4 reviewed party hostels · from €4.06/night · Hostelworld rated
Chiang Mai’s nightlife doesn’t scream like Bangkok, but it punches above its weight for backpackers who know where to look. Head to **Zoe in Yellow**, a cluster of bars and clubs on Ratvithi Road, and you’ll find the city’s most reliable spot for cheap drinks and late-night dancing. The hostel scene here is smaller than Thailand’s islands, but it’s tight-knit and social. **Mad Monkey Chiang Mai** and **Stamps Backpackers** run their own pub crawls, turning strangers into mates by midnight. Most party hostels sit in the Old City or near the Night Bazaar, putting you within walking distance of street-side bars and 24-hour pad thai stalls. If you’re after a mix of culture and chaos, this is where to base yourself.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Mad Monkey Chiang Mai is the ultimate party hostel in the heart of Thailand's cultural hub. With its prime location near the Night Bazaar and Tha Pae Gate, it offers easy access to all the main attractions. The hostel boasts fantastic amenities like a large salt water pool, a lively bar and restaurant, an on-site gym, and relaxing yoga spaces. Join the pool parties, embark on exciting day trips, and immerse yourself in the beauty of northern Thailand while having an unforgettable party experience.
Stamps Backpackers, nestled in Chiang Mai, is a vibrant hotspot for travellers looking to mix comfort with nightlife excitement. Boasting active nightly events and a lively bar, it’s a haven for those seeking to connect and party. A perfect blend of adventure and social interaction awaits.
If you're looking for the perfect place to meet people and have a good time, this is the hostel for you. With a fun atmosphere and cool party activities, everyone will have a blast. They've got daily pub crawls, nightly drinking games, and cool excursions to other parts of Thailand. When there's a party, they're always in the centre of it!
The Islander Chiang Mai is a fantastic party hostel where socialising, drinking, and having fun are the main ingredients. With nightly events, a lively atmosphere, and a friendly staff ready to help you make the most of your stay, it's the perfect place for party enthusiasts seeking unforgettable experiences.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A weekly event that visits four bars and a club, starting at **The Pub** on Huay Kaew Road. The ticket includes free entry to all venues, a welcome shot, and drink discounts. The crawl moves to **Zoe in Yellow** around midnight, where the party continues until 02:00. Expect a mix of backpackers and expats.
How Chiang Mai's nightlife zones break down
The historic centre of Chiang Mai, surrounded by a moat and ancient walls. It’s where you’ll find most party hostels, temples, and backpacker bars. Ratvithi Road and Moon Muang Road are the main nightlife strips, with live music venues and late-night street food stalls. It’s walkable, but songthaews are cheap if you’re tired.
A lively area east of the Old City, centred around Chang Khlan Road. The night market is the main draw, but the side streets hide bars, massage parlours, and 24-hour restaurants. It’s more touristy than the Old City, but the vibe is relaxed and the drinks are cheap.
The trendy district north-west of the Old City, packed with cafés, boutique shops, and rooftop bars. It’s where digital nomads and expats hang out, so the nightlife is more upscale. **Warm Up Café** has a branch here, and **North Gate Jazz Co-Op** is a short ride away. Hostels are pricier, but the area is quieter.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A compact alley off Ratvithi Road packed with bars and a small club. The music leans toward EDM and hip-hop, and the crowd is a mix of backpackers and digital nomads. Entry is free before midnight, but drinks cost 90–120 THB. It gets rammed on Fridays, so arrive early to grab a table.
Chiang Mai’s most famous live music venue, open since 1999. Expect Thai folk, reggae, and rock bands playing until 01:00. The front bar is standing-room only, while the garden area has tables. Beer is 80 THB, and the kitchen serves decent Thai food until midnight. Weekends draw a local and tourist crowd.
A cosy, dimly lit bar with nightly jazz and blues performances. The vibe is chilled, and the crowd is older: think expats and travellers in their 30s. Cocktails cost 150–200 THB, but happy hour (18:00–20:00) knocks them down to 100 THB. It’s tiny, so get there early for a seat.
Not a club, but a must-visit for bar-hopping. The Night Bazaar stretches along Chang Khlan Road, with dozens of open-air bars serving 60 THB beers. Some spots have live bands, while others blast Thai pop. It’s touristy but fun, and you can shop for souvenirs between rounds.
A British-style pub with a pool table and 16 beers on tap. It’s a good spot for a low-key night or a pre-drinks session before heading to Zoe in Yellow. Pints cost 120–150 THB, and the kitchen serves burgers and fish and chips. Happy hour runs from 16:00–19:00.
A two-storey pub with a rooftop terrace and nightly DJs. The music spans pop, rock, and dance, and the crowd is a mix of locals and tourists. Beer is 90–120 THB, and the kitchen serves Thai and Western food until 01:00. It’s a 10-minute walk from Tha Phae Gate.
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