The North Gate Jazz Co-Op
Live jazz every night of the week, and the whole thing runs on a clock you need to know about. Openers play on the upper floor from 7:30 to 8:30, then the music shifts down to the ground floor, where seating is limited and fills instantly. If you turn up at nine you'll be out on the street with everyone else, and crowds genuinely do spill into the road during the main band.
My advice: pick one or the other. Get there before seven, take a cocktail up to the top floor for the intimate set, or claim a downstairs seat and stay put. There's a third-floor porch with a handful of stools and tables outside if you'd rather hear the music with air and a view over the north gate. Drinks are cheap, the crowd is a mix of Chiang Mai regulars and travellers, and the playing is raw rather than polished. That's the appeal.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After The North Gate Jazz Co-Op, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Such a great experience. If you get there early enough/before 1900 you can go to the 4th floor and listen to music and get cocktails before the co-op opens. We sat upstairs and just listened for an hour then came downstairs and listened more. Definitely recommend picking one or the other though because when we came back downstairs it was already packed inside for the music. Either way, recommend going and enjoying the live jazz music!
North Gate Jazz is an absolute vibe! 🎷 The music was incredible — raw, energetic, and full of soul. The atmosphere is vibrant and alive, with people from everywhere just enjoying good jazz together. One of the best nights I’ve had in Chiang Mai. Must-visit if you love live music!
Excellent music at a very cool space, however it is so popular with tourists that if you don’t arrive close to opening you likely won’t find space inside. There is also a top floor bar where openers play from 7:30-8:30 that provides a very intimate experience, with outdoor porch seating for ~6 tables on the 4th floor as well Main area has limited first floor seating, with some standing room available on the second floor Crowds often spill into the road during the main band
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 5,596 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
No riding, no tricks: a day of feeding and mud with rescued elephants in the Mae Wang hills.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op: Frequently Asked Questions
Is The North Gate Jazz Co-Op worth visiting?
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op holds a 4.7★ rating from 5,596 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated nightlife & bars in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of The North Gate Jazz Co-Op?
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op is typically open 19:00-00:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is The North Gate Jazz Co-Op?
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op is budget-friendly (฿) relative to other nightlife & bars in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit The North Gate Jazz Co-Op?
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 North Gate Jazz Co-Op located?
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op is at 91/1-2 ถนน Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
91/1-2 ถนน Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand+66 81 765 5246www.facebook.com/northgate.jazzcoopVisitor 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 North Gate Jazz Co-Op
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.
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.
Nearby Places
The White Rabbit
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar near Chiang Mai's North Gate, hidden up a staircase with artfully crafted drinks.
Smokey Chiang Mai
A rock-focused bar in Chiang Mai's old city with live music, pool tables, and affordable drinks.
Roots Rock Reggae Chaingmai
A chill reggae bar on Ratchapakhinai Road with live bands, cold drinks, and a loyal local following.
BlackLight CNX
A UV-lit Old City bar where the crowd mixes fast and nobody leaves when they planned to.
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 North Gate Jazz Co-Op
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)