Bars in Kathu.

[KarenBravo]

Am a bit bored with the nightlife in Chalong and Rawai, so, thought I'd take a look around Kathu, for a change.

From a recommendation, I went to Gina's Bar, which was OK.

Anyone else have a recommendation? All types of bars are of interest.

[tolsti]

Pop along to The Caddy Shack just after the Loch Palm entrance. Pretty friendly folk, some nutters, range of food and no parking problems. Ask for Steve

[KarenBravo]

Yes, have heard good things about that place and will definitely go.

Is there another bar around called Grizzley's, or something like that?

[LivinginKata]

Yes, have heard good things about that place and will definitely go.

Is there another bar around called Grizzley's, or something like that?

https://www.facebook.com/Grizzlyssportsbarkathu/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g297931-d6717201-Reviews-Grizzly_s_Sports_Bar-Kathu_Phuket.html

[KarenBravo]

Thanks LiK.

The owner gets a pasting in Tripadvisor, so, will definitely take a look.

The disgruntled reviewer also makes a recommendation for a bar called Boots in Bar. Anyone know it?

Edited June 5, 2016 by KarenBravo

[LivinginKata]

Thanks LiK.

The owner gets a pasting in Tripadvisor, so, will definitely take a look.

The disgruntled reviewer also makes a recommendation for a bar called Boots in Bar. Anyone know it?

Google be can your friend too... ummm advertised as Gay bar

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boots-in-Bar/1377024155870819

Edited June 5, 2016 by LivinginKata

[KarenBravo]

.......and so can Thaivisa.

Excellent. All these bars are on the same road. Will hit them all during a night out.

Edited June 5, 2016 by KarenBravo

[KarenBravo]

I don't have a problem having a drink in a Gay bar, though, it'll be just the one.

[tolsti]

The bloke from Grizzlys is as grumpy as the grumpiest grumbling grumble in town.

Boots in.. Oh dreary me.

[Roel]

The Kathu bar scene starts with the Office Bar at the corner of the traffic lights intersection right across from the gas station. Run by a Norwegian guy with his Thai wife. Has a pool table and particularly popular on Sundays for watching sports and because of the all-you-can-eat BBQ.

As mentioned Jina Bar opposite the SCB and almost next door there is another small bar. Cannot recall the official name but in Kathu it is known as Oy's Bar. Has a pool table and tend to stay open late so attracts the night crawlers who are gathering there for the well known 'last one'.

On your left hand side two doors from the Kasikorn bank a new bar opened just two weeks ago. Doesn't have a name (yet) as far as I know. There you can also turn left into Soi Hopeland (between the 7-eleven and the Kasikorn) and you will see the Usual Suspects bar on your right hand side.

Across from the left turn to Kathu waterfall on the main road the first bar on the right hand side is Boots Bar. A girly bar with one or two katoeys thrown in for good measure. Not sure if they have a pool table but would expect one. Difficult to look inside passing by as the bar is quite dark. Could be for a reason. Not a place where the locals gather to socialize.

After that there are two places that are both attracting the German speaking expats. First the Swiss run Rosti (that is more restaurant than bar) and then the Austrian run No. 1 (that is more bar than restaurant). A little further you will see Eddy's. A Dutch run place, mainly restaurant but also a gathering place for locals.

Then the already mentioned Grizzly's.

Keep driving. You pass the left turn to British International School with opposite the recently opened floating market. Then you pass the entrance to Loch Palm and there is the Caddyshack Bar on your left hand side. Mainly British people there. Has a pool table as well and it goes without saying popular at football and other sports nights.

Edited June 5, 2016 by Roel

[KarenBravo]

Thanks Roel.

I'm going to copy, paste and then print your post.

It'll be my guide on my night out next week.

[KarenBravo]

The bloke from Grizzlys is as grumpy as the grumpiest grumbling grumble in town.

Boots in.. Oh dreary me.

That may all well be true, but, I won't know unless I look for myself.

[Shot]

I don't have a problem having a drink in a Gay bar, though, it'll be just the one.

Nothing wrong with having a few beers in a happy bar.

[MyFrenU]

Central Festival in Kathu has a few good bars,I like the outside one in the atrium at the front entrance and they have some decent imported foreign beers also,there's another one at the back entrance with a big TV screen showing football that's normally got a few Thai locals in,so I'm assuming the prices must be good there?

[SooKee]

Trouble with the vast majority of these out of town bars I find is that they have about as much atmosphere as a concrete box with a few metal tables and chairs. Oh wait, that's what they are. Mostly I drive by them and see a few guys sat at tables nursing a beer and gazing into space, or gazing at the guy next to them doing the same. I would describe them as bars only in the strictest sense of the dictionary definition and not as any kind of bar I could ever work up the enthusiasm to go to. Others of course may have different needs.

Be interested to hear how you find these places. I've never considered Kathu as a place to socialise. In, eat, out mostly.

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[KarenBravo]

I'm going to go tonight, or tomorrow night, depending on the weather.

It's just for a change of scenery. I know a few guys who live in Kathu that head to Rawai and Chalong for their nights out, so, I know it's not as good as the South, mainly because there are no beach bars, sea views, or, cheap prices. Still..........it's worth a look and you always have a good time if you can speak a bit of Thai.

[SooKee]

Yah. I speak Thai fine so socialising in Thai places I've nearly always enjoyed more than the tourist type bars, especially in Chiang Mai and Hat Yai.

I do like places with a bit of atmosphere and life though. That to me is the problem with most of these concrete beer bars, beach or town based.

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[KarenBravo]

Well.........that was a totally under-whelming experience.

The Office Bar was completely empty, so, passed it by.

Had a very swift G&T in Grizzlys. Three old codgers at a table were the only patrons (and they glared at me).

The Austrian place was definitely more of a restaurant than a bar. Rode on by.

Couldn't find Boots Bar and ended up at Ginos which was fun.

Could have been the time I was there, early evening, but, very dead.

Early evening is when all the beach bars in Chalong and Rawai are at their busiest.

Doubt if I'll go again......curiosity has been satisfied. Though I'll definitely go to Ginos again if I'm in the area.

[phuketrichard]

i would think the bar scene in kathu would be dismal and you prove me right,

Most of the expats that live over the hill are either married or

old and broke to travel to anywhere else, hence why they live over there.

Since i have a good friend at Loch Palm have tried to eat at Grizzly's, most of the time they didn't have what i wanted off the menu as the owner ( took the order, then cooked the order) told me he was not busy enough to stock the ingredients.

[KarenBravo]

Kathu is a really good place to live, if you're on a budget. Plenty of cheap street-food, reasonable rents and good access to most parts of the island.

Still......the same can be said of Chalong and Rawai and with infinitely better views.

Edited June 8, 2016 by KarenBravo

[merijn]

i would think the bar scene in kathu would be dismal and you prove me right,

Most of the expats that live over the hill are either married or

old and broke to travel to anywhere else, hence why they live over there.

Since i have a good friend at Loch Palm have tried to eat at Grizzly's, most of the time they didn't have what i wanted off the menu as the owner ( took the order, then cooked the order) told me he was not busy enough to stock the ingredients.

I don't think that most expats live in Kathu because they are old or broke.

I moved to Kathu after living in Patong for 18 years just because i can't stand Patong anymore.

It is way to busy and traffic is a nightmare and only getting worse.

Kathu is still close to Patong for a night out and close to the rest of what i'm interested in. (Central etc)

Besides this i was able to buy a few rai of land in Kathu for a fraction of the price as it would cost me in Patong.

Personally i like to have a drink and a chat with my friends on a terras in Kathu early afternoon/evening without having to cross the mountain etc. (maybe i'm getting old 555 )

I noticed during the last 10 years or so that many expats moved from Patong to Kathu or other places for the same reasons.

[MyFrenU]

I used to live in the Phuket Country Club and never found a decent bar in Kathu,just head over to Patong for the night instead but a great place to live,away from all the madness and hassle I can recommend it plus Central Festival just down the road and Tops for all your shopping needs!