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Nightlife & Bars
Chiang Mai

The camellia cafe & music bar

4.7(1,380 reviews)

Tucked into the Suthep neighbourhood near Maya Mall, this intimate cafe and bar has built a loyal following among locals and travellers for its nightly live music. Cover bands and solo singers perform to an engaged crowd, with the quality of performances consistently drawing praise — singers frequently pull in passersby from the street. The setting sits comfortably between cafe and bar, making it equally suited to an early evening meal or a late-night drink with a soundtrack to match.

Visitors can expect a cosy, warm atmosphere rather than a loud club environment, with live music adding energy without drowning out conversation. The food menu leans casual, with pasta dishes among the offerings, paired with a selection of draft and bottled beers and wine. Birthdays and group celebrations are a common sight on busier nights, which adds to the social atmosphere. The venue's position just outside the Old City gives it a neighbourhood feel that larger downtown bars tend to lack.

A few practical points worth knowing before visiting: service can slow considerably on busy nights, with some guests reporting waits of around 45 minutes for food, so arriving without a tight schedule is advisable. Opening hours are not listed online, so checking the Facebook page before heading out is a sensible step. As the venue sits away from the Old City centre, arranging transport in advance via a local taxi or ride-sharing app is the most straightforward option.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After The camellia cafe & music bar, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.

Reviews from Google

I’m totally captivated by the live performances here—the singers are absolutely fantastic, and their melodious voices never fail to draw in crowds of passersby. Whenever someone celebrates their birthday on-site, the whole venue will join in singing birthday wishes together, creating such a warm and lively vibe. This is my second visit with friends, and every single time, the food and drinks we order are top-notch. Even the hot dishes exceed all my expectations with their amazing flavors. I tried to come here for New Year's Eve once, but it was fully booked—proof of how incredibly popular this restaurant-bar is! To top it all off, the staff are super enthusiastic and always ready to offer attentive service proactively. Highly recommended!

Nice atmosphere and good food quality. The live music created a great vibe and the place has a really cozy setting. However, the service was a bit slow — we waited around 45 minutes for the food, and some tables were not cleaned promptly. With a little improvement in service speed and attention, this place could easily be excellent.

Food was ok, but poor management of quality issues. ​The atmosphere and food at Camellia were enjoyable, and the initial service was pleasant. However, my experience was marred by a significant lack of quality control and accountability regarding their wine. ​I ordered two glasses of wine; the first was excellent. The second, however, was clearly the "dregs" of a bottle. It was full of grape sediment and debris—completely unpalatable. I brought this to the staff's attention twice when the bill arrived. While the server apologized, no manager was sent over, and no effort was made to rectify the charge or the mistake. ​A warning to future diners: The service is "nice" until there is a problem, at which point they simply stop managing the experience. Avoid ordering wine by the glass here.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,380 reviews on Google.

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The camellia cafe & music bar: Frequently Asked Questions

Is The camellia cafe & music bar worth visiting?

The camellia cafe & music bar holds a 4.7★ rating from 1,380 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated nightlife & bars in Chiang Mai.

When is the best time to visit The camellia cafe & music bar?

The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).

Where is The camellia cafe & music bar located?

The camellia cafe & music bar is at RX29+G2H, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).

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 The camellia cafe & music bar

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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.

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