Krabi Bars

With the exception of Phi Phi - the party island - the bar scene in Krabi is fairly relaxed, reflecting the easy-going southern beach culture. Prettily-lit, bamboo beach bars are the most common place to hang out in, with plenty of cushions, pavilions and even hammocks to ensure you won't leave again in a hurry. A few tunes, the sound of the waves and a view of the stars is all you have in the way of entertainment; although some Krabi bars will put on fireshows or live music in the peak season.

Even in town, most of the bars are relaxed, open-air cafes, often with a giant screen showing the latest Thai pop videos, or Premiership football games. Live music is also popular here, with Thai bands regularly performing covers of local and western hits.

In fact the only place in which you're likely to stay behind closed doors is if you wish to frequent the small number of 'karaoke' venues in town - for more on this and the go-go bar scene in general.

For a more active nightlife, it will be necessary to make a trip to Phi Phi Island. If you're the kind of person who enjoys guzzling 'buckets' of local whisky and Red Bull and falling over on the dance floor, you will be in your element here. Phi Phi - where this sophisticated cocktail was invented - holds nightly parties in super-sized beach bars, as well as in clubs in the village. DJs; fireshows; magicians; Thai boxing; and ladyboy cabarets: nothing is spared in the quest to entertain the tourists.

Here, bars can stay open all night - there are no police on the island; elsewhere, most bars shut, in theory anyway, at 1am. In practice, most beach bars and other tourist nightspots are rarely forced to close - so if they have customers, they will continue to serve them.

Below we suggest a variety of Krabi bars to please every taste. As many bars are of a fly-by-night nature, we have tried to list more established venues, but even then we cannot guarantee that they will still be there when you arrive!


BARS IN AO NANG
The Last Fisherman beautiful, classy beach bar, with tables on the sand and a good selection of cocktails. At the far end of Ao Nang Beach, past Golden Beach Resort.

Luna Bar another beach bar, with a livelier atmosphere, offering pool tables and DJs. Only fills up after midnight, however. Nopparat Thara Beach, just after the bridge from Ao Nang.

The Irish Rover cosy pub, serving draught Guinness and a whole range of imported beers. A good place to read the English papers, or watch the sport. Just off the main beach road, opposite the police station.


BARS IN RAILAY BEACH
Gecko Bar reggae-style bamboo shack on the East beach; expect lots of Thai boys with dreadlocks and late night parties.

Freedom Bar holds regular all-nighter beach parties, usually at Full Moon. On Ton Sai Beach, across from Railay West.

Bobo's a quiet beach bar with candlelit tables in the sand. Good place to watch the sunset on Railay West Beach.


BARS IN KRABI TOWN
Crazy Pub a live music pub with funky house band and good DJs. Mainly Thai crowd but also some tourists. Maharat Rd, opposite Shell Station.

Pan Cha a relaxed, outdoor coffee shop, with giant screen - there's a great atmosphere when the football is on. Also serves food. Maharat Road Soi 12.


BARS ON KOH LANTA
Most people here tend just to go their nearest beach bar - usually less than a hundred metres away - but for something different, you could try the following :

Ibark holds infrequent, but huge Tribal, House, Trance, and Psy-Trance parties up on the hill, with Bangkok and international DJs. Behind Klong Nin beach.

Otto's a larger beach bar, with pool table and occasional live music. Otto himself is a great host. Klong Nin beach.

Opium a stylish chill-out bar on the main road through Phra Ae village - open in high season only. Long Beach.

Funky Fish a popular beach bar on Long Beach with good music and plenty of expat/diving regulars.


BARS ON PHI PHI ISLAND
Hippies holds regular half-moon parties in a nice beach bar; a good place for a 'warm-up' before heading into town. On Ton Sai Bay, around 5 minutes' walk out of the village.

Carlito's popular beach bar, with DJs and dance floor. On the first corner out of Ton Sai Village.

Apache vertigo-inducing tiered bar that holds weekly cabaret shows. Good dance music. Less than a minute's walk past the Marlin statue along Ton Sai Bay.

Reggae Bar the oldest and, some say, the best, it certainly offers the ultimate in Phi Phi decadence. Beware of the dance floor, which can get very slippery. In Ton Sai Village.