Nightlife in Surin changes with the seasons. From November to May
party life buzzes along the beach and further inland. For the rest
of the year the area's nightlife is pretty much confined to the
row of restaurants and bars that lead to the
Chedi from Surin's main four-way intersection. This road is
known locally as Soi Haad Surin 8.
Part of the Twinpalms Phuket hotel and
situated towards the beach, Catch is a chic eatery
separated by a road through the middle. Don't expect to get 10-wheel,
diesel-belching trucks coming through, though: just locals and tourists
out for an evening stroll. Apart from excellent food and drink,
Catch features international music artistes performing
their own compositions and this makes for an atmospheric and entertaining
evening.
One of Phuket's better known personalities is Diver, an Australian
who has been on the island for many years. He runs a beach bar called
'Diver's' (wouldn't you just know it…) where
many Phuket Old Hands congregate nightly for a chat and beer. You
can join them by walking a few hundred metres south down the beach
from Surin Beach's car park. Back on Soi Haad Surin 8, there are
a few good places to choose from.
Surin Bay Inn has an open-sided bar that serves
good honest English grub and has a host of regulars. Further up
the road there is Carmen, a two-storey Thai-Italian
restaurant with a definite funky feel to it. The house music is
eclectic and - best of all - you can choose your own on the restaurant's
ipod.
An altogether more upmarket option is Envision Wine Bar,
run by one of Thailand's largest wine importers it's a great spot
to drink a bottle or two. Located almost next to Surin Bay Inn.
If you head a few hundred metres up the road towards Cherng Talay,
there is a shopping mall called 'La Plaza' on the right.
Occupying the top floor of this building is Silk
- a smooth and chic eatery with a DJ and theme evenings. Dining
out or just hanging out here is quite an event.
Don't expect a Patong nightlife ambience
in Surin. It's a more laid back, peaceful, mellow experience and
all the better for it.
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