Top 10 Nightlife in Chiang Mai

First it was the Sunday Walking Street, then the Saturday Wualai Walking Street. Closed to car traffic after midday, the Walking Streets are the best places to see and experience Chiang Mai in its own skin. All kinds of vendors – aspiring street entrepreneurs, hill-tribe peddlers, established shop-houses – and crafts fill the entire stretch. Street food, drinks and cultural entertainment are all part of the experience – it's one of the best ways to spend an evening in Chiang Mai. Best time to go: After 18:00

Across the River Ping from the Night Bazaar, Charoenrat Road runs parallel to the riverside and is home to a line-up of atmospheric resto-bars with the city’s best live music, with jazz, soul, reggae, and classic rock and roll tunes. Team this great atmosphere with the magnificent views and tasty food, and you can see why the Riverside is home to Chiang Mai’s most sought-after nightlife spots.

Popularly known as Chiang Mai’s hip street, Nimmanhaemin Road is filled with stylish galleries, art cafés, boutique shops and hotels with distinct personality. After sunset, it comes to life with a colourful range of chilled out bars, clubs and restaurants. For live music, dancing and a lot of local party vibe, the city’s trendy types head to Monkey Club on Soi 9 (open 22:00-1:00) or the more youthful Warm Up, opposite Soi 17 (open 18:00-2:00).

Like Phuket, Bangkok and the rest of Thailand, in fact, Chiang Mai has its fair share of pretty ladyboys, and cabaret shows are the best places to spot the prettiest and most talented of them all. Themes range from the glamorous to the hilarious, but the shows are always entertaining. Check out Blue Moon Cabaret at 5/3 Moon Muang Road.

Just south of Tha Pae Gate, the short strip leading towards Night Bazaar is a jungle of girlie bars, massage parlours and go-go pubs with their prettiest staff members outside beckoning patrons like sirens. While some have labelled the strip brash, loud, with an in-your-face attitude, it’s the place to go if you’d like some easy ‘company’. Spotlight, on Chaiyapun Road, near Loi Kroh, has a large stage and a deliciously seedy vibe. For something with a little more style, head to Foxy Lady A Go Go behind Dusit D2 Hotel.

Nightlife inside the Old City wall has a more subdued vibe to it than the Riverside or the Night Bazaar, but still has potential for meeting people, enjoying a few drinks and the promise of live music. The U.N. Irish Pub on Ratvithi Rd (open 9:00-1:00) is laid-back, has good pub food, occasional open-mic nights and a friendly crowd of local expats. THC Rooftop Bar (opposite Tha Pae Gate, open 18:00-late) has a rooftop bar where you can kick your shoes off, lie down on some comfy cushions, get caned and listen to electronic music.

An entire warehouse dedicated to adult nightlife, definitely not a place to bring your family. Easily spotted by the glowing red neon sign that says “Free Show”, the complex houses some 30 girlie bars with pool tables and loud, throbbing music. There’s also a cabaret show and a Muay Thai (Thai kick boxing) stadium in the middle where free shows are staged on most nights.