Cheap beer deals?

[Adbro1]

I'm making my 4th visit to Chiang Mai in September and would like to get some knowledge on the best places to enjoy a beer.

When in CM I tend to go out most nights for a drink and to be honest,it has cost me way more than i'd like.I don't suppose it helps that I'm frequenting bar around the Loi Kroh road area 

(Before visiting CM for the first time i swotted up on the internet and was led to believe all beer was less than £1 lol)

 

So,does anyone have know of any bars or restaurants that do good deals on beer,such as 3 large bottles for 180baht(as Gekko Garden does) or just cheaper beer in general?

I'm not adverse to girly bars but I'm assuming there's cheaper beer to be found away from those places.Especially for a pushover like me who cant say not to buying lady drinks.

 

And please don't recommend 7-11,i don't want to be drunk in my hotel room all holiday :)

Edited July 15, 2017 by Adbro1

[heybruce]

Beer promotions and buffets were common in Chiang Mai a few years ago, but no more.  The Gecko Garden deal may be the best you will find close to the old city.  Dayli and a few other Thai restaurants sometimes have promotions on Chang, Leo, Singha or U-beer, I don't know what promotions are in place now.  I'm not a fan of those beers.

 

Thai places that don't cater to tourists usually have better prices than bars that cater to tourists--most beers in the 70 to 90 baht per large bottle range.  You may be the only westerner in the place, and the level of English will probably be low, but they often have awesome eye-candy.

[sqwakvfr]

I sometimes go to the Food Factory at Kuad Suan Kaew Mall.  You have to get coupons but you can get a large bottle of Leo for 70 Baht.  Most nights they have two bands playing(the first band has the Elvis Impersonator).  It is a food court but for me it is the cheapest place for beer, some live music and food.  Also, the second band starts at about 715PM and they usually play classic rock(The Eagles and some Seals and Croft).  Most nights a decent number of Westerners are present.  

[NancyL]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

I sometimes go to the Food Factory at Kuad Suan Kaew Mall.  You have to get coupons but you can get a large bottle of Leo for 70 Baht.  Most nights they have two bands playing(the first band has the Elvis Impersonator).  It is a food court but for me it is the cheapest place for beer, some live music and food.  Also, the second band starts at about 715PM and they usually play classic rock(The Eagles and some Seals and Croft).  Most nights a decent number of Westerners are present.  

The bands are pretty good and the food from the cook-to-order place near the stairs to the back end of KSK is really very good.  Nice big plate of khao phat moo with a fresh-cooked egg on top for 45 baht.  Not one of those rubber eggs cooked hours ago.  

 

Why not order a beer tower while you're grooving to the Elvis band at Kad Suan Kaew?  Life doesn't get any better than this in Chiang Mai.

 

P.S.  KKK will check in soon to report on places with cheaper prices and younger eye-candy, but you can't beat the quality of the bands and general atmosphere of early evening fun at the Food Factory.  Great way to start your weekend.

 

[tomwct]

Yes, you can get a three pack at any 7/11. Bring your own opener and have a seat. You'll have good conversation with the 7/11 customers. You can even buy an 8 baht bag of ice to keep the other two cold. So for 158 baht you can have 3 cold ones. Enjoy!

Edited July 16, 2017 by tomwct

[NancyL]

1 minute ago, tomwct said:

Yes, you can get a three pack at any 7/11. Bring your own opener and have a seat. You'll have good conversation with the 

7/11 customers. You can even buy an 8 baht bag of ice to keep the other two cold. So for 158 baht you can have 3 cold ones. Enjoy!

Some of the guys in our condo building do this in front of the little Thai-style store next to the condo.  They chat with passers-by, invite others to join them and, in general, have a good, cheap time.

[sqwakvfr]

"Why not order a beer tower while you're grooving to the Elvis band at Kad Suan Kaew?  "

 

NancyL, you drank the tower by yourself.  Now that's impressive. 

[amexpat]

2 hours ago, NancyL said:

P.S.  KKK will check in soon to report on places with cheaper prices and younger eye-candy,

 

He is the go-to guy on this subject. Right now he's probably watching the latest Michael Moore documentary but

he will be along soon. 

[NancyL]

40 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

"Why not order a beer tower while you're grooving to the Elvis band at Kad Suan Kaew?  "

 

NancyL, you drank the tower by yourself.  Now that's impressive. 

That photo wasn't me.  It is a friend.  We shared.  She just thought there was no point in putting the beer in a glass.

 

(who says we old gals don't have fun?)

[KhonKaenKowboy]

Thanks for all the compliments.  Since Trump won, I have been doing mostly boxes of fresh Heineken bottles for 815, and still have more money.  My last ones were born on 8 June.  A box of Singha runs 650. Last ones were born on 16 June.  I just about gave up on Nimman....Dayli hasn't been the same since they ditched the super freezer, that they rotated the beers through.  Lately, I think they are doing 6 Chang for 330, or 6 UBeer for 340...large...Leos are 65 each..large..everything is cool, but the beer...tired of having to make a sales pitch to get a cold one, and occasionally every bar in town will have some that are way too old.  Gecko served me one that was 11 months old one time.  Haven't been back since.  Mirror Cafe is running some pros...looks like they are trying to get people in early, because they have about three pros depending on the time...pretty cheap if in by 1900....but I think they turn the coolers off and it is just the same effort, except I know the crew at Dayli better.  Seems to be a conspiracy against Tiger, which is way more drinkable than the others.  I contacted TAP...no response...but I think you might be able to do well with Tiger cases at Makro.  The KSK thing looks tempting....but they would have to be trained to only give me a cold one, and unfortunately, many of their customers are fat, dumb, and stupid enough to sit there drinking Chang on ice.  I rarely hang out with the Duponts, Mellons, or even the McCormicks but the iced Chang bunch just ain't my kind of people.  Not to mention all the "smart, casual guys with their partners."

 

[amexpat]

Yep, since Putin and the gang took over a lot of people are drinking more.

 

What about that liquor store on Neiman where you take your purchase to tables in front of the store and watch the world go by?

Is it still operating?  I don't get to the hi-so part of town much anymore. 

Edited July 16, 2017 by amexpat
spelling

[stubuzz]

I am sure that any kind of beer advertising or promotion was banned a few years back.

[suzannegoh]

Some of the guys in our condo building do this in front of the little Thai-style store next to the condo.  They chat with passers-by, invite others to join them and, in general, have a good, cheap time.

Getting drunk in your living room can be economical too.

 

[KhonKaenKowboy]

46 minutes ago, amexpat said:

Yep, since Putin and the gang took over a lot of people are drinking more.

 

What about that liquor store on Neiman where you take your purchase to tables in front of the store and watch the world go by?

Is it still operating?  I don't get to the hi-so part of town much anymore. 

The Wicked Witch of the East lost her lease, and was exiled back to Pathum Thani. Ronald Mcdonald now sits where the older guys met up with much younger Thai men, so I guess it is still someone, who loves kids.

 

Churchill and Roosevelt both were best buddies with Stalin, who was responsible for many more deaths than Hitler. Why can't we be friends with Putin? 

[JaseTheBass]

Cube on Sirimangkalajarn Soi 7 has a happy hour for crappy Thai beer, but also sells decent beer if you love your taste buds.

Sent from my SM-T815Y using Tapatalk

[amexpat]

What "decent beer"? 

[heybruce]

4 hours ago, amexpat said:

Yep, since Putin and the gang took over a lot of people are drinking more.

 

What about that liquor store on Neiman where you take your purchase to tables in front of the store and watch the world go by?

Is it still operating?  I don't get to the hi-so part of town much anymore. 

I think KKK already answered this obliquely, but to be clear, the bottle shop with the tables and pretties is now a MacDonalds.  A huge step down.

 

Fun places on Nimmanhamin have been dropping like flies, it isn't what it used to be.  But there are still some options in Chiang Mai.

 

I'll expand on the options stuff tomorrow, I've been out doing research. However I've got to ask, to all those who suggest someone on holiday in Thailand spend his evenings in the food court of Kad Suan Kaew; seriously?

[KhonKaenKowboy]

Maybe a good place to hangout while waiting for biopsy results at RAM.

[Adbro1]

Thanks for the replies,really helpful.

I should add because of budget constraints i am sticking to Thai beer.

I probably wouldn't  drink the stuff at home but imported beer is just to pricey in Thailand.

I've been to Beer Republic and Number 1 bar because i missed porters,wheat beers and IPA's but 200-300baht for small bottles of beer is too much of a luxury for me.

Are there any Thai made IPA's ,wheat beers or stout/porters?

 

Also,where can i buy Beer Lao at reasonable price(i hear this is better than the Thai beers) and whats U-Beer like?

Edited July 16, 2017 by Adbro1

[anto]

>>Also,where can i buy Beer Lao at reasonable price<<

 

At MaeSai on the Burmese side .The best beer i have found ,that's brewed in Thailand is Federbrau .Its around B65 a large bottle at Tesco/Lotus Express .Its brewed according to the German Purity laws ,and they import the grain to make it .Has a great taste .Some bars may stock it ?

[Chiengmaijoe]

5 hours ago, stubuzz said:

I am sure that any kind of beer advertising or promotion was banned a few years back.

True, and we all know how strict Thailand is on enforcing laws.

[KhonKaenKowboy]

1 hour ago, Adbro1 said:

Thanks for the replies,really helpful.

I should add because of budget constraints i am sticking to Thai beer.

I probably wouldn't  drink the stuff at home but imported beer is just to pricey in Thailand.

I've been to Beer Republic and Number 1 bar because i missed porters,wheat beers and IPA's but 200-300baht for small bottles of beer is too much of a luxury for me.

Are there any Thai made IPA's ,wheat beers or stout/porters?

 

Also,where can i buy Beer Lao at reasonable price(i hear this is better than the Thai beers) and whats U-Beer like?

My views are similar...there is no reason to drink piss, and there is no reason to get extorted on import taxes.  Heineken and Tiger are both brewed outside of Bangkok.  And you will notice the Heineken's never exposed to light won't taste sour unlike some of the 7 and Tesco stock.  I can buy Guiness in Virginia for 50 THB per bottle....they are even going to start brewing it in Maryland.  It's pretty good, but I sure ass fookin hell am not paying 200 for one here.  I refuse the cigar extortions, too.  

Edited July 16, 2017 by KhonKaenKowboy

[stubuzz]

10 hours ago, Adbro1 said:

and whats U-Beer like?

Watery.

[orchis]

10 hours ago, Chiengmaijoe said:

True, and we all know how strict Thailand is on enforcing laws.

there is even a product placement of Beer Chiang in the latest Spiderman movie that they forgot to censor 

[anto]

Just a heads up for ''CHEERS BEER'' .Around B45 for a Large bottle at Tesco Lotus Express and quite acceptable to me at least .

[heybruce]

The OP did state that he was interested in bars, not buying beers in a store.

 

Two places that I like are Oxide, which has large Asahi for 85 baht. https://www.facebook.com/OxidePubChiangmai/   

 

And No-Bar, which has large Leo for 80 or 85 baht.  https://www.facebook.com/nobarcnx/   

 

These aren't the cheapest bars in Chiang Mai, though they are cheaper than the tourist places.  I like the ambience in these places.  They aren't hooker bars, but service is attentive and friendly.  English skills are low, and there aren't many westerners, but I don't mind.

[KhonKaenKowboy]

What is up at T Bar?  Quite a few pretties in there, but warm beer city.  It just ruins everything when you are going out specifically for several beers.

[Bill97]

Cheap beer. I remember talking about that about 40 years ago. But I do get the topic as recently read about how few males get through adolescence.

[sharktooth]

On 7/16/2017 at 10:53 AM, NancyL said:

 

Why not order a beer tower while you're grooving to the Elvis band at Kad Suan Kaew?  Life doesn't get any better than this in Chiang Mai.

 

 

 

Life doesn't get any better than this????? That is a "shit the bed" scarey comment...

[KhonKaenKowboy]

1 hour ago, Bill97 said:

Cheap beer. I remember talking about that about 40 years ago. But I do get the topic as recently read about how few males get through adolescence.

Paying more doesn't make it any better.  Drinking more of it usually does.  What is the average British pension?  20,000 THB +/-.  Most are on a budget, or they won't be living here long.  Even in snob laden Hua Hin, there is a booming business in retirement visas for the destitute...I heard it is down to 18,000...Perhaps, sitting on the edge of a busy intersection will give you the desired prestige.  I would call this a "foam sampler."  600 THB??  maybe more?  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293917-d3791445-Reviews-or10-Beer_Republic-Chiang_Mai.html#photos;geo=293917&detail=3791445&ff=249409690&albumViewMode=hero&aggregationId=101&albumid=101&baseMediaId=249409690&thumbnailMinWidth=50&cnt=30&offset=-1&filter=7