The best tourist cities in the world are the ones that have a thriving nightlife to go with all the daytime tourist activities. If you are looking for a little fun and adventure after the sun goes down, there are few places better to be than in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is a city that comes to life after dark, with locals and tourists mixing and mingling in a stunning number of hotspots. There is a bar, club, or place to eat and people watch at just about every turn, with every taste catered to in those places.
If you are looking for a place to drink, dance, and listen to live music, the locals would probably tell you to head to the famed Nimman Road. Located about 2 km west of the Old City, this is an area that is chock full of places to have a little bit of fun once the sun goes down. It’s also a great place to do a little bit of exploring, as every alley along this stretch of road hides little drinking spots that among the best the area has to offer. Many of the bars here offer a buffet style drinking environment, where you can drink all you want for a fixed price for a set amount of time.
Visitors looking for adult entertainment that goes beyond having a few drinks should head to the C.M. Entertainment Complex. While some folks head there for the muay Thai boxing events held there, many more go to get a little taste of the alternative culture of Thailand. There are all kinds of different adult themed bars, including a “ladyboy” cabaret that is a big hit with locals and tourists alike. If you like your entertainment a little more on the conservative side of things, this might be a part of town that you want to avoid.
That said, right beside the complex is where you will find the Night Bazaar. This is a massive market area where you will find just about anything for sale. It’s a one-stop shopping spot for people looking to get a little bit of souvenir shopping done. Part of the fun of visiting the Night Bazaar is haggling over the price with the different vendors. Haggling is not just something that is an option, it is very much expected, so don’t just settle for the prices that are on display.
If you plan on doing a bit of drinking, you should probably make sure that you get plenty to eat. You will find street food vendors all over the place, with all kinds of different culinary delights available. All of the offerings are very reasonably priced, which means you will be well fed, but still have plenty of money left over for the other fun things you have planned for the evening. There are all kinds of great things to do in Chiang Mai at night, so get out and explore. It’s much more fun than just hanging out in your hotel room.
