Lonely Beach nightlife brims with bars, parties and general decadence. If you want to dance or drink, then this is the place on Koh Chang to hit.
From humble beginnings, with its backpacker reputation and cheap accommodation, it has developed into the centre of all things wild and wonderful once or the sun goes down.
Not much of an excuse is needed for a party, an anniversary of when you opened seems a good start, but half moon, full moon, Christmas Eve, Valentines Day, New Year’s Eve, Thai New Year will see some pretty big bashes, where even the most churlish might find their feet tapping – the music has improved over the years from when the same tape seemed to do the rounds at each place.
Useful provisos for Lonely Beach nightlife are the buckets are strong, swimming when drunk is a worse mix than vodka and red bull and some things are still illegal even if you are only wearing flip flops. Have fun!
In the Village | LB Complex and on the Beach | Bands and Festivals | Recommended
In the Village
The main focus of Lonely Beach nightlife is up in the village at Soi 1, where the bars and party venues, Himmel and Ting Tong, face each other about half day down. Open every night except specific government holidays and elections, the bars put on happy hours, fireshows and more besides to get you through the door, where, bucket in hand, you can then dance the night away to a thumping house soundtrack. Assume at least one party per week at Himmel and Ting Tong respectively. Further down, there are two other smaller choices, X Bar and One Love.
Over on the parallel street, Soi 2, you’ll find a bevvy of bars at the top end. The ramschackle Nhing’s Bar (formerly Stone Free), is a more of a traditional spot, with good music, pool table and fun vibe. Its next door neighbour Crazy Monkey, has a similar feel, whilst across the way, Rock Alonely offers live music too. Still on the same soi, you can head down to Roxy Bar at Warapura to watch the sunset, with its low level tables and chairs looking out over the ocean.
Back on the main street and at the far southern end, Lonely Beach Resort has recently revamped its bar (with pool table), giving you another option and Beach Jungle usually has the sports on its big screen behind the bar. Incidentally, Carpe Diem, down Soi 2, shows all the Aussie Rules games. Margaritaville at the very end of the village has closed down and will reopen as Easy Life ready for the 23/24 season.
Look out too for Gu’s Bay Bar near the bridge, run by a Lonely Beach nightlife veteran, San.
LB Complex and On The Beach
Not the on the actual beach but in the LB Complex development area between it and the village, an increasing number of bars have started to appear.
The ever expanding Beautiful Bar is down on the seafront by the boat path and you can’t miss its near neighbour, Titanic, a lounge/cocktail bar housed in, you guessed it, a specially built boat.
At the far end, Mimo Tree sits by the water, with its sister Mimo Bar behind. Rude Boy, next door, a reggae bar constructed out of recycled wood, offers a different laid back vibe down on the rocks.
Lonely Beach is not really a beer bar (with girls for ‘company’) kind of place but you can find a couple, Siam and Kiss along the street – To The Beach Road as it is called – which leads down to the above bars from the main road. In the same strip, Mask, offers some live music and Kush provides all your ganja needs, edibles and smokes.
Finally, back up on the street just before the turning in to the complex, Dirt Bar is an old school Thai blues bar, live music most nights of the week.
On The Beach
On the actual beach, the northern end is home to some classic old school hang-outs at Lonely Beach Bar, Mimo Beach (their 3rd outlet) and Life’s a Beach. Great for a day chilling and for sunsets, look out too for happy hours of two drinks and a spliff. Himmel, same group as in the village, has given up its beach operation here and instead moved to White Sand Beach at Koh Chang Princess.
Finally, in the centre of the beach, the resort and restaurant, Nature, has a full bar which gets going at sunset and carries on into the evening. Further to that, at various times of year, it will throw a decent enough party, with its New Year’s Eve bash in particular now a Lonely Beach institution.
Bands and Festivals
Bands do come down from Bangkok, just keep your ear to the ground for all live music and guest DJ’s pop in and out throughout the season.
Koh Chang’s answer to the mega Koh Phangan parties, The Winter Sensation, has not restarted since the pandemic. Check online to see if it announces a restart?
Recommended Bars and Party Venues – Lonely Beach Nightlife
North to South
Lonely Beach Bar
On the Beach
Classic beach bar playing cool sunset tunes to LB’s hip local crowd and tourists. Cocktails and cold beers, seating on the sand. Revolving roster of DJs, odd party and birthday celebrations. Great for sunsets, nice vibe. 12.00 to 20.30.
Nature Beach
On the Beach
Bang in the middle of Lonely Beach, resort, restaurant and bar by the sea, which throws large parties throughout the season. Normally the biggest draw on NYE with its huge stacks of speakers and dancing on the sand. Good sundowner spot too.
LB Complex
On the Seafront
Located between the beach and the village, growing enclave of bars including Beautiful Bar, Mimo Tree and Rude Boy (all reggae infused, chilled hang-outs), Titanic (lounge style), Mimo Bar (party orientated) Kiss, Siam (beer bars) and Mask (live music). Great to hop from one to another, happy hours and hash.
Himmel Bar
Soi 1, in the Village
Down the first soi in the village, ever expanding buzzing venue occupying both sides of the street, with all the huge variety of drinks, buckets, fire shows and blazing tricks from the bar boys. Numerous party nights throughout the season.
Ting Tong Bar
Soi 1, in the Village
On the opposite side to Himmel a little further down the soi, bar and party spot with resident and guest djs. Live music too from time to time from Bangkok bands. Goes late as standard and usually all night on the big occasions.
Nhings (Stone Free)
Soi 2, in the Village
Down the second soi, ramshackle venue with lots of wooden tables, pool table, good tunes, Linked to Thale Guesthouse, all together a friendly hang-out.
UPDATED December 23
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