Phuket
Phuket's best-kept bars are the ones locals don't broadcast. These ten are worth finding. A working editorial ranking, refreshed every quarter.
Old Town · $$
Cocktail bar inside a heritage Sino-Portuguese shophouse.
Cherng Talay · $$$$
Heritage Thailand 50 Best beach club at Surin Beach.
Patong · $$$
Beachfront cocktail terrace with sunset views over the Andaman.
Kata · $$$
Restaurant-bar with a tight cocktail menu and a Modern Thai food programme.
Old Town · $$
Heritage shophouse cocktail bar.
Patong · $
Heritage Patong neon institution on Bangla Road.
Phuket rewards drinkers who scout neighbourhoods, and the spread below reflects that. You'll find spots in Patong, Old Town, Kata, and beyond — each picked for what it does best, not how loud its marketing is. We focus on small rooms, low signage, locals-only feel, no tourist crowds; we ignore venues that prioritise volume over craft. The order is a working ranking, not a leaderboard — number one isn't always your number one. Read the notes and pick the room that fits the night you're planning.
Best for: quiet nights, off-the-tourist-track drinking, locals-only feel. Most rooms here run from late afternoon until 1 or 2am; the busier ones lift their door policy on weekends and we've flagged those where it matters. Save the page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let the rest of Phuket take care of itself.
A working editorial ranking. Numbers are guidance, not gospel. Pick the room that fits your night.
Looking beyond Phuket? See our guide to the best hidden gem bars worldwide, or compare hidden gem bars city by city.