Once the sun goes down, the streets of Thailand come alive with lights, music, and fun parties. One of the top nightlife spots in the country is Bangla Road, located in the beach resort town of Patong in Phuket Province. As one of the biggest attractions in Patong, Bangla Road is also sometimes known as Patong Walking Street.
See it for yourself, as Bangla Road’s change from a regular street to a lively nightspot is quite a sight. During the after hours, the bright neon lights of countless bars, clubs, and shows light up the night, creating a colorful and exciting display. The air fills with anticipation, a real feeling of excitement that draws people from all over the world. On this extensive street, you can see on both sides lined up with cozy bars with live music to big nightclubs with dance beats. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see street performers, like fire dancers and acrobats, entertain the crowds with their impressive skills.
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Want to know more about this hotspot in Phuket? Check out the below where we sum up all the best bits of Bangla Road whether it’s how to get there or the hottest places to visit.
How to Get to Bangla Road
Bangla Road is located on the southwestern coast of Phuket Island, next to the beautiful Andaman Sea. It is about an hour away from Phuket International Airport by car. From Phuket Town, it will take between 35 and 45 to reach Bangla Road by car.
There are also several open-sided or modern air-conditioned bus services that connect Phuket Town with Patong. Bus fare is generally 10 baht. There are three main spots to catch a bus: Phuket Bus Terminal One on Phang Nga Road, Phuket Bus Terminal Two on Thepkasattri Road, and Central Market Terminal on Ranong Road. Buses stop in Patong at Jungceylon Shopping Mall, which is just a short walk from Bangla Road.
Tourists may also be able to board a songthaew, which is a truck or other large vehicle that has been adapted into a miniature bus, to Patong. A songthaew ride generally costs 15 baht, and songthaews do not operate on a strict schedule. Look for the vehicle’s destination (usually displayed in the front window or along the side), then flag it down, and it will stop for a pickup.
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First-Time Visitors: What to Expect on Bangla Road
A night out on Bangla Road is an experience like no other. For those who are visiting for the first time, it can be helpful to have a quick overview of what to expect. The streets are lined with everything from busy nightclubs to casual sports bars, but the party always spills out to the road.
- Almost every bar and club along the strip has a covered roof but no walls on three sides. Because they are so open, tourists can expect to hear a jumble of music styles as they explore the walking street.
- Most tourists choose to spend the night bar hopping to find the best parties, rather than settling at one bar.
- Some places have live musical performers of various genres, while others have D.J.s playing local and international dance music.
- The street is also filled with neon lights, billboards, televisions, and colorful decor items that add fun flair to the experience.
- There are often employees standing outside of the different bars and nightclubs, encouraging people to come inside. They may list their drink specials or talk about the night’s entertainment schedule. This is just a little healthy competition between bars for customers, so tourists should not feel pressured to enter if they’re just passing by.
- Tourists can also expect to see solo and group street performers throughout the night. Their performances may include breakdancing, magic tricks, fire breathing, and other stunts. Consider contributing to the tip jar to thank and encourage talented performers.
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Bangla Road Bars & Nightclubs
There are so many different bars and nightclubs to choose from on Patong Walking Street. Some are casual beach bars or sports bars with cheap drinks and great music but no performers. Other bars have a small stage area for dancers and singers or have go-go dancers dancing directly on the bar top. The best way to see the best of Bangla Road is to enjoy a drink at a few different places to experience the different vibes. It’s important to note that some of the more famous spots do ask for a cover charge for entry.
Can’t-miss bars & clubs on Bangla Road
Illuzion Phuket: This hot Thailand nightlife spot consists of three large rooms that easily hold thousands of partiers. There are several resident D.J.s that play popular house music, plus aerial performers that add a little magic to the experience. Illuzion Phuket also periodically hosts internationally renowned D.J.s for special shows. This fun nightclub is open daily until 1:00 AM.
Tiger Nightclub: The Tiger Nightclub on Bangla Road is easy to spot – just look for the giant concrete tigers peeking out from the second floor. The first floor of the complex features various beer bars and loud techno music. There’s also a quiet area near the back called Tiger Pool Club, where guests can enjoy a round of pool while sipping a cocktail. The upper floors are dominated by Tiger Disco, a large dance club decorated with tiger statues. This nightclub hosts local and international D.J.s and is a great place to dance. It’s open daily until 4:00 AM.
White Room Nightclub: Another popular nightclub on Patong Walking Street is White Room Nightclub, a club with a modern all-white interior. While most spots on the strip are more relaxed, this club enforces a smart casual dress code. It’s a fun and classy place to get all dressed up and enjoy a Thai beer, a tropical cocktail, or bottle service in the V.I.P area. The local and international D.J.s play a wide range of music, perfect for dancing. The nightclub is open until 3:00 AM Monday to Saturday and until midnight on Sundays.
Monsoon: For live music, there’s no better bar in Phuket than Monsoon. The Monsoon House Band plays a lively music set every night until around 2:00 AM on the main floor. After that, partiers can stay downstairs or head to the second floor to play at the pool tables, until the bar closes at 4:00 AM. Monsoon is also known for its nightly cheap drink specials and its menu of western favorites, like burgers and nachos.
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Where to Eat on Bangla Road
After a busy night of drinking and dancing, tourists will likely want to get a little something to eat before heading back to their hotels. Bangla Road vendors are prepared for all food cravings with an entire section of the soi that’s dedicated to street food. This section is known as the Bangla Night Market and is open daily from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
- The street food menus at Bangla Night Market include both authentic Thai dishes and international fare.
- Some of the popular menu items are fried rice bowls, fresh seafood platters, meat and vegetable skewers, stir-fries, and even French fries and fried chicken.
- There are also many sweet treats to choose from, like rolled ice cream, Thai sticky rice, and crepes.
- Tourists can also pick up a drink to go with their meal. There are many vendors selling wine or other alcoholic beverages, as well as fresh fruit smoothies, juices, and more.
- Expect to pay around 200 baht for a full meal.
- After placing an order and receiving some delicious street food, try to find a spot to eat at one of the tables. There are plenty of tables and folding chairs available, but they do get crowded at certain times of the night.
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Attractions near Bangla Road
Patong is one of the best places to visit in Phuket Province. During the day, tourists can enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach, then spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs before finishing the night on Bangla Road. In addition to those fun activities, there are also many other top Phuket attractions to explore in the Patong area before bar hopping.
Patong Beach: As one of the most popular beaches in Phuket, Patong Beach is definitely worth a visit. It can get very busy with couples and families, so it’s best to get there early in the morning to find a good spot for sunbathing. This white sandy beach is also a hotspot for all sorts of water sports, including boating, jet skiing, and windsurfing. Various sporting equipment can be rented from vendors at the beach. When the waters are calm, it’s also a lovely spot for swimming.
Jungceylon Shopping Center: One of the major shopping complexes in Phuket is Jungceylon Shopping Mall, located about a 10-minute walk from the beach. This elaborate shopping mall includes a giant department store (Robinson Ocean Jungceylon), plus hundreds of other stores selling clothing, home goods, souvenirs, and more. There is also a movie theater, a trampoline park for kids, and several other fun amenities. Tourists can get significant discounts at some of the stores with a Tourist Privilege Card, available at the mall’s tourism booth.
Simon Cabaret Show: Seeing a Phuket Simon Cabaret is a unique way to start a night out in Patong. This live show blends music and comedy to create entertainment that is suitable for all ages. The talented performers also wear stunning costumes, jewelry, and headpieces while on stage and are available for pictures after the performance. Shows at the cabaret club are available daily at 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM and last about 75 minutes.
Freedom Beach: Another of the best beaches in Patong is Freedom Beach, located about 15 minutes away from Patong Beach by car or about an hour on foot. It is also reachable via long boat from Patong Beach (about a 15-minute ride) for 1,500 baht. Since it is further from the main downtown area, Freedom Beach is generally less crowded and quieter than most of Phuket’s popular beaches. The crystal clear waters are a blue-green color, which contrasts beautifully with the white sand. This beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, and snorkeling.
Surf House Phuket – Patong Beach: For tourists who’ve always dreamed of learning to surf, a trip to Surf House Phuket – Patong Beach is an incredible experience. At this facility, tourists can take a surfing lesson with an expert teacher in a controlled environment, before attempting to tackle the real waves. Lessons cost 1,290 baht per hour. Intermediate and advanced surfers will also enjoy surfing the waves at Surf House Phuket – Patong Beach, especially if the surf conditions are less than ideal outdoors.
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Hotels near Bangla Road
For tourists wanting to enjoy a night out on Bangla Road, it is highly encouraged to book a hotel in the area. Since many of the public transportation services do not run past 6:00 PM, it’s better to have a place to stay for the night that’s within walking distance. These three hotels are not only close to the Bangla Road action, but also have excellent guest reviews.
Hotel Clover Patong Phuket: Located just a minute’s walk from Patong Beach and Bangla Road, Hotel Clover Patong Phuket is a top choice for tourists who want to experience Thailand’s legendary nightlife. This beautiful hotel features deluxe rooms and suites with modern furniture and sleek finishings. There’s also a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool, on-site restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.
Burasari Phuket: For a stay at a warm, welcoming hotel, book a room at the lovely Burasari Phuket. This boutique hotel is located just a few minutes away from Patong’s main attractions and has garden, city, and pool view rooms available. Each spacious room features contemporary decor and modern amenities. At the hotel, there is also a swim-up pool bar and a relaxing spa that offers massages, detoxification packages, and more.
M Social Hotel Phuket: With the beach less than 500 meters away, M Social Hotel Phuket is an incredible spot for a relaxing stay. Many of the deluxe rooms have cabana pool access and outdoor tables for breakfast or coffee by the water. For ultimate convenience, there is a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, and poolside bar, plus 24-hour room service.
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