The Ratvithi Road Place guide

Ratvithi Road is a small road in Chiang Mai that preserves the city’s rich culture within the landmarks of the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center, Historical Center, and Lanna Folklife Museum – found in the blocks of Ratvithi Road. 

After dark, the district is enlivened with trendy nightlife establishments and transforms into one of the city’s most diverse roads. The likes of French, Irish, Jamaican, and Asian restaurants, clubs, and bars can be found all over the area, bringing together cultures from East to West and beyond.

At Ratvithi, bars and clubs featuring different countries and cuisines can be found, making it a fun hodge podge that surprises with every step taken. The U.N. Irish Pub is one of the most popular when you’re in the mood for a sports game. With wide-screen TVs and European food and drinks, it’s a popular watering hole for sports enthusiasts. 

Another popular haunt is Zoe in Yellow, which offers a lounge, live entertainment, bands, and DJ’s to a crowd of backpackers. If you want to go the Carribean route, visit the Roots Rock Reggae Bar, known for their live band and budget-friendly drinks.

Opening hours: The best bars and clubs in Ratvithi Road open at around 8:00 pm and close around midnight, as stated by government regulation, with only a few bars licensed to operate until 2:00 am. However, diligent party-goers will still find many places that open past the recommended hour, so it’s still possible to find late-night fun if that’s what you’re looking for (hint: ask where people are going next).

How to get there

• If you’re a first-time visitor who would like to visit the Ratvithi Road entertainment area, simply take a taxi from Central Plaza, since it will only take 20 to 25 minutes and cost an estimated fare of THB 60 to 70. 
  
  
• If you’re coming from the Old City Wall, it will take about 50 to 60 minutes and will cost more than triple the estimated fares, although real-time travel and toll fares may vary based on traffic and weather conditions.