Rawai is easy to get around in, but many members of the community here have a favorite place to go that they stick to. Still, you can visit different bars and figure out what you like best or simply hop around.
Friendship Beach is not far from Rawai, about half way between that village and Chalong Circle. The complex here at the resort is complete with a very good restaurant and a large bar with great views of the Bay. It’s a good place to go for live music and also has its own swimming pool. Friendship Beach Waterfront Resort is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Located on the Beach Road, the Sunshine Bar is the most popular bar in Rawai. It’s a fun atmosphere and the drinks are good, and the owners are usually around to chat and entertain. Check it out any day of the week from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Coconut Bar & Restaurant is a sports bar located on the west end of Rawai Beach. They have international and Thai food that is very good and the atmosphere is mellow. Coconut Bar serves many expats and has a great view of the water. Catch breakfast starting at 8 a.m. or enjoy a late night drink.
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., The Honey Lounge has good breakfast and coffee as well as free Wi-Fi. Later in the day, enjoy some cocktails or participate in one of the Wednesday pool tournaments. You can also smoke hookah at the Honey Lounge.
Nikita’s is one of two bars located on the Beach Road. This is the one of the left and caters to a professional and often wealthy client base. Often crowded, it has a nice waterfront location that adds to its appeal. In fact, it’s the only one right on the beach in Rawai. Nikita’s is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
Laguna is the wildest nightlife spot on the island, noisy and very big. There are lots of girly bars and a large nightclub that attracts everybody at the end of the night. The music is loud and the area is filled with girls plying their trade and lots of snacking options. The bars open at 5 p.m. and close at 2 a.m., while the nightclub’s hours extend from 1 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.