Phuket's nightlife is actually quite diverse and spread across different parts of the island. In Patong, there's Bangla Road, a noisy street lined with clubs, live bands, and go-go bars that stay open until 4 a.m. I've been there myself, and while it's chaotic, it's definitely entertaining for an evening out. Personally, I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, the kind of place where the locals go. On Phuket, that means Phuket Town to me, just 30 minutes from Patong. There you'll find small bars with live music from Thai bands, jazz, craft beer, and cocktails, and the clientele is predominantly Thai.

Between Bang Tao and Rawai, beach clubs offer DJs and sun loungers at sunset, Kata and Karon entice visitors with small bars that close earlier, and Rawai boasts rooftop terraces overlooking the south coast. Below you will find information on each area, recommended bars in Phuket Town, prices, and your return journey.

Where to stay in Phuket

This route ends in Phuket. Search for hotels in Phuket for your travel dates or narrow your search to the region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.

Open Booking.com with your travel dates · also on Expedia · Trip.com

My recommendations in every price category in Phuket

  • Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket · Luxury · 5 stars · 4.7 (6,964)
  • Soul Villas By The Beach · Mid-range price · 4 stars · 4.9 (424)
  • Isara Boutique Hotel and Café · Budget · 3 stars · 4.7 (640)

    • Key facts

    Patong for a big night out, Phuket Town for a cozy evening with locals

    Bangla Road is the party mile. In the bars of Phuket's old town, you'll mainly find Thais, and nobody begs at the entrance.

    The bars close around 1:00–2:00 am, Bangla at 4:00 am.

    Licensed establishments in Patong zones are allowed to stay open until 4:00 AM. Most bars in Phuket Town close between 1:00 and 2:00 AM, and earlier in Kata and Karon.

    Sunset first

    Beach clubs and rooftop terraces are at their most beautiful from around 5:00 PM. Sunset occurs between approximately 6:05 PM and 6:50 PM, depending on the month.

    Access between the areas

    It takes about 30 minutes to get from Patong to Phuket Town, and about 45 minutes from Patong to Bang Tao. A Grab ride from Kata to Patong costs 300–400 baht, and from Kata to the old town 350–450 baht.

    You must be at least 20 years old to be allowed to drink alcohol.

    In Thailand, the legal drinking age is 20, and clubs are allowed to ask for ID. On Buddhist holidays, regular bars and shops are prohibited from selling alcohol.

    Pay attention to the bill, not just your bag.

    Offering drinks to women, inflated bills, and tricks with change are common in Patong's bars. Pay per round and carry small bills.

    Patong and Bangla Road

    Bangla Road is the island's party mile, located 400 meters inland from Patong Beach. It's closed to traffic from around 6:00 PM and is busiest between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Here you'll find the large Illuzion club, live rock bands at New York, sports bars, and the go-go bars in Soi Seadragon. A beer in a typical bar costs around 80–140 baht. My tip: Pick a bar, have a beer, and move on if you don't like it. And be aware that the baristas will ask you to buy them a drink that costs more than yours.

    Away from the main street, Patong offers the Sunset Beach Bar KYMA right on the beach, the rooftop bar FLYO with views over the city, and the Malika Sky Bar on the hillside in the north, where cocktails cost 320 baht plus a 10% service charge and 7% VAT. The Paradise Complex is Patong's hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife, featuring bars and a drag cabaret.

    Where locals in Phuket Town drink

    These bars aren't from my own pub crawls. They're listed in our records and all have a rating of 4.5 or higher. The reviewers describe a predominantly Thai or mixed crowd, not just tourists. Most are located in the old town, just a few streets apart, and are easily accessible on foot.

  • 1. The Column, Takuapa Road – The perfect place to start. A bar where half the clientele is local, prices are mid-range, and you won't be barged in from the street. The atmosphere builds throughout the evening: at 8:00 PM you can enjoy a relaxed drink and conversation, and at 11:00 PM the party begins. Open daily from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Best time to visit: 8:00 PM if you want to chat. The Column Phuket, 4,7 (1,875), $$$$, daily 6:00 PM–1:00 AM. Directions
  • 2. Ther, Ongsimphai Road – A Thai Night Out. A neighborhood bar with a mostly local crowd, live music (mainly Thai songs mixed with English) and typical Thai offerings (around 1,650 baht for two bottles of whiskey with mixers). The bar starts filling up around 11:00 PM and stays open until 2:00 AM. Best time to visit: After 11:00 PM, with friends. Ther 4.7 (634) $$$$ Daily 6:00 PM–2:00 AM Directions
  • 3. Sally Phuket Old Town, Phuket Road. Thai pop music to sing along to. Predominantly Thai crowd, live Thai pop band with regulars singing along, delicious whiskey sours, and bar snacks like fish cakes and fried chicken skin. Open from 6:30 pm to 1:00 am. Sally Phuket Old Town. 4,7 (116). Daily 6:30 pm–1:00 am. Directions.
  • 4. Bebop Live Music Bar, Yaowarat Road: Jazz music almost every night in a larger, new space, good cocktails at moderate prices, and a crowd of expats, locals, and travelers. Open from 6:00 PM, weekends from 3:00 PM until midnight. Bebop Live Music Bar, 4,7 (495), $$$$, Mon.–Fri. 6:00 PM–12:00 AM, Sat.–Sun. 3:00 PM–12:00 AM. Directions
  • 5. So What Bar, Talat Yai – Blues and Rock. A small, alternative bar featuring solo artists and bands, primarily blues, and reasonably priced cocktails. A place where guests can easily while away the hours. Open from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM. So What Bar Phuket Town, 5.0 (111), daily 6:00 PM–1:00 AM. Directions
  • 6. Chit Hole Phuket Brewery, Takuapa Road. Craft beer. A brewery with an attached pub serving its own hoppy beers. Sample different varieties before deciding and enjoy the free pool table. Cozy, neighborhood pub atmosphere. Open 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Chit Hole Phuket Brewery, 49 (346), daily 4:00 PM–1:00 AM. Directions.
  • 7. Dibuk House, Yaowarat Road – A top-notch cocktail bar featuring local specialties, where the bartenders explain each drink. The most popular drink is the OG Milk Punch. Open from 6:30 pm to 1:00 am. Dibuk House, 4,8 (387), Mon.–Tue. 6:30 pm–1:00 am, Thurs.–Sat. 6:30 pm–1:00 am, Sun. 6:00 pm–1:00 am. Directions
  • 8. Rhythm Social Bar, Tilok Uthit Road. Live music and DJs, vintage decor, rotating live music and DJ sets, and cocktails that impress even bartenders. On good nights, it's crowded and the clientele is smartly dressed. Open from 7:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Best time to visit: Late, as a last stop. Rhythm Social Bar, 48 (462), daily 7:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Directions.
  • 9. Mad Hog Tavern, Yaowarat Road. This cozy, slightly run-down pub with mainland prices and a mixed crowd of locals and tourists opens at 10:00 AM. There is no staff on the premises. Thanks to its early opening time, it's the perfect spot for a cold beer after a morning exploring the Old Town. Mad Hog Tavern (Mad Hog Phuket) 4.3 (2,265) $$$$ Daily 10:00 AM–12:00 AM. Directions

    • Sunset: Beach clubs and rooftop terraces

    Phuket's west coast offers breathtaking sunset views. On Bang Tao Beach, you'll find the legendary Catch Beach Club, with its white, west-facing sunbeds and a DJ who turns up the music as the sun sets. Sunbeds in the front row cost at least 4,000 baht for one person or 8,000 baht for two – all for food and drinks. Carpe Diem, on the same beach, is a mid-range alternative, open from 11:00 AM to midnight. Café del Mar is located in Kamala.

    For a rooftop bar, Malika, overlooking Patong Bay, is a good option and opens at 5:30 pm. Reflections at The Nai Harn in Rawai opens even earlier, at 5:00 pm, with live music and a happy hour. Baba Nest, southeast of Phuket Town, is famous for its breathtaking views, but it has a minimum spend of around 1,000 baht per person and is only open between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. It's best to visit one of these bars about half an hour before sunset.

    Kata, Karon and Rawai

    You'll find quieter evenings on Phuket's southwestern beaches. In Karon, there's "Inspired," a small, owner-operated cocktail and wine bar on Koktanod Road, open from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM; the rooftop terrace of "Halo," offering sunset views and bar food from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; and the Fira Beach Club for a relaxed evening. Bars and beach restaurants in Kata close earlier than those in Patong. Rawai and Nai Harn are popular with both locals and expats, offering sunsets and seafood rather than long nights.

    The best-rated hotels in Phuket

    Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Phuket. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.

  • #2SAii Laguna Phuket 4.7 (5,335 reviews) A beachfront resort on Bang Tao Beach with a relaxed lagoon setting within the Laguna Phuket complex. Check prices
  • #3 Banyan Tree Phuket 4.8 (4,448 reviews) Award-winning luxury resort in northern Phuket, known for its villas with private pools and an exceptional spa. Check prices
  • #4 Kalima Resort & Spa 4.7 (4,782 reviews) A hillside resort in Patong with an infinity pool, spa, artificial beach, and highly praised staff and restaurant. Check prices

    • Markets, shows and Muay Thai

    Not every great night out in Phuket takes place in a bar. The pedestrianized Lard Yai Street on Thalang Road in the Old Town is open Sundays from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the container stalls of Chillva Market offer live music from 7:00 PM Monday to Saturday. The Simon Cabaret in Patong presents shows at 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 9:00 PM, and the Bangla Boxing Stadium hosts Muay Thai events several times a week during the high season.

    Phuket nightlife by district

    A cocktail in a bar in Phuket Town costs only a fraction of what you would pay in a beach club or on the rooftop terrace of a resort, where 320 baht plus service charge and VAT is the norm.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about nightlife in Phuket.

    Yes, and more diverse than its reputation would suggest. Bangla Road in Patong is the hotspot for loud nightlife until 4 a.m., Phuket Town offers small bars with live Thai and jazz music and a predominantly local crowd, and the west coast beckons with beach clubs and rooftop terraces perfect for enjoying the sunset.

    Phuket Town. Bars like Ther, Sally, and The Column attract mostly Thai or semi-Thai guests and offer live music from Thai bands as well as bottle service. In the old town, you can find jazz at Bebop, blues at So What, and craft beer at Chit Hole.

    Patong is the perfect place for the biggest party nights, Phuket Town offers a cozy, local atmosphere, and Bang Tao beckons with beach clubs at sunset. Those staying in Kata or Karon will also find quieter bars, accessible from Patong via Grab for 300–400 baht.

    Licensed establishments in Patong's entertainment zones are allowed to remain open until 4:00 AM; this regulation has been in effect since December 2023. Most bars in Phuket Town close between 1:00 and 2:00 AM, and beach clubs close around midnight.

    Sunset at a beach club in Bang Tao or on a rooftop terrace like Malika or Reflections, followed by dinner and then a jazz or cocktail bar in the old town. Those who are curious can explore Bangla on foot, but it's best to do this early in the evening.

    Patong is ideal for those seeking clubs, a lively atmosphere, and long nights. Phuket Town, on the other hand, offers live music, good cocktails, and an authentic, local crowd – all without pushy vendors. Both towns can be reached in about 30 minutes using Grab.

    Yes. The Paradise Complex in Patong is the LGBTQ+ center of the island with bars, clubs and a drag cabaret.

    Take a Grab or Bolt. From Kata to Patong it costs about 300–400 baht and to the old town 350–450 baht, while tuk-tuks charge more for the same route. You shouldn't ride a scooter after consuming alcohol.

    Compare prices on the major booking portals and filter for rooms with free cancellation if you want to book now and decide later.

  • Compare prices on different websites.
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

    • Compare prices on Booking.com

    Compare prices on Trip.com

    We may receive a commission for bookings made through these links – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.

    You might also like this

    Bangkok travel guide

    A city with three zones and a river – once you understand the structure, everything else falls into place.

    Chiang Mai City Guide

    A walled square, a mountain, and the best value for money for good living in Thailand – if you know the calendar.

    Things to do in Bangkok

    Ten experiences worth traveling to – sorted by rank, price and time, so you can experience each one at the best time.

    Things to do in Chiang Mai

    Twenty-five things worth a trip to the north, ranked by rank, price and time of year to visit, centered around the mountain, the markets and the smoke-free months.

    Best time to travel to Thailand

    The best time to travel is from November to February; the rest of the year is best on the east coast.

    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

    Ready to create your travel itinerary?

    Use our free trip planner to save places, organize days, and share your trip.