My GF and I are going to Vientiane for 5 days. We are looking forward to renting bicycles and visiting some of the temples and museums in the day time. However, in the evening we hope to find some good quality restaurants (either Laos food or Italian) and hopefully hit a few bars. I would appreciate any recommendations as well as information on whether there is a scaled down bar scene comparable to Pattaya. Thanks !

I would recomend you check out trip advisor website for Vientiane, they show most of the available options. Popular bars are Khop Jai Deu, Bor Pen Yang and Samlo Bar. For food, I would personally recomend Ray's Grill, try the Philly steak sandwich, it's very good indeed. A number of indian/halal restaurants are available including Taj Mahal and Nazim I have enjoyed decent meals in both. I am no longer a 'night owl' so I do not know about late night activity but I believe there is a night club situated at the Don Chan Palace hotel. I hope this is of help.

The Bor Ben Nyang seems to be the most popular "foreign type" bar in Vientiane. It is upstairs on the main road in front of the river and close to the night market. A couple of pool tables and generally pretty crowded. If you get a table/seat by the open air window, you get a good view of the sunset (fi there early enough). @Home is a "disco" i have been to a couple of times. Mainly rich locals, though will see a few embassey staff there. Not much dancing however - just loud music and drinking.

An interesting Lao restaurant is Makphet - food is okay to good, but the main draw is that they use the restaurant as a training ground for former street kids. They are both the waiters/waitresses and help in the kitchen. Service can be hit or miss. Sometimes they try too hard, but the effort is there and it is for a good cause.

Loads of great restaurants to choose from. Tripadvisors site is pretty accurate at the moment. As for bars, bor phen yang may be for you (I hate it personally) there are a few good cocktail bars wine bars music venue bars around ban mixay. Home club is ok if you want a dance and late drink