Chiangmai's live music scene and other Chiang Mai, Thailand Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Along the Ping River

Chiangmai has an exciting nightlife. Live music of all kinds can be found in the city, from classical Thai to jazz, rock, and country. Unlike most pubs in western countries, excellent food can be enjoyed as well.

Chiangmai is famous for its nightlife, as well as the charming city and beautiful surrounding countryside. There are discos, karaoke bars, and live music everywhere.
The area I like to go is along the east bank of the Mae Ping River on Charoenrat road.
This is the area famous for jazz, rock, pop, Thai and country and western live music, along with fabulous restaurants serving Thai, western, and Chinese food.

From the Narawatt Bridge the first place you will come to is The Chiangmai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road, Everyone who has been to Chiangmai eats at least once here. There is a large menu of Thai and western food. If you want a good homemade hamburger, this is a good place to get one. The live music starts around 7pm with dinner music from the Eagles, Beatles, or soft jazz. Starting at 9pm, the music changes to more rock and pop songs. Full bar service serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. The Chiangmai Riverside restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: If Thai food is more to your liking, no worries, just walk to the next restaurant only a few meters away to The Good View, 13 Charoenrat Road. Thai and western varieties of rock, jazz, pop and country music entertain in the evening. Their extensive menu offers more than 150 Thai, Chinese, and western dishes, including curries, noodles, rice, and pizza. Soft drinks and a full bar serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. Again, if you want a good, riverside-view table get there early.

Now you're full of excellent food and want to really rock, no problem, just continue walking down the street to La Brasserie 37 Charoenrat Road. This riverside venue is well known for nightly performances by a talented guitarist named Took and his band, who plays renditions of old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other favorites. Sit outside in the lush garden setting where acoustic guitar is played (7pm to midnight) or inside at the bar and catch the famous Took and Friends (11pm to 2am). There is also a good selection of cocktails and spirits. Not famous for food but the music is great.

Most bands in Chiangmai play at one venue for about an hour, and then move on to another restaurant or pub. Don’t be surprised if you see a band playing at the Chiangmai Riverside and, one hour later, at The Good View.

Dress code is not strict in Thailand however you should wear long pants or dress along with a nice blouse or shirt. When Thai people go out in the evening they do not wear T-shirts and/or shorts. If they feel you are not dressed properly you may get a table in a corner or next to the bathroom.
Address: Charoenrat Road
Directions: Along the east shore line of the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai Thailand
Other Contact: no reservations required

Nightlife Spot: Chiang Mai’s unique night walking markets

Almost everyone knows of the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai along Chang Klang Road but few visitors ever experience Chiang Mai’s unique walking markets on the weekends. These markets on Wualai Road on Saturday and Rajdumnern Road on Sunday are much different than the Night Bazaar.

While the Night Bazaar has it’s flashing neon signs advertising the western food chains and merchandise, crowded narrow walkways crammed with hawkers and tourists, the Weekend Bazaars offer a more relaxing experience. Large wide avenues are blocked off from vehicle traffic at 4 PM until 11 PM. Talented craft persons and northern Thai fresh food vendors politely sell they wares along the sidewalks and on colorful temple grounds.
Both weekend walking markets are excellent however each is different in the types of wares sold, atmosphere and experiences.

The Saturday Bazaar on Wualai Road begins at Rajchiangsean road up to Tipanet Road. This is the old city silver-making district and even today you can still hear the tapping of hammers as the silversmiths sculpture beautiful designs on bowls, cups, bracelets, rings and wall murals. You can watch them make their beautiful creations as they sit on the street in front of their shops.

There are several silver shops on Wualai Road so look at all of them before deciding on a purchase. Bargaining is welcomed and half of the funs of shopping so don’t settle on a fixed price. There are plenty of food and drink vendors along the street and small restaurants where you can take a rest and take in the surroundings so no need to rush.

The Sunday Bazaar on Rajdumnern Road begins at Thapae Gate and ends at the city police station about 6 bocks west. About half way up, at Prapokklao Road, the Bazaar continues south past Wat Chedi Luang for another block and north to the 3 kings statue and the old Provincial Hall, which is now the Chiang Mai City Museum.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: A stage is set up on the grounds of the museum where northern Thai musicians and dancers in traditional costumes give live performances starting around 7 PM.

Rajdumnern Road seams to have one temple after another. The temple grounds are where almost all the food stalls are set up. Here they have tables and chairs where you can sit and have everything from French Fries to Papaya Salad, soups and grilled Thai dishes. Lots of different foods and deserts you probably have never seen before are available. Soft Thai music is usually played on the temple sound system to add to the eating experience.

Both Bazaars are lots of fun and several hours can be spent here enjoying the culture, food, people and atmosphere. Unlike the Night Bazaar with its copied brand products, fake jewelry and handicrafts made in China or Burma both weekend markets have real handcraft persons selling their goods. Excellent northern Thai food and snacks made fresh by local and country folks, most not found in restaurants, such as “Miengkom” and “Caosoi” have to be tried.

The real fun is not the shopping but the ambience. Every block has traditional Thai Music being played by elders and children. The rich colors of the surrounding temples, the smell of garlic, grilled fish, sausages and chilies being cooked and roasted. People are eating smiling and just having a good time. Oh, one more thing. Get your snack and cold drink and take it to one of the many foot massage operations set up on the sidewalk. Sit back in the comfortable cushioned reclining chair and just watch, listen and take it all in. Wow what a great experience.
Address: Wualai Road and Rajdumnern Road
Directions: The Saturday Bazaar on Wualai Road begins at Rajchiangsean road up to Tipanet Road.

The Sunday Bazaar on Rajdumnern Road begins at Thapae Gate and ends at the city police station about 6 bocks west.
Website: http://www.all-thailand-exp.com