Must-see nightlife in Southeast Asia

  • 999 Restaurant & Bar

    Kupang

    In the shadow of an old fort, this tropical outdoor bar has an expansive thatched roof, views of the shabby beach and the ever-present sound of rolling…

  • Quigley's Irish Pub

    Hat Yai

    Decked out in all the bells and whistles expected of an expatriate Irish pub, this is a warm and friendly watering hole. There's live music every evening,…

  • East Hill

    Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

    High on a grassy hillock, the open-sided East Hill is a laid-back spot for a sunset beer and Vietnamese snacks, and equally popular with travellers, and…

  • Co Bi

    Can Tho

    Set slap bang in the middle of Can Tho's naughty nightlife strip, this place is more refined that its surroundings. Draught craft beer (49,000d) includes…

  • Samui Shamrock Irish Pub

    Ko Samui

    There's live music every night from 9.30pm and a decent Western and Thai food menu (including breakfasts) at the Shamrock, which also serves a decent…

  • Indika Saigon

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Tucked down a narrow laneway, the off-the-radar Indika Saigon dubs itself the 'House of Curiosity'. It is definitely worth venturing to, with a barbecue…

  • Nest Rooftop

    Pulau Langkawi

    One of the best bars on Pantai Cenang, Nest doesn't sell alcohol. However, you can buy a bottle from a duty-free shop in the area, take it to the 5th…

  • Duc de Praslin

    Bangkok

    This is a popular mall-bound cafe featuring strong coffees, aromatic teas and icy smoothies with locally made Belgian-style chocolates. Couple your latte…

  • 1985 Cafe

    Can Tho

    This cafe and bar stretches across a block, and its 'back door' entrance is made up of a mosaic of old shutters that gives it a dishevelled retro look…

  • Diana Café

    Gili Meno

    If you find the pace of life on Meno too busy, head to this thoroughly chilled little tiki bar. Diana couldn't be simpler: a bamboo-and-thatch bar, a few…

  • Le Boutier

    Phnom Penh

    One of the coolest cocktail bars in Phnom Penh, Le Boutier has an original menu of concoctions that pay homage to Cambodia's golden era of the 1960s,…

  • Baguio Craft Brewery

    Baguio

    Baguio's entry on the ever-growing ledger of Philippine craft-brew houses is worth the mild slog out of the centre. You'll be rewarded by around 20…

  • Tipsy Bridge

    Melaka City

    Creedence Clearwater Revival and other 1970s rock bands dominate the turntable at this hipster bar in a cute lane near the Kampung Jawa pedestrian bridge…

  • Island Bar

    Ko Lanta

    Slap in the middle of Hat Khlong Dao, inside the Lanta Island Resort, the Island Bar is decorated with Tiki God images, while its terrace sits right over…

  • Gallery & Co.

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    If you need a break from admiring the artworks at the National Gallery Singapore, head to level one of the City Hall wing and perk yourself up with a…

  • Nineteens Up

    Bangkok

    A great place to hang out with locals, this young and carefree bar gives away beers for a mere 90B during happy hours (until 8pm), and then gets the party…

  • Yixing Xuan Teahouse

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Banker-turned-tea-purveyor Vincent Low is the man behind this venture, happily educating visitors about Chinese tea and the art of tea drinking. To…

  • Curator

    Manila

    The place for those who take their alcohol seriously, the award-winning Curator serves up an ever-changing menu of original cocktails made by mixologists…

  • Rooftop

    Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi

    The open-air bar atop Sala Rattanakosin hotel has upped the stakes for sunset views of Wat Arun across the river. If you can see the structure at all…

  • Amsterdam

    Ko Pha-Ngan

    The rooftop swimming pool staring out to glorious sunsets is the key draw at this popular hillside bar, perched high up on the west coast. Arrive early to…

  • Common Grind @ The Row

    Kuala Lumpur

    Jln Doraisamy's reinvention as the Row has thrown up a few cool cafes and restaurants to hang out in, including this one. It serves a good house-blend…

  • Dots

    Ko Pha-Ngan

    Light, bright and spacious, Dots is the hangout for yoga retreaters with slimline silver laptops and even slimmer waistlines. Next to the Phantip Food…

  • Balcony

    Bangkok

    Balcony is a long-standing Soi 4 gay pub that features the occasional drag-queen performance. The massive 3L jugs of beer make it a great place to visit…

  • Park Social

    Cebu City

    This is the IT Park branch of the popular upscale sports bar at the top of Ayala Mall. It boasts plenty of big screens for sports viewing, a pleasant open…

  • Seventh Street

    Balikpapan

    We're pretty sure this is Kalimantan's only Irish pub and it works hard at authenticity with snug booths, pool tables and beer taps – no Guinness on tap…

  • Park Society

    Bangkok

    Gazing down at the green expanse of Lumphini Park, abruptly bordered by tall buildings on most sides, you can be excused for thinking that Bangkok almost,…

  • Natural High Cafe

    Ko Tao

    With a fine elevated open-air terrace and panoramic views over the island's jungle greenery, hammocks for lounging around in, ambient chill-out sounds and…

  • Cups Coffe & Kitchen

    Bandung

    A polished-concrete atrium cafe with orchids hung on the wall, smoke in the air and mostly Western snacks and sandwiches on the menu. Fish and chips,…

  • Cher Coffee and Treats

    Surat Thani

    Sit in the shade of a banana tree or pull up a stool at the hipster coffee bar of this charming roadside coffee spot, where the open-plan hut is decked…

  • Duplex

    Phnom Penh

    A self-styled Belgian taverne with an extensive beer selection, Duplex is also a cool contemporary space that hosts regular salsa and bachata evenings…

  • Bluebird's Nest

    Hanoi

    Truly a satisfying two-floor haven of peace in a bustling city, this cute, book-stuffed cafe feels like a quiet library; it's a superb choice for some…

  • Bubba's Coffee Bar

    Ko Pha-Ngan

    Bubba's serves its famous, locally sourced and roasted coffee alongside an excellent breakfast menu at this sibling of Bubba's Roastery. The atmosphere is…

  • Coffee Deja Brew

    Yangon

    The signature iced coffee flavoured with a twist of lime is a refreshing option at this pleasant, modern cafe and art space, where benches and tabletops…

  • Pijiu Bar

    Chinatown

    Old West meets old Shanghai at this classic retro bar. The emphasis here is on beer ('pijiu' is Chinese for beer), with four revolving craft brews on tap,…

  • Sky Lounge

    Sumatra

    Jambi's finest spot for a drink is this rooftop bar atop the Aston Jambi Hotel. Enjoy fantastic city views while sipping on cocktails, beer or wine, or…

  • Fuku Eatery & Desserts

    George Town

    This airy, Japanese-leaning cafe does light meals, refined desserts and excellent coffee drinks; an espresso and a slice of the rich galaxy mirror glaze…

  • Rory's Bar

    Phu Quoc Island

    Recently relocated to the remote east side of the island, this huge beach bar is taking a big gamble on drawing day-tripping motorbikers and pulling in…

  • Polilya

    Manila

    Engkanto brews some of the best – and most affordable – craft beer in town, and their brand-new taproom, downstairs from red-hot Pura Vida bar, is an…

  • Tropical Murphy’s Irish

    Ko Samui

    Come night-time, the live music kicks on and this place turns into the most popular Irish bar on Ko Samui (yes, there are quite a few), but it's a great…

  • East West Brewing

    Ho Chi Minh City

    All beers are brewed on-site at this impressive microbrewery (or should that be mega-microbrewery) near Ben Thanh Market. Ales include a Far East IPA with…

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