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Samui Nightlife - The Buzz..........
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| Samui
Nightlife |
Although smaller than Phuket, Samui offers a much more varied
nightlife. Less bar beers and a better choice of discos, live
music venues and cool bars.
Nightlife is centred on the two main beach areas of Chaweng
and Lamai, with Lamai offering a quieter, more friendly and slightly
cheaper scene. Chaweng, which changes daily, is more upbeat with
new places popping-up all the time. Chaweng also has its own beach
party scene - it doesn't have the same island feel as Koh Phang
Gan, but local taxis mean you can go home when you want. While
the old days of partying until dawn have been dampened by the
2.00 am closing law, there's always somewhere in Samui you can
party on....
Samui is also establishing a reputation for superb food, produced
by excellent world class chefs. Take a look at our food
section for Samui's wining and dining.
Chaweng
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| Green
Mango nightspots |
Chaweng has Samui's first and oldest disco, the Reggae Pub.
Still popular with the baby boomers, it rarely gets going until
about midnight. As the name suggests, It's Bob Marley and reggae
music until midnight, when sounds switch to house and techno and
it starts to fill.....
Right in the centre of town, The Green Mango, is probably
the most popular disco in Samui with a big dance floor, a pool
games area and a place with tables to sit down and hang out. The
DJ's often come from leading clubs around the world, so Green
Mango has a justifiably good reputation for putting on a good
party. There's also live music from visiting and resident bands.
Open at 8 pm although the disco doesn't get jumping until around
midnight, and then it gets very busy......
In front of the Green Mango is large paved area with a number
of smaller bars, also worth a visit for a change of scene and
music:
Mario's Austin Powers Dance Bar
Loud 'n funky music with a beach party atmosphere which often
attracts as big as crowd as the Green Mango. Heave your way through!
Close to the Green Mango.
Sweet 'n Soul Bar
No dance area but open on to the street, close to the Green
Mango. Cosy, intimate, dark, popular and crowded! More laid-back
music, (Dire Straits, Chris Rea, Dido etc) A great place to chill
out (if you can find a seat) after the Green Mango.
The Deck
A narrow 3-floor building close to the Green Mango and a cool
place to hang-out. Lots of space and Thai style seats where you
can take your shoes off and lie on the raised floor.
For a complete change of scene, away from the Green Mango area,
check out The Club. An old established bar which people
return to year after year. Mellow atmosphere with warm candlelight,
good music - acid jazz, soul, funk, cool grooves and a relaxed
crowd.
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Lamai
Although quieter with more "bar beers" (small outdoor
bars, each identical to the other) there are also lots of restaurants
and several pleasant, semi-outdoor drinking / dancing venues.
The 2 main bar areas, the "Night Plaza" near to the
Bungee Catapult, and the "Round Bars" surrounding the
open-air boxing ring, have a different atmosphere to Chaweng.
(Especially on boxing nights)
The main party venue, Bauhaus is at the beach. There's
a different theme on different days. So far, Lamai's only disco.
Fusions
Close to the round bars on the main road. New in Lamai, this
small club has a very laid-back atmosphere and mellow sounds.
Bikers and Rockers Pub
Still here but down the side street close to Fusions. The
only place in Lamai with live music, and some very excellent touring
bands play here. Strictly rock music.
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Cabaret
Glitz, glamour, outrageous costumes and fun. Although relatively
new to Samui, cabaret shows, especially at Christy's Cabaret
Bar in Chaweng are becoming a "must see." The "ladyboy"
shows which once had a seedy reputation now attract a much wider
and appreciative audience. The flamboyant transsexuals entertain
with songs, dances and great impersonations of famous singers,
with wit and humour. The show starts each night at 11.00 pm, but
get there before 10.30 as it's usually packed. The sound system
is expensive (disco quality) and the new stage and lighting come
as close to "professional" as you can get without being
in a closed aircon theatre.
Still a free show, with drinks at very reasonable prices. Don't
leave when the show finishes. This is the time when the ladyboys
give an alternative show!
Other hot spots in Samui
The Secret Garden - Big Buddha Beach
Live music, jamming sessions, visiting bands, food stalls,
crafts, gifts, souvenir stalls. You can listen to some great music
on the beach, courtesy of visiting and resident musicians, (both
pro and semi-pro) who get together for a jam. Each week is different
and anyone who plays an instrument is welcome to join in. There's
professional equipment and even instruments available! Every Sunday
afternoon from 4p.m. until 8p.m. - usually attracts a crowd of
200-300 hundred people, all in a party mood.
Beach Parties
Samui's (or rather Ko Phan Ngan's) famous beach parties still
cruise on, although the original Full Moon party is now just one
of a series. There's the Black Moon Party, The No Moon Party,
Freedom Beat etc., Following the same format, get stoned, meet
people (some cool, some not so cool) dance, crash out and go home.
A couple of things to remember. Ko Phang Ngan is an island - so
once the last boat has left, you're stranded until the first boat
(6.00am) leaves the next day - a bit of a problem if it rains.
Also take care with valuables and don't think for one minute that
there are no police - there are, many in plain clothes.
For a better organised beach party, head for Choeng Mon beach,
close to Chaweng, with food and drink stalls, open pavilions to
crash/shelter in, toilets, parking and cheap taxis running regularly.
Alternatively if you're determined to go to an island, try the
Black Moon Party on the tiny (and closer) island of Koh Som, near
to Big Buddha Beach.
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