The camellia cafe & music bar
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
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).
Location Info
RX29+G2H, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailandwww.facebook.com/thecamelliamusicbarVisitor 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
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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Forbidden bar
A well-regarded bar on Nimman's lively Lane 5, drawing locals and travellers to Chiang Mai's nightlife scene.

CMBC Chiangmaibarcompany
Hipster dive bar in Nimman with vinyl DJs, strong sound system, and unbeatable happy hour deals.

The Continental Bar
A well-regarded bar on Nimman's lively Lane 5, drawing locals and travellers for relaxed evening drinks.
Similar Nightlife & Bars Across Thailand

Pattaya Walking Street
Loud, neon, adults-only after dark, and the seafood is easier before the 9pm crush.

Nana Plaza
Adults-only, neon-soaked and unapologetic, and best understood after 9pm rather than described.

Khao San Road
Loud, tacky, unfiltered and worth one night of your trip, ideally between 7 and 10pm.

Café del Mar Phuket Beach Club
Come for sundowners at 4pm, stay for the DJs, and don't expect a quiet lunch.
Where to stay near The camellia cafe & music bar
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
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
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)
