Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today
Gladwell Cocktail Bar
Nightlife & Bars
Chiang Mai

Gladwell Cocktail Bar

4.9(269 reviews)

Tucked along Mun Mueang Road within Chiang Mai's historic Old City, this cocktail bar has built a strong reputation among both locals and travellers for its creative, story-driven drinks and the bartenders who make them. Named staff members including Pym, Nez, and Wu are frequently highlighted in visitor reviews, suggesting a level of personal hospitality that goes beyond a typical bar experience. The cocktail menu leans toward specialty and craft creations with distinctive flavour combinations, and bartenders appear open to tailoring drinks to individual preferences. The atmosphere is described by visitors as warm, stylish, and peaceful — a combination that suits both those looking for a lively evening out and those wanting a quieter spot to enjoy a well-made drink. The bar occasionally hosts special events featuring guest mixologists, adding an extra layer of interest for cocktail enthusiasts passing through. Its position within the Old City makes it a convenient stop during an evening exploring the surrounding neighbourhood. Good to know: Opening hours are not listed online, so it is worth checking current hours before heading over, particularly if visiting outside peak tourist season. The bar's popularity means it can get busy later in the evening, so arriving earlier may offer a more relaxed setting. If you have a signature ingredient or flavour in mind, it is worth mentioning it to the bartenders, as guests regularly note the team's willingness to craft something personalised.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Gladwell Cocktail Bar, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

Gladwell Cocktail Bar in Chiang Mai is a fun spot to grab a craft cocktail. The space is warm and stylish, but a standout for us is the amazing team behind the bar. Pym, Nez, and Wu (sorry if misspelled!) were all incredibly friendly, sociable, and easy to talk to. We enjoyed their company so much that we actually came back after dinner just to spend more time there and have a nightcap! The cocktails are creative, unique, and beautifully crafted, with fun flavors (e.g., pandan). If you’re in Chiang Mai and looking for a memorable cocktail experience with fun people, Gladwell Cocktail Bar is one we highly recommend!

Edit: the best cocktail bar in Chiang Mai. (I went to the other one last night and they have dropped their quality) What extraordinary specialty cocktails! The flavors are pure magic. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Amazing cocktail bar with peaceful atmosphere. Service is so kind and cocktails are so unique and well done and prepared. A lot of different possible choices that made this bar my favourite in Chiang Mai for cocktails!!!

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)

Rainy season

June – October

Avg. temperature

15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)

Crowds

High

Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)

Getting there

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.

Getting around

  • Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
  • Grab (available in city centre)
  • Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
  • Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)

Where to stay near Gladwell Cocktail Bar

Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Tips for Visiting Nightlife & Bars

Carry Your Passport or a Copy

Clubs and some bars check IDs strictly, especially in Bangkok's Thonglor, RCA, and Sukhumvit areas. A photo of your passport info page on your phone usually works, but carrying a laminated photocopy is safer.

Know the Closing Times

Legal closing time is 2 AM for most venues, though enforcement varies. In Bangkok's designated entertainment zones (RCA, Silom Soi 2/4, Khao San), some clubs stay open until 4 AM. Islands tend to be more relaxed about hours.

Buy Bucket Drinks Cautiously

Island bucket drinks (mixed spirits in a small bucket) are cheap and fun but notoriously strong and inconsistent. Stick to one, stay hydrated, and never leave your drink unattended at beach parties.

Also Popular in Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep Temple
Featured

Doi Suthep Temple

4.6(58,000)
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200

A sacred mountaintop Buddhist temple from 1383, offering a golden chedi and sweeping views over Chiang Mai.

Tha Phae Gate

Tha Phae Gate

4.4(28,355)
Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Chiang Mai's iconic eastern Old City gate, a restored Lanna-era landmark surrounded by a lively public square.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

4.3(26,375)
Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

A sprawling nightly market on Changklan Road blending street food, local crafts, and lively atmosphere.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

4.7(22,083)
Moo 3, Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

A hilltop Buddhist temple southwest of Chiang Mai, free to enter and genuinely peaceful year-round.

Similar Nightlife & Bars Across Thailand

Nana Plaza

Nana Plaza

4.1(15,648)$$$$
3, 1 Sukhumvit Rd, เขต คลองตัน, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

Bangkok's most famous adult entertainment complex — a neon-lit, multi-storey plaza packed with bars and clubs on Sukhumvit Road.

Khao San Road

Khao San Road

4.3(10,318)
161, 163 Thanon Khao San, Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand

Bangkok's iconic backpacker strip packs bars, street food, live music, and souvenir shops into one loud, neon-lit stretch.

Café del Mar Phuket Beach Club

Café del Mar Phuket Beach Club

4.3(7,891)$$$$
118, 19, Tambon Kamala, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

Stylish beach club on Kamala's shoreline, pairing sunset views with DJ nights and quality food.

Illuzion Phuket

Illuzion Phuket

4.4(7,884)$$$$
31 Bangla Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A large-scale nightclub on Bangla Road bringing high-production DJ nights to the heart of Patong.