Drink in Chiang Mai

Tap water is usually not drinkable in Thailand outside of Bangkok. In many places in Bangkok however, particularly in new buildings, drinking tap water is perfectly safe. However, if you don't want to chance it, buying a bottle of water is the obvious solution. Bottled water (น้ำเปล่า naam plao) is cheap and ubiquitous at 5-10 baht a bottle, and drinking water served in restaurants is always at least boiled (น้ำต้ม naam tom). Ice (น้ำแข็ง naam khaeng) in Thailand usually comes packaged straight from the factory and is safe; there is only reason to worry if you are served hand-cut ice.

Coconut water (น้ำมะพร้าว naam ma-phrao), iced and drunk directly from a fresh coconut is a cheap and healthy way to cool the body - available at restaurants and also from vendors that specialize in fruit juice.

Fruit juices, freezes and milkshakes of all kinds are very popular with Thais and visitors alike. Most cafés and restaurants charge 20-40 baht, but a bottle of freshly squeezed Thai sweet orange juice (น้ำส้ม naam som) - which really is orange in color! - can be sold on the street for 15 baht or less. Thais often add salt to their fruit juices-- an acquired taste that you might just learn to like. Thais also like to have basil seeds in their iced fruit juice sold on the road - which looks like small jelly balls down of the bottle.

One of Thailand's most characteristic drinks is Thai iced tea (ชาเย็น chaa yen, lit. "cold tea"). Instantly identifiable thanks to its lurid orange color, this is the side effect of adding ground tamarind seed (or, these days, artificial color) during the curing process. The iced tea is always very strong and very sweet, and usually served with a dash of condensed milk; ask for chaa dam yen to skip the milk.

Naam chaa and chaa jiin are weak and full-strength Chinese tea, often served in restaurants for free. Western-style black tea is chaa ron (ชาร้อน). Coffee (กาแฟ kaafae) is also widely available, and is usually served with condensed milk and lots of sugar. Ask for kaafae thung to get traditional filtered "bag" coffee instead of instant.

The Starbucks phenomenon has also arrived in Thailand, but for the moment local competitors Black Canyon Coffee and S&P still have the edge in marketshare. These are the places to look for if you want that triple-moccha latte with hazelnut swirl and are willing to pay 75 baht for the privilege.

• Black Canyon Coffee is Thailand's home-brewed Starbucks, but while coffee is their mainstay they also offer a limited meal menu. Try the chaa yen (lurid orange Thai iced tea with milk).

Thailand is the original home of the Red Bull brand energy drink - a licensed and re-branded version of Thailand's original Krathing Daeng (กระทิงแดง, "Red Bull"), complete with the familiar logo of two bulls charging at each other.

The Thai version, however, is syrupy sweet, uncarbonated and comes packaged in medicinal-looking brown glass bottles, as the target customers are not trendy clubbers, but Thailand's working class of construction workers and bus drivers in need of a pick-me-up. And a pick-me-up it most certainly is; the caffeine content is higher even than Western-style Red Bull, and packs a punch equivalent to two or three shots of espresso coffee. Krathing Daeng and its many competitors (including M150, Shark, .357 and the inevitableKarabao Daeng, "Red Buffalo") are available in any convenience store for 10 baht a pop, although in some places you can now buy imported European Red Bull for five times the price.

Drinking alcohol in Thailand, especially if you like Western tipples, is actually comparatively expensive - but still very affordable by Western standards.

Note that retail sales of alcohol in supermarkets, convenience stores etc are banned between midnight and 11 AM and, more bizarrely, 2-5 PM. Restaurants and bars are not affected, and smaller, non-chain stores are often willing to ignore the rules.

Chiang Mai's nightlife scene is the most happening in the North, although still a far cry from Bangkok's hot spots, this guide will show where you can hangout, meet some of the most beautiful girls in Thailand, get outrageous or do whatever takes your fancy. There are discos, karaoke bars, and live music everywhere. The busiest nightlife zones are near Tapae Gate, Loi Kroh Road and along Charoenrat Road on the eastern bank of the Ping River.

For those who love nothing more than a decent night on the town, then Chiang Mai has one of the land's funkiest nightlife. Types of nightlife available include:
▪ Discos are popular with the younger trendier crowd.
▪ Live music pubs/restaurants playing either Thai folk music and/or international pop classics.
▪ Karaoke clubs can be found all around.
▪ Barbecues are large open-air restaurants which play music and serve alcohol.
▪ Bar Beers are popular with foreign male tourists.
▪ Thai Pubs are not like Western ones, they are usually huge.
▪ Western pubs serving draft beer.

The misnamed Thai whisky (lao) refers to a number of distilled rice liquors, the best known being the infamous Mae Khong ("Mekong") brand and its competitor, the sweeter, vaguely rum-like Saeng Som ("Sangsom"). The only resemblances to whisky are the brown color and high alcohol content, and indeed many people liken the smell to nail polish remover, but the taste is not quite as bad, especially when diluted with cola or tonic water. This is also by far the cheapest way to get blotto, as a pocket flask of the stuff (available in any convenience store or supermarket) costs only around 50 baht.

Out in the countryside many villages distil their own moonshine (lao thuean), which is strictly speaking illegal, but nobody seems to mind very much. Especially when hilltribe trekking in the North you're likely to be invited to sample some, and it's polite to at least take a sip.

Beer (เบียร์ bia) is a bit of an upmarket drink in Thailand, with the price of a small bottle hovering between 50 and 100 baht in most pubs, bars and restaurants. Thais like their lagers with relatively high alcohol content (around 6%), as it is designed to be drunk with ice, so the beer in Thailand may pack more of a punch than you are used to.

• Local brews: For many years the only locally brewed beer was Singha (pronounced just Sing) but it has lost market to cheaper and stronger Chang. Both are pretty strong though, but for those who prefer something a bit lighter, both local brands have introduced low-alcohol versions of their beers. Singha Light comes in at 3.5%, Chang Draught is 5% and Chang Light is 4.2%. There are also some cheaper local beers which are rarely found outside of shops and supermarkets - Leo and Archa being among the most popular.

• Premium brands: The two most popular premium brands are Heineken and Tiger, but San Miguel, Federbrau and other Asian beers such as the Japanese Asahi are also fairly commonplace. The premium beers tend to be a bit weaker than the full-strength local beers, and are about 10-20% more expensive.

• Imported beers: Most upmarket pubs in touristy areas will have at least a couple of imported beers available along with the usual local brands, either on draught, in bottles or both. Belgian and German beers can often be found, as well as Irish stouts and ales such as Guinness, British bitters such as John Smiths and the light Mexican beer Coronais gaining in popularity. Regional favourite BeerLao has also started to make an appearance in bars and pubs around the country. All imported beers (with the exception of BeerLao) are very expensive though, being about twice the price of locally sourced beers.

• Other non-beers: The usual range of "alcopops" is available in Thailand, with Bacardi Breezer enjoying the lion's share of the market. Spy wine cooler is also popular. Cider is harder to find, although some pubs have started to stock Magners and Bulmers.

'Imported drinks'

Imported liquors, wines and beers are widely available but prohibitively priced for the average Thai. A shot of any brand-name liquor is at least 100 baht, a pint of Guinness will set you back at least 200 baht and, thanks to an inexplicable 340% tax, even the cheapest bottle of wine will set you back over 500 baht. Note that, in cheaper bars (especially the go-go kind), the content of that familiar bottle of Jack Daniels may be something entirely different.

Chang Beer popular for Foreigner 45 bath/bottle	Singha Beer popular for Thai guy 55 bath/bottle	Tiger Beer popular for New wave/ indy people 55 bath/bottle

Heineken Beer popular for adult people 60 bath/bottle	Asahi Beer popular for Japanese lover people 60 bath/bottle	Leo Beer popular for Thai guy 48 bath/bottle

Archa Beer popular for worker people 40 bath/bottle	San-Migue Beer 55 bath/bottle	Cheer Beer popular for worker people 45 bath/bottle

Many, but by no means all of Chiang Mai's tourist oriented bars and pubs are located along Loi Kroh Road where in addition to the street bars, a large Beer Bar Centre can be found at the Night Bazaar end of Loi Kroh. Here you will find around 30 bars ranging from sports bars that feature big screens to view your favourite sports and play pool, to bars staffed exclusively by Khatoey or Ladyboys, the choice is yours. The centre also features a Muay Thai boxing ring that has exhibition bouts for free or a voluntary donation and on Thursdays real competition boxing that requires a small entrance fee unless your bar has provided you with complimentary viewing. And for extra fun, the ocaasional westerner tries his hands/feet/knees/elbows - usually with hilarious results.

Also take a stroll along Moon Muang Road and its side sois. Here you can find small expat hangouts, go-go bars and sports bars. Most have pool tables and hostesses, along with music videos or various TV sports programs. Be aware despite their charm and friendliness, the pressure to purchase lady drinks can end up with a very surprising "check bin" (tab) at the end of the night. A few of those similar bars recommended by expats are:

• 2gether Bar,now at Chaiya Phum soi 1 opposite Tuskers Bar and Restaurant,. Very reasonable prices 20-30% less than others in the Loi Kroh neighbourhood, and no pushy "Lady Drink" ripoffs here. Your hostess is the very charming Mai, free pool table but don't expect an easy game if Mai is playing. Great music and interesting mix of more discerning and witty expats PLUS a bevy of beautiful, single female visitors are always dropping by, (including Mai of course!) .

• Crank Tavern, Bottom of Ratchapakinai Road (Near Chiang Mai Gate) +66 819 527699, is a beautifully recycled wood furnished bar with free Internet, great tunes and friendly staff. Now with what are becoming known as the best pub meals in Chiang Mai its a great place to have a meal and spend a relaxing evening. Also home of Crank Adventures (see above) for excellent mountain bike tours and bike hire.

• Half Moon Pub, Soi 2 Moonmuang (around the corner from Topnorth Guesthouse), +66 853 205023, . Open 10AM till late, late. Sports bar with many regulars and tourists. Darts & pool area, big TV, really nice international cuisine, especially the burgers but also good Thai & Indian dishes. Excellent (can be loud) music, friendly atmosphere and beautiful women.

• Kat Bar, Loi Kroh in the Beer Bar Centre - hosted by the feisty and effervescent Jane who always has a great selection of music of your choice played as loud as you like, together with free pool and a wonderful group of really friendly girls to ease your shyness. Always a great favourite as it does not have girls of the "pushy - buy me a drink" type but the quality service always ensures their welcome visitors want to come on back.

• Number One, Loi Kroh Road Soi 1 - friendly bar with free Internet and pool table. Plenty of talkative expats and pretty hostesses.

• Tuskers, Chaiyaphum Soi 1, +66 871 804 665,- bar and restaurant with a touch of Thai style and international standards of service, free pool table and live sports. Only open a few days a week. Strangely deserted most of the time unless there is a quiz night or photo club or thaivisa meeting. Could be the location is extremely bad, but also waitresses tend to pester and the outside patio is home to a large number of mosquitos.

• Sportsbar@ChiangMai, Changklan Rd. 100/1 (The Plaza 4th floor, Night Bazaar), +66 53 235 771, . Open daily 11:30-02:00, Nice and clean bar with excellent food and drinks. Thai and western kitchen, many draughts and cocktails. 22 flatscreens and 1 beamer to watch the sport action from 16 different channels simultaneously. Even request you channel to watch. Nice view over the Night Bazaar. Parking place available.

There are also some bars with a different atmosphere:

• Café Souvannaphoum, 20/1 Ratchamankha Road, (near Moon Muang) +66 53 903-781. A decent wine bar with comfortable seating and relaxing music, great escape from the busy street life, open M-Sa: 17:00 - 01:00.

• Chiangmai Saloon , Two locations: 80/1 Loi Kroh Rd., 150m from Night Bazaar, +66 08-0675 2169, and 30 Ratchawithi Rd., inside the moat, +66 08-1930 2212. American-styled burger and Southwest steakhouse, friendly staff, nice atmosphere, big screen music videos and sporting events, pool tables and free internet, free popcorn and peanuts, over 50 kinds of margaritas, Chang beer on draft, kitchen open from breakfast until late, everyday.

• The Pub 189 Huay Kaew Road (near Amiri Rincome Hotel) +66 53-211550. long established olde worlde English pub in the true tradition, has had a makeover and extended the bar and the restaurant but kept its charm. Great selection of food and drinks, including roast dinners on Sundays. Has an outside area where you can sit and enjoy the tranquility of a tropical garden, and has recently added bungalows for those wishing to linger longer.

• The Red Lion English Pub:A great location in the heart of the famous Night Bazaar, just past McDonald's and Burger King. Draught Guinness, Heineken and Tetley's bitter. Imported ciders as well as Belgian and German beers. All the pub favourites like Fish n Chips, Steak & kidney pie as well as Thai food. Menu in 7 languages including Japanese!! A great place to relax after shopping in the Night Bazaar. Live sports on big screen including Premier League Football, Aussie Rules, Rugby and Formula 1.

• The Olde Bell: British Pub and Ex-Services Club. on Loi Kroh Rd (next to the Raming Lodge Hotel and behind the Bank of Ayuthaya foreign exchange booth) in the heart of Chiang Mai's entertainment district, within walking distance of most hotels. Draught beers including Heineken and Tiger, Ciders including Dry Blackthorn and Olde English and a good wine selection as well as Great British/Australian food, are the hallmarks of this traditional British Pub with a cosy and friendly atmosphere. Open from 9.00a.m. for British and Continental Breakfasts.Monday night is World Music night with various themed promotions, Tuesday is Quiz Night & Thursday Beatles Night. At the weekend live sports are shown including English football,Rugby, Formula 1, Golf, Tennis and A.F.L. Aussie Rules. A pool table and dart board are available. The Olde Bell is the Chiang Mai home of The Royal British Legion and members are entitled to discounts.

West of the city center, the area around Nimmanhaemin Road is a popular hangout for younger Thais, perhaps due to its proximity to Chiang Mai University. The pubs, as they are called here, tend to straddle a fine line between bar, restaurant and nightclub, and feature loud music interspersed with live bands fronted by musicians who are most likely hitting the books in the daytime. Tourists looking for something racier are better off staying in the east side of town. Little English is spoken in this part of town.

• BangRak, Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6 - hangout spot for a primarily student crowd. Weekend nights are standing-room only and the clubbing atmosphere is complete; weekday nights are a little slower. Well air-conditioned, and no cover charge, but you'll be expected to purchase some drinks. Open 18:00-01:00.

• Mo'C Mo'L, Huay Kaew Road - pub and restaurant near Chiang Mai University, there are many zone in the restaurant: coffee shop, dining outdoor near the small pond, dining indoor with live music.

• Monkey Club, Nimminheimin Road Soi 9 +66 53-226997 -8 - another hot spot for the students and 20-somethings, with a variety of live music. Open 17:00-01:00.

• Simmbar - decent prices and good crowd. very nice staff.
• Warm Up Bar This chain bar / restuarnt / club has several venues in Thailand. The venue in Chang Mai is a lot less touristy and the dancehall packed to the brim of Thai students.

The area along the east bank of the Mae Ping River on Charoenrat Road is famous for jazz, rock, pop, Thai and country and western live music, along with restaurants serving Thai, western, and Chinese food. Coming from the center of the city, just walk from the night bazaar across the Narawatt Bridge, from where all the restaurants can be seen along the river on the left.

Most bands in Chiang Mai play for about an hour, and then move on to do the same at another restaurant or pub, so don't be surprised to see the same band twice if you switch venues.

• La Brasserie, 37 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241665 - this riverside venue is not famous for its food, but the music is great, and there's a good selection of cocktails and spirits. Acoustic guitar is played outside (19:00-midnight) while in the bar you can catch the famous Took and friends (23:00-01:00) who play old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other favorites.

• Tha Chang Jazz Club, 25 Charoenrat Road (next to Gallery Restaurant) +66 53-248601 - good for a drink any day, but best visited on Saturdays for live jazz.

• The Chiang Mai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road +66 53-243239 . The live music starts around 19:00 with dinner music from the Eagles, Beatles, or soft jazz. Starting at 21:00, the music changes to more rock and pop songs. Full bar service serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. The restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table. The Riverside also offers a nightly dinner cruise departing at 20:00 for 70 baht/person extra.

• The Good View, 13 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241886. 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.

• The North Gate Jazz Collective, inside the city moat and east of Chang Puak Gate. The North Gate has easily become one of the most popular, regular destinations for Chiang Mai's young ex pat community. With nightly jazz performances starting around 9:30 PM with different performers and occasional guests from the audience, the North Gate offers something unique to the often repetitious Chiang Mai live music scene. Mixed bag in terms of quality, sometimes great sometimes mediocre. In addition to nightly music performed by true lovers and technicians of jazz, the North Gate offers a variety of drinks not normally found within Chiang Mai- notably red and white wine, mojitos, and other mixed drinks. The staff is quick and efficient and prices are reasonable.

• Bubbles - B1, Porn Ping Tower, 46 Charoen Prathet Road. Would be just another cheesy hotel disco if not for some good DJs and enthusiastic crowds; now it's a cheesy, packed and fun hotel disco on weekend nights. Cover charge 100 baht including one drink; open until 02:00.

• Hot Shots almost next to Bubbles this is a much more 'Thai' place with live music most nights, cheaper drinks than bubbles and no cover charge for foreigners or locals

• Discovery - opposite Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre and Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. Is a small club with live band, DJ and huge screens showing music videos, good for drinking nights and letting loose. Bring ID/passport as they can be strict with entry especially on weekend nights.

• Spicy is a hectic after hours place with good drinks, dancing and lots of girls looking to party - be warned, they almost always ask for money. Also be warned of the washroomstaff who will provide you with an invigorating massage whilst you are washing your hands or worse when you are at the urinal and then ask for a tip. A place for farang men to pick up prostitutes.

• Mandalay has a younger Thai crowd. Foreigners pay a cover charge - which locals don't. The manager doesn't seek Western tourist business, but if you don't mind dual pricing, this is a great insight into the world of young Thais at play!

• Bubbles - B1, Porn Ping Tower, 46 Charoen Prathet Road. Would be just another cheesy hotel disco if not for some good DJs and enthusiastic crowds; now it's a cheesy, packed and fun hotel disco on weekend nights. Cover charge 100 baht including one drink; open until 02:00.

• Hot Shots almost next to Bubbles this is a much more 'Thai' place with live music most nights, cheaper drinks than bubbles and no cover charge for foreigners or locals

• Discovery - opposite Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre and Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. Is a small club with live band, DJ and huge screens showing music videos, good for drinking nights and letting loose. Bring ID/passport as they can be strict with entry especially on weekend nights.

• Spicy is a hectic after hours place with good drinks, dancing and lots of girls looking to party - be warned, they almost always ask for money. Also be warned of the washroomstaff who will provide you with an invigorating massage whilst you are washing your hands or worse when you are at the urinal and then ask for a tip. A place for farang men to pick up prostitutes.

• Mandalay has a younger Thai crowd. Foreigners pay a cover charge - which locals don't. The manager doesn't seek Western tourist business, but if you don't mind dual pricing, this is a great insight into the world of young Thais at play!