Krabi bars - pubs in Phi Phi
Hit the beach and be wowed by the fire dancers
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. See our list of recommended bars on this page.
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, see the Krabi nightlife section. And in that respect, Ao Nang - being a tourist centre - hasn't escaped the usual corner of girlie bars. They are tucked away behind the shophouses on Beach road. This is about as lively as this resort area gets, though, since it's more of a family venue, but there is fun to be had for some.
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, 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 01:00. 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!
Krabi bars in Ao Nang
Updated: January 2012
Traveller Bar: a fun, down-to-earth bar for the ‘travelling’ crowd, with weekly events and incredibly cheap drink prices. Located on the main road near Subway. 23 /16-23/18, Moo 2, Ao Nang, mobile: 081 007 9584, email: info@travellerbar.com.
Luna Bar: beach bar with a lively atmosphere, 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. Off the main beach road, opposite the police station. Open: 10:00 – Late.
The Last Fisherman: classy beach bar with tables on the sand and great cocktails. Far end of Ao Nang Beach, past Golden Beach Resort. Open: 10:00 – Late.
The Cave: this bar boasts a cavernous interior, yet is much more comfortable than Fred Flintstone’s abode. A full bar offers beers, wine and cocktails with exceptionally friendly staff. 3rd floor Centrepoint Complex.
The Airport: with a real scale 1:10 Boeing 767 hanging from the ceiling and staff dressed up as pilots and air stewardesses, getting into the mile-high club has never been so easy! Centrepoint Complex
Kr Pub: this newly refurbished bar in Krabi has kept most of its original design and features a real fishpond, waterfall and lots of traditional woodwork. The bar staff are friendly and drinks good value. 3rd floor Centrepoint Complex.
Krabi 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. Depending on the season and mood, this bar on the climbers beach opens and closes at leisure. 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, with mainly a Thai crowd but also some tourists. 98/4 Maharat Road (opposite the Shell station).
Pan Cha: a relaxed, outdoor coffee shop with giant screen that also serves food. There's a great atmosphere when the football is on. Maharat Road, Soi 12.
Bars on Koh Lanta
Most people here tend just to go their nearest beach bar - usually less than a 100m 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. Open: 10:00- 01:00; Klong Nin beach.
Opium: a stylish chillout bar on the main road through Phra Ae village - open in high season only but has a busy stream of regulars who camp out all night long. Long Beach.
Funky Fish: a popular beach bar on Long Beach with good music and plenty of expat/diving regulars. Email: info@funkyfish-lanta.com.
Bars on Phi Phi Island
Hippies: holds regular half-moon parties in a nice beach bar - 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. First corner out of Ton Sai Village.
Apache: vertigo-inducing tiered bar that holds weekly cabaret shows, and 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 the dance floor, which is slippery when wet. Ton Sai Village.
