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I’m not going to lie…(Parts) of the Land of Smiles does have quite a party reputation — cue the full moon parties. However, I would say that 99% of parties, from forest trance sessions to full-moon beach parties, occur in the southern parts of Thailand.
Are you heading towards the northern region, though, and wondering about the nightlife in Chiang Mai? Of course, many cities and towns do have a nightlife scene, but the one in the capital of Northern Thailand isn’t for the full-on party heads.
Instead, you’ll find some of the most incredible night markets Thailand has to offer here, as well as top-class bars for cocktails infused with Thai flavors. There are one or two nightclubs in Chiang Mai which are really cool, and don’t have that sleazy vibe (like some of the others in places like Phuket do).
With that, here is the ultimate nightlife guide for your next trip to Chiang Mai.
Best Bars in Chiang Mai
1. Surr Bar: One of the best bars in Chiang Mai
For any RHOBH (guilty)/Vanderpump Rules fans reading this, no, Lisa Vanderpump didn’t open up a chain of the iconic Hollywood restaurant-meets-bar in Chiang Mai. Similar in name but different in spelling (the celeb’s version is Sur), Surr Bar is one of the city’s most stylish settings for a drink. So they do share that in common.
Located on the 8th floor of the Art Mai Hotel, there aren’t many tall buildings in CM. This vantage point is considered a pretty great one! I’m also obsessed with the interiors: moody, ambient, a little industrial…It’s so chic!
The bartenders know what they’re doing when it comes to mixing and shaking drinks. Bourbon and brandy lovers, order the ‘chaos reigns’ or the ‘town spin’ with ginger, tequila, bergamot, and lime.
Best of all, there’s often live music!
2. MAI The Sky Bar: Highest rooftop top
Ladies and gents, introducing Chiang Mai’s tallest rooftop bar: MAI The Sky Bar!
With a spectacular viewpoint from 22 levels off Ground Zero, the mountain’s silhouette is the most magical backdrop. I know this is about the nightlife in Chiang Mai, but this spot is ideal even for sunset hour.
And if you’re here for one of their live DJ or music sessions, even better!
Drinks and the overall vibe follow a Spanish theme, which means excellent aperitifs.
Perched atop the Melia Hotel, this fancy hotel chain is very popular across Southeast Asia. Living in Hanoi and any famous guests were in town, there would always be swarms of black limos and cars with tinted windows exiting the Melia…
3. Nophaburi Bar: Thailand themed
Not only is Nophaburi Bar an awesome locale for experiencing the nightlife in Chiang Mai, where vibes and imaginative drinks are guaranteed, but it’s one of the city’s most unique bars.
Honing in on all of the flavors and ingredients that have made the world fall in love with, and the culinary world admire Thailand so much, every drink/sip is an ode to the Land of Smiles. As a foodie, this is my kind of spot.
Even when I’m drinking, I appreciate drinks/cocktails full of intriguing one-of-a-kind flavor profiles and stories.
Uthaitip, Koi, and Darling (talking cocktail names): all of the drinks are made using premium Thai spirits.
Cool kids come to play here, especially when the DJ takes over on Fridays. It’s almost got a lounge-y feel to it, and the moody interiors with Thai decor suit everything about this spot.
They are closed on Wednesdays. Their handcrafted menu is a little more on the pricier side than some of the other casual city bars.
4. North Gate Jazz: Live music every day
One of the things that I appreciate about the nightlife in Chiang Mai, and around the northern region for that matter, is that live music is never far from ear’s reach! It’s like a thing here, from reggae bars to rock gigs. In North Gate Jazz’s case, it’s all about the smooth sounds of, well, jazz music! But there are also other genres like blues, which you can listen to.
There’s something about listening to live music that is extremely soul-filling. Actually, whenever I am in Chiang Mai, I also set one evening aside for live music sessions, especially after visiting the markets or post-dinner.
Musicians and the crowd are a mixture of locals and expats. Appreciate talent from around the world. And age is just a number here. Local musos like 74-year-old Mama Dang still wow the crowds, as she plays on her plastic saxophone.
Always busy, get here a little earlier to secure a spot, and the intimate bar serves up some lovely drinks and cocktails.
Best Clubs in Chiang Mai
5. BlackLight CNX: The best spot to go dancing
Beer pong, pool tables, DJs, a fun crowd…BlackLight CNX is one of the city’s best clubs when considering the nightlife in Chiang Mai.
The energy is palpable, and it stays open until around 2 AM. This means it starts filling up from around 9/10 PM.
Everyone is here to have a great ol’ time, and this magnifies off the crowd, which makes all the difference. Even if you’re feeling shattered after a long day of exploring or embarking on day trips from Chiang Mai, you instantly feel re-energized the moment you step inside!
And everywhere you look, the walls are illuminated in neon.
6. Zoe in Yellow: Classic club vibes
From hip hop to electronic, Zoe in Yellow is your one-stop clubbing experience!
If you’re searching for a serious party among the nightlife in Chiang Mai, I’d say this is one of the best options. Backpackers, serious partygoers, and CM’s youth frequent this venue for a good time — to give you an idea of the vibes.
Visiting Chiang Mai during festival times, such as Song Kran (one of my ultimate times of year to be in Thailand)? You’re sure to find an epic event happening! Just hop onto their socials to see the latest.
Or, even if it’s not a national festival/holiday, Zoe in Yellow loves a good themed night, from the wild west to 70s retro!
Best Night Markets in Chiang Mai
7. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Food, shopping, atmosphere
Straight off the bat, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of my favorite things about traveling to Chiang Mai. As soon as the sun disappears, and the market opens, I catch a tuktuk straight here on my first day…Forget all the other nightlife in Chiang Mai. My shopaholic heart goes into overdrive here. Especially because a lot of the things to buy are uniquely Thai, really affordable, and make my hippy heart skip a beat.
Crowds swarm the sidewalks. Locals shout out their offerings. The smells of herbs and spices, and delicious Thai cuisine fill the air. Reggae bars around the market bust out Bob Marley. It’s bliss.
Pick up clothing, souvenirs, handicrafts, food, shoes, perfumes, incense, chakra flags, embroidered purses, bags, and more.
My beloved spice packets remain my best purchase from this night market. I always stock up on more when I’m here. It contains layers of quintessential Thai ingredients used for cooking, like dried kefir lime, galangal, lemongrass, pink peppercorns, anise, cardamom, etc.
8. Wua Lai Walking Street: For Saturday sessions
The unfortunate thing about the Wua Lai Walking Street is that it’s only open on Saturday evenings. This means you can experience this iconic nightlife in Chiang Mai market atmosphere just once a week. But as locals and travelers eagerly await its weekly arrival, it does mean it is SUPER busy, always!
But in all honesty, I love it when I am marketing and it’s bustling. This adds a real ambiance, instead of ghostly empty streets. Don’t you agree?
Save your hunger pains and pennies for this famous walking street. I want to buy everything in sight as I walk through, from guitars to artist prints to leather backpacks to street food.
Foodie tip: Speaking of Chiang Mai street food, the markets are always the best places for finding it. Here are 9 unmissable street food bites!
9. Chiang Mai Gate Market: The place for street food
Some get confused between the Chiang Mai Gate Market and Wua Lai Walking Street, but they’re not the same.
Set up on opposite sides of the river, each market runs on the road parallel to the other. And then, of course, Wua Lai only operates one day a week. The Chiang Mai Gate Market, on the other hand, is open Monday to Sunday, from 4 PM until 2 AM. There’s a good chance you’ll spot your friends from one of the clubs grabbing late-night snacks.
This night market is one of the iconic nightlife in Chiang Mai options. Find it along Bumrung Buri Road, by the old Chiang Mai Gate (hence the name).
If there’s one evening where you want to sample a plethora of Chiang Mai’s street foods, this is the best place for it!
Covering the nightlife in Chiang Mai, let’s now switch over to daytime hours. Here are the 10 best cafes in Chiang Mai.
Planning a multiple-day trip to the Northern capital? Make use of our epic ultimate insider 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary. And if it’s not on your radar already, make sure you consider venturing three hours to Pai! I promise you won’t regret it.
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