke.

[Thaihog]

I obviously don't get out enough. Where is the Santitam area?

Drive straight over the traffic lights from moat by ChaingMai Ram hospital ........ left at next traffic lights, end of that road is Santhitam area.

Many bars with university girls waiting tables, choose a bar where a girl sits with your table to pour beer.

(learn to speak and read Thai first though)

Nice part of town to get stabbed by a jealous Thai bloke...... be warned....

[Paagai]

can we switch the discussion of this thread from favorite chiang mai night spots that if you get into specifics are in violation of the forums rules to favorite chiang mai night spots whose discussion does not violate tv forum rules then?

My favorite spots are:

...snip long list...

Hope this is enough to get back the thread back on track. Looking forward to hearing other's favorite spots.

-Mestizo

I obviously don't get out enough. Where is the Santitam area?

Santitham: You should try the strip of bars on Chang Puek Soi4 opposite the Tessaban........

Hat Tip to Mestizo - the first person on this thread to actaully mention some bars worth visiting. Plenty of other good places in Santitham too. We'll have to disagree about Mandagay though

One to avoid though is the place between the old "Time bar" and "Oxide Pub", (name escapes me) busy and cheap but the food was so disgusting even my Tai Yai companions wouldn't eat it!

I hadn't realised how old the thread was until I read the comment about the Darling Wine bar, and the fun, but sadly long since deceased Khun Deang (The ladyboy owner). Interstingly, Darling has recently changed hands again and is now well worth a visit (On Huay Kaew next to Kad Rinkham -opposite and just up from the pub).

[sarahsbloke]

Great post Mestizo! Thanks for the info. I've never heard of the Santitam area - sounds great. I'll have to check it out soon. Thanks for the directions sarahsbloke.

Forgot to say these bars all do 'promotions' last Friday for example 3 Chang Classic 139bht, 4 Chang Draught 159bht.

The girls are employed to pour drinks, men in these bars NEVER pour their own drink, the girls don't accept drinks, only tips when you leave.

I have never had a problem with any Thai guy in this area, they are there for the same reason as us, get drunk and look at the young girls.

Edited May 21, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[amexpat]

Nice part of town to get stabbed by a jealous Thai bloke...... be warned....

Based upon? Instances, cases?

Warned by girlfriend, perhaps? My GF often warns me about the dire dangers of any place that has good looking babes.

Maybe you know something to share.

[Donnyboy]

Maybe im getting too old for this LMAO

yeah you are, but looking at the pic you posted, there was a thread running about fish foot spa recently

[heybruce]

I obviously don't get out enough. Where is the Santitam area?

Drive straight over the traffic lights from moat by ChaingMai Ram hospital ........ left at next traffic lights, end of that road is Santhitam area.

Many bars with university girls waiting tables, choose a bar where a girl sits with your table to pour beer.

(learn to speak and read Thai first though)

Perhaps I do know the Santitam area, I just didn't know what it was called. To rephrase your directions, I head north from the traffic light at the Chiang Mai Ram/northwest corner of the old city, at the first traffic light if I turn right I will head towards the Chiang Puak bus station and the "back-way" to Tops Supermarket, if I turn left I go into an area with a small but popular street with a lot of young people. Is that correct?

Edited May 21, 2010 by heybruce

[wolf5370]

No one has mentiond The Guitarman (Loi Kroh other side of the Night Bazaar from hotels (except Downtown) and red light bars) which has live music, good food (still think its the best pizza in CM) and reasonable beer prices (much cheaper than InterBar - and some of the InterBar bands play there too).

Also The Garden (Old City) - and for mud floor cheap, loud music til late, then Paradise Beach.

What's the name of the night club next door to Bubbles?

Mad Dogs is good for a day time chat, grub, beer, soak up the international news and music (albeit via the HiFi) not found much in CM.

These are all expat type places (except Paradise Beach - its more of a backpacker place) - all listed for atmosphere, beer, prices - and lack of BG's.

[dave2]

wolf5730.

re ... What's the name of the night club next door to Bubbles ?... ( which closed / shut down months ago ! )

hotshots : )

dave2

[martijn12345]

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

[wolf5370]

wolf5730.

re ... What's the name of the night club next door to Bubbles ?... ( which closed / shut down months ago ! )

hotshots : )

dave2

Erm yeah that's the place. Didn't know it had closed down though I liked the place, better music than bubbles. Shame its gone. Last went before Christams I guess (sheesh that long ago!) went with some friends and Boi (Took's - of Brasserie fame - nephew). Oh well, nothing is imperminant and all that

Was buzzing then though - packed. Left at closing and most went straight into bubbles. Never charged entry there either - though nonce they did take exception to me taking half a bottle of 100 pipers in with me - 100 Baht and all was fine

Edited May 21, 2010 by wolf5370

[Danlo]

There was a little bar opposite the moat wall thingy, what was it called now, had some great nights in there.

[heybruce]

There was a little bar opposite the moat wall thingy, what was it called now, had some great nights in there.

There are about four miles of moat wall thingy, and two sides to the entire length of thingy, you may have to narrow it down a bit.

[JimShortz]

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

It used to be really popular with Thais out for a good hassle free night out and there was usually a small number of farang who weren't on the hunt for BGs. That then changed and it became full of drunk farang hitting on every girl in the place - hence the Thais abandoned it...

[sarahsbloke]

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

That's because it doesn't really get started until midnight ..... I usually arrive at 10.30-11pm to get a good table, by midnight it is packed, mostly Thais, main show starts shortly after midnight and finishes about 1.30. I didn't go last night because of curfew. Best night spot in town IMHO.

What's the Thai word for anyone who has no trouble getting girls, but finds it a major challenge to get them out the door again in the morning?

Saa-mee สามี

Edited May 22, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[Donnyboy]

There was a little bar opposite the moat wall thingy, what was it called now, had some great nights in there.

There are about four miles of moat wall thingy, and two sides to the entire length of thingy, you may have to narrow it down a bit.

next to that narrow soi thingy

[twofortheroad]

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

It used to be really popular with Thais out for a good hassle free night out and there was usually a small number of farang who weren't on the hunt for BGs. That then changed and it became full of drunk farang hitting on every girl in the place - hence the Thais abandoned it...

Nice Illusion? Now Spicey.

[wolf5370]

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

That's because it doesn't really get started until midnight ..... I usually arrive at 10.30-11pm to get a good table, by midnight it is packed, mostly Thais, main show starts shortly after midnight and finishes about 1.30. I didn't go last night because of curfew. Best night spot in town IMHO.

What's the Thai word for anyone who has no trouble getting girls, but finds it a major challenge to get them out the door again in the morning?

Saa-mee สามี

So Hot Shots isn't closed then - some confusing contradictary messages coming out here.

PS: You beat my to the samii quip

[eek]

The OP asked for recommendations on where to go for a night out in Chiang Mai, not about your private lives. Hows about keeping the thread on track.

[StevieH]

anyone who has to spend 5000 baht to have a good night out in chiang mai is doing it wrong. or perhaps they are just spending all their money on rented friends due to their gigantic lack of charm and personality.

[inthepink]

I spent 20k on a night out here once so I must have absolutely no charm or personality whatsoever.

Edited May 22, 2010 by inthepink

[whiterussian]

Dawang Tan on payday. Thats fun! Best place ever! Behind Nimen' road. More chicks than you can shake a stick at! And they aren't working girls!

[Mestizo]

Dawang Tan on payday. Thats fun! Best place ever! Behind Nimen' road. More chicks than you can shake a stick at! And they aren't working girls!

Is that the huge communist bar?

-Mestizo

[whiterussian]

Is that the huge communist bar?

yup, thats the one!, although my wife and I presume her friends (who all have degrees), dont actually realise who the pictures on the walls are of, and the significance!

Janice Joplin? - some hippy chick, Ringo Starr, Karl Marx - the usual suspects..

My wife has had two catfights there recently - always good fun. meeow! Pfft Pfft! The last one over feet being pointed at her by the gik of a man at the next door table!!

Edited May 22, 2010 by whiterussian

[Chicog]

> I He11, I even went in through the PornPing Tower Hotel washrooms to avoid the cover charge and any after-hours noodle-soup would be "American-Shared" with any girls I was with. :-))

Cheers,

Chanchao

Ki niow.

Isn't that the Thai word for "American?"

Bubbles is shut for refurbishment, but Hotshots was going strong when I was there in April. If you like THUD THUD THUD music that makes your teeth rattle.

There's a Thai place down the road before the narrow one-way bridge that was buzzing every night until stupid o'clock.

Edited May 22, 2010 by Chicog

[heybruce]

Dawang Tan on payday. Thats fun! Best place ever! Behind Nimen' road. More chicks than you can shake a stick at! And they aren't working girls!

Could you be a little more specific? There are about a hundred bars on the soi's off Nimmanhamin.

[whiterussian]

Dawang Tan on payday. Thats fun! Best place ever! Behind Nimen' road. More chicks than you can shake a stick at! And they aren't working girls!

Could you be a little more specific? There are about a hundred bars on the soi's off Nimmanhamin.

Its the biggest club in CM, if not the north of thailand. It sits on 'Prastertland' which is between the canal road and nimmen... (its where they hold the beer/food festivals/karabao also play there sometimes). Also a new barn sized club on same plot, looks like it plays golden oldies. I havent been, i must visit.

here it is: http://www.mapjack.com/?zGcyUbXVaciB

Edited May 22, 2010 by whiterussian