I'll be in Chiang Mai for a couple of weeks soon, and I'm sure it's changed quite a bit since my last sojourn in that delightful city. Rather than tramp the streets or the internet reviews, can anyone recommend a good expat bar or two - especially anything that might have opened in the last couple of years...along the lines of...

Expats not tourists

Professionals not backpackers and co

Maybe some intellectual or arty activities

Not raucous

Over 40

thanks in advance

I only know the UN Irish bar

the first unhelpful post removed. any more can expect the same treatment.

The Mad Dog ?

Gekko near Pantip Plaza is always a great expat meet up place. Good food too.

Number 1 Bar - Loh Kroh

Be interesting to see what else comes in for this, I'm still fairly new here and good expat bars seem very thin on the ground (I used to own a large sports bar in Bangkok, nothing even remotely comparable to that here. Yet..).

Never has been. Only wannabes. Not saying that there aren't a few good watering holes but nothing that rates as a true sport bar.

Expats not tourists - you are not a tourist?

Professionals not backpackers and co - many professionals on Loi Khro

Take a look at the Downunder bar located on Loi Kroh between the night bazaar and the steel bridge about half way. Never been in it but walk by it several times and the customers sitting by the window or smoking out side seem like a friendly lot. Many say hello as you walk by. Mostly Rugby and Football.

Take a look at the Downunder bar located on Loi Kroh between the night bazaar and the steel bridge about half way. Never been in it but walk by it several times and the customers sitting by the window or smoking out side seem like a friendly lot. Many say hello as you walk by. Mostly Rugby and Football.

I've watched cricket there and confirm they are a friendly lot (even though they were all Aussie and I was supporting England) and the staff are cool too - Also their pool table was the best I played on in CM in my 2 months there.

I do like the UN bar as well, it was my first choice when watching sport - If they had a pool table I would have been there a lot more often.

Gekko near Pantip Plaza is always a great expat meet up place. Good food too.

My beer was over a year old, the one time I went in there. Seemed like a decent place, but I gotta have fresh beer.

Where did the OP say he was looking for a sports bar? I saw something about "intellectual or arty activities".

Sangdee Gallery over in the Nimman area, also North Gate Jazz Co-op in the old city are two places I know local expats, over age 40, go for both intellectual and arty activities -- plus some wine/beer and a good time.

Use the Red Lion myself, Loy Khro just past burger king going towards the river. Yes it is very popular with tourists but there are a number of ex pats who go there. Rather shocked at the price hike for chang at O'Malley's in the Anusarn last night up to 75thb a small bottle, Last year I am sure it was 60thb.

Drop by the Writers Club on Ratchadamnoen.

Would also agree with Red Lion.

Never had a bad pint (thanks Rose) and almost always end up chatting with someone..tourist,expat,excape committee member...refugee

Gave up on O-Ms about 2 years ago just didn't feel right and not fussy about UN either.

No 1 off LK not bad/friendly and the new Base Line Pub seems quite interesting with good set up.but beer never really cold enough.

CM Saloon also good for meeting and talking although a wee bit " backpackery" but always nice crowd.

Gekko worth a mention as is the "Pub" although must admit never actually made it over to that part of town...une jour...

I'll vouch for the Downunder sports bar too. Stu is the owner, genuine nice guy and the place rocks when live Rugby League or Rugby Union is on. Havent been there for a while tho, mainly cause I live out in Mai Rim now. But I had many a good time there...get a few tourists there but not a great deal. Mainly visiting Kiwi's and Okers who want to catch a game.

And yes he has a very good pool table.

I'll vouch for the Downunder sports bar too. Stu is the owner, genuine nice guy and the place rocks when live Rugby League or Rugby Union is on. Havent been there for a while tho, mainly cause I live out in Mai Rim now. But I had many a good time there...get a few tourists there but not a great deal. Mainly visiting Kiwi's and Okers who want to catch a game.

And yes he has a very good pool table.

Downunder is my home away from home

Moon Muang Soi 1 has a few bars that are ex-pat hangouts. Nothing fancy. Kind of like a neighborhood bar.

This thread is a keeper for us occasional visitors.

Thanks to all contributors.

1.Johns place on Moon Muang near the Top North Hotel,

2.Boy Blues Bar, at Kalara Market next to the Night Bazzar, An excelent place monday nights from 9pm for music jamming.

3. The Pub, Huay Kaew Road.

Hope this helps you a bit.

You might try the Oxymoron Bar.

I second Gecko though.

David

Interesting that only one person, a woman, actually answered the OP's request ....nearly all the other places mentioned are not the kinds of places you would go for a quiet drink and hope to have an intelligent conversation. The Downunder place looks positively spooky at night from the outside. Like something from a "noir" movie. Chiang Mai Confidential.

You could try the new place, just around the corner from Downunder. It's called Compass. (Used to be West, near Hillside 4). Not a bar as such, but West used to have a good menu.

Depending on your definition of intellectual but the Chiang Mai Bridge Club (and chess) are normally around 3 or 4 times a week at The Pub on Huay Kaew. Usual TV and booze.

Ex Pat and definitely over 40.

No doubt someone will be along to tell you how bad the traffic is from the city but should only be 20B in a songtaew.

go on these sites on FB if your looking for stuff to keep u entertained while in CM

What, Where, When - Chiang Mai

What's On Chiang Mai!

What's Happening in Chiang Mai

1.Johns place on Moon Muang near the Top North Hotel,

A few months ago I walked past John's Place and, I kid you not, there sitting on a bar stool was an old geezer with a small tablet device posting on to ThaiVisa.

thanks for the response, sounds like no new expat professional hangouts in the last couple of years then,

cheers

thanks for the response, sounds like no new expat professional hangouts in the last couple of years then,

cheers

ZERO. SSDD.

Gecko is the hands down winner for your requirements.

Expats can be found sitting at the bar and the talkative guy's name is Rudy who owns the place.

Give the lasagna a try

Ty senoremac - is that Gekko's on the corner of Sri Donchai Rd and Kamphang Rd - nearly opposite the Imperial Maeping Hotel.

Or is it something near Gecko bookshop?

Ty senoremac - is that Gekko's on the corner of Sri Donchai Rd and Kamphang Rd - nearly opposite the Imperial Maeping Hotel.

Or is it something near Gecko bookshop?

It is opposite the Imperial Maeping Hotel.

Gecko is the hands down winner for your requirements.

Expats can be found sitting at the bar and the talkative guy's name is Rudy who owns the place.

Give the lasagna a try

Take usual precautions for mossies though.