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The scene in the island's provincial capital has a lot more local flavor than the nightlife by the beach. There isn't the hectic pace of Patong and there isn't really a nightlife center as in other parts of Phuket but it's worth the trip if you are sick of the tourist scene and want to party with some locals.

A long standing favorite of locals and expats is Jamming. The original concept may have begun as a reggae pub but the band normally plays a mixture of western and Thai rock, new and old. Attracting a similar crowd with a mix of Thai and western pop/rock as well as some DJ spun tunes in between sets is Timber Hut, which is packed every weekend and most week nights too.

If you are looking for a more relaxed venue O'Malley's Irish Pub is a great place to play some pool and meet some local expats and tourists. The interior has been recently renovated with a more modern ambience including comfy sofas. Upstairs has been made into a sports bar with flat screen TVs for international sports, a decent pool table, a foosball table and a Playstation 3. There is free WiFi throughout.
Another popular local hangout for expats living in town in Michael's Bar, which also has a pool table, regularly screens live sporting events and offers free WiFi.

Kor Tor Mor is a firm favorite among locals and is packed out every weekend and often during the week. The bar attracts a younger and trendier crowd, with the band playing mostly Thai pop and rock. In between sets the DJ spins a mixture of hip-hop and other dance tunes. The area around Kor Tor Mor also has a few other bars with live music that are worth checking out.
There are a couple of clubs, Planet and X-zone, which are very geared towards a local Thai crowd but foreigners are very welcome and you do see the occasional expat or tourist having fun with the locals.

There are no beer bars or go-gos in Phuket City, although there is a wide range of karaoke and hostess bars that cater to local men. There are also more up market hostess bars, which mostly cater to a Thai and Asian clientele, such as the Pink Lady and Fantasia. If you don't speak Thai then its best to go with a local as there is hardly any English spoken

Patong Beach

Patong is hopping every night of the week. Shops and restaurants stay open late, and there's the never-ending choice of bars, clubs, karaoke lounges, cabaret, massage parlors, go-go bars, discos and different kinds of shows. You'll find a whole range of "informed opinion" on the nightlife in Patong, with comments from "sleazy" to 'brilliant." Much is made of the girly bar scene, which occupies a small part of town. There are pubs and bar beers - places to drink, play games with the girls and be merry (usually outdoors) and go-go bars, with air-conditioning, "entertainment" and often good music. Couples are welcome in most, and the style is pretty relaxed. Some of the go go shows are not for the faint hearted, but visit with an open mind and you are sure to enjoy all that Patong has to offer as the nightlife begins.

Most of the action is centered around Soi Bangla, which joins the Beach Road at one end and Rat-U-Thit Road at the other. In between are a number of small sois (streets) with bars, go go bars, restaurants and cafes, literally next to each other. For the gay community, the Paradise complex on Ratutit Rd has bars, cafes, guesthouses and restaurants. For a quick guide to the scene, click on below.

Karon Beach

Nightlife in Karon is quite low-key compared to Patong, although there is enough here for a fun night out. The scene is centered around two areas, Karon Circle and Luang Pho Chuan Road, with some quieter bars located on Patak Road (East), the main road running behind Karon. Shops and restaurants mostly populate the Karon Circle area, with the beer bars located on small side streets. The beer bar scene is more concentrated along Luang Pho Chuan Road and its offshoots, which is Karon's version of Soi Bangla. Although the scene here is livelier than Kata, its still pretty relaxed compared to the hedonism of Patong.