As one of the hottest holiday and tourism destinations in southern Thailand, Koh Samui hosts a fantastic choice of nightlife entertainment choices. The undisputed hotspot of nightlife on Samui is of course Chaweng, which is the Samui equivalent of Patong Beach in Phuket; boasting a multitude of lounge clubs, naughty pubs, beach bars, and discos, it is certainly the spot to have fun at night. Nightlife and bars can be found all over the island however, you are sure to find something to suit your tastes and thirst!
Drinking with Thais in Local Bars
Thai people exchange and share everything. On most occasions, you will be offered drinks and snacks. If you see Thai citizens drinking together, they may have a beer tower or a whole bottle of whisky or more with soda to share, and a table full of food to share, of course. Sharing is the Thai people's approach so it’s suggested you get active this way and contribute more to the sharing.
You won't win many Thai mates by being stingy and being loud or showing a lack of restraint while drinking. In public, good conduct is very important.
Where alcohol is available, there is always food. Thai people have it nailed when it comes to replenishing themselves with nutrients so alcohol cannot deplete their bodies.
Many Thais do like something of a western-style of drinking, visiting the bars on Koh Samui and other cities. They visit bars of the Western variety, go clubbing and love hanging out at wine bars.
Bophut
Coco Tams
With beanbags on the sand, swing seats at the bar, cabanas, shisha and even a big projection screen, it is the perfect tropical leisure place and one of the main nightlife attractions in Fisherman’s Village. The place is very much an open-air arrangement, with just a couple of palm-thatch buildings to find once you reach the well-maintained location, with a neat little garden separating it from Bophut Beach Lane. The look and sound are that of an easy-going rustic beach lounge, with palms and people nodding to chillout songs.
Hush Bar
Hush bar is one of the greatest bars on Koh Samui around the Green Mango town. The bar serves a range of music nights including RnB, Hip-hop, Disco, Reggae, Dubstep and many more. If you are into the music and want to enjoy a nice time, Hush Bar is certainly among the best Bars in Koh Samui. To experience the mad time over there, one should arrive there before the place gets rowdy. There are no admission costs and therefore no compulsion on taking drinks or shots. It is very popular for cocktails.
Irish Coffee and Sports Bar
It is one of the finest Bars in Koh Samui for those who choose to miss the clubs and enjoy the evening watching live sports broadcasts. The bar features all forms of live sports on a projector so customers can come and relax there. This bar has a sound system providing light and calming music with reggae which is the greatest in Thailand. It also contains all sorts of cuisines such as European, Thai, Asian and British. It is located near Chaweng Beach Lane, Moo 2. One wants to enter there before time as the place gets filled with people owing to the Happy Hours.
Bee’s Knees Brewpub
It is the only microbrewery on this entire island. It is renowned for the different varieties of beer or one might claim the best form of beer which is delivered to the consumer directly from vats and not from a keg. The venue is busy on weekends when the local crowd arrives to enjoy and party hard and to drink beers.
Maenam
Woobar
Woobar is part of the trendy W Retreat Koh Samui, a new upscale resort situated on the tiny cape separating Bophut from Maenam. Featuring a wide outdoor deck with a swimming pool, the bar has a spectacular contemporary theme amplified by the panoramic view over the sea, which covers the northeastern part of Samui, and Koh Phangan lies some 12km away off the coast. And if the bar doesn’t directly face the sunset, it provides a nice sundowner place thanks to its awesome view.
Chaweng
Ark Bar
Ark Bar is another Koh Samui institution that has run for quite a few years. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan beach-front venue (almost 150m wide!) that offers its punters food, beverages, a chilled groove to mingle and party to the DJs’ new live mixes between like-minded travellers from all over the world. And if it's changed hands many times the bar/restaurant also utilizes the same tactics to lure customers in with fire artists, fire displays, dining and partying on the beach and a relaxed environment that stretches to a children-friendly vibe, even late at night.
On Street Bar
On Street Bar is definitely the most original venue in Chaweng’s enormous nightlife scene; this tiny venue set on a small piece of wasteland right next to the entrance of KC Beach Club Hotel is constructed of corrugated iron and reclaimed wood painted in vibrant colours – without them, the one-metre wide façade will be completely overlooked as the stall/shop next door sells vivid paper chandeliers. Built of some old stuff and featuring recovered furnishing and décor set on the open field, On Street Bar is a very famous water hole, proof that the trendiness of a location is not always linked to the sum of money spent to make it glossy and desirable.
Rasta Bar Samui
The Rasta Bar is one of the best bars on Koh Samui and is also regarded as one of the biggest reggae bars on the island. People mostly come here for relaxing and listening to live music with some punk ballads mixed in for good measure. The ambience of this bar draws residents and visitors, creating a wide audience. As the place is rather industrial, prices are also cheap with a wide range of variations of food and cocktails like beer. The big highlight of the Rasta bar is the bar games and drinks in a chill setting.
Pride Bar
The Pride Bar is one of the finest Bars in Koh Samui for the gay community. People visit there in groups to have a good and positive time and appreciate the environment. It is situated close Soo bar Samui. It is an LGBT bar with WiFi, pools, and sports. It is a big, original and unique bar with a western feel.
The Islander
The Islander Pub is one of the most famous bars in Koh Samui. People come here to eat Western Fare, Thai Cuisine, Draught beer, and 100b Cocktails in an accessible environment. The clubs in Koh Samui are well recognized for their crazy nightlife so if you want a reasonably relaxed time drinking and hanging out with your mates then this spot has you covered. The Islander also has a range of Draft Beer, including Kilkenny and Guinness. It can accommodate 200 plates, has an impressive 22 big-screen TVs and a free pool table upstairs.
Absolute Ice Bar
The only ice bar in Koh Samui. It provides the greatest selection of delightfully flavoured vodka in town, to be enjoying in below-freezing temperatures for the perfect buzz. It also has a speciality as everything in this bar is crafted with ice beginning from the wall to the glass in which one drinks. It is the finest Koh Samui Bars for people to have great fun.
Lamai
Mynt
Mynt Lounge is situated in Lamai Beach, and the lounge is also said to be the core of Lamai. This lounge has a family-friendly pool and music. The cold beers and drinks are offered from late afternoon until closing time. It is a comforting spot that people can go to with their families and enjoy rest, and have peace of mind. It is one of the fairest locations on Koh Samui.
Billabong Bar
The Billabong bar is situated on Lamai beach. It is one of the strongest Bars in Koh Samui's nightlife. Billabong has a sidebar in the routine Australian journal, plenty of local breweries on tap and a really fair price South African House wine. It is a good spot to meet local ex-pats and experience daily live music and drinks.
Central Lamai Beer Bars
Right in the middle of Lamai, opposite McDonald’s, is a 2,000sqm plaza hosting a dozen beer bars, several sporting dancing poles, with names like Sexy Woman, Hollywood, Why Not, The Super Girls Bar, Longhorn Bar (this one is a long-established water hole in a bar scene which is in continuous evolution) – all performing their own music at varying levels – creating a head-splitting cacophony.
Choeng Mon
Lost Beach Bar
LOST Beach Bar is Koh Samui's bar and music venue. They have plenty of seating in the bar and on the beach. You can play volleyball or badminton on the white sand and enjoy a fun menu if you want to eat food and bungalows if you want to stay the night. They often have DJs playing music to enjoy with your drinks.