Bars and cafes in Koh Phangan - what to do and what to do
In my opinion, full-blown sights on Koh Phangan Little. The waterfalls here are frail, the mountains are so-so, and the only really beautiful thing here is the beaches. Everything else in Phangan is very simple, small and small-town. Comparing with Koh Samui, where the situation with sights is a little better, I would say that in general the islands are very similar. But if on Koh Samui there are only bars, restaurants and a couple of clubs, then on Phangan there are party places where events are held that can be fully considered a separate pastime. The best parties are in Koh Phangan!
Although some experts say that Koh Phangan is not necessary to be considered a party island, it is for parties and parties that you should go here. And now I'm not talking about the well-known Full Moon Party, but in general about the entire set of engines on the island. I have not seen any other place in Thailand where there would be such a dense concentration of assorted parties, view bars with observation decks (where parties are also regularly lit) and cult cafes. Another resort in Thailand does not come to my mind, with such a number of entertainment establishments, which (according to old-timers) is steadily growing, and their quality is increasing.
The content of the article
- one Bars in Phangan where parties are held
- 2 For body and soul
- 3 Coffee shops and healthy eating
- 4 Purely partying in Koh Phangan
- five On the map
Bars in Phangan where parties are held
There is a separate category of bars on Phangan, where they not only offer drinks and a menu with a set of dishes, but also regularly hold parties. Moreover, in some places the organizers are not at all attached to the time of day, and people can hang out here literally around the clock. Below I have listed the main, iconic view bars, where most of the farangs in Phangan flock and which are worth paying attention to for those who appreciate this kind of thing..
Amstardam Bar and Top Rock Bar
A legendary place, known to absolutely everyone, so at sunset it is stupid not to be crowded there. Going to an Amsterdam bar and watching the sunset is an obligatory part of the program when visiting the island. Although I can say that in fact the view there is not the best. But the place is nice if you are young, open-minded, you like techno music, and you don't mind someone smoking pot next to you. No wonder the name of the AmstArdam bar is consonant with the famous smoking city in Holland.
The bar has two areas: one lower, with a pool and techno music, and the second higher, with seating and reclining places, and more relaxed music. Usually, it is on the second site that there are most people, since there is a better view from there. And it is there that you can lie down on the pillows and slowly smoke a joint in the company of friends, well, or in splendid isolation. If you want to get a better seat, then come there an hour or even two hours before sunset. Watching the sunset is the minimum program for this place. The atmosphere is backing, slightly rastaman, although many just drink beer. And on the lower platform there is already more movement, here people are intoxicated by dancing and the drunk is used stronger and in large quantities. Details with photos and how to get there - Bar Amsterdam on Koh Phangan - iconic place with sunsets.
Amsterdam Bar on Phangan
There is Top Rock Bar next to the Amsterdam bar. It is simpler, smaller, but also with a good look. It can fit at most 20 people, it seems to me. The atmosphere here is different, maybe due to a completely different contingent, or maybe due to the interior of the bar. This is not a modern stone building, like the Amsterdam bar, but a wooden one, in places reminiscent of the style «from what they found, from what, and made». Contrary to the opinion of some experts who argue that smoking in Phangan is possible only at certain points, here you can definitely buy and smoke a joint. That is, in this regard, Top Rock Bar is slightly different from Amsterdam, and here you can also meet rastamans. Details with photos and how to get there - Top Rock Bar in Koh Phangan.
Top Rock Bar in Koh Phangan
360 Bar and Utopia Resort Restaurant
«Bar 360» - this is probably the best viewpoint on the island. It is located on the roof of a building built on a mountain, and the view from it opens, if not 360 degrees, then 270 - for sure. There used to be an abandoned hotel that stood idle for a long time. Now the hotel has remained, but a bar has been made on its roof. As far as I know, the place is owned and controlled by the police, but at the same time you can buy not only standard drinks, but also smoke on the spot. True, not every day, but only during parties that take place a couple of times a month.
The rest of the time, it is just a quiet and calm bar with almost no people. And yes, it's better to come before sunset, so that at the same time, the sun can be seen. At the bottom there will be a good Haad Mae Hat beach with a sand spit (ford) to the nearest Koh Ma island, which is exposed at low tide (just in the afternoon). You need to go under the arch of Utopia Resort and then follow the signs. The road is mostly concrete, not difficult, albeit uphill. All details with photos, and how to get there - Bar 360 in Koh Phangan.
Three Sixty Bar in Koh Phangan
Another sightseeing attraction, the restaurant of the Utopia Resort hotel is located right next to it. From Bar 360, you can walk along a path to the building in a couple of minutes, or vice versa, from a restaurant to a bar. The Utopia restaurant is distinguished by not the best cuisine, but a very pleasant view, albeit with a much smaller viewing angle than at the 360 bar. But you can have dinner at sunset, with all the amenities and good music. Prices are average, as in all places of this kind. More details, photos and how to get there - Utopia Resort Koh Phangan - iconic hotel and restaurant with a view.
Utopia Resort Restaurant in Koh Phangan
Lighthouse - techno parties, bar and bungalows
On the southernmost edge of Koh Phangan, behind the beaches Haad Rin Nai, Haad Rin Nok and Leela Beach the cult place of lovers is located «techno». Phangan itself is a young, reckless and energetic island, so the Lighthouse has a positive reputation among young people and is in constant demand among local residents. It is located on the outskirts, at the foot of the mountain, right on the rocks along the edge of the sea. On the cliffs, there is a small bar with a courtyard, which hosts events in a techno musical format. There are cliffs under the club from which you can jump into the water, and behind the club there are bungalows in which you can live or spend the night. More details, photos and how to get there - Lighthouse - techno parties, bar and bungalows.
Lighthouse on Koh Phangan
Guy’s Bar and Eden Bar
Haad Tien is the middle in a group of three beaches on this side of Koh Phangan: Wai nam, Haad Tian and Haad Yuan. Haad Tien is known to a wide range of tourists for Guy.’s Bar, which is deservedly considered an iconic place and one of the most interesting viewpoints on the eastern edge of Koh Phangan. The peculiarity of the place lies in its inaccessibility, so coming here by land is problematic, and by sea it is not cheap. From 8 pm to 9 am every Friday (Gais Bar) and every Saturday and Tuesday (Eden Bar) local parties are held here for those who are in the know. Although local tabloids on trendy places have long been adding these two bars to the general list of parties, so there is no particular authenticity and secrecy here for a long time. Twisting the house. Details with photos and how to get there - Phangan Gayse Bar and Eden Bar - iconic party spots.
Gais Bar on Phangan
Koh Raham Restaurant
Another iconic restaurant (or rather a bar) on the west coast of Koh Phangan. During strong storms during the monsoons, it is sometimes decently washed away and destroyed, but given the building materials used, restoration does not cost the owners a pretty penny. The bar seems to be made of marine debris, the fact that the sea washed ashore. Wood, planks, driftwood, ropes and ropes, bamboo and palm leaves are a lot of natural materials that create a very warm and cozy atmosphere. Well, if you add here an excellent view of the sunset sky and music, the place can be safely recorded in the top ten of the best places in Phangan. More details, photos and how to get there - Koh Raham Koh Phangan - Authentic Marine Garbage Restaurant.
Ko Raham on Phangan
Mountain secret bar
Nice place on the mountain with a viewpoint and panoramic views of the south of Phangan. Previously, parties were held there, but something did not grow together and they were gone on my arrival. Perhaps they will resume, maybe not, write in the comments if you go. The road up is not very good, but it is still unpaved. That is, you can drive, but if you are a complete beginner and after the rains, then maybe not worth it. The restaurant stands on the side of a mountain, in the form of a building on stilts. The lower floor is a parking and utility block, and the upper floor is a bar, a cafe and a swimming pool, with two specially equipped observation decks. In good weather, it offers a stunning view.
Secret Mountain on Koh Phangan
For body and soul
Orion Center
Orion Healing Center on Koh Phangan is a hangout place for supporters of yoga, healthy lifestyle and healthy eating. In general, everything related to cleansing the body and all kinds of practices is here. Orion Center is located between the beaches Ao Hin Kong and Sritanu. There are no swimming beaches nearby, except for the indicated ones, and directly near the center - shallow water and stones, that is, the sea for contemplation, and not for entertainment in the water. More details, photos and how to get there - Orion Center on Phangan - vegetarian cafe, sauna, yoga and detox.
Orion Center on Phangan
Bath The Dome
Unlike its neighbor, Koh Samui, Phangan has a good selection of saunas, most of which belong to Buddhist temples. However, there are quite popular places among private establishments that enjoy the attention of connoisseurs of this type of recreation. The Dome is one of those. The best time to visit is after sunset. The special feature of the sauna is the sauna dome and the interior in the style of a wild island. In the evenings, bonfires are burned here, illumination lamps are lit, and relaxation products are offered. More details, photos and how to get there - The Dome on Koh Phangan is one of the best, either a bath or a sauna.
The Dome on Koh Phangan
Coffee shops and healthy eating
Sweet Shell Cafe
According to Freud, I would call the Sweet Shell Cafe Sweet Hell, because it is really hellishly tasty, you can gobble up on pastries. Shell translated from English means «shell». The implication, apparently, that here you can hide in your shell from the whole world and, in principle, guessed the name: the cafe is cozy, pleasant, comfortable and tasty. The owners of the establishment are Russian-speaking, and the specialty of the cafe is excellent desserts. A very good place to hang out with friends after sunset. More details, photos and how to get there - Sweet Shell Cafe in Phangan - for those with a sweet tooth and lovers of Russian cuisine
Sweet Shell Cafe in Phangan
Dot coffee shop’s
The best coffee on the island, but laptops were banned here at one time, as the owners did not want to turn it into a coworking place. They say that now it is already possible with a laptop, maybe there are many who wish. One of the nicest cafes in Tong Sale. The specialty of the establishment is European style and the best coffee on the island. The owners speak Russian. The place should definitely be in the top ten best cafeterias in Koh Phangan. More details, photos and how to get there - Dots Coffee - the best coffee in Koh Phangan.
Dots Coffee - the best coffee in Koh Phangan
Doppio coffee shop
Place across the street from Dot coffee shop’s, where, after all, everyone is sitting with laptops - there are no bans on office equipment, but coffee is also prepared here - so-so. Directly opposite Dots, you can't miss it. There are two banks with ATMs at the same intersection, which means a great location between money, food and ferries. Tong Sala, near the main pier of the island. More details, photos and how to get there - Doppio cafe on Koh Phangan is a good place for a freelancer.
Doppio cafe on Koh Phangan
Nira’s Home Bakery
Nira coffee shop’s Home Bakery is also a well-known place, and even located right next to the Thong Sala piers. Near the port, people usually hang out waiting for their ferry and often stay at Niras Home before leaving. Or vice versa, on arrival they stop by for a cup of coffee. The place is quite ordinary, a lot of people, a lot of traffic, so in my opinion it is better to go to Doppia or Dot’s. But if you are still in Nira, then try the best ice cream on the island - Coconut Mam IceCream. More details, photos and how to get there - Nira’s Home Bakery - coffee, breakfast and comfort.
Nira’s Home Bakery in Koh Phangan
Vagga Bar
Wagga Bar is located near the resort with the tricky name See Through. It looks like an ordinary cafe on the shore, but many people come there to order a drink or sit for a smoke, looking at the sea. Be sure to take a coconut shake, here it is the best, it has a bunch of coconut pulp inside. The place for the bar was chosen very well - on the beach Haad Yao Beach. It's very photogenic here in sunny weather. More details, photos and how to get there - Vagga bar in Phangan - coconut shake with sea view.
Vagga bar in Phangan
Taboon Vegetarian Restaurant
Taboon Restaurant is an Israeli restaurant, as well as a cafe with homemade cakes and a hand-made store, three in one. Located on Sitanu Beach, which is appreciated by lovers of esotericism, yoga and healthy lifestyle, including vegans. Tabuun is just the same vegan restaurant, in my Israeli opinion - very worthy. More details, photos and how to get there - Koh Phangan Taboon Vegetarian Restaurant - Israeli cuisine.
Koh Phangan Taboon Vegetarian Restaurant
Akasha Home or Macrobiotic
A small vegan restaurant Akasha Home, which until recently was called Macrobiotic World. Close to the sea on Sritranu beach. The place is quite popular, well-known and in high demand even in low-life. More details, photos and how to get there - Koh Phangan Vegetarian Restaurant - Akasha Home or Macrobiotic.
Akasha Home in Koh Phangan
Purely partying in Koh Phangan
If in the distant eighties on Phangan the very idea of a party-going Phangan was just beginning to emerge, and all sessions were reduced to wild dances of a small company around a fire on the seashore under a full moon, now everything has changed. Phangan is one big party with global parties like the Full Moon Party and smaller events that tie their schedules to the island's main party..
The best parties in Phangan: Full Moon Party, Half Moon Party, Black Moon Party, Shiva Moon, Jungle Experience, Sramanora, Waterfall Party, Original Pool Party, Moon Set Party and Reggae Party. In addition to them, there are a dozen more events on a smaller scale, but going into such details is already for the fans. You can see short descriptions and prices of parties in a separate article - TOP 11 parties in Phangan.
On the map
Phangan landmarks
Attractions in Phangan: