Where to Find Live Music in Chiang Mai, Thailand
You can learn about local life in Chiang Mai through the many bars around the city that hold live music. There are lots of bars to choose from in this Thai city and every night there is somewhere to go. Whether you’re backpacking or on holiday, listening to live music is always a fun thing to do at night and this is where to find live music in Chiang Mai.
Where to Find Live Music in Chiang Mai
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I went to a few places with live music in Chiang Mai and found a common theme throughout: reggae music. It seems that reggae music, and Bob Marley in particular, is extremely popular in Chiang Mai. The live music brings both Thai locals and foreigners in and there’s always a good atmosphere. I mean, with reggae music it’s hard not to have a good atmosphere. The performers are usually Thai but I have occasionally seen expats playing in the bands too. Head to one of these places below for a cold beer while enjoying live bands playing in Chiang Mai.
Live Music in Santitham
Tikky Cafe
Located in the Santitham area of Chiang Mai, Tikky Cafe is a little gem. It occupies a big space with quirky decorations and lots of tables. They have live bands playing here, usually on Saturdays, and almost always playing reggae! Tikky Cafe’s owner is Tikky who used to have a place in the old city with queues of customers out the doors. Now Tikky Cafe is a larger area, with comfortable chairs and fans to enjoy the band, located in Santitham.
There is a lot of delicious food to choose from the menu and I loved eating Thai food while listening to live music. You can also choose a drink from a list of freshly-made cocktails (I personally recommend the passionfruit daiquiri). To top it all off, there’s a cute resident dog who walks around! It’s a lovely place for an evening out in Chiang Mai.
Address: 20 Taeparak Rd, Mueng, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300
Find Tikky Cafe on Facebook.
Getting from the old city to Santitham is easily accessible by Songthaew. Learn how to use songthaews in Chiang Mai here.
Related post: Best Coffee Shops in Santitham, Chiang Mai
Live Music in Nimman
Manung Bar
In the party area of Nimman lives a lesser-known bar called Manung bar. Most customers are Thai and the relaxed bar has all sorts of decorations that I’m not entirely sure what the overall theme of the bar is. The live music nights aren’t saved for the weekends as the bar hosts many different bands playing a variety of music, including Thai music which is a great experience in Chiang Mai. On one night, they can have three different bands changing over/swapping genres and keeping the atmosphere interesting. Manung Bar is usually closed by 11pm but around the corner there is a bigger place called Warmup Bar with a fusion of all sorts of music if you want to keep the party going.
Address: Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Visiting Thailand? Read This List of 9 Places to Visit.
Live Music in Chiang Mai Old City
Roots Rock Reggae Bar
One of the most popular live music venues in Chiang Mai and dedicated to reggae music and reggae lovers, Roots Rock Reggae bar recently had a renovation and is much larger. This means there’s more space to dance to the bands and chill out on the crazy square. What I mean by the ‘square’ is the backpacker central for partying and commonly known simply as Zoey’s or Zoey in Yellow which is the biggest bar/club right at the front.
Around this square you can find the reggae bar with live music, pop music in Zoey’s, a rock bar, dance music pumping in Babylon and other smaller bars dotted in between. There are herds of people dancing in the street until 12pm when it all comes to halt and people move on (usually to Spice). Roots Rock Reggae bar is my favourite place on the square with its live bands, good drinks and better atmosphere.
Address: 40, 12 Ratvithi Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200
Feel Good Cafe
This tiny bar is found in the hippy side streets of the old city in the peaceful vibe away from the hustling roads. Feel Good Cafe is easily missed until they have the live bands playing reggae music that it’s hard not to stop for a drink. It’s a relaxing place to drink in Chiang Mai anyway but the reggae music enhances the chilled out feeling. It has a very small space inside with the band in the centre, two doors and opened windows for the music to flow out of. Outside, there are low settees to sit on or two high benches to watch the world go by to the sound of reggae. They also have CDJ’s and vinyls for a different type of music to enjoy.
Address: Ratvithi Lane 2, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Annie’s
This is the bar where an expat was performing live music. With the UK flag on the walls and serving a roast dinner on a Sunday, I’m sure this is a British-owned bar. There’s indoor and outdoor space to eat, drink and listen to the music. I was actually a few doors down having fish and chips at Archer’s bar but could hear and see the live music from where I was sat.
Address: 133/7 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200
While Listening to Live Music in Chiang Mai
Once you’ve decided on where to go in Chiang Mai for live music, here are some other things to enjoy too.
- Enjoy good Thai food such as Khao Soi!
Read Here: Best Places for Khao Soi in Santitham, Chiang Mai
- People sometimes come by selling all sorts to you while in the bars with live music. You’ve probably seen most of it before like the bracelets with rude words and the red roses. But if they come around selling bags of peanuts, get some! They are steamed peanuts and the perfect accompaniment to drinking and listening to bands.
- Always be polite and clap the band once they’ve finished a song if you enjoyed it because I’ve noticed it goes a long way from their thanks to the applause. Also, performing live in front of lots of people deserves an applause, to be fair.
Is there anywhere you really enjoyed listening to music in Chiang Mai city? Let me know for next time!
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