I was there for 5 days as a stopover before heading to Laos and I was not really expecting there would be any nightlife.
As it turns out, I was wrong. You can find bars and nightclubs that are open and busy every night, but for that, you'll need to go outside of the tourist areas.
This short review will guide through the best venues I went to during my stay. If you think I forgot one, please leave me a note in the comment section below.
This short review will guide through the best venues I went to during my stay. If you think I forgot one, please leave me a note in the comment section below.
Best Hotels Near Udon Thani Nightlife
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Hotels in Udon Thani are really cheap, even during high season. I was staying in the Centara, a 4-star property with a perfect location next to a large mall, and I was paying only 45$! You can click here to check the current price: Centara Hotel - Udon Thani.
If you want to be close from the red-light district, an excellent hotel is The Pannarai (4-star, 42$/night). You'll be only 20 meters from the first beer bars. A cheaper option nearby is the Prajaktra (20$/night).
You can check Agoda for more option, just remember to stay close from the Central Plaza Mall.
Nightlife Areas in Udon Thani
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| Party in Rhythm Club |
The nightlife for foreigners in Udon Thani is very easy to find. Basically, you have two adjacent streets with a total of around 30 bars (some with ladies, some normal).
Note that the expats in Udon Thani are quite old on average and that they sleep early! You should go out before 10PM otherwise all bars will be empty. In fact, many are already closed by midnight.
The first street you can try is Soi Samphan Thamit, just behind Central Plaza Mall. Most bars there are not very sophisticated and they only have the basics for you to enjoy a beer. A few bargirls will keep you company if you need. They aren't the prettiest girls you'll meet in Thailand but a few are cute.
The most popular places as of January 2017 were Sports Bar (the most crowded), Vikings Corner Bar, Zaaps, Tiffy, the Meeting Point, the Irish Clock (an Irish pub and hotel), Fun Bar (it had the prettiest girls) and Shadow. I also saw a bar/massage parlor with ladyboys. You can just go there directly, walk around for a few minutes and sit in the bar you like the most.
The second street is Soi Prajak Sillapacom, at the end of Soi Samphan Thamit. The bars are a little bit nicer there, especially Sisters (but unfortunately it does not get so busy).
The main attraction in Prajak Sillapacom is a beer bar complex called Nutty Park, which is similar to Day and Night. You'll see quite a lot of old guys, especially in the restaurant/pub the Good Corner (it seems to be a hub for the expat community). You also have bar-girls/prostitutes but they are not too pushy.
Thai Nightclubs, Bars and Cafés
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The bars mentioned above are just OK for a few beers (or to find a girl if that's your goal), but they are not really happening. By the time of your second day in Udon Thani you'll certainly be bored.
Thais nightclubs are a much better option. They have the advantage of staying open later (maximum 2AM) and to have a younger crowd (including some normal Thai girls).
My most recommended venues are the following:
Rhythm (in Napalai Hotel)
Rhythm was my favorite club even though it is located more than 4 kilometers from the city center (100-120THB with a tuk-tuk). It is made of one large room, quite modern, with a live stage where bands play Thai rock/pop. I went there on a Sunday and it was full, with many girls in their 20s. When the band is not playing, the DJs mix EDM songs.
Free entrance on weekdays (200THB on weekends if there is an event). Close at 2AM.
Full review: Rhythm Udon Thani or Facebook: Rhythm.
Free entrance on weekdays (200THB on weekends if there is an event). Close at 2AM.
Full review: Rhythm Udon Thani or Facebook: Rhythm.
Phoenix
Phoenix is also a fun nightclub and it is walking distance from Central Plaza. It is the newest and hippest in the city, but smaller than Rhythm. They have great sound/lighting, an intimate atmosphere, an upmarket crowd and excellent rock bands. Some of the hottest girls I've seen in Udon Thani were customers of Phoenix (or prostitutes, I'm not 100% sure).
Free entrance every day of the week. Close at 2AM.
Full review: Phoenix Udon Thani or Facebook: Phoenix
Free entrance every day of the week. Close at 2AM.
Full review: Phoenix Udon Thani or Facebook: Phoenix
Yellow Bird (in Charoen Hotel)
Located in Charoen Hotel, a 10-minute walk from Central Plaza. It is also a very popular nightclub but it is more old-style compared to the ones listed above. The bands will sometimes play Thai folk songs and the customers are over 30 years old. During breaks though, you'll get some loud EDM and sexy dancers. The best night is on Wednesday (ladies night).
Free entrance every day of the week. Close at 2AM.
Free entrance every day of the week. Close at 2AM.
Tawan Daeng
Tawan Daeng is an institution in Udon Thani. It is located 2 minutes from the tourist area of Soi Samphan Thamit (behind Central Plaza) and for this reason, you'll see plenty of foreigners inside. They have live bands (playing folk/country songs from Isaan region) and also some more random shows (comedians, dancing, etc). You can go there early for dinner and try some Isaan food.
Website: Tawan Daeng Udon Thani
Website: Tawan Daeng Udon Thani
Kongsiam Café
This laid-back, cool café is located next to Phoenix Club. They have live music every night, with bands who sing in English or in Thai (mostly covers of famous songs). The design and set-up is really original. It is my most recommended venue for a date with a Thai girl.
Facebook: Kongsiam Udon Thani
Facebook: Kongsiam Udon Thani
Twenty Up (20UP)
20UP opened on January 10th, 2017 and it was already busy when I visited. It is a Thai-style beer garden with a whole bunch of sexy hostesses and live acoustic music. Young crowd. Open until 1AM.
It is just in front of Grand Naga Hotel & KTV where apparently you can get a massage plus plus.
Facebook: 20UP Udon Thani
It is just in front of Grand Naga Hotel & KTV where apparently you can get a massage plus plus.
Facebook: 20UP Udon Thani
Bar'ista Brasserie
In front of UD Town Mall and the train station, this is a popular restaurant with an indoor and an outdoor area. It gets full almost every night with upper-class locals. They have Thai music, usually pop and mellow songs.
Facebook: Bar'ista Brasserie Udon Thani
Facebook: Bar'ista Brasserie Udon Thani
Meeting Normal Thai Girls in Udon Thani
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It is much easier to meet normal girls in Udon Thani compared with Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya or Chiang Mai.
The best way is to make a profile on an online dating site like ThaiCupid. It has thousands of girls who are eager to meet with foreigners. Ideally, you can chat with them a few weeks before arriving in Thailand to build up the excitement. If you have a decent profile pic, you can get non-stop dates from morning to midnight.
Tinder works well also, but there are fewer profiles and most of the girls will not be interested in chatting if you are not living in Udon Thani.
Meeting girls in nightclubs is also possible, especially in Phoenix, Yellow Bird and Rhythm. It will require more effort and a bit of luck though.
In the daytime, you can hang out and meet Thai girls either in UD Town shopping center (most recommended) or in Central Plaza Mall.
You can also read 15 Best Online Dating Sites and Websites in Asia.
Udon Nightlife Map
The best way is to make a profile on an online dating site like ThaiCupid. It has thousands of girls who are eager to meet with foreigners. Ideally, you can chat with them a few weeks before arriving in Thailand to build up the excitement. If you have a decent profile pic, you can get non-stop dates from morning to midnight.
Tinder works well also, but there are fewer profiles and most of the girls will not be interested in chatting if you are not living in Udon Thani.
Meeting girls in nightclubs is also possible, especially in Phoenix, Yellow Bird and Rhythm. It will require more effort and a bit of luck though.
In the daytime, you can hang out and meet Thai girls either in UD Town shopping center (most recommended) or in Central Plaza Mall.
You can also read 15 Best Online Dating Sites and Websites in Asia.
Udon Nightlife Map