Planning a stay on one or more of the islands in Thailand's Gulf and looking for the best nights out? From laid-back bars with sunset views to beach bars featuring fire shows, plus festivals and nightclubs, here are the best places to party in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao.

Where to party in Koh Phangan?

Most bars, clubs and beach clubs are concentrated around Haad Rin and Ban Tai, in the south of Koh Phangan. It is indeed on Haad Rin beach that Thailand's most famous party takes place: the Full Moon Party. The success has been so great that countless parties and festivals have emerged across the entire island.

The famous Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Beach

The Full Moon Party is THE most famous night out in Thailand. Launched in the mid-1980s, it takes place each month on the night of the full moon on Haad Rin beach. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to party with their feet in the sand. Numerous bars lined up next to each other play House music or feature DJs performing.

Occasionally, tattoo and makeup stands offer party-goers the chance to adorn themselves with fluorescent colors, and many activities such as fire shows take place along the beach. It's the perfect place if you love partying until the break of dawn, but one to avoid if you dislike crowded spaces and don't appreciate commercial music.

Find all the upcoming Full Moon Party dates.

Other parties and festivals in Koh Phangan

The success of the Full Moon Party has led to numerous other parties organized across the island. Here are the main ones:

The Half Moon Festival

The Half Moon Festival takes place twice a month, during the waxing and waning moon. Organized in the jungle of Ban Tai, this festival hosts international DJs offering a relatively varied music scene: a techno, psytrance and progressive techno stage, a house stage and a hip hop and RnB stage. Due to the significantly higher cost than the Full Moon Party, the festival attracts fewer backpackers. The décor is far more impressive and live artistic performances take place.

Find the upcoming Half Moon Festival dates.

The Jungle Experience

As its name suggests, the Jungle Experience is a party organized in the jungle, near Ban Tai. It takes place the night before each Full Moon Party and offers a music scene primarily focused on house, progressive house and techno. Again, the décor is magnificent.

Find the upcoming Jungle Experience dates.

The Waterfall Party

Once again, this party takes place in the jungle of Ban Tai, in an enchanting setting surrounded by waterfalls. It happens twice a month: 2 days before and 2 days after the Full Moon Party. DJs play primarily minimal, tech house, deep house, techno and progressive.

Find the upcoming Waterfall Party dates.

The Lost Paradise

This is one of the newest parties created on Koh Phangan. Unlike the previous ones, it takes place on the secluded Haad Yao beach on the east side of the island (not to be confused with the beach of the same name on the west side). Access is only by boat, trek or 4x4. This is the party to choose if you want to venture off the beaten path, party in a more intimate setting to the rhythm of underground music, away from "commercial" parties.

Find the upcoming Lost Paradise dates.

Where to party in Koh Samui?

While Koh Phangan is known worldwide for its famous Full Moon Party, the island of Koh Samui is also renowned for its lively nightlife. It is notably on Chaweng Beach, on the east coast, that you'll find the most parties, bars, beach clubs and nightclubs where numerous DJs from around the world come to perform.

A bit further south of Chaweng, Lamai Beach also has a large concentration of bars and nightclubs. Finally, if you're looking for a place to party in a more relaxed and less noisy atmosphere, we suggest heading to the north coast of the island, at Bophut.

A few addresses to party in Koh Samui:

ARKbar Beach Club - Chaweng Beach

ARKbar Beach Club is a hotel with a beach club on Chaweng Beach. International DJs play music around the pool during the day and on the beach in the evening, accompanied by fire shows and dance performances.

The Green Mango Club - Chaweng

Located on Chaweng's main street, The Green Mango Club is one of the oldest and most iconic nightclubs in Koh Samui. With a capacity of 1,300 people, the venue has two rooms and offers different music styles: pop, R&B, house, EDM...

RockBar Koh Samui – Lamai Beach

RockBar Koh Samui is a beach bar located on Lamai Beach. Made from bamboo and reclaimed materials, this charming bar offers magnificent sea views and an ultra-relaxed atmosphere. Reggae concerts are often organized here. It's the spot to know for starting your evening.

Coco Tam's - Bophut

Coco Tam's is a bar-restaurant located in Bophut. With its poufs and bar swings, the place is ideal for sipping a cocktail while enjoying the sunset. On weekends, the bar organizes some fire shows.

Nikki Beach Club – Lipa Noi

Looking for a chic and trendy beach bar? Head to Lipa Noi, on the west coast of Koh Samui, at Nikki Beach Club. Renowned for its glamorous atmosphere and delicious cocktails, this resort offers one of the most luxurious beach clubs on the island. Parties with international DJs and musicians are regularly organized here.

How to get to the Full Moon Party from Koh Samui?

If you're in Koh Samui and feel like hitting the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, you can take the Haad Rin Queen ferry from the Big Buddha pier in Bophut. It's also possible to purchase a round-trip package with hotel pickup included.

Where to party in Koh Tao?

Although the island is less festive than its neighbors, Koh Tao has a few places where you can enjoy a lively atmosphere. Most parties are held in the bars and clubs of Sairee Beach, on the west side of the island. This is also where you'll find parties with DJs.

A few addresses to party in Koh Tao:

Fizz Beachlounge - Sairee Beach

Fizz Beachlounge is the ideal spot to have a cocktail at sunset and start your evening gently in a relaxed atmosphere. The bar regularly organizes parties with DJs.

Maya Beach Club – Sairee Beach

Maya Beach Club is a beach bar located on Sairee Beach. With a stage on the beach, you can dance with your feet in the sand facing the DJ. Music styles vary: from reggae to disco, including funk, electronic and hip hop.

Lotus Beach Bar - Sairee Beach

Lotus Beach Bar is one of the other must-visit bars on Sairee Beach. We love it for its hassle-free, laid-back vibe. The bar is also renowned for its fire shows that take place every evening on the beach with a live DJ.