Chiang Mai Thailand's Live Music Scene

Chiang Mai 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.

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.

If you are coming from the center of the city, just walk from the night bazaar across the Narawatt Bridge. From the bridge, you can see all the restaurants along the river on your left. Once you cross the bridge, turn left and, on your right, will be Chiang Mai's first church and a riverside park on your left.

The first place you will come to is The Chiang Mai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road, telephone: 66 5324 3239. Everyone who has been to Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai Riverside restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table.

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, telephone: 053 241 886. 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, telephone: 053 241 665. 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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai Riverside and, one hour later, at The Good View.

There is no dress code however in the evenings you should always wear long pants or skirt, shirt with a collar (for men), socks and no flip flops or thongs. If you dress smart you will get a good table if not you may be put by the bathroom or a table next to a speaker.

Thailand Travel and Culture Group web site. 

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All Thailand Experiences