Patong is without a doubt the centre of the island's nightlife scene. Bars in Patong can be roughly divided into beer bars, go-go bars and regular bars (which don't have ladies for take out).
The scene in Patong is centred around Bangla road and its many offshoots. The road runs perpendicular to the beach road towards the northern end of Patong. Bangla is only about half a kilometer and is open in the evening just for pedestrians making it easy to walk around and bar hop.
Other bar areas include: the Sukhumvit road complex, opposite the C&N hotel on Rat-U-Thit road, Sunset Plaza at the southern end of Patong beach opposite the Seapearl Hotel, Soi Dongtan on the beach road just north of Bangla, and Sawatdirak road which runs is the next road running parallel to Bangla.
Beer Bars
These are usually a small bar with a few stools. You can have a beer and play games or chat with the ladies working in the bar. Popular games include connect four, jenga, dice games and “hit the nail with the hammer”. If you like the girl and enjoy her company you can buy her a drink for which she earns some commission. Of course if you just want to nurse a cold one and people watch, that's fine too.
The vast majority of beer bars in Patong are located just off of Bangla Road within covered complexes such as Tiger, or down sois such as Soi Eric, Soi Gonzo, Soi Seadragon and Soi Crocodile. Just to the north of Bangla along Rat-U-Thit road is Sukhumvit Road, another covered beer bar complex.
Go-go Bars
Girls go-go bars dance on stage often wearing nothing more than a bikini, or even less depending on the bar and the local authorities. The girls may spend time with the customers when they are not on stage and, like beer bars, girls can have “lady drinks” bought for them and are available for take-out.
Go-go bars are restricted to the Bangla road area of Patong. Popular go-gos include: Dragon, Rock Hard A Go Go and Suzy Wong's A-Go-Go. A few smaller go-gos can also be found along Soi Seadragon.
Live Music
If you prefer live bands to DJ spun tunes try one of Patong's two Irish pubs, Molly Malone's and Scruffy Murphy's. Scruffy's is located on Bangla, while Molly's is next to McDonald's on the beach road.
Towards the northern end of Patong along the beach road in front of the Club Andaman hotel is Rock City, which has nightly performances of rock party hits, from hard rock anthems to ballads.
Another popular haunt in Patong is Tai Pan, opposite the entrance to Bangla on Rat-U-Thit Road. A darkly lit bar with lots of small tables, Tai Pan can get quite busy late in the evening with a mixture of tourists and bargirls who have finished work.
If you like jazz head over to Baan Rim Pa, a famous Thai restaurant overlooking Patong Bay at its northern end. You can sit right at the bar and enjoy a drink while watching the ocean waves rolling against the cliffs just below the restaurant.
Phuket City (Town) also has a few live music venues such as Timber Hut, Jammin' and Kor Tor Mor.
Pool & Sports Bars
Quite a few bars will show live sports matches from around the world. The English Premiership is particularly popular but other leagues and sports are also shown, including rugby, Aussie rules and formula one. Most bars showing sports events will advertise viewing times on blackboards out front.
If you are looking to play some pool, there are a couple of pool halls on Bangla road in Patong which have two or three floors of pool tables. Tiger also has a few tables upstairs in fairly good condition. Many bars such as the Aussie Bar and Club Rio have one or two pool tables. Games usually cost around 20 or 30 baht. In the smaller bars, if there are already people playing, you write your name on the board and wait your turn. Its “winner stays on” and the challenger pays for the game. The predominant game in Phuket is 8-ball.
Patong Restaurants
3 Spices
Listed as one of the Best Restaurants in Phuket by Thailand Tatlers Best Restaurant
The 9th Floor
This fully renovated restaurant now features sliding floor-to-ceiling glass windows so it is the highest restaurant in Phuket.
Andaman Restaurant
Thai delicacies, Seafood Grill and BBQ with live music and entertainment. Has a garden restaurant where you can dine under the stars.
Baan Rim Pa
First-class Thai restaurant, specializing in authentic Royal Thai Cuisine from original recipes once only served in The Royal Palace.
Baan Yin Dee
A fusion of European and Thai food served in a warm and stylish atmosphere overlooking Patong Bay. Relax by the grand piano into the evening.
Baluchi & Borsalino
Finest Indian restaurant on the island, with two master chefs from India, specializing in Tandoori and curries respectively.
Catch & Grill
A romantic atmosphere outdoors on the terrace. The touch of nature and sea breeze blends perfectly well with the indoor cozy corner, salad bar and wine selection.
Concaved Beach Restaurant
Seafood, Thai and French cuisine prepared by highly experienced chefs.
Coyote
Margarita bar and Mexican restaurant serving a large menu of tequilas, 75 kinds of margaritas, classic Mexican dishes and ultra-hip Southwest US grills.
Da Maurizio
Delicious, Classic Italian cuisine. Beachfront setting with open ocean views. Unique recipes from Maurizio's ancestors.
Flavors By Chef Arkom
Stunning food as we have known only Chef Arkom to create over many years. Set in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.
Floyd's Brasserie
World-class fine dining at Asia’s first and only Floyd’s Brasserie, featuring classic European and Thai favorite dishes created by TV Chef Keith Floyd.
Fuji Japanese Restaurant
The top taste of Japanese restaurant in Thailand. Modern Japanese favorites served in a contemporary yet casual setting.
Harrys Steakhouse
Fine dining in American style steakhouse atmosphere with 60 outdoor covered seats. Steaks, ribs, seafood, Scandinavian specialties and a selection of fine wines.
Hog’s Breath Café
A franchise of the most famous Australian steakhouse. Steaks, burgers, finger food and more. All with the Aussie flavor in mind.
Irish Times Pub
Irish pub with an authentic Irish atmosphere. Great food including bar snacks and meals. Join us for daily Happy Hours!.
Jean Pierre@BYD Lofts
Phuket's newest and trendy restaurant and bar. An International menu, fine wines and a friendly atmosphere.
Joe’s Downstairs
Located between the award winning Baan Rim Pa and Da Maurizio Bar Ristorante, above the rocks with spectacular ocean views, cocktail bar and New World cuisine.
K-Hotel
First-class Austrian restaurant set in a quiet, wonderful tropical garden, right in the heart of Patong. German-speaking personnel.
Kalim Seaview
Large menu of 200 items and a wine menu of 100 labels. Good view, good tastes, best service and good prices with the best view on Kalim Beach.
Karlsson’s
Scandinavian style steak house with top quality imported meat, pasta and Thai food.
KoKu Japanese Restaurant Patong
Traditional Japanese cuisine using only the best quality and freshest ingredients. The menu is created by a chef with over 20 years of experience.
La Boucherie
Offering the best of regional Australian and New Zealand beef as well as typical regional dishes from France.
La Gritta
Delicious Italian food and great wines served in a truly romantic setting, overlooking Patong Bay.
Lim’s
The most trendy restaurant on Phuket, offering modern Thai cuisine in a tropical environment with an urban touch.
Mae Naam
Newly opened French modern cuisine in a traditional Thai-style setting.
Molly Malone's
Great pub food with big portions, live music every night, all live sports with daily happy hours and cocktail hours.
Montes Restaurant
A Belgian owned restaurant serving excellent Thai, International and specials from Belgium cuisine.
Patong Seafood
One of the finest seafood restaurants on Phuket serving local delicacies. Centrally located on Patong's beachfront.
PGS Steak & Rib House
A Louisiana jazz theme restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and evening meals. All steaks, ribs and burgers are char grilled on volcanic rock.
Royale Nam Tok
After 18 years running a high class restaurant in Belgium, this team has now opened its doors in enchanting Phuket.
Sala Bua
Award winning Chef and voted as the one of the best restaurants in Thailand by Tatlers for 3 consecutive years.
Salathai
Fine authentic Thai cuisine from an experienced Thai chef. Contemporary seafood and meat dishes and quality refreshments with reasonable value.
Sam’s Steaks & Grill
Intimate dining at its best with the finest steak on the island with innovative starters, desserts and choice wines. Served in a chic and decidedly romantic setting.
Scruffy Murphy's
Traditional Irish band nightly from 10 pm, with daily Happy Hour draught pints 100 Baht.
Sphinx
Premier restaurant serving authentic Royal Thai and modern European cuisine, prepared with equal excellence in a sophisticated yet informal environment.
Thai Brasserie
Our skillful chefs’ imaginative Thai & Asian menu at Thai Brasserie by Blue Elephant will fulfill your dining dreams in Phuket.
The Royal Kitchen
The Royal Kitchen serves Royal Cantonese cuisine. Dine Chinese style while overlooking Patong and enjoy views of the Andaman Sea.
Thru the Sea
BBQ and grilled items, live music and entertainment with happy hour, ladies night, cocktail buffet, set food menus and seafood-BBQ buffet.
Trattoria Capri Da Rico
The oldest Italian restaurant in Phuket. Chef Rico has more than 45 years of experience and offers a delicious selection of real Italian home cooking.
White Box
White Box is a beachfront restaurant and bar resting on the sand and coral beach overlooking Patong Bay. Modern Mediterranean and Thai cuisine by Chef Laurent Tollari.
The Yorkshire Inn
An English style restaurant serving homemade traditional classics from roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding to full English Breakfast.
Shows & Performances in Phuket
Animal Shows
These shows usually involve trained animals, such as monkeys and elephants, performing tricks. Snake and crocodile shows feature brave handlers who perform stunts with the animals.
Phuket Fantasea
Phuket FantaSea is a huge cultural theme-park located in Kamala, packed with loads of activities and entertainment. The park's theme is inspired by Thailand's rich and exotic heritage.
Simon Cabaret
Simon Cabaret is Phuket's famous transvestite cabaret. Stunning costumes, bright lights, an excellent sound system and expensive sets are all part of this theatrical extravaganza.
Thai Boxing
Professinal fights are held at the Phuket Boxing Stadium in Phuket City. However, there are venues in tourist areas that hold show fights which can still be quite ferocious and provide an entertaining spectacle.
Other Shows & Performances
SphinxSphinx Restaurant & Theatre in Patong has lively shows featuring Thai dance, contemporary favorites, Broadway hits and comedy on an intimate stage. Where the show really comes into its own is the eclectic repertoire by Sphinx's exclusive dance troupe, The Pharaohs. The show is fast moving, colorful and professionally choreographed.
Show
times:
21:00 & 22:30
daily, except
Tuesdays.
Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village
The Thai Village offers an opportunity to experience some traditional Thai culture through dance, interspersed with Thai boxing, sword fighting exhibitions and elephant shows. Dances include Fon Tian (candlelight dance), Fon Leb (fingernail dance), Sukhothai dance, bamboo dance, tin-sifting dance, Norah and Ram Wong (folk dance). During the Ram Wong the audience is invited to join in with the dancers.
The evening is
organized
especially for
groups and
includes a
sumptuous buffet
of Thai food or
a set menu of
fresh Phuket
seafood. The
minimum group
size is 10
guests.
Cabarets
As well as the famous, there are numerous smaller cabaret shows to be found in Phuket. Most of the bars in the Paradise Complex in Patong have transvestite cabaret acts late in the evening. A number of the bars along Soi Crocodile (a.k.a. Soi Katoey) also have cabaret shows.
Nightlife:
