Kanchanaburi in Thailand is sat neatly on the edge of the famous River Kwai, where the Thai hills move inland to meet the border with Burma to the north-west. Famed for its outdoorsy sights, tiger temples and raw World War II history, the spot continues to attract oodles of backpackers. Of course, that means some seriously top nightlife opportunities to boot. Here are a few of the best bars in the area.
Redtanks Bar
Redtanks is a great place to be if you’re looking to meet interesting people, have great conversation and enjoy some amazing cocktails. Hoey the bartender and owner mixes some amazing originals and the food is pretty good as well. The crowd is a great mix of local Thai, locally settled expats and foreign tourists, so conversation flows easily. Sit back and relax to the music, and enjoy your concoctions – all at great prices!
A classy place, this restaurant-bar is a definite improvement on the loud and crowded streets of Mae Nam Kwae Road. The garden terrace has a great ambiance coupled with live music and some great cocktails. The menu can be a little weird and wonderful, so order only what you’re comfortable with.
Plum Tree Bar and Restaurant
Bar, Restaurant
If you’re looking for a place that serves amazing food with a good variety of cocktails, head for the Plum Tree. This place has some of the best food in Kanchanaburi, and some great mixed drinks and high balls to match. The decor is a melange of European and Chinese styles and goes well with the lively mood of the place.
A bistro-style bar and restaurant in the heart of Kanchanaburi, The House has a atmosphere and sublime cocktails. The food menu is a mix of Thai and international cuisine, like most of the places in Kanchanaburi. They have an open kitchen and you can watch your food being cooked while enjoying the live music in the background.
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BBB Bar
Bar
This place is almost an institution in Kanchanaburi. Originally run by English expats, you get a mix of English cuisine (think fish and chips) and Thai food here. The place is a regular hangout for backpackers and bikers, and the atmosphere is good. Earlier known as the No Name Bar, it has been rechristened as the BBB or Triple B after a new Australian owner took over. The menu remains largely the same, with English and Thai dishes, while the best feature is the range of high-end guitars which customers can play or jam on in tune with the live bands.
Kan Buri
Restaurant, Thai, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free
This place is a pretty good hang-out away from the noise and crowds. It is frequented mainly by locals, and you will find a good number of expats there as well. The restaurant has both an open-air terrace facing the road, as well as an inner, air-conditioned section. Probably their best feature is the fact that they fill your beer mug in passing every time unless you indicate otherwise. A good place for drinks and a meal, their Thai menu is standard and complete with all the favorites.
Discovery Pub
Pub, Cocktails, Wine, Pub Grub, Beer, Thai
If you like loud music, crowds and dancing to the latest hip-hop and techno tracks, this is the place for you. Frequented by holidaymakers out of Bangkok, Discovery is a discotheque and nightclub that offers music, cocktails and crowds by the bucket load. Their cocktail bar comes with a wide variety of local versions of popular drinks like the mojito.
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