Phuket’s most popular beach resort becomes its most notorious at night. It is famous for its girly bars and there is definitely no shortage. However, if you are not out on the search for your very own oriental beauty or want a less seedy evening, then Patong does also have plenty of other non neon lit options. Bars, discos, restaurants, shopping, a stole on the beach, you name it and Patong has it.

Discos

If you are after the most progressive up to date party scene with well known DJs then Phuket is not your place. It can not compete with European, or big Asian cities on that score. If you want to have some fun though, and do some socializing, it has plenty to offer. Venues range from large air-conditioned discos to smaller bars with music and a small dance floor.

Star Club
A very large venue that has live bands or DJs playing the tunes along side a solid sound and light system. It has had many changes of name and theme over the past few years but remains a good bet. Sporting two floors to get groovy, it is located on the corner of Rat-U-Thit and Bangla roads.

Banana
Banana has a great atmosphere. The music is the usual dance, techno and pop but it has a nicely varied crowd. A popular place with local Thais, ex pats and tourists. It has a bar and restaurant downstairs and a large air-conditioned disco with a floor above overlooking the dancers.

It is located next to Bangla Road on the main Beach Road. The entrance fee will buy one drink.

Safari
Saffari has had a little more than the usual Thai effort at interior design. An open air location, with a lagoon and plenty of foliage giving a very tropical, jungle atmosphere. It follows a fun, manly prehistoric theme and has a good light and sound system. There is an area for live music and plenty of small, quieter seating areas to eat or relax away from the dance floor. The music is supplied from either a DJ or live band and there are special shows on Tuesday and Thursday.

Safari is located out of town on the road to Karon. It is a popular pot with locals as well and later in the evening can get quite busy with some interesting characters.

Dragon
The disco is a large space made to feel light your inside a cave. It has a level elevated above the dance floor which is the best spot to see the actually quite impressive laser light show. In front of the disco there is a collection of bars and a separate section with pool tables which resemble a kind of entertainment complex.

The main disco costs 100 baht to get in and includes one drink. To find it look out for tiger skin girls on Soi Easy, Bangla road.

Tai Pan
This place is at the end of Bangla Road on Rat-U-Thit Road. A fun lively vibe with either a live band or DJ.

Tan Pan Bar
one of the top rated night spots in the area. Popular with locals and tourists. The music is usually good and varies, sometimes with guest musicians performing. It usually only really gets going later on in the evening. Many free-lance “working” ladies as well as local party girls come here.

It is next to VIP in Soi Bangla

Crocodile
A new disco on Soi Crocodile

Baya Beach
A very small venue that has one long bar along its center. It is located at the end of Bangla Road on Rat-U-Thit road

Starwars
Running with an inter-galactic theme from the famous film series this new disco has a huge dance floor and a fantastic sound and light system.

The Beach
A popular spot with the younger crowd, this disco is well established and is located at the bottom of the Paradise Hotel Tower.

VIP Bar and Disco
A nice friendly place, and a good spot for people watching. It has an outside seating area and large dance floor. The resident DJ plays the tunes and happy hour until midnight helps get the vibe going and fill out the dance floor.

Beer bars

Along the main strip on Bangla road and its side streets you will find an endless selection of places to sink a glass or two of your chosen brew. Some bars have some kind of unique theme to entice you in, where as most keep it simple. Have a stroll and see what (or who) catches your eye.

Recommended are Kangaroo Bar and U2. They always have a bit of life to them and you will have a good night. There are plenty others within staggering distance though

Sports Bars

You may be in your tropical paradise, but you do not have to worry about missing your favorite team play. In the area there is a selection of bars showing all the major international sporting events like football, rugby, F1, etc. Most have pool and darts available, some with regular competitions.

A few places to mention include Champs on Soi Kepsap, Heroes (Sawatdiral road) Amigos, Football Crazy and Lek Murphys.

Live Music

Most of the live music you will hear will be cover bands playing all the well known international hits, old and new. There are good new bands , playing original music in Thailand, but at Patong beach most venues will stick to the safe and trusted formula.

Scruffy Murphy’s and Molly Malone’s have good bands that perform to a lively crowd. 2 black sheep also has a good band and a fun evening is guarantied. Tai Pan, Safari and Star Club have a live band when the DJ is not playing. Very popular with the locals is a spot called relics on Soi Namyen. A good filipino band performs at The Port at Banthai Beach Resort and draws a good crowd.

Live Musicals in Patong

All sharing the ability to dazzle and amaze, Patong beach has many different shows on offer. From the cabaret, transvestite shows, featuring beautiful “ladies” singing and dancing to aerial ballet and elephant circuses. The choice is yours. Prepare to have your senses dazzled and enjoy the glitz and glamour.

Phuket Fantasea
This large scale theme park has won several awards from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. the most noteworthy are Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award for 3 years in a row (2000-2003).

Included within the 140 acres are handicraft demonstrations and performances, carnivals and traditional games, cultural and street shows, the shopping village and enchanted festive Village, Golden Kinnaree restaurant, Fantasy of the kingdom and the culture-illusion stage show.

Its is located near the village of kamala bay, about 4 kilometers North of Patong. The venue is made in the style of the historical Sukothai temples. Together with state of the art light and sound the atmosphere is truly enchanting.

A hybrid of an Las Vegas style show and a display of Thai cultural traditions it is a bizarre, extraordinary and unforgettable experience. It is also very well put together with strange magical stage performance using the latest technology to blow your mind and challenge your perceptions. On stage elephants disappear in front of your eyes. There is gymnastics, musical fountains, a circus and much much more.

The costs including dinner are 1600 for adults and 11000 for children. With out dinner it cost 1100 and 800 respectively. For reservations and more information call 076385111 or visit www.phuket-fantesea.com. It is open daily except Thursday from 5.30pm to 11.30pm. The main show is on at 9.00pm.

Simon Cabaret
Yes folks, these beautiful ladies you see before you are, or at least used to be men. There perfect figures are enough to fool most people and the musical song and dance cabaret they perform is second to none. This company produces the slickest, most spectacular cabaret show on Patong beach.

Paradise Complex
A more informal atmosphere than the Simon Cabaret show. In the Paradise Complex you will find many small shows put on in different bars on the complex. To catch the shows it is best to be here after 10pm. Usually with no cover charge, this area is getting increasingly popular with locals and tourists alike. It is a center for gay and lady boys of Patong but good fun for anyone

Girly Bars
The seediest area on Phuket island, Patong beach can also be one of the most fun after dark. The area around Soi Bangla fills with ladies and Lady boys after dark. Each with there own agenda and temptation for frequenting male tourists. Even for the non-seasoned sex tourist, couples and those who just want a fun night out with out extras Patong’s night time scene can be fun and always entertaining. People watching anyone?

Thai Beer bars
Patong is full of this style of drinking bar. Beer, girls, fellow drinkers and the option of finding some company for the remainder of the night. They all come with pretty hostesses serving drinks or simply encouraging you to drink and buy them drinks. These girls, more often than not, are not employed directly by the bar, but will receive commission for drinks bought for them and will earn money from personnel services offered outside the bar.
This type of bar is very common, all offering basically the same set up. The girls will try their best to entice passing potential customers in. Often calling or running out into the street full of flirtatious smiles. The hostesses are always keen to give a friendly greeting and happy to chat and flirt with all customers. Even if you arrive as a couple or intend to go home alone at the end of the night you will still be welcomed and encouraged to have a fun evening and to keep the drinks flowing.

Go Go Bars

A variety of styles, these famous (or infamous) feature of Patong all share a common theme. Ladies, some naked, some part naked, some putting on shows. All geared towards entertaining the male cliental but open for anyone. Most bars feature girls, with varying levels of interest and skill, dancing, gyrating and stripping on a stage with several shiny, chrome poles, running from floor to ceiling.

These venues attract a variety of cliental. It can be tacky, disgusting and downgrading or sexy, fun and entertaining depending on your point of view. It not just drooling men that frequent these bars, couples are welcome, the atmosphere is not too serious or oppressive.

Most the girls performing offer one to one services if requested. If you and your chosen beauty decide to leave the bar you have to pay a bar fine. Make sure you and your lady for the evening both know what is expected from each other and what services will be provided and for what cost.

Most Go Go bars are located around Soi Bangla in Patong. Below is a list of some of the longer running venues.

Rock hard A-Go-Go
One of the best known Go-Go bars in Patong. It is a popular place and the action is not too extreme so appeals to coupes as well. The girls are stunning, the music pretty good and there is food available. It has the option of eating on street-side seats. Ideal for people watching or having a break from the entertainment. It is open until the early hours and the entertainments kicks off around 8pm. It is located towards the top of Soi Bangla.

Flash A Go-Go
A very small bar that becomes very packed. The shows here do not hold much back. There is no changing room, the girls simply get changed next to the punters. This place is a popular place with the locals as well as tourists. It is located at the end of Soi Eric.

Playschool
Naughty girls in school uniforms, a theme repeated through out many of Thailand’s Go-Go bars and part of more than a few male fantasy's, dance to Pop hits from the last 30 years of English music.

Andaman Queen A-Go-Go
You can find this place at the end of Soi Eric, Bangla Road. A popular venue and good show.

Valhalla
A very much hands on location. More than simply a Go-Go bar. This place has a swimming pool, accommodation, entertainment, floor shows, wet T shirt competitions and more. The main shows and entertainment start late in the night. If this is your thing, it is a place to bring your fantasy’s too life.

My Way
A gay Go-Go bar with excellent shows every night. This venue has an open amiable atmosphere and has a regular crowd. Lots of dancers to keep all entertained. It is found in Soi 5 Paradise Complex.

Tangmo A Go Go
Another gay Go-go bar which has cabaret shows twice weekly and plenty of other entertainment the rest of the time. It has a main stage and several small stages. It is also in the Paradise Complex.

Beach Bars

Most of the Bars in Patong are not actually located on the beach. Generally all the after dark activity happens off the main street, slightly back from the beach. To the South, past Loma Park there is a row of several restaurants come bar set ups. All have similar selection of food and drink. On offer is the usual selection of Thai and western dishes, beer and cocktails. Starting from Bangla Road if you walk along the beach you will not miss them.

Sophisticated Bars

If you want a break from the tacky, sleazy bars that are the main stay of Patong then there are a few options offering a bit more class and refinement. For plush decor, decent wine and extravagant cocktails to enjoy away from the rif-raf here are a few options.

Baan Rim Pa
It is located on the coast road North of Patong.

Corsicana
A new restaurant on Rat-U-Thit Road.

La Diva
Another new addition, also on Rat-U-Thit Road.

Live shows and cabaret

Phuket Simon Cabaret
The Phuket Simon Cabaret show, mentioned earlier, is the best produced lady boy show in Patong. Beautiful “ladies” with spectacular costumes, singing and dancing. A very popular show, busy every night.

Sphinx Restaurant and Theatre
A more low key venue, but still very good and worth seeing. It runs shows of song and dance twice a week. A small, but impressive show alongside some good food. It is located on Rat-U-Thit Road.

Moulin Rouge
At the end of Soi Katoey, the Moulin Rouge has regular cabaret shows

Soi Paradise
Many of the bars here put on cabaret shows

Karaoke bars

You can find Karaoke bars all over Thailand. This includes Patong. They are not so often visited by tourists, but for those who want to experience a very Thai evenings entertainment they can be good fun. Some double up as a brothel and most have pretty hostesses serving drinks, having a sing and keeping the male cliental entertained (possibly with a more personal service on offer if requested). There will usually be some well known English language songs available so all can join in and enter the spirit. Karaoke bars are usually smallish simple establishments. They are easily spotted by the coloured flashing fairy lights strung up outside.

Unusual entertainment

Nicky’s Handlebar
A biker bar with a easy, relaxed vibe thats happy for bikers and non-bikers alike to pull up a stool and have a beer. Guys drive their Harley’s right up into the bar. Also within the establishment there is an area selling leather goods, a garage for repairing bikes, a tattoo parlor and pool table. Everything a biker could ask for.

Rasta Pub
After passing a row of endless beer and go-go bars along Soi Seadragon there is a small bar with plenty of reggae music and dreadlocks on show.

VW van bars
Small bars in a mobile form. Colourful, fun and unique bars operating from the side of VW vans. Ran by local people and usually good value, these little bars by there nature have no fixed location. They are usually found near Bangla Road or Rat-U-thit Road.

Non bar entertainment

If you have had enough of the seedy bar scene or want a change of pace here are a few other options.

Night Markets
Spa and massage
Shopping centers
Muy Thai fighting (thai boxing)
Bungy jumping
Cafe relaxing
Bowling

Pubs and Bars

Bangla road and surrrounding area

This is the heart and soul of Patong’s nighttime activities. Here you will find everything you expect, and a few things you do not. Shopping, restaurants, entertainment and lots and lots of bars. Compared to the surrounding lanes and streets, most of the bars you will encounter along Bangla Road are relativity established, larger and more refined establishments.
This area really does get going when the sun goes down. Pick a perch in one of the many bars open to the street. Sit back with a beer and friend and enjoy the show. The choice of where to go is endless and really its best to set off and see which place takes your fancy.
One recommendation is U2 bar which is conveniently located opposite the transvestite show in Soi Gonzo. You can watch all the goings on from a safe distance.

Soi Eric

This place is a unique setting due to an unprecedented level of cooperation between different bar owners. The usually way it works in Thailand is each bar will blast out their choice in music regardless of what is being played a few meters away by their neighbour. the result is that wherever you are sat you will be able to hear several different songs, all competing for your ear space. Here on Soi Eric all the bars play the same tunes at the same time. This means that the overall atmosphere is more relaxed with out the continuous barrage of conflicting sounds that is experienced elsewhere.
On Soi Eric there is also food and coffee available from any bar you chose to sit in.

Soi Sea Dragon

On this street you can find go-go bars, beer bars, a Rasta pub, tattoo parlours and a foot massage center is unwind after too much dancing. Soi Sea Dragon is a spacious street. The go-go bars are found at both ends. In the middle you will find the usual collections of beer bars and the anomaly within the group, the small Rasta pub can found at the end of street.

Soi Gonzo and Andaman Queen

Similar attraction to the rest of the streets. This street has some pretty lady boys dancing on podiums at the entrance to the street. Often a very busy street and plenty of opportunities to get a drink and meet some beautiful people. When taking photos of the street dancers you may be asked to pay. Best check first or be sneaky.

Tai Pan Bar and Disco

At the top of Soi Bangla this is one of the number one spots in Patong. A large dance floor that really gets going late at night, along with good music from live DJ’s, bands or guest musicians keeps this place packed and rocking into the small hours. Popular with locals on a night out. Many working girls also come here.

The Expat
The Expat is indeed often full of ex pats. Opposite is the Expat Hotel. This bar serves as a watering hole for it’s guests. Good draught beer and a meeting place for other like minded folk. A running and drinking group known as the hash house harriers meet here every Saturday afternoon for an island run followed by a few drinks. You will find it on Soi Sunset

Scruffy Murphy’s
An Irish bar with good real pints of draught guiness and other good beers. They usually have some good tunes from an Irish fiddle band. It is located at the bottom end of Soi Bangla.

Loui’s Bar
Sports, usually football, is screened on their TV’s and there are playstation games. A British pub with British entertainment. It is on Soi Sunset.

VIP Bar and Disco
A large busy venue with a packed neon lit dance floor. With happy smiley staff, happy hour running until midnight and good tunes being played by the resident DJ it draws in the crowds. It also has a seating area outside. It is at the top of Soi Bangla.

argarita
A nice, slightly more laid back venue. Good for couples and singles, slightly away from the usual, frantic Patong vibe. The music is good. It includes blues, old soul and British pop from back in the day. Good service and a convenient location for observing the various characters passing on the street. It is on the corner of Soi Bangla opposite Rock Hard.

St Malo
Sorts bar with live football on a large screen and four pool tables. They often run pool tournaments, usually with real cash prizes.

Vegas Thai Boxing Stadium
A fun venue with a Muy thai (thai boxing) ring in the center. It has show fights every night by their usual fighters. Not quite the same as a real Muy Thai competition but good entertainment. The fights start at 9pm. There is no cover charge to enter. It has lots of small bars to sit at, in an open space surrounding the ring.