10 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Chiang Mai

North Gate Jazz Co-op is an intimate venue that plays host to a rotating line-up of the best local jazz musicians. The bewitching jam sessions performed by the players routinely draw a crowd to the compact venue, so arriving early to grab yourself a table is recommended.

Though jazz provides the backbone of the bar's soundtrack, the highly skilled musicians due venture into slightly more pop-focused territory from time to time. Perched next to the North Gate of Chiang Mai's famous walled Old City, the laid-back spot is conveniently placed for visitors who've spent the day soaking up the sights.

My Bar is a friendly, 2-storey venue known for its rock-centric soundtrack and ultra-welcoming staff. Here, locals and foreigners mingle in the UV-lit bar, drinking potent drinks while alternative indie-rock bands set the mood.

The owners and staff team are famously friendly, serving with a smile and ready to engage with all visitors. My Bar is close to Chiang Mai Walking Street, making it a convenient option for holidaymakers. With graffiti-daubed walls and mismatched décor, the unfussy venue is a great choice for those looking for a healthy slice of raucous fun. 

Nophaburi Bar is a small cocktail venue in Chiang Mai's atmospheric Old City. Hailed by locals as one of the best spots to enjoy an authentic cocktail in the city limits, what this bar lacks in size is more than made up for by the quality of drinks and stylish ambience.

Nophaburi Bar plays chic music while its hip patrons sip on their carefully blended drinks. Despite its super trendy feel, the staff are very welcoming, helping to create a warm and friendly vibe throughout the night.

Thapae East is a small live music bar close to Chiang Mai's Narawat Bridge, just outside the main tourist quarter. The cosy bar hosts an eclectic mix of bands and musicians every evening. Jazz, funk and blues are just some of the diverse sounds you can expect at this venue.

The exposed brick walls and minimal décor of Thapae East give it a stylish and hipster vibe. The friendly staff help to ensure that everyone feels welcomed. The venue operates as a cafe during the day, with tasty food served well into the late evening. If you're feeling peckish, we highly recommend the grilled cheese sandwiches.

Writer's Club & Wine Bar is a charming restaurant and bar with a varied menu and ultra-relaxed atmosphere. Located inside Hotel California, it's a great option for those looking for a night out without rowdy crowds or deafeningly loud music.

Known as the city's unofficial press club, it's a favourite haunt of locally-based writers and media types., However, anyone is welcomed at this bar, regardless of their enthusiasm for prose. With its discreetly bohemian atmosphere and pleasant street view, Writer's Club & Wine Bar is an excellent place to drink and unwind while watching the world go by.

Chill Out Bar is an outdoor drinking haunt famed for its laidback charm and potent cocktails. Effectively a kiosk by the street, this unassuming spot is a great place to spend a night out in Chiang Mai.

The tables and bar stools fill up fast, thanks in no small part to the excellent drinks menu. Classic cocktails are the order of the day, while the friendly bar owner invites patrons to select their favourite tunes to help set the party mood. Located just inside the walled Old City, Chill Out Bar is conveniently placed for tourists and sightseers.

Boy Blues Bar is an atmospheric dive bar that hosts some of the best live music in Chiang Mai. Headed by beloved local musician, Boy, the venue hosts bands playing a heady blend of blues and jazz, with Boy himself lighting up the stage alongside his talented house band on most evenings.

The bar is above the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, so you can easily enjoy an evening of souvenir shopping and drinking in Chiang Mai. Though the décor is rough and ready, Boy Blues Bar's music and atmosphere easily eclipse any lack of interior finesse. 

Moment's Notice Jazz Club is a compact music venue serving tasty beverages alongside a smooth jazz soundtrack. Thanks to its intimate atmosphere, locals often visit here in the evenings to catch up with old friends or acquaint themselves with new ones.

Chic, friendly, and bursting with charm, Moment's Notice is an excellent choice for jazz lovers to enjoy performances by very skilled players. The venue is close to the Ping River, making it a convenient option for holidaymakers in Chiang Mai.

Minimal Bar is a trendy bar offering a relaxed atmosphere and mesmerising live music nights. Minimal by name and nature, the stripped interior embodies the bar with a cosmopolitan feel, while the vinyl-embellished walls are sure to appeal to both analogue enthusiasts and music lovers.

An eclectic soundtrack enlivens the bar every night, but it's the live music events that really sets the pulse racing. Minimal Bar can get rather busy on gig nights, but its outdoor seating ensures there's room for everyone. Delicious skewers are available for peckish patrons, while the sensibly priced drinks menu should keep even the fussiest of drinkers suitably refreshed.

Zoe In Yellow is a large entertainment complex with pumping sounds and an unrestrained party atmosphere. The nightclub features multiple rooms playing a mix of commercial hip hop and pounding electronic beats.

Its clientele is mostly young locals, tourists and expats in search of alcohol-fuelled good times. The drink menu includes beers, spirits and cocktails, with the option of bucket-sized portions for those in a hurry to lose their inhibitions. Vibrant, busy, and bags of fun, Zoe In Yellow is a great option for a lively night out in Chiang Mai.