Aisa’s rating of destinations - Nightlife

Koh Samui, Thailand
Bali, Indonesia | Goa, India | Phuket, Thailand
Boracay, Philippines | Pattaya, Thailand | Sentosa, Singapore

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Koh Samui, Thailand | Aisa’ rating

Koh Samui has very exciting nightlife. There are discos, clubs, music venues, traditional Thai Dancing, mud wresting and Thai boxing. Chaweng beach is the most popular night life area. There are many ladyboy (Katoeys) shows if you are interested.

The famous Full Moon Party is at Ko Pha Ngan, a sister island of Koh Samui just 30 minutes boat ride away. The party draw tourists from nearby islands, including Phuket and Phi Phi, and people all over the world! The party starts from night, and runs till dawn, if you are into the high energy dancing and drinking marathon! It happens once every lunar month, when it’s a full moon. The party is held at Had Rin Beach, south-eastern part of Samui Island. There are also half moon and black moon parties.

Website for Full moon party schedule
http://www.samui.org/kohphangan/fullmoonparty.html

Bali, Indonesia | Aisa’ rating

Bali has a colorful and exciting nightlife. It starts late from near midnight and concentrates on Kuta, Leginan and Seminyak areas. Kuta is the center of Bali’s nightlife. Entrance to bars is usually free with happy hours from 6pm to 9pm. The Macaroni Club offers magnetic live music. Zero Six has a unique combination of Balinese dancing and rock band near the beach in Tuban. Entertainment in Ubud is more traditional and cultural, e.g., traditional Balinese dancing performance.

Goa, India | Aisa’ rating

Goa has a fun nightlife, despite being a conservative religious society (Catholic and traditional Hindu). Nightlife in Goa is influenced by Portuguese culture and tradition. The atmosphere is very relaxed. There are rave parties during high season with dance and live band performing. Goa Trance is a type of electronic music, developed by local music bands. A popular bar & restaurant on the Beach is called Tilos. Lidos and the Beachotheque are popular discos. There are also a few casinos in Goa.  There are a big rave parties at Anjuna and Pernem starting on Christmas afternoon and ended two days later.

Alcohol is notably cheap in Goa due to very low exercise duty on alcohol. However, the law is strict against drink driving, nudity and drugs.

Phuket, Thailand | Aisa’ rating

Phuket has a lively nightlife, although it’s more sedate comparing to Koh Samui. There are lots of bars, clubs, discos, go-go bars, restaurants and massage parlors in Patong and Phuket Town. Bangla Road and Soi Sunset are where the most nightlife action is in Patong. The go-go bars (where girls dance on the stages or bar), girly bars and sex show are part of the Patong nightlife, although not comparable to Pattaya. Everyone is welcome in the bars, and it’s a great place for people watching if you are not offended.

In Phuket town the bars and nightclubs are scattered around the city. You are likely to find a Thai-style bar and meet more modern Thais. Foreigners are likely to be expats living or working in Phuket. And in Phuket, the common practice is BYOB (bring your own booze) and customers pay for the mixers. Unlike Singapore, usually there is no cover charge of the nightclubs.

Boracay, Philippines | Aisa’ rating

Nightlife in Boracay is lively and vibrant. There are many nightspots you can choose from, nightclubs, resto bars, hotels and restaurants…

Most bars and pubs have their own band. The band performs local music with their native drums and string instrument. Some of the bars are designed in bamboo walls and thatched roofs to give it a tropical look. The popular bars include Cocomangas, Pier One and Summer Place. They are right on beach with loungers! Besides, you can watch a stunning sunset on the beach!

Some bars and disco have cover charges.

Pattaya, Thailand | Aisa’ rating

Pattaya is renowned for its raucous nightlife. The famous walking street is the center of Pattaya’s nightlife. There is almost everything there: from beer bar to go-go bars, restaurants, disco, massage parlors, etc. The activities include nightly concerts, cabaret shows, discotheque dance music and Thai boxing.

Jomtien, Naklua and Beach road are also home to many clubs and bars. The famous discos include Marine Disco, Xzyte, Palladium and Hollywood. Pattaya is known for its cabaret shows featuring ladyboys (kathoeys). Alcazar and Tiffany are the two most famous nightclubs for the ladyboy show.

Pattaya is a major sex tourism destination in Thailand and nightlife is male oriented.

Sentosa, Singapore | Aisa’ rating

There is some nightlife in Sentosa, but you are better off going back to town after dark for more nightlife options. Singapore is famous for it pubbing and clubbing scene. Drinks are more expensive than other Asian countries; however Singapore is probably the safest country to hit streets at night. It’s a fun yet civilized party atmosphere - there are no go-go bars or ladyboy shows which some might find offensive. Aisa highly recommend it, but did not give a higher rating only because it’s not on the beach.

Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are probably the most popular places for partygoers, and bars, pubs, restaurant and discos are dotted along Singapore River. Bar-hopping is easy! There are many other hot spots in town, e.g., Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. This is where the famous local cocktail, Singapore Sling, was invented. New Asia Bar on level 71 of Swissôtel the Stamford in Raffle City offers a great view of the city. Wednesday night is ladies night at many bars.