bundoi Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurnell Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I only know the UN Irish bar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthedarkside Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 the first unhelpful post removed. any more can expect the same treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 The Mad Dog ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Dog Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Gekko near Pantip Plaza is always a great expat meet up place. Good food too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post binjalin Posted January 24, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 24, 2014 Expats not tourists - you are not a tourist? Professionals not backpackers and co - many professionals on Loi Khro 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NexusWR Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) 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. Edited January 24, 2014 by NexusWR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thighlander Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NancyL Posted January 25, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) 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. Edited January 25, 2014 by NancyL 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johpa Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Drop by the Writers Club on Ratchadamnoen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rinrada Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMKiwi Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Paul Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaikahuna Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Moon Muang Soi 1 has a few bars that are ex-pat hangouts. Nothing fancy. Kind of like a neighborhood bar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantiSuk Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 This thread is a keeper for us occasional visitors. Thanks to all contributors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petestry Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genericnic Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 You might try the Oxymoron Bar. I second Gecko though. David 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazes Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenwich Boy Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughJass Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johpa Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundoi Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 thanks for the response, sounds like no new expat professional hangouts in the last couple of years then, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 thanks for the response, sounds like no new expat professional hangouts in the last couple of years then, cheers ZERO. SSDD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senoremac Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundoi Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETDCAT Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicog Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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