One thing I always enjoy on my visits to Chiang Mai, Thailand are the western pubs. A large number of western expats live in Chiang Mai and tens of thousands of western tourists visit every month so the proliferation of western pubs in the city makes sense. With some of the best British and Irish pubs in Thailand to choose from, it’s also easy to have a pub crawl (go from one pub to another), as most are around the same Chiang Mai city center location. If you too enjoy a drink or a good meal at a western pub, don’t miss stopping at these best Chiang Mai pubs. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.
The Red Lion – One of my favorite pubs in Chiang Mai is The Red Lion. It’s one of the oldest pubs in Chiang Mai and is near the famous Night Market, so you can do some shopping first then stop off for a pint of lager and a great meal. You can sit either inside, in air conditioning, and enjoy all the typical British decor and friendly staff, or sit outside on the patio and watch the Night Market crowds walk by.
The Red Lion is known as one of the best pubs in Chiang Mai as, not only is the beer good, they also have a huge menu of Thai and western dishes and the food is good. They’re open all day, from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm, with the most popular times from 6pm on up. 123 Loi Kroh Road (near the Night Market) – Tel: (0)53 818847
O’Malley’s Bar – For some great Irish food, Irish staff and Irish clientele, you can’t beat O’Malley’s Bar. Also, located near the Night Market, I’ve enjoyed several lunches and dinners here when my parents were in town, as the pub has a nice atmosphere and folks are friendly. Their Guinness is also often on special and they usually do a promotion for lunch, dinner or special occasions (I ate a very nice Christmas dinner here one year).
O’Malley’s Bar is set back in a small square just off the main street next to a mini-market so, if you can’t find it, ask one of the locals. They’ll tell you. 149/14-15 Chang Klan Road, (near the Night Market) – Tel: (053) 271921
Sax Music Pub – The Sax Music Pub is a great mix of good booze, delicious food (both Thai and international) and live music. Popular with local expats plus young backpackers, the Sax Music Pub’s live music is mainly jazz, blues and funk. Local bands play as well as international visitors. Plus, even when the live music isn’t on, Sax Music Pub has an excellent collection of CDs so there’s always great music playing. The pub is close to the old Tapae Gate in the old town section of Chiang Mai. Particularly fun after a night at the Sunday Walking Street Market. 35/2 Moon Muang Road, Tapae Gate – Tel: (053) 245740
The Pub – The Pub is an older British pub that’s been open for more than 40 years and thought of as the best pub in Chiang Mai by the old timers. Currently owned by a British guy and his Thai wife, The Pub looks just like an Olde English pub and the food is superb. Starting with breakfast at 7am, they serve food all day long and it’s some of the best British (and Thai) food in Chiang Mai. Don’t miss their Sunday Roast dinner too – excellent. What’s nice about The Pub too is it’s a little ways out of town, so a bit more secluded and less touristy. 189 Huay Kaew Road – close to the Amari Rincome Hotel – Tel: (053) 211550
