A-Go-Go Bars
These are mainly indoor bars with dancing ladies performing around
chrome poles. Various levels of nudity depending on the bar and
prevailing tolerance level of the local authorities. Most Go Go's
are concentrated along Soi Seadragon, and others are found on the
side lanes off Bangla Rd.
Names and owners seem to change frequently but one of the "old
timers" is Rock Hard on Bangla Rd - a very popular place
with a sidewalk cafe, good music and enthusiastic, dancers. It claims
that "couples are welcome", though it probably wouldn't
be at the top of most women's list of places to see when planning
a night out with her partner.
Beer Bars or (Bar Beers!)
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Patong's famous bar beers are concentrated (and we mean concentrated)
along Bangla Rd spilling over into the small streets off it.
Beer bars (or bar beers) are basic outdoor bars with barstools
and a sound system. Many look exactly the same but for some reason
you'll see one bar packed out while the near-replica beside it is
barren. The bars are usually staffed by a bevy of girls clad in
their sexiest gear trying to attract customers with pole dancing
and simple bar games (like hammering a nail into a block of wood)
Although the most bars cater to men, women and couples are equally
welcome with no hassle. There are also a number of bars like Kangaroo
Bar, and U2 on Bangla Rd, and Wet Spot on Soi
Gonzo, that simply play good music and regularly attract a young
international crowd who often dance in the street and on tables.
Lounge Bars
Patong also offers some surprisingly trendy lounge bars where you
can relax in a classy atmosphere and listen to cafe del mar type
music.
Offering plush sofas, great cocktails and groovy tunes is Home
Bar (with an upstairs room designed like a large lounge with
plush modern sofas and pile carpets. Low tables and even lower lights
keep the atmosphere cosy. Just off Soi Bangla.
La Salsa (at the Phuket
Impiana Cabana)on the beach road is a good spot to watch
the world go by while sipping a mean Mojito. Baan Rim Pa
(on the coast road at the north end of Patong) offers an elegant
pre-dinner bar, while next door Joes Bar (white beach house
decor) makes a perfect spot for a sundowner.
Another great sundowner spot is the terrace of the Novotel
Phuket which has views over the entire Patong Bay area, while
the Hourglass (also at the Novotel) has a live band most
evenings. Newcomers to the scene are the Corsicana and La
Diva (photo), both on Rat-U-Thit Rd.
Beach Bars
Surprisingly for a beach resort, Patong has very few beachfront
bars, and none of them are very busy after the peak sunset cocktail
period. Just south of Loma Park (Patong north end) are several bar-restaurants
serving Thai/Western food, beer and cocktails. You might have to
walk on the beach starting in front of Bangla Road and follow the
seafront to find the first ones.
Wacky & Unusual
Some bars don't fit neatly into any category, but there are some
truly unique places to tip a glass around Patong.
One such spot is Nicky's Handlebar, a biker bar that's friendly,
relaxed and welcoming to non-bikers too. Great fun watching the
Harley riders ride up into the bar. Has a pool table, a tattoo parlour,
a bike repair shop and a small area selling T-shirts and leather
goods.
Rasta Pub (photo), at the end of Soi Seadragon, is a small
stand run by some happy deadlocked characters - quite an unexpected
surprise as it's reached only by walking through a sea of a-go-go
and beer bars.
Minivan bars. Catch them if you can, these little mobile
bars have fitted out of the side of a VW van by some enterprising
local folks. Locations vary, but usually seen near the Bangla-Rat-U-Thit
road intersection or along the northern part of the beach road,
near Loma Park. A cute and cheerful place to stop by for a beer
or two.
Sports Pubs
There are a scattering of pubs showing live satellite TV broadcasts
of international sports including Formula 1, football and rugby.
Many also have pool tables, darts, special buffet nights and competitions.
Popular pubs include Champs (Soi Kepsap), Heroes (Sawatdirak
Rd), Amigos, Football Crazy and Lek Murphys.
Karaoke Bars Not often frequented by tourists, Karaoke bars are plentiful
all over the island and in Patong. They're usually found away from
the main areas and are not always easy to recognize as the signs
are usually in Thai only - look for the telltale string of coloured
lights and tinted windows. Some also have hostesses sitting out
front to beckon passersby. The bars are usually simple affairs -
a few tables, dim lighting and a Karaoke machine. The hostesses
usually take their turns singing local Thai favourites and invite
customers to try it as well. |
