There a loads of Phuket bars that are well worth a visit. They are mostly venues that occupy both an indoor and an outdoor area, with seating for maybe 20 to 30 people. The bars really come alive at night but many are open throughout the day if you’re interested in mid-afternoon refreshment! Phuket is a relatively safe place to get drunk, but do remember that there are people all over the world that are more than happy to take advantage of a drunken Westerner. Drink sensible, whether you’re in Phuket bars or anywhere else.

The key to Phuket bars is often the girls that are placed there by request of the management. These (usually pretty) girls are there to keep you company and to help you to spend more time and money.

The girls that sit around in Phuket bars will usually be an expert at any number of trivial games. Connect-4 and Jenga are specially popular with these ladies; play them for drinks and you are sure to lose: bring your A-Game! These girls use this ‘hustle’ to make a living, so don’t begrudge them. They’re not cheating you. Nor are they offering anything sordid: the girls are not prostitutes but they are willing to use their looks to get money.