Koh Phi Phi has earned a reputation for being somewhat of a ‘party island’, and there is no denying that claim. The Phi Phi Island nightlife is like no other scene in Thailand. Partying late into the night is the norm here, making the island a favourite destination amongst young backpackers.
The Phi Phi Nightlife is something special- something unique that can’t be compared to other nightlife hot spots in Thailand, like Patong Beach. Nightlife on this paradise island is more youthful and vibrant than other spots in Asia, it’s not seedy or sleazy and there are no ‘girlie bars’. It’s pure euphoric, fun and energetic.
Drink prices on the island are affordable. But don’t expect to served drinks in a glass; where’s the fun in that? Instead, locals opt to serve drinks in f****** buckets!
And the best part, it can cost less than $2 USD for a bucket filled with Thai whisky and mixer!
Phi Phi Island is one of the best spots in south-east Asia. There is so much diversity, and so much going on for such a small island. And if you were wondering what else there is to do, asides from the epic Phi Phi nightlife. You can check out my other guides on private Phi Phi Island boat tours, getting to the viewpoint in Koh Phi Phi or the guide to a Phi Phi Island overnight stay.
So keep on reading if you want to find out which spots offer the best Phi PhiIsland Nightlife, and where are the best bars on the island. But be warned, after experiencing the epic Koh Phi Phi party, you might find yourself extending your stay on the island a little longer!
Is Phi Phi a Party Island?
Yes, there is no denying that Phi Phi is a party island, it’s the islands selling point, and the reason so many young travellers are attracted to Koh Phi Phi. But nightlife isn’t all that you can find going on here.
By day the island is a tropical paradise. Phi Phi offers the best of both, a unique combination of nature, sun-kissed beaches and warm clear oceans, yet, come sunset the island quickly transforms into a vibrant party scene. Party buckets sold on every corner and clubs cranking up the volume.
Although the island can be a little tamer during the daytime, that’s not to say you won’t find a party going on! That’s right 24/7 on Phi Phi Island, you’ll find a party somewhere. Pool parties are gaining popularity, so if that’s your thing, head over to the Ibiza Beach Club, where day drinking is perfectly acceptable and encouraged.
While the daytime parties can hardly be compared to the crazy Phi Phi Island Nightlife, it’s enough to firmly pin Koh Phi Phi on the map- as a party island.
The nightlife in Phi Phi is truly epic, (and in my opinion, the best you’ll find) but don’t think that it’s the only party island in Thailand. Find out more here, about the seven best backpackers party destinations in Thailand.
Things To Do In Phi Phi At Night
What is there to do in Phi Phi at night? Partying is obviously the thing to to do at night in Koh Phi Phi, but it’s not the only activity on offer. Scuba-Diving is popular on the island, with many dive operators offering night-time dive sessions, and tour operators offering evening snorkelling trips to see the stunning glowing plankton light up the coastline.
And if you want to party, well the Phi Phi Island nightlife doesn’t disappoint. Each bar in Koh Phi Phi has something unique to add to the recipe that makes the Phi Phi Island nightlife so special.
You’ll find clubs right on the beachfront, open until the early hours of the morning. Bars like the Banana Bar Phi Phi where you’ll find a sunset movie showing in a rustic bamboo bar. The Reggae Bar, where there’s a f****** boxing ring as a centrepiece, and yes tourists are invited in to fight, (and obviously rewarded with a bucket of booze). Or bars like Carlitos, or the Hippies Bar, where you’ll find locals entertaining guests with close up fire shows.
It’s safe to say the Phi Phi Island nightlife is absolutely crazy, it’s unique and is really something special.
Where Is The Party in Koh Phi Phi?
You’re be better off asking where isn’t the party in Koh Phi Phi. It’s everywhere. The town is so small and bars are tightly packed in between narrow streets. But the main party hot spot for Phi Phi island Nightlife is along the beach front, at Ao Lo Dalum.
Phi Phi Island Beach Party
Ao Lo Dalum is the hub for Phi Phi Island Nightlife. The ‘party beach’ as it’s known is where almost all revellers end their evening, it’s the last place to close in the small hours of the morning, and the beach attracts the biggest crowds.
There are 6 or 7 open-air beach clubs lining the shore, but with so many party-goers on the beach, they all merge into one epic place to party. The nightlife begins around 8 pm with fire performance, and with each bar trying to one-up another its easily one the best places to catch a fire show on Phi Phi Island.
Slinky Bar Phi Phi Beach Bar
Slinky Bar is where the Phi Phi Island Nightlife begins. The bar is the most popular outdoor nightclub on the island and draws in huge crowds each night. The club is located right on Loh Dalum Beach and it’s the first club you’ll come across once you arrive on the sand.
But the slinky bar doesn’t offer just musical entertainment, they kick the night off with one of the best fire shows on the island- tourists can get involved later on into the night with fire skipping and fire limbo games. There’s also a slide from the roof of the bar down onto the beach and neon body painting stations. It’s a great, (and cheap) place for backpackers to start the evening as free shots are passed out during the fire games, for willing gringos participants!
Food isn’t on the menu at any of the Ao lo Dalum beach bars, put there is a pizza establishment right next door where you get a huge slice for just 50 Baht, or a little further along the beach you’ll find barbecue joints where you can pick you meats and have them grilled before your eyes. The perfect late-night snack.
Ibiza Beach Club Phi Phi
Ibiza club dominates the Phi Phi Island Nightlife scene, and Phi Phi Island in general. The Phi Phi Ibiza Club has rapidly expanded over the past few years, now with a dope backpackers dorm room right on the beach and another overlooking their beachfront infinity pool, Ibiza is the most popular place to stay for backpackers.
With a pool party during the day and a nightclub during the evening, don’t book a stay here unless you’re fine with getting absolutely zero sleep during your stay!
Drink prices are reasonable and the club is open all day and all night long while live DJ’s and guest performers blast house tunes and techno beats.
Apache Beach Bar
Apache Beach Club is located on the far end of Ao Lo Dalum Beach and it’s the second biggest open air club on the beach, after Slinky Bar.
It doesn’t get busy at Apache until later on into the evening, once some of the bars in the town begin to close up. But when it gets going, it’s one of the hottest spots for Phi Phi Island Nightlife.
You’ll see travellers wearing luminous arm bands at Apache, Green, Amber or Red. A traffic light system letting others know your intentions for later on in the evening!
The dance floor is on the beach itself, and they offer rooms for rent right next door, but with techno beats blasting, the place isn’t suited to anyone not intending to be awake all night!
Stones Bar Phi Phi
Sitting in the middle of the beachfront club strip is the stones bar, one of the first bars to open on Phi Phi Island. The bar is open throughout the day and it’s one of the most chilled out places on the island before dark.
The bar is ‘420 friendly’ if that’s your thing, but take precautions.
Neon lights illuminate the beach while revellers dance into the night, the music taste at the stones bar is a little different to the techno, dubstep and generic trance played in most of the beach clubs. Instead, you’ll often hear Drum n’ Bass music playing and occasionally they’ll have live MC’s.
Blanco Beach Bar Phi Phi
Blanco’s is the smallest bar at Ao Lo Dalum but they definable pack one of the biggest punches. Blanco claims to be the cheapest bar on Koh Phi Phi’s Party Beach and even offers further discounts to guests staying in their hostels on the island. You haven’t truly experienced the Phi Phi Island Nightlife until you’ve set foot in Blanco’s.
Blanco offers a complete package like no other to backpackers in Koh Phi Phi. With a party hostel a night club on the beachfront and even a booze cruise to Maya Bay. If you’re in Koh Phi Phi to party then you’ll find yourself right at home with Blanco’s.
Best Bars In Phi Phi
So you know where to find the open air beach clubs on Ao lo Dalum beach and which are the best. But the Phi Phi Island Nightlife would be nothing without the many unique bars scattered throughout the town. Here are the top pick of the best bars on Koh Phi Phi.
Phi Phi Reggae Bar
Perhaps you’re wandering, why there is a photo of a Muay Thai boxing ring and not a bar? Well this bar is one of the most unique things about the Phi Phi Island Nightlife.
Dubbed the ‘Thai Boxing Bar’ or the ‘Knockout Bar’, the reggae bar has a boxing ring as a centrepiece, yes you read that right. A mix of alcohol-fuelled Muay Thai fights- it’s amazing.
At the begging of the evening, Thai fighters warm up and put on a show for punters, but not long after tourists will be invited up into the ring to fight each other! Three one minute rounds watched closely by a referee. The winner takes home a plastic medal, and both participants take away a free bucket of whisky for keeping the crowds entertained.
Fight are usually fairly friendly as both fighters are tourists, neither one of them wanting to cut their holidays short. And the ref is quick to break things up if it proves to be an unfair match.
The Reggae bar is one of the oldest bars on the island, being used by native locals as a Muay Thai training ground back in the 80s’ before, it becoming the tourist bar it is today. Once holding a prominent position on the island, new rows of shops have been construed in front of the bar, leaving it tucked away and hidden.
Banana Roof Top Bar
Opening in 2008, Banana bar is one of the most chilled out bars on the island, its a little different from the majority of the Phi Phi Island Nightlife. The bar is a stoners paradise and can be smelt a mile away, with happy hour at 4:20, PlayStations out during the day, a sunset cinema at dusk, bean bags to lounge around on, Mexican food brought up onto the roof from the kitchen downstairs and pre-rolls for sale at the bar.
The bar is built on the roof of a Mexican restaurant and constructed entirely from bamboo, tucked away down a narrow side ally in the centre of town you’ll find the wonky staircase running up the back of the restaurant.
There are two floors on the roof and you get epic views over Koh Phi Phi’s Loh Dalum Beach from the bar, a great place to catch a sunset.
After dark the party gets going, all buckets are sold at regular prices, but are buy-one-get-one-free! Making it one of the cheapest places to drink on the island.
*Sadly it seems that the bar owners ended up getting on the wrong side of the law enforcement, and in 2020 the bar was ordered to close due to ‘safety concerns surrounding the bamboo structure on the roof’. After deconstructing and completely removing the second floor the, (much smaller bar) re-opened. Only to be shut down once again within a matter of weeks, this time with the owners arrested for possession of drugs with intent to sell, it’s no longer a stoners paradise and is unlikely to re-open this time.
Carlito’s Phi Phi Beach Bar & Nightclub
Carlitos Beach Bar Phi Phi is a veteran in the Phi Phi island nightlife scene, first opening the doors in 1994. It remains the only bar on Koh Phi Phi’s Tonsai beach, set on the eastern side the bar and a great place to kick off your evening on the island.
There are two buildings, one right on the beachfront, where you can catch a well-choreographed fire show and other live entertainment. With the second building set further back and housing the pool tables and chilled area.
There are no DJ’s at Carlitos’s bar, unlike the other spots for Phi Phi Island nightlife. Instead Carlitos bar opt for live music.
It’s also a great daytime hangout, and the performers run a fire school programme to earn a little extra income during the afternoons.
Phi Phi Only Bar
The Only Bar is one of the greatest bars to be found here, providing some of the best Phi Phi Island nightlife around. The bar has something for everyone.
Located at the far end of the party beach, and built elevated over rocks, looking out to the ocean. Formerly named the Phi Phi Sunset Bar, it’s a fantastic place to grab a drink and catch the sun setting in the evening.
Food is on the menu here, along with other backpacker favourites like the ‘magic shakes’ and special cigarettes, and with stunning views, there is no better place to experience the Phi Phi Island Nightlife.
The only bar overlooks some of the bigger beach clubs like Slinky, so you can even watch the fire-shows here. Plus you can buy yourself into an open bar for a few hundred baht!
Hippies Bar
The hippies bar is set a little outside of the town, and located between the long-beach and Tonsai beach. It isn’t too far to walk it and only takes 5 – 10 minutes.
The bar was sadly destroyed in the boxing day tsunami of 2004 and didn’t re-open until almost a decade later in 2011.
The bar is absolutely huge, with a downstairs and upstairs terrace both looking out onto the beach. There are impressive views of Phi Phi Leh island from the bar. There are tables on the sand, and mats and cushions on the deck. Most of the bar is constructed from upcycled materials, and live sports like the premier league are broadcast in the evenings.
Another bar which is ‘420’ friendly, its a very laid back spot to hang-out after a day in the sun.
Sun Flower Beach Bar & Restaurant
The sunflower bar is said to be the last true chill out bar remaining on Phi Phi Island- and it really is a very relaxed venue.
Located at the far end of Loh Dalum Beach, there is waterfront seating, hammocks to relax in, bamboo floor mats and Thai axe pillows. The bar resembles a purer time of Koh Phi Phi, and has a calming ‘hippie’ vibe to the place – the ambience doesn’t get any more laid back than at the sunflower bar.
The sunflower bar was sadly devastated by the 2004 tsunami, the seating in the bar is built from reclaimed wood and Thai long-tail boats which where destroyed on boxing day.
With views over the bay its another fantastic place to watch the sun go down. The food at the sunflower bar is some of the tastiest you can find on the island.
While still in earshot of the louder clubs along Ao Lo Dalum like the Slinky bar or the Apache Beach Club, the mood is a world apart- if you want to escape from the pumping techno for a bit or are looking for an alternative to the madness of the Phi Phi Island Nightlife then you have to check out the sunflower bar.
Stockholm Syndrome
Beer pong plays a massive role in Phi Phi Island Nightlife and with beer-pong ranking tables up on the walls, and contestants categorised by their country of nationality, the Stockholm Syndrome bar is said to be the home of beer pong on Koh Phi Phi.
Stockholm Syndrome has two bars open in Thailand, one the heart of Phi Phi Island Nightlife and another smaller bar down a back alley off Patong beaches Soi Bangla Road.
The Swedish owned bar sits in the centre of town, it’s impossible to miss, and if you somehow do there will be a bar promoter trying to sweet-talk you into the bar with the promise of a free shot.
There are two floors to the bar, with most of the action on the ground floor. But upstairs you’ll find pool tables and a smaller, quieter lounge.
Rolling Stone Bar Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands only rock bar is a hit with locals and expats, Phi Phi Island nightlife doesn’t cater well to live musicians, but the rolling stone bar is one of the few places where you’ll find live music on the island. They have some seriously impressive house musicians and a number of pool tables.
The bar is tucked away and almost hidden down an alleyway, next to the Stockholm syndrome, and is one of the oldest on the island. It’s a great place for a few beers without going too wild, as much of the Phi Phi Island nightlife does.
Dubliner Irish Pub
Wherever you are in the world, it always seems you’re never too far away from an Irish bar. Located in the centre of town you can’t miss the Dubliners Irish Pub, it’s firmly on the radar when it comes to Phi Phi Island Nightlife.
Its one of the few places in Thailand where you can buy draught beers, and they even offer pints of Guinness on tap!
As with most of the bars in the town the nightlife isn’t as crazy as it gets down at the party beach. While the Irish Pub does get somewhat busy the atmosphere is very different from the typical Phi Phi Island Nightlife. The pub is focused more around food, pints and live sports than party buckets and pumping techno.
It’s a two story bar, although the top floor is often closed off. But you will find a pool table on the ground level.
But be warned, while the Dubliners Bar does stock imports such as Guinness, Kopparburg and other ciders such as Somersby. Make sure to confirm the price before you order! And if you on a backpackers budget, you might just be better off sticking to the Chang beers and Thai Whisky.
Dojo Bar Koh Phi Phi
The Dojo Bar is the hub of Phi Phi Island Nightlife, set as a centre piece in the tight streets of the town. Three side of the bar open out onto street level with a bar at the back.
Drinks are cheap at the Dojo Bar and there is a wide variety of choices. Along one side of the bar a beer pong opens up onto the street which can attract crowds and draw in more punters.
Klong Siam Bar
The Klong Siam bar is Koh Phi Phi’s most popular live music bar, you’ll hear party-goers singing along from far in the distance. Live musicians keep the crowds entertained and due to the small size of the bar, there is often not enough room to house everyone.
The atmosphere lures people in and sees crowds often spilling out into the streets, drunkenly singing along.
If the bar is too busy to order a drink from and you’re enjoying the music from in the streets, right next door you’ll find the ‘Paddy Shack‘. A street vendor selling the cheapest, (and strongest) buckets on the island.
Phi Phi Island Girlie Bars
Thailand’s nightlife has a reputation for being pretty seedy, but the Phi Phi Island Nightlife is far from that. Due to the native Muslim culture which is still valued here, it’s one of the few places where nudity is not accepted, you won’t be hounded by ‘happy ending Phi Phi’ girls, while trying to enjoy your night, and there are no girlie bars.
This combination makes the Phi Phi Island Nightlife so much more enjoyable and unique in comparison to say, sleazy Bangla Road.
Phi Phi Island Full Moon Party
There isn’t much of a Full Moon Party on the menu for Phi Phi Island Nightlife. In fact the Phi Phi Island Nightlife is at it’s quietest during the Full Moon.
The original Full Moon party is held on Haad-Rin beach, miles away on the island of Koh Phanggan. And during the times the party is held, most backpackers opt to leave Koh Phi Phi in flavor of Koh Phanggan instead.
Where To Stay In Phi Phi For Nightlife
Where should you stay for Phi Phi Island Nightlife?
Phi Phi Island is a small island, and wherever you’re staying it’s going to be loud, late into the night. Some hotels are quieter than others hotels away from the Phi Phi Island Nightlife are found closer to the Long Beach, along Tonsai Beach or Nice Beach.
For backpackers here to party, you’ll probably want to be staying in the thick of things at a party hostel. Some of the party hostels are set right on the beachfront, and other in the town. But wherever you choose it’s inheritable going to be lively!
Best Places To Stay For Phi Phi Nightlife
- Blanco Beach Bar: The most popular party hostel on Phi Phi Island and right on the beachfront at Ao Lo Dalum Beach. Upstairs dorm room, restaurant and bar downstairs, entertainment in the evening and a boat party during the day it’s not difficult to see why this Phi Phi Party Hostel is so popular.
- Blanco City Hostel: Blanco City Hostel is a second Blanco owned property on the island, it’s just 50 meters away from the main beach and another favourite for backpackers looking to get a taste of the Phi Phi Island Nightlife, the prices are a little cheaper than the beach bar but you’ll still have great vibes and meet plenty of likeminded others.
- Ibiza House: Probably the most expensive hostel you’ll ever stay in, but the location is everything at the hostel is one of the most modern and comfortable places to stay. An don’t forget you’re window overlooks the beach, and the most popular Phi Phi Island Pool Party is right downstairs.
- Stones Bar Dorm Room: If you’re looking to stay as close to the Phi Phi Island Nightlife as possible, then the Stones Bar Dorm Room is perfect for you. At ground level on Loh Dalum Beach, you’ll have a chilled out bar to hang out in during the day and come night you’ll be in Phi Phi Islands biggest party destination. Just don’t expect to get any sleep here until the early hour of the morning!
- Hangover Hostel: The hangover hostel is a social hub for backpackers and one of the cheapest places to stay on the island. The location is close to the beach but a little further down the sand, it’s much quieter here at night- without compromising too much on location.
- Chao Koh Dorm Room: Located on the quieter side of the island, this dorm room looks out onto Tonsai Beach. It’s one of the cheapest places to stay and the hub of the Phi Phi Island Nightlife is just a short walk away.
Phi Phi Nightlife Video
Phi Phi Nightlife Further Reading
Recommended Phi Phi Party Places – Thailand Travel Bag
Phi Phi Island Nightlife or Day-life? – LBW Travel Blog
The Ultimate Guide To Phi Phi Island Nightlife – Jorneying The Globe
Phi Phi Nightlife Reviews – TripAdvisor
What To Expect From Phi Phi Island Nightlife – Amazing Lanta
1 comment
I loved the Reggae bar when I visited Phi Phi, and its interesting to see how much it has changed. as for nightlife on Phi Phi, I doubt that will ever change! Great post, thanks for sharing.