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 beer 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. A well managed pub, has super staff, and you can watch pretty much any sport that you like there. Cold beer and great tucker as well. It's a top place to simply suck on a stubby and watch the world go by. It's a good thing that work keeps me busy. 

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.

Speedy's Bar on the beach road end of Soi Jintana is a friendly place for a drink with colourful owner, Speedy.  He is a real gentleman and a great conversationalist with some good yarns to tell.  Walking through Soi Jintana from the Rat-U-Thit side can be an adventure. also.

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 the language school and across the road from the Famly Mart, it's highly recommended.

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.

Looking for a place to have a quiet beer while enjoying magnificent views, watching a great sunset and seeing the lights of Patong come on as dusk gives in to darkness? Suatalay Hangout is the place you seek. If you ride a motorbike then you'll have no trouble getting yourself there. If you rely on transport then you may have some difficulty. The hangout is located on Ha Sib Pee Road, on the hills to the east of Patong. The access road from Ha Sib Pee Road to the hangout is short but quite steep, especially the first pinch. The magnificent views make it well worth the trouble to get there.