Ko Tao Nightlife

Just down of Sunshine Resort in Chalok Baan Kao is a cozy seaside Bar named exit.
They play chill music, the ocean beats under your feets below, the make nice cocktails and aslo provide local herbes for those interested... the ambiance is alwas chill and people are friendly... good atsmpohere and a good alternative to the more buzzing Sairee beach..

Sairee Beach has it all for party seekers... bars and clubs some with live music and DJs, other places have pool tables if you're not aiming at other horizontal "stick and ball" games.. ahem ahem...

Some of the more popular spots are AC Party Pub, In Touch Beach Bar, The Deck, Dry Bar, Dragon Bar, Maya Bar... just start on one end of the beach and move along... if you can move at all after a while ;)))

Now... i wonder if there's a water fountain somewhere around here???

Dress Code: Less is more!!!

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In the township of Sairee beach there is a cabaret show starting around 10.30pm nightly.
It's an eye opener because all the performers are male although most of the time you would never pick it.
It's a good fun show and a great way to spend an hour or so after dinner.
You can have you photo taken with the performers and even dance with them if you want.

Dress Code: Whatever you fancy. No dress code.

The title of this tip may seem a little strange for a nightlife tip but allow me to explain. Right in the middle of Sairee there is a small bar called the Office Bar. You can spot it as it rather bizarrely sports a naked tailors mannequin as a centrepiece. When I say it is a bar, it is really a shack on the side of the road that sells drink, so I suppose that qualifies it. The first time I walked past the place it was playing a Johnny Cash song. Nothing too unusual in that as country music is quite popular here. The next time I walked past it, it was playing a Johnny Cash song. When I moved into the Lotus Resort to do my diving, it was literally 20 yards from my bungalow and I was lulled to sleep every night by, you've guessed it, Johnny Cash, the Man in Black himself. Don't get me wrong, I like Johnny as much as the next man but six nights of it non-stop does tend to get a bit wearing, especially when you are trying to study for an exam the next day.

I did drop in one night, and it seems to be well patronised by both travellers and Thai, so I suppose Mr. Cash must be very popular. My only slight quibble, apart from the obsessional musical policy, is that they do not stock big bottles of Chang Beer which is my preferred tipple out here. If you are into the great man, this is the place for you but you will excuse me if I pass on Folsom Prison Blues for a while.

Dress Code: None whatsoever.

This is quite simply the place to be in the evening in Sairee. It sems to far outstrip all the other bars in town and was always busy even off season when others were struggling a bit. The bar itself is something to behold. There is the usual beach shack affair with a decking area which serves as a dancefloor as the evening progresses. The star attraction is the beach itself. As the tide recedes, a small army of barmen come out armed with shovels and proceed to plant small palms at regular intervals. They also dig pits which contain beer bottles full of petrol with wicks to serve as nightlights as the evening wears on. Next they bring out various mats, cushions, low tables etc. and literally construct the bar from scratch every day.

As sunset approaches people gather to watch and, although it was a bit cloudy most of the time I was there in December, the sunsets are quite stunning as the beach faces just about due West. A couple of beer Chang helps it along. As the light goes, the nightlights are lit and more and more people start to arrive.

About 9 every evening there is a fireshow which really is spectacular. A group of Thai lads, who I got to know and are really nice blokes perform breathtaking feats with fire poi, firesticks, fire ropes etc. In fact just about enything you can set fire to and throw about, they will set fire to and throw about. They are very talented. This goes until about midnight. All evening the sound system has been gradually cranked up and by about 10 p.m. the place is absolutely jumping. This revelry goes on until, well actually I don't know, I never wanted to stay out that late but late enough anyway.

I loved this place, although if I had one small complaint it would be that the music is almost identical every night, but that is a small point.

Dress Code: None whatsoever.

Simple life bar is chilled with a great atmosphere. Set by the beach is a great place to have a drink and listen to the sea. The glasses of red wine are generous and surprisingly good.

And you don't have to be a diver to enjoy it.

Dress Code: No dress code

The famous Full Moon party is on the neighbor island to Koh Tao. And for every party there is a party boat going over to Ko Phangan. I think it is much better to stay at Koh Tao and go to Ko Phangan on the boat. Ko Phangan is known for a lot of brake inns during the party, which you probably avoid if you stay at Koh Tao. Just look for the party boat tickets at the travel agents and internet cafes in the days before the party.

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Lotus Bar is a very popular place on Sairee Beach as it has a great happy hour from 4-7pm where most mixed drinks are just 50B instead of the usual price of 120B. Lots of people come here to sit on their comfy cushions, watch the sun go down and meet other travellers. Its a very laid back atmosphere. As the night goes on however, it becomes choc-a-bloc with people wanting to dance and it's a bit of a squeeze! But still I would say the best bar on Sairee Beach.

Dress Code: Beachwear!