The 10 Best Bars to Grab a Drink in Krabi

Reggae bars are inexplicably popular in South East Asia, and Arty’s bar captures that classic, laid-back mai pen rai, no-worries vibe better than most. Simplicity is key at Arty’s, with cushions to sit on the floor and a drinks menu that won’t leave you scratching your head. The bar staff are more than happy to join you in a drink and for a chat, and there are several guitars and ukuleles just asking to be played. Whether it’s reggae on the speakers or talented locals playing a live set, there are few bars with a better atmosphere for a drink in Krabi than Arty’s Bar.

Spend any amount of time in Thailand and you’re bound to get sick of the same old lager, night after night. That’s where Chu-a-pa come in. Whilst it may look like a tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar, it has a tremendously impressive range of beers, both imported and domestic. It’s also leading the charge in promoting Krabi’s craft beers, which are few and far between in the south of Thailand. Knowledgable staff will help you pick a beer if you’re overwhelmed with choice, and you can enjoy it sat on directors chairs around tables propped up by old beer kegs – it’s a spot that just oozes cool and is popular with Krabi’s fledgling hipster scene.

When travelling, it’s commonly accepted that if locals are frequenting a place, then it must be good. That rings true with the Factory Beer Garden. More often than not full on a weekend, it’s a large, open-air bar with rustic wooden furniture and tools on the wall to provide a factory-like theme and has live music playing in the background. It’s also attached to a restaurant, making it perfect for those who feel peckish whilst drinking. The combination of an open air bar on a warm night, cold drinks and live music make it a great place to let your hair down and have a great time.

Having recently opened in the low season of 2017, Hobby Hops hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impression but it’s made one nonetheless. The mix and match, shabby-chic furniture provides more of a Shoreditch-y, London vibe than a Krabi, Thailand vibe, and it comes equipped with comfy couches to enjoy whilst you lose yourself in the atmosphere. With a huge selection of alcoholic beverages to choose from and a roof-top bar set to open in time for high season, it’s all set to blow up and become the place to visit in Krabi Town, so make sure you get there first

Krabi’s different to Phuket in that there aren’t really too many crazy clubs like the those you will find on Bangla Walking Street, but Chang Bar definitely bucks the trend. Situated in the heart of Ao Nang’s beachfront strip, it’s the go-to club in mainland Krabi, offering loud music, cheap drinks and a large dance floor which provides an opportunity to bust some serious shapes long into the early morning. Close to other similar bars, Chang Bar is the definitive club experience in Krabi and is guaranteed to be a fun night out.

Barely a few months old, Get Rad’s is the brainchild of the owner of the popular Slumber Party hostel and already seems to be enjoying the same success. As a mixology bar it definitely stands out from the crowd, and boasts a large selection of drinks and spirits to keep even the fussiest drinker happy. Unpretentious and laid back, it’s equal parts dive bar and cocktail lounge and, whilst it’s only new, it’s already secured its status as perhaps the go-to bar in Ao Nang.

If it’s home comforts or familiarity you’re looking for, then the Irish Embassy Pub is sure to provide it, with its dark wooden interior and friendly bar staff. Whilst it may look quiet and unassuming from the outside, come night-time it’s anything but. With regular quizzes, events and offers on food and drink and screens for the latest sporting events, there’s always something going on and it’s a real hub of activity – something that’s important in such a sleepy island as Koh Lanta. In keeping with the Irish theme, you can find your usual Guinness and Irish ciders here, as well as crumpets, Sunday roasts and craic by the barrel full.

Named as such because it’s the last bar on the strip, The Last Bar has long been the main watering hole for those lucky enough to visit Railay. In a prime location on the beach, you can enjoy a Thai boxing match, a wide range of buckets and a fire show all whilst hearing the Andaman sea lapping at the shore. With the atypical Thai beach-style wooden furnishings and cushions, worrying about dressing up or looking good isn’t on the agenda – though relaxing and having a great time definitely are.

Koh Phi Phi is definitely beautiful, but it also comes with a certain degree of notoriety as somewhat of a party island. A mixture of the two is a happy medium, and that’s where Sunflower Beach Bar comes into it. With wooden furnishings that spill out onto the beach, the views of the turquoise water, imposing cliffs and thick green rainforest make it one of the best places to enjoy a drink or two. With board games, hammocks and fire shows on the beach, it’s perfectly possible to both relax there and join in the revelry, with rooms available too if you drink a little too much…

The Reggae Bar in Phi Phi is legendary and known all over the world for one thing – its boxing matches. With a seating layout focused around a Muay Thai boxing ring in the middle of the room, punters are invited to strap up and throw down against one another in the centre, with a medal and a cocktail bucket at stake. You’re not obliged to fight, and spectating with one of its many cocktails and beers is more than okay. Whether or not you put on the shorts or gloves, it’s bound to be an experience you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.