2010 Guide to the Chiangmai Beer Bar & Pub scene
The difference between a beer bar and a pub is a beer bar has hostesses while a pub typically doesn't a beer bar is also known as a girlie bar. The role of a hostess can vary depending on where you go however the meaning isn't lost. The hostess is there to look after the guests, make them laugh and to keep them happy so they keep drinking and don't go onto the next bar on their chiangmai bar crawl. While both Beer Bars and Pubs are geered towards the foreign market, the Pub is a thai version of the local pub you'd find back home. Serves good food, and decent beer, typically the beer at a pub is cheaper than what you'd find at a beer bar (because it's lacking the friendly girls). Take your family to the pub, then yourself to the beer bar.
List of Beer Bars & Pubs in Chiangmai
Number 1 Bar
Not a place you go to get a girl for the night, this bar has excellent service and nice friendly ladies there to help you. Most nights this place has many foreigners in it, the beers arn't expensive my standars in the area and has two bars right across from each other, food is available also. Mostly a haunt for local expats.
The Chiang Mai Entertainment Centre
The center has around 25 odd bars all of different owners serving mostly beer at reasonable prices for Loh Kro road. There is a thai boxing place right in the middle which they sell tickets too. This place like most beer bars are for those looking to find a girl but also a good place to sit down and look around.
Guitar Man
A cosy place to listen to good music, chat with friends or make new ones. Anyone is welcome to play music or sing and that relaxed atmosphere draws a regular crowd as well as tourists and backpackers. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., 5 p.m. - 1 a.m. 68/5-6 Loi Kroh Road.
Bar Beer Center
An entertainment area, packed with bars and pool tables, ladyboy cabarets and kickboxing shows nightly. Not for the family. 4 p.m. - 1 a.m. Moon Muang Road.
The (UN) Irish Pub:
Magnet for local ex-pat crowd, serves food, sports on a big TV, hardly Irish but hosts quiz and live music, busy during big sports events. Good place to take the family out to eat for western food. The big attraction at this place are the meat pies and freshly made bread. This is a true international pub. 24-24/1 Ratvithi Rd., Sriphum, (053) 214554.
Tuskers:
Great venue opened in 2007, roomy, stylish and atmospheric place popular with foreigners, serving food and regular events. Chaiyaphum, Soi 1 (down soi across moat from House restaurant). (087) 180 4665, tuskersbar@gmail.com This place also holds the Thai Visa party.
O'Malley's Bar:
Irish pub with several good beers on tap and comfy interior, plus pub grub. 149/14-15 Chang Klan Rd., Anusarn Market, near Night Bazaar (053) 271921
The Red Lion:
Conveniently central at the Night Market, this long running favourite serves a good selection of food and drink to weary shoppers and locals alike - indoors or outdoor in British Pub tradition. 123 Loi Kroh Road, Night Market area. (0)53 818847.
THC Rooftop Bar:
A bohemian place above the Hemp Shop, with good views of Tapae Gate and floor level seating. Not exactly as the name suggests 19/4-5 Kotchasarn rd (opposite Tapae Gate).
Northgate Jazz Bar:
A tiny bar with nice crowd and atmosphere when bands are playing, cheap drinks, unusual mixed crowd. Sri Phum road, This place is not hard to miss late at night when the crows spill out onto the road and sit up along the old gate.
People who like to go to chiang mai beer bars also like to go to:
Chiang Mai Beer Gardens
Chiang Mai Go Go Bars
Chiang Mai Karaoke Clubs