A couple of months ago I went to trips with my girl friends. During this trip, we visited both Phuket and Bangkok. Finally, I had the opportunity to experience both cities’ bustling and famous nightlife. To my surprise, there were lots to do as a family at night time, I always thought the nightlife was for young adults partying, but I was very wrong. My time in Thailand got me thinking: which city has the best nightlife between Bangkok and Phuket.
Phuket is considered to be a better nightlife destination, Phuket and Bangkok have live shows, nightclubs, night markets, and fun activities for the night. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and Phuket is the tourist destination.
When we talk about nightlife, there are usually two parts we can look at, the nightlife for families and then the nightlife for young party-goers. Both Bangkok and Phuket have more than enough activities to keep anyone satisfied, but what is the best destination for families and young adults?
Direct comparison between Bangkok and Phuket:
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand; unfortunately, it is a city with no coastal areas or beaches, but what it does have are many malls for shopping and busy streets full of tourists. In Bangkok, you can find bars, clubs, musical shows, theatres, almost anything you can think of except for beach bars.
Phuket is located on the coast of Thailand with its famous and beautiful beach bars. Phuket also has Clubs, shows, and fun family activities, but one distinct difference between Bangkok and Phuket is that Bangkok does not have a coastal area. This lack of a coastal area plays a crucial role in the ultimate decision of which city has the best nightlife.
Bangkok nightlife:
Bangkok is known worldwide as the city that comes alive when the sun has set; there are markets, clubs, rooftop bars, and don’t forget the infamous red-light district. Let’s dive into what exactly there is to do in this bustling city when the sun goes down.
Nightlife for families:
No family will be let down by the number of activities there at nighttime. Usually, the daytime is when you go out with your kids, go on a boat ride and explore the city, but the night is where the city’s beauty transforms into a busy and bright art piece.
When the sun goes down, you can be sure to take your kids/family to one of these beautiful places:
- Bangkok Ocean world
- MBK
- Siam Niramit
- Asiatique night market
- Pantip plaza
- Bangkok Ocean world is one of the biggest aquariums you will ever see. Although the aquarium closes at 7:00 pm, it still falls under a nighttime activity. If you and your family were too busy to make time for this, then definitely give it a chance at night time.
- MBK is a vast mall that’s very kid-friendly and also boasts some of the best prices. This mall offers some of the best knock-offs, and the prices will make it great for your kids to afford something with their pocket money.
- Siam Niramit is a famous kid-friendly Thai performance. There are many time slots to view this performance, and many of them are at night time. This performance is filled with singing, dancing, and fun costumes. Your kids will sing, dance, and smile at this performance.
- Asiatique night market is well known for being a mixture between a mall and a market. The market is very kid-friendly, with some games for kids to play with and exciting food to try. This market looks beautiful at night with all the lights.
Nightlife for young adults:
Bangkok is a nightlife hotspot for young adults to enjoy themselves, there are many places and activities that will keep you busy for hours on end, from rooftop bars to nightclubs.
Here are some of the best places for party goers in Bangkok:
- Khao San Road
- Sukhumvit Road
- The Bamboo Bar
- RCA (Royal city avenue)
- Khao San Road is a famous location for backpackers. Here you will find a loud and busy nightlife with bars and restaurants that aren’t too expensive, the perfect place to visit when on a budget.
- Sukhumvit Road is one of the longest boulevards in the world. Sukhumvit boasts many upscale restaurants and nightclubs with trendy bars and shopping locations.
- The bamboo bar is a go-to bar for any Jazz lovers visiting Bangkok. After 6:30 pm, women are expected to wear elegant clothing and the men long pants with closed shoes. Indeed a must-see for Jazz lovers.
- The Royal City Avenue Is a very famous location for young people with a variety of entertainment options.
Phuket Nightlife:
Phuket nightlife is famous worldwide for its main attraction: “Bangla road.” Although Bangla road is an adult attraction, there are still many activities for families to do as well.
Nightlife for families:
The family nightlife in Phuket is massive, with loads of activities for kids of all ages that parents will also enjoy. Some of these activities include:
- Ice skating
- Mini golf at the dino park
- Game space
- Rock climbing
- Ice skating is a great activity to keep the kids busy for a couple of hours. It is located at point lagoon, not too far from Phuket Town.
- The Dino park mini golf is a hit with the kids. It is a massive mini-golf course decorated with dinosaurs that also play a part in some holes. This is a must-visit for any family.
- Game space is an excellent place with interactive rides to make the virtual gaming experience even more realistic. Game space is located on Bangla road.
Nightlife for young adults:
Phuket boasts one of the biggest nightlife attractions for young adults; this is of course, Bangla road. If you’re a young party-hungry adult, then Phuket is one of the best options. Bangla road is not the only attraction. Phuket stands out because it has a beach that adds a whole new part to the nightlife.
Some of the best nightlife spots to look out for:
- Bangla road
- Hard rock café
- Go_go bars
- Beach bars
- Bangla road is famous worldwide for its eccentric nightlife. You can find some of the best clubs and bars on Bangla road.
- The hard rock café is located very close to Patong beach. Rock cafe is a live music bar with drinks, food, and all-around good people; I would recommend a visit if you are a fan of live rock music.
- The beach bars might be a big reason most people choose to go to Phuket rather than Bangkok; I mean, who doesn’t enjoy the beach? The beach bars are located on the sand with music, drinks, and lots of energetic and friendly people.
Conclusion:
I feel Phuket is the better option. There are various activities for kids to do that don’t just involve shopping; There’s mini-golf, ice skating, games, and not to mention the number of things to do during the day because of the beach. Bangkok is just as fun, but in retrospect, it is just another big city with skyscrapers. If you and your family enjoy big cities, then Bangkok might be the better option.
When it comes to nightlife for young people looking to go to parties and have a good time, then I’ll have to say that Phuket is once again the better option. Bangkok doesn’t have a beach, which means that there aren’t any beach bars. Beach bars are one of the best experiences; dancing in the sand or water while chatting to other people is fantastic. Don’t forget the all-important Bangla road, either. Bangla road is known worldwide and for a good reason.
My final thoughts are that no matter if you are going to Thailand with family or friends. Phuket will not disappoint you in any way.
