Koh Samui Nightlife, Leisure and Entertainment

Koh Samui Nightlife

The ambience of Koh Samui's nightlife is as relaxed and freewheeling as you will experience anywhere. The convenience, the excitement, and secure surrounding are mainly making this island being an exceptionally safe place to let loose and have fun. However, like any tourist destination, Koh Samui also has the petty criminals. These bad people are mostly often present late at night in some of the entertainment areas. Simply exercise the same caution you would at home, and it is very unlikely you will become another victim. Koh Samui has a wide variety of nightlife to cater for all tastes, relaxing beach bars, dance clubs, live music venues, girly bars full of friendly Thai bar girls, the ever present English and Irish pubs showing the latest sports on the big screen and even a transvestite cabaret show. Many bars in Koh Samui are owned by foreigners who have fallen in love with Thailand and Thai girls, left the west to set up the dream life of running a bar on this tropical island. With the huge amount of tourists visiting Koh Samui every year as well as western people who have set up businesses in Koh Samui over the last 20 years and its nightlife shows was well spent.

With the approach of darkness, Chaweng town becomes popular with a variety of entertainment venues such as shows, pubs, discotheques and delicious restaurants having vibrant nightlife where you can stroll along the beach road and choose from hundreds of venues for drinks, dining, and live music. There are some transvestite cabaret shows for fun. Chaweng also has many world-class discotheques and rock pubs where people can enjoy the night. These clubs are basically very crowded in the high season, and there you can mingle with the locals and visitors from all over the world until 02:00 a.m. It's great to lounge on the beach all day with a Singha (or Fanta) in hand, but when you're looking for nighttime recreation, move away from the sand and head to the center of Lamai or Chaweng. Chaweng and Lamai are world famous for their beaches and bars, a perfect combination. After a day of laying on the beach, when you're fully rested and ready for some night time excitement is assured, Koh Samui comes to life just as you do.

Nightlife in Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui's nightlife center with dozens of pubs and go-go bars. Chaweng is the highlight of Koh Samui's night life, with the best, biggest and most happening bars and clubs. Everything is played here from chilled out reggae at the famous reggae bar to thumping techno at the Green Mango, one of Koh Samui's liveliest hot spots. Live music from foreign and local bands knock out the old classics as well as the new hits at atmospheric venues, and DJs are flown in from around the world to provide the latest dance tunes in the modern discos. Many people of all ages prefer to go to this pub to enjoy their dance with nice live music and background music.

Nightlife in Lamai Beach is smaller than Chaweng and though it can be quiet in the low season, Lamai can often rival Chaweng for a good night out and should not be overlooked especially if you prefer your nights out to be a little quieter. Lamai also has a good variety of nightlife, you can watch Thai lady boxing, mud wrestling, dance the night away at a disco or listen to some great bands. Of course the Thai bar girls are still there and you can still just take it easy at a beer bar trying to find a girlfriend for your holiday. One of the biggest draws in downtown Lamai is the Bauhaus Pub, Bistro and Disco. This establishment draws young crowds with a Saturday Gin and Vodka party (with half-price cocktails) and other specials. On Fridays you can see soaking wet patrons pour through the doors after the weekly foam party. Secret Garden is a popular live music entertainment place in Big Buddha beach area.

Many people - especially men may find it easy to make new friends in the bars and discotheques. Some of these people will expect you to pay them for their company if you go out for the evening. The majority of them do not have criminal intentions of any kind, however there are occasional incidents. Especially, be extremely cautious with men masquerading as women. If you choose to take a new friend (whether a local or a tourist) back to your hotel, always safeguard your valuables. If a friendly stranger pulls up beside you on a motorbike while you are out walking at night, and offers you a ride, don't go. Finally, women especially, should not accept invitations from a stranger to walk on the beach at night.