Many people who come to Phuket seek relaxation and solitude, and many of the beach resorts here offer just that - Mai Khao is just one example of a quiet peaceful town where you can enjoy splendid isolation on the beautiful long empty beaches under the waving palm trees. However, many more people who come to Phuket seek out some of the world’s best clubs and bars, where you are guaranteed a memorable night out.
As you may well be aware, the heart of Phuket’s nightlife is located in Patong. At the centre of Patong is the world-famous Bangla Road, where some of the finest bars and super-clubs on the island are to be found. Many of the streets adjacent to Bangla Road are also very vibrant and provide a great experience for those who enjoy dancing and drinking with the locals and the many visitors to the island. Tiger club on Bangla Road is one of the biggest venues on the island, featuring excellent DJs and a unique indoor area sculpted from a cave, with its very own waterfall. The nearby Seduction club rivals Tiger for size and capacity, and is spread over three floors, each with their own unique brands of music played by international DJs from around the world.
Ten minutes north of Patong is Kamala, boasting easy access to Patong and a number of fine bars in its own right. The Kamala Riders Club is generally open later than the rest of Kamala, and features regular live music. There are usually more Thais than visitors here, and it is a good place to make new friends. Bob’s Bar on the north end of the beach provides the ultimate laid back reggae vibe with the sea at your feet, and has a very family friendly atmosphere. The majority of Kamala’s bars have pool tables and friendly hostesses, making you feel welcome wherever you go.
Just five minutes to the north of Kamala is Surin, renowned as the home of Phuket’s rich and famous holidaymakers. The nightlife very much reflects this, with a great selection of chic beachside clubs and bars, including the renowned Stereolab nightclub. Five minutes north again takes you to the Laguna Phuket complex and Bang Tao Beach, which offer a good selection of bars for families, couples and singles alike.
Ten minutes to the south of Patong you will find Karon and Kata Beaches. The nightlife here is less hectic here – most tourists who come here are couples and families, and the wide range of pleasant, family-friendly bars emphasizes this. The Ska Bar at the south end of Kata beach is particularly noteworthy, with an extremely relaxed atmosphere accentuated by an excellent selection of reggae music.
Wherever you go in Phuket, there is usually some form of nightlife, even if it is just the hotel bar where you are staying. A sense of friendly enjoyment is present wherever you go, and this is mostly because of the legendarily friendly Thai people themselves. With Thais, fun, singing and dancing are an integral part of the lives of people of all ages. Obviously you should take the same precautions that you would anywhere in the world when on a night out, but in general Phuket is one of the very safest places in the world to dance the night away. Have fun! If you have any clubs or bars that you would like to recommend, please get in touch via email or Facebook – we always enjoy hearing from you.
