Kata Nightlife
Informal and laid-back, Kata is the kind of place to relax with
a cocktail or beer in an open-air bar or restaurant, do some shopping,
watch the big game on a pub screen, or enjoy a laid-back, balmy
evening.
Less hectic than Patong, more compact
than Karon, Kata is an ideal compromise between the two. Most evening
venues are geared towards families and couples with outdoor cafes
and good value local restaurants. Kata's small roads have contained
fast and furious development and helped retain the village-like
atmosphere. Since most of the beach lies within the province of
Club Med, nightlife is concentrated at the ends of the beach rather
than than the centre. A must for everyone staying in Kata is watching
the sunset from the Reggae Bar overlooking Kata Noi, the view is
spectacular - well worth the 5 min tuk-tuk journey.
Over the last year, Kata's small bar-beer areas at both ends of
the beach have expanded, so you don't have to go far for more action.
But for the real party scene head for Patong, just a 10-minute drive
north.
Kata Nightlife - Where to Go 
Most Kata nightlife is concentrated around the north end of the
beach (close to Karon) around "Kata village" At
the southern end, close to the Kata Beach Resort and the
Boathouse Hotel, is a small but lively area with local shops,
outdoor restaurants and an emerging bar-beer area tucked away. In
between, the connecting road at the back of Club Med, is still quiet
and undeveloped with a few guesthouses and market areas.
Kata North (Kata Village)
The heart of Kata Village (Taina Rd) leads from the beach
to the parallel road at the back. Lined with pubs, dive shops, restaurants,
bars and local shops it won't take long to explore. For live music
Easyriders bar well established with both locals and visitors
belting out hard rockin' blues from resident live bands most evenings.
Looking for somewhere to eat? Kata Village offers lots of unpretentious
eating options from local noodle shops to old favs like the Bluefin
Tavern - tasty Tex-Mex from a elevated terrace slightly above
street level. La Luna Italian restaurant further along the
street, another standard, offers good homes style Italian cooking.
All along the street, are a number of bar-restaurants offering the
standard music/pool/sports TV and food combination (but with good
music and good unpretentious food) Also on Taina Rd, Cafe del
Mar is a small groovy bar with Mediterranean interiors and ambient
music.
Around the corner, a collection of small souvenir shops and cafes
line the narrow street leading to Karon Beachroad. It's
also the location for one of Kata's famous attractions - Dinopark.
A Minigolf with a difference, the course features a man-made
exploding mini- volcano which erupts on cue every hour.
Various pyrotechnics and strange Dino-noises surround the course,
which naturally involves a dinosaur or two. Open during the
day, Dinopark is actually better in the evening when you see all
the effects in their full glory.
Dino Bar. Part of the Dino Park minigolf, it's one of Kata's
landmarks and a great spot to watch all the action on the street
while enjoying a drink in the cave/jungle setting. Further along
with superb sea views is the classic Thai seafood restaurant at
Marina
Cottage - a locally run hotels which also offers dinner
and Thai classical dance set inside a traditional Thai house.
Shopping
Outside Dino Park, local vendors miraculously appear every evening
along the road selling everything from fascinating magic tricks
(very entertaining) to ethnic souvenirs. In recent months, small
boutiques, surf shops and local restaurants provide quality shopping
in a compact area.
On the same road, a number of established restaurants like the
Buffalo Steak House, (great Swedish meatballs with loganberry
sauce!) and the "Au Bon Pain" style of coffee shop
(lovely cake and coffee) cater to European tastes.
Kata South
At the southern end of the beach. If you're looking for a good
sunset spot with an evening cocktail or or a glass of vino relax
at Mom
Tri's Boathouse lounge with its award-winning wine cellar,
the pleasant Gung's Cafe serving great seafood and ambient
music. The Kata
Beach Resort has a prime beachfront location with bar-restaurants
overlooking the sea. Tucked away in the corner and the little Reggae
Bar - all on the beach at the south end of Kata.
Running in between Kata north and south is Patak Rd (the road that
runs behind Club Med) Close to Kata Village area, is an expanding
outdoor bar beer area with names like Up To You, Rose
Bar or Happy Nite.
Price Check
Beer - Local beer 40-60 Baht; Imported beer 60-90
Baht. Prices might be as high as 100-120 Baht per bottle in hotel
lounges and upscale spots.
Cocktails - Usually around 100-150 Baht.
Admission - There are no known venues that charge entry fees
in the area.
Bar fine - This is the fee to cover a bar's 'loss' when taking
a lady out of the place for a 'date'. Usually 200 Baht for the evening.
If planning to spending a few days or longer with the lady, you'll
probably need to negotiate a fine with the bar. This does not cover
the costs of spending time with the lady, which would be discussed
directly with her. (Applies generally to bar beers)
Night Hours
The official closing time for pubs/bars is 1 am. Most bars shut
down by around 2 am in Kata-Karon, and in the low season (June-October)
as early as midnight or 1 am.
Many places have happy hours with up to 50% discounts on cocktails
or beer, or two for one, usually during the sunset period of 5-7
pm.
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