When it comes to nightlife, Chiang Mai is in many ways the anti-lbiza. And we should all hope it stays that way. Surely there’s enough raucous glitz in Bangkok and down on the islands; Chiang Mai, in contrast, serves up an entirely different social scene – cornering Thailand’s market for intimate, personal and pleasantly quirky evening forays. Forget crowned bars full of aloof fashionistas or image-obsessed clubs with interminable waits to get in. When it comes to going out, Chiang Mai feels very much like the midsized university town it is, full of welcoming watering holes of every stripe, cosy places to watch energetic live bands, and exuberant hotspots packed with friendly young folks eating, drinking, dancing and giving each other (and you?) the eye.
Down by the mighty Ping River a string of generously-sized, attractively decorated and hugely popular places serve as the focal point for many a festive evening. As is the case with many of the town’s venues, they often manage to cram in restaurants, bars, dance-floors and live bands under the same roof, yet all of them have their own unique feel. The oldest and best-loved of the bunch is surely The Riverside, which hosts several excellent bands a night and offers fast service despite being always full. The Good View is also popular and a bit more upscale. Nearby The Brasserie is home to local guitar legend Took and a string of excellent roots-rock performers. Those looking for something more mellow should check out the fine Gallery restaurant and the swinging Tha Chang Jazz Pub.
On the other side of town, near Chiang Mai University, Nimmanhaemin Road and its many lanes are liberally peppered with thriving meeting places of varying styles and moods. From energetic and fun-loving party places like Warm Up or Monkey Club to more relaxing bars like The Glass Onion and The Drunken Flower, there’s something in this funky, variegated part of town to suit almost anyone’s taste.
The one km square Old City hosts an amazing variety of options as well. There’s hip, musically-inclined spots on the northern moat road like Khan Asa, The Northgate and Rasta Art Café. The eastern side of the square features bohemian hangouts for both bohemians of means (The Tapas Bar at The House) and the more funky variety (the Little Jamaica area and Santia’s Grotto). Several great Western-run pubs also dot the landscape in the Old City, from the U.N. Irish Pub and The Queen Victoria to Tuskers and The Writer’s Club.
Recently, the crush of new luxury-class hotels have added liberal doses of class to the nighttime mix. Among them are dusit D2’s Mix Bar and The Horn Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, just to name a couple. Though tending towards the upscale, they all manage to maintain the personal warmth that makes Chiang Mai such an easy place to be – day or night.
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