TongBar
TongBar has carved out a reputation as one of Chiang Mai's most characterful live music venues, drawing a loyal crowd of locals and travellers to its compact space on Ratvithi Road in the Si Phum district. A rotating roster of rock, funk, and jazz acts performs regularly, and the atmosphere is reliably charged — staff are known for pulling out extra stools to squeeze guests in when the room fills up, giving the place a genuinely welcoming feel rather than a transactional one.
The venue is small, and that intimacy is both its greatest strength and its main limitation. The band is typically crammed into a tight corner, and seating fills up fast, so standing outside is often part of the experience. Drinks are priced slightly above average for Chiang Mai, but regulars tend to agree the atmosphere justifies it. The crowd skews roughly half local, half international, which gives the place an authentic edge that larger tourist-facing bars often lack.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After TongBar, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Super charged night here, bands great , staff good , didn’t eat just drank! minimum 100 baht pp when a band is on . We saw Antidote and Helicopter Secondhand
In this intimate live music joint, a revolving list of rock/funk/jazz players bring the heat while the staff keeps everybody in the groove. A unique aspect of this bar is the near 50/50 split between Westerners and Asian customers. Frequented by a who's who of local musicians, and the occasional well known musician/actor, this bouncy little dive bar is capable of producing jaw dropping surprises. Hint, if the band says they want to bring someone up to sit in with them... You should probably pay attention... The place is easy to find, it's on a main road in the old city, near the Zoe in Yellow complex. Look for the crowd standing on the sidewalk and often spilling into the street...
Been coming here for years. It’s always a reliably good time. The bands are great and the atmosphere is lively. The only problem is a) it’s *very* small (the band is crammed in and there only room for about 5 “tables” inside and b) they’ve started closing the doors, which makes sitting outside very frustrating as you can’t really hear the music except when someone goes inside - about every 10 seconds. This bar is so popular, I don’t understand why they don’t move or expand into a larger location. They obviously need more room.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 255 reviews on Google.
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TongBar: Frequently Asked Questions
Is TongBar worth visiting?
TongBar holds a 4.7★ rating from 255 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated nightlife & bars in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of TongBar?
TongBar is typically open 18:00-00:00 — 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.
When is the best time to visit TongBar?
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 TongBar located?
TongBar is at 34 3 Ratvithi Rd, 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
34 3 Ratvithi Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand+66 92 270 7859Visitor 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 TongBar
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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.
Nearby Places
The UN Irish Pub & Restaurant
Relaxed two-floor Irish sports bar near Chiang Mai's old city, open daily from 9am with standout Western food.
Zoe in Yellow
Backpacker party central in the Old City, dead before nine and heaving by eleven.
BlackLight CNX
A UV-lit Old City bar where the crowd mixes fast and nobody leaves when they planned to.
Roots Rock Reggae Chaingmai
A chill reggae bar on Ratchapakhinai Road with live bands, cold drinks, and a loyal local following.
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 TongBar
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)