What to Do on Bangla Road?
Note about Bangla Road: The street is back to normal, and all shops and bars have now reopened and are packed! If the party is on the agenda, Bangla is at the top of the list of things to do at night in Phuket!
Bangla Road is now mostly known as Bangla Walking Street or even Soi Bangla, and for many decades, it has been the notorious heart of all Phuket nightlife. The battle for night supremacy rages every night between beer bars, live music bars, rooftop bars, nightclubs, of course, those famous go-go bars, amazing tattoo studios, and now a surge in cannabis dispensaries! Phuket never ceases to amaze visitors.
Over the years, the centre of interest has been moving up and down Bangla Road depending on seasons and popularity, but the ever-changing face of Patong nightlife is worth having a look at. On each side of the ‘Patong Walking Street’, as it is often called, are alleys, locally called ‘Sois’, where you will find more modest but often cheaper beer bars.
Of course, wherever you go on Bangla Walking Street, friendly ladies will call you with a big smile and encourage you to sit, drink and play a few silly bar games. Everyone is, of course, welcome: men, women and couples.
Pros of Bangla Road
- Vibrant nightlife: Home to numerous beer bars, nightclubs, live music venues, and go-go bars.
- Wide variety of venues: Includes rooftop bars, tattoo studios, cannabis dispensaries, and sports bars.
- Entertainment diversity: Options for live music, silly bar games, and beachfront bars like the Aussie Bar and Sunset Bar.
- Street food and late dining: Bangla Street Food offers casual eats late into the night, perfect for post-party meals.
- Nightclubs for every style: Popular venues like Illuzion, Sugar Club, and BarFunk provide upscale party experiences with international DJs.
- Pedestrian zone in the evening: Closed to traffic from 6 pm, creating a festive walking street atmosphere.
- Go-go bars without entry fees: Transparent pricing with no scams, unlike similar scenes elsewhere in Thailand.
Cons of Bangla Road
- Crowded and noisy: Expect dense crowds, especially after 10 pm, which can feel overwhelming.
- Persistent touts: Touts may try to lure visitors into questionable venues or shows.
- Cannabis surge: The rapid rise of cannabis dispensaries may not appeal to all visitors.
- Touristy and chaotic: The atmosphere may feel too commercial or intense for those seeking a laid-back experience.
- Nightlife focus: Less suited for families or those not interested in nightlife or drinking culture.
- Venue turnover: Popular bars and clubs can close or change rapidly, affecting consistency.
Bangla Road Overview
Bangla Road is that street that stretches from the beach to Rat-U-Thit Road, near Jungceylon Shopping Mall. While it is a very anonymous one-way traffic street during the day, it turns into a crazy pedestrian-walking street starting at 6 pm. As you can see in the photo above, it is still relatively quiet at the beginning of the night, but past 10 pm, expect to share it with a dense crowd.
You will mostly walk past many beer bars on each side, and all have an open facade. Every bar has ladies whose mission is to convince you to step in and order a drink (nothing more). Ladies usually stand in front of the bar, showing a menu with the drinks’ prices.
Some ladies dance on counters, and some demonstrate jaw-dropping pole and acrobatic dancing skills (they are wearing clothes, so don’t go imagining something). It’s easy-going and relatively cheap, so have a seat somewhere and chat with the ladies; they are very friendly and watch the crowd.
Weed and Cannabis
The new craze in the past two years is the free open sale of weed and cannabis anywhere and everywhere. If you are interested, you will be spoiled with choices since dedicated shops, bars, coffee shops, and even restaurants include this popular ingredient in their food. It has become such a business opportunity that you will spot the iconic leaf every 500 metres in Patong Beach.
Quick Jump to Patong Beach Pages
Live Music Bars
Live music venues are trendy in Phuket. The bands’ overall quality has greatly improved with time, sounds, and light systems, and for the price of a beer, you can watch live concerts. The good old Rock City is now gone, but New York Live Music Bar is. A bit away from the centre of Patong is the legendary Hard Rock Cafe, with excellent musicians and bands and a higher price tag.
Famous Bars of Patong
At the beach end of Bangla are iconic bars such as ‘Aussie Bar’, ‘Sunset Bar’, ‘Shipwreck’ and ‘U2 Bar’, where all you do is drink and watch the passing crowd (it’s more entertaining than you think). These are often the best places to watch sports games on large screens and play a few rounds of snooker!
There are many bars all along Bangla Road, and they tend to come and go, but some names, like Aussie Bar, have been around for a long time, sometimes for decades. Usually, those bars are just tables and chairs with an open facade, allowing people to sit and look at the crowd walking up and down the streets. There are always a few ladies standing outside whose job is to invite you to sit at their bar rather than the next, often holding a card with drinks prices. Some bars have live music, and others have pool tables and TVs above the bars where patrons can watch sports events.
The Night Clubs
There are quite a few nightclubs in Bangla. However, they come and go, and no matter how popular they are, even the most famous ones can vanish overnight! Most clubs are at the top of Bangla Road, where you can spend a good part of the night at Illuzion, Sugar Club and that good old Tai Pan. Closer to the beach is the Hollywood Club which used to be a trendy spot but lost a bit of its fame to the competition.
Illuzion
Illuzion started as a stage performance combined with a discotheque and soon became the most popular nightclub in Phuket. Huge dance for a stage, a powerful sound system and frequent international DJs have kept Illuzion at the party’s forefront. Read more
BarFunk
BarFunk Phuket is a large and spacious venue with a capacity of over 1,000 people. It is decorated in a Renaissance-inspired style, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and marble pillars. The dance floor is large and open, and there is a VIP section with sofas and tables. Read more
Sugar Club
Sugar Club is known for its upscale and stylish atmosphere, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, spacious dance floors, and VIP areas for those who want to party in luxury. Sugar Club is known for its hip hop music, with top international DJs and live performers regularly taking the stage. In addition to the dance floor, the club also features several bars, serving a range of cocktails and premium drinks.
The Go Go Bars
Bangla Road in Patong is not known for scams or rip-offs the way it often happens in Patpong Bangkok. Here, there is no charge to enter. All you need is to order a drink that costs between 180 and 200 Baht, depending on the bar. The only known exception is Moulin Rouge, a Russian Go Go (yes), which is more expensive than usual and not too friendly. In any case, you will get the menu with clear prices before ordering. Your bill arrives in front of you, or you can pay for your drink when the waitress brings it. So, unlike some places in Patpong, Bangkok, there should be no surprise.
Suzy Wong’s
At the very end of Soi Seadragon, Suzy Wong’s is one of the first go-go bars to open in Phuket and is still the most famous and most popular in Patong. The party atmosphere is unique and unforgettable.
Harem Lounge
Harem is a large and upmarket lounge bar in the same Soi Seadragon. The design is great and the music is good. The ladies are friendly and always welcoming. Drink prices are not higher than in any other lounge, but the design will make you feel like a VIP.
Suzy Wong’s 3
Suzy Wong’s Three is the latest and the most attractive go-go bar in Patong, with Chinese-inspired decor and terracotta warriors inside and outside. With music played by live DJs and the prettiest ladies in town, the atmosphere is excellent and perfect for celebrating and partying.
Important Note about Touts: Touts are not working for bars! Never follow a tout in the street with his little card of whatever he says you will see in the show! It’s often not real, and you will be charged extra, walk away! The bars are easy to find (they are difficult to miss!)
Where to Stay Near Bangla Road?
There are many hotels in Patong to choose from, but if you want to be near the party and the beach, there are a few hotels to consider.
The Kee Resort and Spa
M Social Hotel Phuket
Hotel Clover Patong
Where to Eat on and near Bangla Road?
The Kitchen Patong
Bangla Street Food in Patong Beach
Paname Brasserie Phuket
Wine Connection Jungceylon
The Streets of Bangla Road
On each side of Bangla Road are the ‘Sois’, the Thai word everyone uses for ‘alleys’ or ‘lanes’, where you will find all the famous Go-Go Bars we describe below.
Soi Seadragon
Soi Seadragon is the main ‘Soi’ of Patong beach, where most of the Go-Go Bars are. The street is covered, so you don’t have to worry about the rain, and plenty of beer bars in the central part. Those beer bars are fun and famous for their friendly ladies and silly games. Connect Four and Jenga are traditional, but hitting a nail with a hammer in the minimum amount of time after a couple of beers is a memorable experience. Soi Seadragon has always been a famous street, probably because this is where you will find most of the go-go bars: Suzy Wong’s, Harem a Go Go and Devil’s Playground.
Bangla Street Food
Bangla Night Market and Street Food have replaced the old food court behind the Old Tiger complex. This vast open space hosts cooking stalls placed under colourful tents in the plaza’s centre, and all the dining tables are around. It’s not very sophisticated, but this kind of ‘night market’ dining is trendy in Thailand. Food is relatively cheap since you have to walk to the cooking station, order and bring your food and drink back to your table.
Bangla Night Bazaar
Bangla Night Market and Street Food have replaced the old food court behind the Old Tiger complex. This vast open space hosts cooking stalls placed under colourful tents in the plaza’s centre, and all the dining tables are around. It’s not very sophisticated, but this kind of ‘night market’ dining is trendy in Thailand. Food is relatively cheap since you have to walk to the cooking station, order and bring your food and drink back to your table.
Soi Freedom
Soi Freedom is a friendly and relatively large alley lined with a dozen colourful bars and a great live band at its end (they seem to come and go, unfortunately). Located in the middle of Bangla Walking Street in Patong Beach, Soi Freedom was better known as the iconic Soi Eric long ago. Soi Eric was once famous because it was the only street in Soi Bangla playing the same music in all the bars, while other roads around sounded like the bands’ battle. Note that a pretty good band is playing at the end of the Soi.
Soi Gonzo
Soi Gonzo is a tiny lane with bars on each side and a large tattoo shop called Pitbull Tattoo. Soi Gonzo used to be colourful and lively, with a small beer bar and a laughing staff encouraging you to sit for a drink. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, Soi Gonzo is now mostly the doorway to the White Room Club.
Soi Patong Resort
Soi Patong Resort is a long street that connects Bangla Road to Patong Resort. Here, you will mostly find restaurants and massage shops, but not many bars.
Popular Ways to Discover Bangla Road Nightlife
More photos of Bangla Road
Bangla Road Map
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/YAcCTbqhMSZBPJS58
Your Patong Travel Guide
FAQs about Bangla Walking Street
