Planning a trip to Phuket? With beautiful beaches, giant Buddhas and charming colonial-style buildings in Patong Town, there’s plenty to see and do. However, there’s one thing that really puts Phuket on the map: its crazy nightlife!
Most travellers to Phuket spend at least one night on the town and come home with a few tales to tell. Whether you like dancing ’til dawn, sipping casual cocktails at a glamorous rooftop bar or immersing yourself in local culture at a live show, there’s bound to be somewhere in Phuket that’ll get you up out of your seat…
Best areas for nightlife in Phuket
When considering where to party and stay in Phuket, the first thing you’ll want to know is where to find the nightlife. The infamous party hotspot of Soi Bangla (Bangla Road) is almost entirely nocturnal. It gets lively as the sun goes down and stays busy with partygoers ’til the small hours. Home to superclubs likeTiger Night Club, it’s a loud and lively part of town that you should check out if you’re planning a big night out.
Top tip: Unless you plan to be out until the clubs shut, you might want to choose accommodation based away from this noisy street.
The other best area for nightlife in Phuket is Beach Road (Thaweewong Road). This 3km road stretches the whole length of the beach and is home to numerous clubs and bars such as tourist favourite Molly Malone’s. With two lively areas of Phuket on your doorstep, you’re guaranteed a great night.
Best clubs in Phuket
Superclubs are what Phuket does best. If you’re keen for a big night, head to Illuzion Phuket on Bangla Road. This enormous venue has capacity for 5,000 guests, as well as lasers, giant disco balls and resident DJs.
Hip hop fans might be more at home in Sugar Club, a booming bar with free entry and a VIP area for those feeling flash. Failing those options, why not visit Seduction, the biggest club complex in Patong? Five different venues are split across three floors, each playing different types of music. You’re sure to find something to dance to!
Best rooftop bars in Phuket
Feeling fancy? Maybe you’ve got cash to splash at Phuket’s classiest venues, or perhaps you plan to see sunset with a cocktail then sneak away somewhere cheaper. Either way, we’re not judging. Phuket has its fair share of well-known rooftop bars with spectacular views over the city and coastline.
Surface Bar and Restaurant is the top spot for fresh local cuisine and dreamy island views, while Quip Sky Bar is conveniently located right in the city with a lengthy cocktail list and excellent Thai food. If you don’t mind a drive, Baba Nest is the number one: an exclusive venue with an infinity pool to sip your icy drinks from. Heaven!
Best beach clubs in Phuket
If you’d rather spend a day drinking at the pool than a busy bar, we don’t blame you. Phuket’s beachside location makes it the perfect place for stylish beach clubs with unrivalled ocean views.
Scoping out the best sundowners in town? Head to Iguana Beach Club on the west side of the peninsula. For a peaceful location and sunset views, it doesn’t get much better than this.
For a more lively beach club with evening DJs, check out Paradise Beach Club or Xana Beach Club. At these popular venues, you can sleep the day away on the sand then dance ’til daylight on the terrace. What more could you want?
Best live music in Phuket
More about live bands than DJ sets? There are plenty of venues that host gigs and concerts in Phuket. Red Hot Bar is a favourite with tourists and locals, hosting talented Thai artists who take the stage from 8pm.
Rock City is the spot for 70s and 80s music performed by local bands, while Rockin’ Angels Music Bar is a popular live venue dedicated to Blues music. The decor is reminiscent of 19th century America, so grab a beer and tap your toes to B.B King.
Cabaret in Phuket
While cabaret didn’t originate in Thailand, it’s become enormously popular all over the country. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket, there are endless opportunities to catch theatrical musical performances.
However, Thai cabaret shows have a unique twist: the feminine personas are all male, and they are outrageously hilarious! Supporting this vibrant celebration of LGBT culture provides a valuable income for transgender Thais – and a fun night out for you! Trust us, we’ve done this on a hen do-bachelorette and it was great fun.
Simon Cabaret not far from Patong Beach is the most popular venue in town, hosting cabaret shows since 1991. Don’t leave Phuket without catching one!
Ready to paint the town red?! Don’t let us know how the night ended in the comments below! If we missed anything essential, we’d love to hear and add it into this post. For the full Phuket destination guide, click here.
Featured Image by Jeffrey Miller
