Phuket’s nightlife is as varied as its topography. From wild A-Go-Gos to quiet little beer bars to all-out club action to sipping a Mai Thai at a beach bar, it’s all there for those who want it. Of course, Patong is undeniably Party Central with Bangla Road the beating heart of the Beast but Kata and Karon have similar, if not more modest, nightlife scenes while even Phuket Town boasts a few hopping clubs that cater mainly to locals.
Surin Beach features the classy StereoLab while nearby Cherng Talay has a cluster of bars in Tinlay Place near to the Laguna entrance but other than that this area is quiet. Lastly, Rawai, in the south of the island, is fast becoming a party town.
Bangtao is not the best choice if your main goal is to party in Phuket. Having said that, since 2008 Bangtao Beach has seen the opening of trendy new venues such asBliss beach club and Xana Club which offer food, drinks and entertainment – including international DJs till late.
Tinlay Place, at the Phuket Laguna entrance, has a cluster of bars and restaurants that have a faithful long-term expatriate following. From early evening on you’ll find people heading towards Peppers Sports Bar or Tatonka to catch up on the latest news. The Supper Club with its extensive menu also has a good wine list and good music.
Besides these places, nightlife in Bangtao can also be a chill-out event with a drink at one of the reggae joints at the northern part of the beach.
Once the haunt of yachties dropping anchor for a season or two, Chalong used to have just a couple of bars where sailors met for a drink or three. Most of the old bars are still there, but Chalong has undergone a facelift in recent times.
The smart pier, long enough at 800 metres to warrant a shuttle bus service, has also encouraged a cluster of new restaurants and cafes to open along the entrance road. In high season, most bars stay open until 02:00 but shut down as early as 10:00 in the low season (June-October).
Although Kamala has recently grown rapidly, you can still enjoy the seaside village atmosphere that first attracted visitors all those years ago. The beachside bars are a good spot for a sundowner and to catch a glimpse of local fisherman coming in for the night.
When the sun goes down, most visitors enjoy strolling through the village to one of the small local restaurants – basic but tasty. During the high season months, local vendors set up stalls along the beach, so you can pick up some beachwear bargains and souvenirs at leisure.