This cool venue has a great band headed by a guy called Took who plays renditions of old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley and Stones songs. If you fancy something a bit heavier than jazz then the Brasserie should suit. In the early evening an acoustic guitar entertains before the evening progresses to something heavier and the electric guitars come out to rock your socks off. The delightful terrace has ample amount of greenery to accompany the river setting and a chilled beer.

• Opening Hours: 15:00 – 02:00
• Address: 37 Charoenrat Road
• Tel: +66 (0) 53 24 1665

This kooky outdoor bar area at the foot of the Iron Bridge is lively and a lot of fun. The Bus Bar is a large converted double-decker public bus that now serves heavy-laden cocktails and ice cold beers to groups of happy guests. The music is a mish-mash of chart hits, Thai songs and ballads, the food is poor, but for a few drinks in the evening it is an enjoyable experience. The Bus Bar is the only one of our top 5 on the western, city-side bank of the river, but just look for the Iron Bridge and you will find it easily.

• Opening Hours: 18:00 – 1:00
• Location: 111 Kampangdin Rd., Across from the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel at the foot of the Iron Bridge

For live music lovers the Good View should be your first port of call. The cover band belts out old-school classics while guests are encouraged to get up and dance or even share the stage if they think they can handle it. This is something of a Chiang Mai institution and for the city’s inhabitants is considered a guaranteed good time. The bar and restaurant area is pretty big so expect a good and rowdy crowd. Read More...

• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 01:30
• Address: 13 Charoenrat Road
• Tel: +66 (0) 53 241866
• Cuisine: Thai, Japanese, western

Not dissimilar to the Good View, The Riverside has the same drinking, dining and live music concept. Often referred to as the cousin of the Riverside, the biggest deciding factor being the bands playing and cost (the Riverside is that little bit cheaper). Both share the common ground of being incredibly atmospheric and good for a laugh. The venue originally consisted of three separate riverbank houses but over the years they have converged into an integrated whole thus it is quite architecturally interesting. Read More...

• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 01:30
• Address: 9-11 Charoenrat Road
• Tel: +66 (0) 53 243239

The Roof is a rooftop bar located in Riverside Chiang Mai, on the top of Sala Lanna Chiang Mai Hotel. The Roof offers panoramic views of the Ping River, Chiang Mai and even Doi Suthep temple on the mountain. Being located at the edge of the river gives The Roof a fresh breeze and the rooftop tends to be cooler than the street level. The Roof bar has a variety of seating, from long benches with low tables, to stools at the bar as well as pool loungers if you want to really relax. The vista is also impressive because the bar has 360 degree views. Read More...

• Opening Hours: 18:00 – 23:00
• Location: Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
• Tel: +66 (0)53 242 588

The Service 1921 is a classy bar and restaurant on the grounds of the Anantara Chiang Mai Resortin Chiang Mai. The land and building was originally built in 1921 by the British government and was the first location of the British consulate in Chiang Mai. It is no longer the consulate but the building has kept its stylish British interior. Read More...

• Opening Hours: 11:30 – 01:00
• Location: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, 123-123/1 Charoen Prathet Road, Changklan, Chiang Mai 50100
• Tel: +66 53 253 333

The home of live Jazz and Blues every night from 21:30, this jazz club is packed every weekend with local jazz aficionados and musicians looking for their fix of an increasingly popular elixir: improvisational jazz in a city jam-packed with copycat cover bands. The open mic club is popular with the city's cool cats. Situated on the right-hand side of the Gallery

• Opening Hours: Thursday-Sunday 21:20 – late
• Address: 25-27-29 Charoen Raj Rd
• Tel: +66 (0) 53 248 601-2