10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Chiang Rai

Art Bridge Gallery is a contemporary gallery with a strong focus on local and upcoming artists. The paintings are an eclectic collection of impressionist landscapes, colorful abstracts, and religious imagery. Interactive art installations are popular and change regularly. Murals outside the building commemorate various significant events.

Art Bridge also has a shop selling original pieces of art, pretty postcards, and quirky souvenirs. Enjoy an after-dinner coffee or ice cream on the gallery's outdoor terrace, which overlooks the Khua Khrae canal. You can also attend art lectures, take part in a workshop, or browse its onsite library.

Chiang Rai Clock Tower is a magnificent sculpture that forms the centerpiece of a traffic circle. The ornate gold tower is quintessentially Thai and was designed by the same artist who built Chiang Rai's iconic White Temple. You can safely take photos of the landmark by using the traffic islands along Thanon Baanpa Pragarn Road.

The tower looks especially impressive at night when it's brightly lit in different colors. A music and light show takes place every evening at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm, and lasts for about 10 minutes. The surrounding area is full of restaurants and cafes where you can grab dinner before the show.

Happy Street Chiang Rai is a market that pops up every Sunday evening with food, shopping, and live music. You'll find stalls selling inexpensive souvenirs like clothes, shoes, billfolds, toys, and games. The market is also a good choice if you want to buy produce from local farmers.

If you're looking for an after-dinner drink, there's no shortage of stalls selling cold beers and snacks. Head to the main square in front of Wat Chatupon for a table. The square hosts a traditional Lanna cultural show and performances by local musicians.

The Saturday Night Market is a maze of stalls selling just about everything you can imagine, from clothes and fabric to kitchenware and household goods. Food and beverages stalls make up a big portion of the market, with lots of vendors selling cold beer and sodas. The later it gets, the longer the queues, so it’s a good idea to get here by around 7 pm.

A highlight of the Saturday Night Market is the open square, where groups of enthusiastic dancers gather. You can take part in line dancing or just enjoy lively Thai folk music.

Walking Street Chiang Rai comes highly recommended if you're looking for handmade local crafts and household goods. Take home a set of colorful lawn bowling and plates, some decorative chopsticks, or an ornate metal lamp. It's also a good spot for clothing items, with lots of beautiful shawls and batik fabrics.

The market sells lots of pieces by Northern Thai hill tribes, including some of their exquisite embroidery. Save room for dessert and indulge in delicious Thai crepes, or keep cool with a fresh fruit smoothie. There are lots of local beer for sale, too.

The Chiang Rai Night Bazaar might be the most touristy of Chiang Rai's markets, but don't let that put you off. Stalls offer lots of souvenirs and trinkets like carved elephants, Buddha statues, and handmade jewelry. Bargaining is expected, so make sure you negotiate the price before you buy.

Live performances take place every night, varying from singers and musicians to traditional dance and drag shows. The energetic crowds like to clap or sing along to the music. Watch the performances with a beer from the benches of the main square, which is lined with all kinds of food stalls.

Jetyod Road comes to life at night, with a mix of bars, pubs, restaurants, and live music venues. The atmosphere is fairly laidback, with enough space to amble around and check out different bars. You can try some great local beers and fruit punch, or browse the menus of interesting cocktails.

You can play a round of pool at Chicken Bar or a game of ping-pong at 69 Bar. For great beers from around the world, try the craft beers at Bavarian Beer House or a glass of Guinness at O'Kane's Irish Pub. Other popular places to go are Rosebar and Dragon's Breath.

Karaoke is a popular nighttime activity in Chiang Rai. After dinner, many locals head to karaoke lounges to live out their rockstar dreams. Expect big screens, booming sound systems, and lots of cold beers and snacks available to buy. There are plenty of English and Thai songs, usually a mix of classic tunes and recent hits.

A must-visit is Suksaran The Retro, which also plays old-school Thai music and hosts live bands. Other popular karaoke spots include All Night Karaoke and Super KTV Karaoke. Lots of bars have specific karaoke nights.

Kaffee Hub occupies a large, historic building in the center of Chiang Rai. Its cafe serves freshly brewed coffee by day, but the fun really starts after sunset. Its bar has a good range of beers, including Thai favorites like Singha, plus a decent cocktail menu.

Live singing and guitar covers add to the easygoing lounge vibe. Balcony seating on the top floor tends to be quieter and better for chatting with friends. Grab a table on the terrace outside to get a great view of the Chiang Rai Clock Tower's evening light show.

Reggae Home and Bar is a great place to experience all kinds of live music in Chiang Rai. Along with bands and singers, there are fun jelly sessions and open mic nights if you want to have a go at entertaining the crowds. Naturally, reggae is popular at the bar, along with jazz, rock, pop, and R'n'B tunes.

When you're not dancing along to the music, you can play pool or darts at Reggae Home and Bar. Its outdoor terrace is great for a cozy evening of drinking and people-watching. Besides Thai beers, the bar serves local whiskey and rum, plus cocktails with a kick.