I must admit that I'm not really a social butterfly. I go out for a beer on special occasions or if a friend drops in and invites me to imbibe. It's not that I don't like a beer or two, but more so that I usually have quite a few more than that, and I hate waking up feeling crook. When I do go for a coldie it's usually somewhere close to home. The main things I demand of a bar is that the beer is chilled, the music is turned down low, and I'm not harassed  by anyone trying to sell me their assets, whatever that may be. There are, of course, many places to drink, both up-market places and the normal old bar beers. Below are some of my favourite places to blow the froth off a coldie.

If I want to watch sport and have a beer (can one watch sport without beer?), I run the gauntlet and  enter Bangla Road to visit the Aussie Bar. Steve runs a great pub, has super staff, and you can watch pretty much any sport that you like there. Cold beer and great tucker as well. He has a great setup and it's a top place simply suck on a stubby and watch the world go by. It's a good thing that work keeps me busy. They have recently introduced Beer Lao to the icebox which makes the place even more attractive.

When I want to have a beer in a small friendly bar that has all that I want, I traipse up to the Blue Coral Bar. It is situated in the little cluster of bars near Absolute Sea Pearl at the southernmost beach road junction. There, I enjoy the company of Martin and Wan and their friendly staff. This bar has everything, good beer, good food, good service and great company.  Close enough to enjoy the beach atmosphere, but far enough away not o get sunburned or sand blasted.

If I do find myself  in Bangla Road, or rather, lose myself and end up in Bangla Road, I'll go and have a drink with Scottish Dave at the Dirty Deeds Bar in Soi Eric. Great fellow to have a drink with. The same goes for a fellow Aussie, Speedy, at his bar named, you guessed it, Speedy's Bar. It's situated in a bar area off the Beach Road. It's on the beach end of Soi Jintana. Walking through there from the Rat-U-Thit side can be an adventure.

Boozers Bar on Phisitkoranee Road, is another good place for a beer. Eric is a great feller to have a chat with and knows how to put on a good Aussie barbie too. Small and cozy bar just up the road from Anna's Language School and across the road from the Famly Mart, it's highly recommended.

Kennys On Nanai  is a Nanai Road bar restaurant with cold beer, a pool table and a great host in Kenny. Situated on top of the hill opposite the Icon Resort, it's a great place for a breakfast, a cold beer and a friendly and entertaining chat with the host.

Both of the Irish theme bars, Molly Malones and Scruffy Murphys are excellent pubs to have a coldie, and a large range of beers are available. Air conditioned and comfortable, both have good bands to entertain later in the evening.

Finally, when I want to go somewhere quiet and do some thinking I head for Blue Point. Cold beer at a great price (50 baht for a Tiger), beautiful views and, although it can get busy, it's away from the crowds. To get there you have to drive south down beach road, over the bridge, turn left and go up the hill. When you get to the top, past Baan Yindee, round a couple of curves and there's a bare piece of real estate on the right with a shed and a few little palm leaf roofed wooden tables. Go through the gate and find yourself a comfy perch. Make sure that you take your camera. Unfortunately a developer has built an office right in the front of the place and completely ruined it. Seems to happen everywhere.

A last recommendation; It's not a good idea for yourself or fellow road users, to drink and drive, especially when you're trying to balance on a Honda Wave or something similar. There's plenty of cheap transport around the place or, if you want to get that weight off, stagger back to your lodgings on shank's pony.