Must-see nightlife in Asia

  • Chiang Rai Ramluek

    Chiang Rai

    For a Thai-style night out on the town, consider this lively place. There's no English-language sign, but follow the live music and look for the knot of…

  • Yuelai Teahouse

    Chengdu

    This local favourite adjoining the Jinjiang Theatre holds wonderfully informal performances on its small stage on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm …

  • Coffee

    Kyrgyzstan

    The menu of coffee (respectable) and cakes (somewhat lacklustre) may be small, but it's the only option in town and the wi-fi is fast. It's on Sarygulov…

  • Maya Beach Club

    Ko Tao

    Rivalling Fizz for its entrancing sunset visuals and relaxing mood, Maya has nightly DJs and party nights. Make a move for a beach lounger and stay put.

  • Three Sixty Bar

    Ko Pha-Ngan

    High up a road east of Ko Ma, the Three Sixty Bar does what it says on the packet, with splendid, wide-angle panoramic views that mean sunsets are killer…

  • Natural Coffee

    Kandy

    A homely cafe with wood-trimmed decor that's perfect for a freshly ground, organic caffeine pick-me-up. However, it's a tad pricey, with filter coffee…

  • Hawaii Club

    Bishkek

    The clouds of shisha smoke that pour out the door may not scream 'tropics', but the Hawaiian decor and poppy music certainly do. A decent selection of…

  • Walkabout

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Amid Myeong-dong's guesthouse enclave leading up to Namsan, this travel-themed bar is run by a couple of young travel nuts who serve Korean craft beers on…

  • Ubon Tap Taste House

    Ubon Ratchathani

    The craft beers are all imported from abroad rather than brewed locally, but this modern, family-run bar has up to 14 taps on the go at a time, and plenty…

  • Taverna Panjim

    Panaji

    It's as much about the Goan food as the drinking at this bright two-level pub in the Campal district but we like the fun atmosphere, live music and…

  • Café Turtle

    Delhi

    A cosy bookworm favourite (with a tiny branch of Full Circle Bookstore in one corner), this very expensive cafe has excellent brunch, cakes and tea.

  • BarTech

    Vigan

    BarTech is conservative Vigan’s concession to nightlife. On the inside it resembles a New York lounge misplaced in Ilocos. Most nights you'll be serenaded…

  • 59's Sports Bar & Diner

    Nagoya

    Cowboys and cowgirls greet you in this cruisy, colourful, friendly basement bar. Staff will make you feel welcome and may try to matchmake; with all-you…

  • Stay

    Nagano Region

    This cosy basement bar is open late and run by a music-loving Japanese man who has lived abroad. He's especially keen on Jackson Browne's 1977 classic …

  • Linx Lounge Bar

    Cebu City

    Lively, popular lounge with emerging house DJ talent and EDM anthems that draw a cool young crowd. There's also live music some nights. Linx is in Mandaue…

  • Tortuga Bar

    Koh Rong

    A self-styled, high-season-only 'pirate bar' on the far side of Sok San village, it spins groovy tunes and serves the best cocktails on the beach. Morning…

  • Brazil Café

    Leh

    Stunning views of Leh Palace rising above the Jamia Masjid complement a selection of juices, great coffees (some from Brazilian beans) and cakes.

  • Ghetto

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    A grungy, graffiti-covered hang-out blaring classic and contemporary rock (the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers) to a dedicated set of unfussy…

  • Nam Kee

    Kuala Lumpur

    Buried at the eastern back of the market, this ramshackle, family-run cafe is the antithesis of third-wave coffee haunts. It's like a time capsule…

  • Old Blues Bar

    Pokhara

    A super-relaxed option, the Blues Bar is popular with stoners, and large banners of Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon add to its appeal. Most nights there's a…

  • Last Fisherman

    Ao Nang

    Sit at one of the breezy tables overlooking the beach, or perch at the long-tail-boat-shaped bar, to enjoy your sundowner at this mellow but popular place…

  • Bar Solo

    Ko Samui

    Bar Solo's neat lines, bubbly party mood, expert DJs and evening drink specials lure in front-loaders preparing for a late, late night at the dance clubs…

  • Backlane Coffee

    Melaka City

    One of the businesses that kickstarted Melaka's current obsession with designer cafes, this attractive space behind a hybrid dress and tea shop is a good…

  • Jo-Je Beach Bar

    Senggigi

    A classic beach bar with multicolour beanbags and happy-hour prices that coincide with the sunset. The cocktails are exceptionally strong and there's also…

  • Fizz beachlounge

    Ko Tao

    Come sunset, sink into a green beanbag at the Fizz, order a designer cocktail and let the hypnotic surf and ambient music lull you into uberchill mode at…

  • Other Place

    Malapascua Island

    Hidden down a warren of lanes in the village behind Bounty Beach this low-key bar has a pool table, beer garden and draws a crowd of locals and dive…

  • Yúnlǐkā

    Yunnan

    This local chain has several branches in the area, all selling cups of tasty local coffee. Turn right from the village entrance and keep walking about…

  • Liquid Lounge

    Mangaluru (Mangalore)

    Much more pub than lounge, this long-running place is your best bet for a beer and a chat. Expect loud rock music on the stereo. Popular with young locals…

  • Wuhan Prison

    Wuhan

    This long-standing, grungy Wuchang dive was opened by longtime punk musician Wu Wei (of seminal band SMZB), and is a popular expat hangout. It's up an…

  • Cafe in the Clouds

    Sapa

    The large upper terrace of this bar is a great corner of Sapa in which to pause and soak in the valley or, equally often, the wandering mist at eye level…

  • Muse

    Kalimantan

    Muse is the most sophisticated nightlife venue in central Samarinda, with several floors of karaoke, DJs and live bands, as well as a chilled rooftop…

  • Thirstday

    Pulau Langkawi

    Slightly more sophisticated than the average beachside beer bar, Thirstday boasts an open-air deck with uninterrupted sunset views and thoughtful mini…

  • Pot Still

    Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast

    This Irish pub has a weird name and an even weirder sign, but more importantly it has Guinness on tap, killer fish and chips (¥950), pool, darts and a…

  • Filou Cocktail Lounge

    Ko Chang

    Ostensibly a fancy restaurant and cocktail bar on Kaibae's main street, Filou is locally regarded as the best place in these parts for live music, which…

  • Moooo! Bar

    Western Honshū

    A popular bar on the beach, run by resident expat Amy Chavez, which only operates during summer.

  • Cafe Xua & Nay

    Quy Nhon

    This beachfront cafe based in a traditional Vietnamese wooden house (built in 1832) serves authentic Viet coffee, teas, snacks and juices. It's a great…

  • CC Cafe

    Fukuoka

    This cosy pub hosts a friendly mix of English-interested locals and expats, and doubles in the day as an English-language learning centre, with classes…

  • Constant Gardener

    George Town

    A serious venue for serious coffee drinkers, this attractive place brews its lattes with coveted beans from Malaysia and beyond, and serves some pristine…

  • Stalker

    Almaty

    Dark, wood-panelled, unassuming bar that serves a good selection of local and imported beers to a mixed expat and local crowd that likes to avoid the…

  • Tan Chau Salon Bar

    Chau Doc

    Sip a cocktail amid elegant Indochine surroundings at this atmospheric bar. The sophisticated establishment is not as expensive as it looks and there's a…

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