3 reviewed party hostels · from €4.21/night · Hostelworld rated
Luang Prabang’s nightlife won’t keep you up until sunrise, but it’s got a charm that pulls backpackers in. The action centres around **Utopia**, a bar set along the Mekong River where travellers gather for sunset drinks, fire shows, and cheap Beerlao. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up chatting with strangers by 8 PM. The hostel scene is small but social: **The Jam Hostel** leads the pack, throwing regular barbecues and pub crawls that draw a crowd most nights. Don’t expect Bangkok-level clubs, but for a town this size, the vibe is surprisingly lively. Most hostels sit within walking distance of the post office, the unofficial centre of backpacker life, where the Night Market and a handful of bars keep things ticking over.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Mad Monkey Luang Prabang is the perfect choice for party enthusiasts looking to kickstart their Laos adventures. With a rooftop infinity pool, a lounge-style terrace with breathtaking views of palm forests, an on-site fire pit, and a vibrant industrial-style bar and restaurant, this hostel sets the stage for unforgettable social events and parties. Additionally, they offer travel planning and exciting adventure-based tours to local must-see attractions.
Family-owned social hostel with a warm atmosphere and amazing staff. Free tasty breakfast with local fruits available every morning. The hostel features spacious common room and terrace with cosy seating. Table football and billiard tournaments are great activities for meeting and bonding with other guests.
Located next to the river, Fan Dee hostel is a great spot for true adventurers and nature lovers. There is plenty of outdoor seating, 2 terraces, and cosy café and bar. Guests are welcomed to join fun activities like movies marathons, game nights, walking tours, hiking, etc. For lazy ones, the hostel has its own massage centre and outdoor jacuzzies where you can relax.
Organised nights out with a local guide
Organised by The Jam Hostel, this crawl hits Utopia, Lao Lao Garden, and Ibis Bar, with a few smaller stops along the way. The 200,000 LAK ticket includes a free shot at each venue, a welcome drink, and a T-shirt. The crawl starts at 9 PM at The Jam and wraps up around midnight, though many stick around for after-parties.
How Luang Prabang's nightlife zones break down
This is where you’ll find most of Luang Prabang’s hostels, including The Jam. The area clusters around the post office, with the Night Market just a five-minute walk away. It’s quiet during the day but comes alive after dark with backpackers drifting between bars. The Mekong River is a 10-minute stroll, perfect for sunset views.
The heart of the Night Market, this street is lined with stalls selling everything from handmade textiles to fried insects. By day, it’s a tourist hotspot; by night, it transforms into a foodie paradise with cheap eats and pop-up bars. The Royal Palace and Mount Phousi are both nearby, so it’s a good base for sightseeing.
A quieter neighbourhood near the tip of the peninsula, where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. It’s home to some of the town’s oldest temples, like Wat Xieng Thong, and a handful of mid-range guesthouses. The bars here are more low-key, but Hive Bar and a few riverside spots offer a relaxed alternative to the backpacker scene.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
Set on the banks of the Mekong, Utopia is the backpacker hub of Luang Prabang. The bar opens at 5 PM, and by sunset, the place is packed with travellers lounging on cushions, sipping 15,000 LAK Beerlao. Fire dancers perform most nights after 8 PM, and the crowd spills onto the sand for impromptu games of volleyball. It’s more chilled than wild, but you’ll leave with a few new mates.
The Jam’s in-house bar is where the hostel’s pub crawls kick off. Expect 20,000 LAK buckets, cheap cocktails, and a sound system blasting everything from reggae to EDM. The crowd is mostly backpackers, and the staff keep the drinks flowing until midnight. If you’re staying here, you’ll end up here: it’s the social heart of the hostel.
A short walk from Utopia, Lao Lao Garden is a two-level bar with a garden vibe. The ground floor is all about cheap drinks (happy hour runs 5–7 PM), while the upstairs terrace fills up later with backpackers playing drinking games. The staff are quick to hand out free shots if you’re friendly. Live music on Fridays.
One of the few places in Luang Prabang that stays open past midnight. Ibis is a tiny, no-frills bar with a pool table and a crowd that’s equal parts locals and travellers. The music leans toward rock and indie, and the owner, Mr. Boun, keeps the Beerlao cold. It’s a 10-minute walk from the post office, tucked down a side alley.
Yes, there’s a bowling alley in Luang Prabang, and yes, it doubles as a bar. The lanes are basic, but the drinks are cold and the crowd is rowdy. It’s a 15-minute walk from the centre, near the bus station, so it’s quieter than Utopia but just as fun. Open until 11 PM most nights, later on weekends.
A newer spot that’s quickly become a favourite for backpackers wanting something a bit different. Hive mixes cocktails with a live DJ on weekends, and the outdoor seating area is strung with fairy lights. Happy hour (6–8 PM) sees cocktails drop to 35,000 LAK. It’s small, so get there early if you want a seat.