Chiang Rai offers limited options when it comes to nightlife. Rather than flashy clubs and pubs, what you get is a place to really take it slow and enjoy a chill-out experience. Many bars have large-screen TVs for live sports broadcasts and a few pool tables. As you stroll down the nightlife street, it will dawn on you that clubbing and late-night partying is really not the highlight of this hill-enclosed town.
Many visitors prefer to hit the Night Bazaar and sip a few beers at the open-air beer garden in-between their shopping breaks. Just remember that, rather than nightlife, the charms of Chiang Rai lie in its pristine natural beauty as well as fascinating artistic and cultural heritage.
Tucked down the private Punyodyana Lane, this simple bar setup has a few outdoor wooden tables and a pool corner. Open since , this lively venue is famous for its live jam sessions with the owner, Sam, who rocks the house with his guitar every night from onwards.
Anyone is welcome to join in the fun, or if music is not your talent, then order a few drinks and simply enjoy the show. With the owner and his wife overseeing the place themselves, service is warm and friendly. What you will find here is a range of hill-tribe crafts, such as knitted scarves, embroidered bags, silver jewellery, bed spreads, wallets and fashion accessories, along with T-shirts, sneakers and a range of sculptural art and handicrafts.
Always negotiate before you buy, as vendors tend to mark up the price at least twice as much as it usually costs elsewhere. Beers are limited to local varieties.
