Nimman, Chiang Mai

Nimman, short for Nimmanhaemin Road, is on the west side of Chiang Mai, away from the Old City and the Loi Kroh strip. It is the city's smarter district, full of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and bars. It is a short ride from the Old City, though not a walk.

Trendy, young and mostly Thai. Craft-beer bars, cocktail bars and clubs fill with students and locals, and the evening has a university-town energy. Clubs such as Warm Up Cafe run late with a younger crowd. It is a night for music and drinks, and the bar-girl scene is far away.

No. Nimman lists no red-light hub and no gogo bars. The adult side is 2 beer bars, Beer Lab and Beer Republic, and 36 massage shops. If you want the bar strip, Loi Kroh Road on the east side of the Old City is the nearest hub.

Of 121 places, 71 are bars, 36 are massage shops, 6 are nightclubs, 3 are rooftops, 2 are beer bars, 2 are attractions and 1 is a mall. The clubs include Infinity, Liquid Room, Red CNX and Tawandang Mahason. Bars lead the list.

Nimman is more modern, with polished cafes and clubs, while the Old City is more traditional and backpacker-friendly, with temples and moat-side bars. Nimman lists 121 places against 167. Nimman suits a stylish evening, and the Old City suits a casual stroll.

Stay in Nimman if you like cafes by day and clubs by night, and you do not mind a ride to Loi Kroh. It is popular with long-stayers who want monthly condos. Start with a cafe or a craft beer, and check any hotel's guest rules before booking.

By red songthaew, Grab or Bolt from the Old City, as the district is a short ride west of it. Inside Nimman the lanes are walkable, though the heat makes a ride attractive. Agree a songthaew fare before you set off, and use the app late at night.

Rides and scooters. Taxis are hard to find when the clubs close, so book your trip home in advance. Hired scooters and cheap helmets are a hazard on busy roads, so ride sober. Look at a massage shop's front and price list before you go in.