Khao San Road takes off at night: neon signs flicker into life, music begins blasting from streetside sound systems, while the masses begin mapping out the long, alcohol-soaked night in front of them. And there's no shortage of choices.

Drinking

Khao San Road's bars and pubs offer something for every mood, from loud and raucous, to quiet and laid back. Some give live music pride of place, others prefer lounging and a quiet cocktail. Ones we think are worth checking out include Brick Bar, Buddy Beer, Cinnamon Bar, Gullivers, Hippie De Bar, Shamrock and Silk Bar. From the upscale Silk Bar and Cinnamon, to the quiet tranquility of the back-alley Hippie de Bar, or the crude charms of a kerb-side cocktail shack complete with plastic stools and ghetto blaster, there's something to suit every mood, taste, budget and state of cleanliness. Some of the truly thrifty even opt to purchase beers from the local 7/11 and drink on the street, hobo style.

Clubbing

Noisy, eclectic and wild, Khao San Road's clubs include Caf- Democ, The Club, Immortal and Lava Club. The dance music played in them includes hip-hop, electro, trance, house and drum & bass.

Lava Club drenched in dim scarlet light and located in a long, dark modern basement, this hip-hop dungeon is the closest thing to a subterranean netherworld you'll find on Khao San.

A legendary player in the Khao San music scene, Immortal has cracked the secret for longevity: play the music you love, and crank it very, very loud. With drum & bass, punk, rock, metal and nu-metal sometimes played, the music policy has a distinct alternative, industrial edge.

The Club is the sort of sleek, snazzy joint you'd expect to find in Ibiza Town - only minus the vain DJs and drug-addled masses. What it does have is a big dance floor with high-ceilings, agitated lasers, UV lights, oversize disco ball, and - the piece de resistance - a raised DJ booth with trippy visuals working the backdrop.

Live Music

A proud new entry to the Khaosan road pub and club circuit has just been opened, the AB Bar! Located downstairs from Gazebo Club Khaosan (where the Jazz Gallery used to be) with live Thai Rock/Pop bands every night playing a mix of Thai and International songs depending on the crowd. Open 8pm-3am every night, sleek air-conditioned design, smart casual dress code and FREE ENTRY every night - enjoy shisha pipes on the outside balcony, and live jazz every Tuesday night!!! Very reasonable drink prices, ask the staff about the 2 for 1 bottle specials! Its going to be one of the 'next big things' in the BKK scene, so get in early and enjoy the fun!