10 Happening Bars To Experience Phuket’s Famed Night Scene

1. Stand over the city of Patong at Wassa Homemade Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Seeking a quaint setting for a catch up with a group of close friends over a couple of cold ones? Wassa Homemade Bar is exactly what you’ve been looking for! Perched high above the bay of Patong, patrons can enjoy a chill late afternoon drink while admiring the panoramic sunset over the Andaman Sea from the 2nd deck of the bar. Soft music is played in the background which adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Drinks and finger food served here are relatively affordable, however, it should be noted that the bar closes at 10.00pm daily.

Location: 50 Pee Road, Patong, Ban Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Opening hours: 2.00pm to 10.00pm

2. Don’t worry, be happy at After Beach Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Nestled in the jungles high above the city of Kata Noi lies 3 establishments, a smaller seafood bistro, Small View Point Seafood & Bar, an upmarket restaurant Baan Chom View and After Beach Bar, which will be featured in this article. Though the prices here are slightly marked up for its ice-cold drinks and a wide variety of local Thai food, the After Beach Bar is still a great location for a simple meal whilst overlooking the sky as day turns to night. The most unique theme here would be its simplistic reggae vibe with the bar playing hypnotizing Bob Marley classics throughout the night, letting patrons feel as if they were at the Caribbean.

Location: On the hill road between Kata and Rawai, directly above Kata Noi Beach

Opening hours: 9.00am to 10.30pm

3. Have a G’day with the mates at Aussie Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Popular with the locals for being one of the best places to catch their favourite sporting teams in action, Aussie Bar represents the destination of choice if you’re looking to watch some “live” tennis, football, basketball action on its 30 huge LED screens. 4 bars occupy the 2 storeys of this complex as patrons will be spoilt for choice over beers and Australian pub grub. Featuring several pool tables, this sports themed bar is perfect for a night out with your teammates to catch a game or for families with older children looking to soak in Phuket’s nightlife.

Location: Soi Gonzo, Bangla Road, Patong

Opening hours: 9.30am to 2.30am

4. Get away from the noise at Peppers English Pub & Sports Bar

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Away from the hustle and bustle of Patong lies Peppers Sports Bar & Restaurant settled near the entrance of Bangtao’s Laguna Complex. The atmosphere here is mellower for patrons who prefer a tame night out or for families to hang out at as the clientele here is of the older crowd, most of them heading over after a game of golf at the Laguna. With a very English based theme, pub quizzes are organised weekly as the bar serves traditional English fare such as bangers and mash and of course, a British favourite, an iced cold beer. Sporting events are also screened here as the British love their sport, capping off a family-oriented night out at a bar.

Location: 16-18 Lagoon Road, Cherngtalay, Phuket, Thailand 83110

Opening hours: 8.30am to 1.00am

5. Sway to the familiar tunes at Hard Rock Café

Tourists who prefer something safe and familiar might consider the internationally established chain of Hard Rock Café. With the usual fare you’d come to expect from Hard Rock, including its classic burgers, ribs and steaks, as well as its famous cocktails and spirits, you can’t really go wrong with the menu. The in-house band will perform its rendition of famous artistes such as Elvis and Prince from 9.00pm till approximately past midnight. Patrons can also engage in various audience interaction games on stage to win prizes or even better, 1 for 1 drinks deals!

Location: 48/1 Ruamjai Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Opening hours: 11.00am to 2.00am

6. Dance the night away at Red Hot

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

So far, we’ve recommended bars of a tamer nature, with scenic views and family-oriented entertainment, now we believe it’s time to kick it up a notch starting with Red Hot, formerly known as Margarita’s. Featuring live bands who will turn up the volume from 7.30pm onwards, Red Hot isn’t an ideal bar for an intimidate conversation or for a relaxing evening. Located on the famous Bangla Road, patrons here can get some decent finger food to go along with their beers. For patrons who are tired of crowding with the rest, Red Hot also offers an excellent bird’s eye view over Phuket’s notorious Bangla Road to just people watch and take a look at how things work in this city.

Location: On the corner of Bangla Road and Rat-U-Thit

Opening hours: 12.00am to late

7. Party it up at Tao Live Music Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Blurring the lines by being combination of a live music lounge, a hippy bar and a popular nightclub, Tao clearly has it all. Newly revamped and reopened, Tao offers customers a variety of choices for a perfect night out over affordable drinks as you can begin the evening warming up at the bar listening to the in-house band serenade you with a couple of Thai songs. However, when the crowd starts filling up at about 10.00pm, that’s when the party really begins, as the band caters to the international tourist crowd and changes its music to more catchy up-tempo pop tunes which patrons can dance along to on a small platform in front of the stage.

Location: Bangla Road, at the entrance to Soi Vegas, Patong

Opening hours: 7.00pm to late

8. Fancy a night out at the fancy Xana Beach Club?

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Technically not exactly a “bar” but with alcohol, albeit slightly expensive ones, a DJ spinning dope tracks and an all-round great atmosphere, it’ll be a shame to leave this place out of our list. Oh, and did we forget to mention the 35-metre pool bar which lines the club? So, technically it is a bar after all! Utilized as an upmarket restaurant in the afternoons for families to enjoy brunch or just lounge in the pool bar, Xana transforms into one of Phuket’s trendiest hangout places after the sun sets. With loud music booming from its massive sound system and a wide selection of wines and cocktails available, partygoers seeking a taste of Phuket’s nightlife will be guaranteed a memorable night of fun. Xana is particularly popular on Fridays as fire show performers will wow the crowd with its dangerous and entertaining displays.

Location: 10 Moo 4 Srisoonthorn Road Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Opening hours: 10.00am to 12.00am (1.00am on weekends)

9. Feel young, wild and free at Rock Hard A Go-Go

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Tourists often flock in numbers to Thailand’s famed go-go bars, a dwindling trend in today’s society, to experience for themselves what all of the island’s notorious hype is about. Rock Hard A Go-Go, Phuket’s pioneer go-go bar has revamped its image and content to keep up with the times as it remains to be one of the island’s most popular go-go bars. With reasonably priced drinks and friendly hostesses, the ambiance in this bar is light-hearted as the focus is on entertainment rather than sleaze. Don’t be fooled by its “gentlemen’s club” label as the relaxed atmosphere in this bar welcomes ladies and couples who are curious to sample a taste of Phuket’s nightlife.

Location: 53, Bangla Rd., Pa Tong, Kathu, Phuket 83120 Thailand

Opening hours: 7.30pm to 3.30am

10. Go Go Crazy at Harem A Go Go!

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Feel like going somewhere more posh for the night or celebrating a mate’s birthday or holding a bachelor party? Newly opened in 2015, Harem A Go-Go bar represents the ideal choice for you and your buddies with multiple platforms for the performers to entertain, as well as its cosy plush sofas and modern interior décor giving the bar an exclusive and comfortable atmosphere. Entrance to the bar is free, however, drinks will be more expensive as you’ll expect for the luxurious ambiance that this bar affords.

Location: 21/5-6 Soi Sea Dragon, Ban Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Opening hours: 10.00pm to 2.00am