Must-see nightlife in Asia

  • Amangalla

    Galle

    Live the dream and sip an exquisite mixed drink (mocktails Rs 800, cocktails start at Rs 1200) or a glass of fine wine at Galle's landmark hotel. The…

  • Narrow Marrow

    George Town

    Decorated with work by local artists and dangling Chinese lamps, this space serves exceptional coffee by day and hosts live music and social events by…

  • The Bottle Shop

    Manila

    Manila's best selection of craft beer can be found at this little shop/bar in the Fort. Huge range of both domestic and international brews available …

  • Tiki Clifftop

    Weligama

    Tucked away in a remote cliff-side spot 3km southwest of the centre, this cool bar-resto is well worth a tuk-tuk ride. The ocean views are mesmerising and…

  • Bridge Coffee & Icecream

    Tokyo

    Occupying a corner plot and with big windows and a cool arty vibe this is one of the Bakurochō area's more pleasant cafes. The espresso or hand-drip…

  • Sentral

    Cebu City

    Rammed most nights with party people, Sentral eschews the EDM and pop hits blueprint favoured by most Cebu clubs for a hip-hop, R&B and funky soundtrack…

  • Ji

    Canggu

    Easily Canggu's most alluring bar, Ji is a fantasy of historic Chinese and Balinese wood carving and rich decor. From the terrace on the 1st floor there…

  • Atlichnaya Bar

    Bukit Peninsula

    A lively and convivial alternative to the stiff hotel bars, this rollicking place serves a long list of cheap mixed drinks and even offers massages (from…

  • Naga Boat

    Vientiane

    Landlubbers rejoice: we've found the perfect cruise. This permanently beached vessel features stunning river views, some of Vientiane's better cocktails,…

  • Akha Ama Cafe

    Chiang Mai

    Akha Ama serves locally harvested, sustainable, direct-trade beans from the jungles north of Chiang Mai, but – perhaps most importantly to some – the…

  • Liquido

    Bantayan Island

    At the far end of MJ Sq, this friendly little open-air bar is the perfect place to perch on a stool and enjoy some banter with locals. Get stuck into the…

  • Top Deck

    Prachuap Khiri Khan

    On Top Deck's upstairs balcony, you can sip a libation until relatively late while gazing out at the winking lights of the fishing boats in the bay. Also…

  • Kalpa

    Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast

    What a delightful surprise to find excellent coffee in deepest Noto! The barista behind Kalpa's counter is also a third-generation lacquer craftsman; his…

  • Prost

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    Prost has eclectic industrial decor, a rooftop with several quality craft beers on tap and a tempting food menu. There's live magic on Wednesday, comedy…

  • München Pub

    Bishkek

    Hidden away on the top floor of a business centre, this German-themed pub's beer (brewed in-house) and burgers make for a good start to a night out, and…

  • Aqua

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This luxurious yet laid-back open-air lounge allows you to nurse your booze while soothing your eyes on the dreamy waters of the neon-lit central pool…

  • Beatnik Bar

    Siem Reap

    A hip little bar on the corner of The Alley, it's just far enough away from Pub St not to be drowned out by the nightly battle of the bars. Cheap drinks,…

  • blueFROG

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    Upmarket club and live-music venue that draws a hip, lively crowd with its fine roster of house, techno and trance DJs, and bands (everything from jazz to…

  • HQ Gwangan

    Busan

    This busy expat bar has cheap shots, pub grub, trivia nights, TV sports and a splendid view of Gwangan bridge.

  • Blackout

    Kandy

    The best nightlife option in Kandy, with credible local and visiting DJs playing progressive and deep house, minimal and techno. Draws a wealthy clubbing…

  • Ulu Cliffhouse

    Bukit Peninsula

    A super-high-concept clifftop club. Find your cushioned enclave near the pool and luxuriate through the day soaking up the sweeping views. At night there…

  • Cong Ca Phe

    Haiphong

    Haiphong has a branch of everybody's favorite retro-themed cafe, complete with effortlessly cool vintage decor. Stop in for excellent Vietnamese-style…

  • Pinchos Tapas Bar

    Kuala Lumpur

    Run by a Spaniard and packed with KL's approving Spanish-speaking community, this is the real deal for tapas. It's a welcoming place for a solo meal or…

  • Ryoshi Seminyak House of Jazz

    Seminyak

    The Seminyak branch of the Bali chain of Japanese restaurants has live jazz three nights a week on an intimate stage under a traditionally thatched roof…

  • Kopi Kade

    Colombo

    Fairtrade organic coffee, with many beans roasted locally, is reason enough to stop by this little coffee bar on the Stratford strip. Vintage carvings…

  • Kim’s Coffee

    Jeollanam-do

    This cute-as-pie white cottage looks totally out of place on a street filled with grey, weathered shops. There are fresh juices, cakes and muffins on the…

  • Kukuk's Nest/Turtle's Nest

    Cebu City

    This bohemian 24-hour restobar is filled with old books and contemporary art and draws a colourful mix of local arty types. Regularly hosts gigs from…

  • Serendipity

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Even with industrial digs featuring exposed pipework, the atmosphere is warm and friendly at this cafe near Gyeonsang National University. It's a great…

  • Kunst Lounge

    Gwangju

    Gwangju's most sophisticated spot does wine by the glass, German beers and a fantastic cheese platter. Located across from the new Asian Culture Complex,…

  • Beach Blanket Babylon

    George Town

    The open-air setting and relaxed vibe contrast with the rather grand building this bar is linked to. Pair your drink and alfresco views over the North…

  • Atta Galatta

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    This fine cafe and bakery offers good sandwiches on nutritious bread, cookies and snacks (₹40 to ₹80), and doubles as a bookshop and art venue, hosting…

  • Cong Ca Phe

    Sapa

    Sapa is home to a branch of everybody's favourite Communist/retro-themed coffee shop. A selection of beers and occasional live performances mean that it…

  • Sam’s Bar

    Kathmandu

    A long-time favourite with trek leaders, mountain guides and other Kathmandu regulars. There’s reggae every Saturday. It's hidden upstairs just north of…

  • Barista

    Punjab (India)

    A haven of cool air and cleanliness, this bright, friendly cafe, 200m east of the bus stand, opposite Hotel Royal, does espresso coffee, cakes and…

  • Soap

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Tucked away in the back alleys of Itaewon, this blue-hued basement club burst onto the scene in 2017, pulling in international DJs spinning to a young, up…

  • Tang Cafe

    Dali

    One sip of the flat white here and you'll swear you're in Melbourne, or at least Sydney. A rooftop terrace sweetens the deal, as does a small but tempting…

  • Casa Bambu

    Manila

    Rooftop Casa Bambu is a great stop for open-air beats and all-around fun. They also get quality live-music from time to time – check the Facebook page.

  • Keventer’s Milkshakes

    New Delhi

    Keventer’s has a cult following for its legendary creamy milkshakes (₹80), slurped out of milk bottles on the pavement in front of the stand.

  • Ganesha Coffee Lounge

    Bikaner

    With cool tunes and magical atmosphere inside the compound of Bhairon Vilas, Ganesha has good coffee, organic tea, cold drinks and cakes.

  • Soundgarden

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    A favorite with indie locals and expats, this bar near Gyeonsang National University has chill vibes, cheap drinks and open mic nights.

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }