Our Take
Beer bars along the eastern moat.
Nearby
Bars open, close and rebrand fast here, so check a place is still trading before a long ride.
Questions About Moon Muang & Kotchasarn Bars
Where Are the Moon Muang and Kotchasarn Bars in Chiang Mai?
They are beer bars along the eastern moat of the Old City, near Tha Phae Gate. Moon Muang and Kotchasarn are the two roads running beside the moat there, so you can walk from any hotel in the Old City. Thapae Gate itself is the easy landmark to aim for.
What Are the Moon Muang and Kotchasarn Bars Like?
They are beer bars strung along the eastern moat, so you get open fronts, a few stools and bar girls chatting at the door. The atmosphere is casual and small-scale, a long way from the gogo strips of Bangkok. It is a good first stop for a beer and a look around.
Are the Moon Muang Bars the Same as Loi Kroh Road?
No. Loi Kroh Road is the strip east of the moat towards the Night Bazaar, with beer bars, a few gogos and massage shops. The Moon Muang and Kotchasarn bars sit along the moat itself, beside Tha Phae Gate. You can walk between the two, so many men sample both in one evening.
What Is Near the Moon Muang and Kotchasarn Bars?
Nearby are Darlin's Massage, Thapae Gate, Sabai Thai Thai, Inter Bar, Relax Spa and Sax Music Pub. That gives you a gate to use as a landmark, a couple of massage shops and a music bar. You can have a drink, a massage and a bit of live music within a short walk.
Can I Go to a Moon Muang Bar Just for a Drink?
Yes. Plenty of people stop for a single beer by the moat, and nobody expects more than that. The girls will chat and may ask for a lady drink, and a friendly not tonight is fine. Leave small change on the tray if you have enjoyed the evening.
How Do I Pick a Good Bar Along the Moon Muang Moat?
Walk the stretch once before you sit, because every bar is run separately with its own staff and prices. Look for a visible price list, a few happy customers and girls who chat rather than pounce. Avoid any bar that brings drinks for the girls before you have offered.
When Should I Visit the Moon Muang and Kotchasarn Bars?
Early evening is quiet and relaxed, and the bars fill up as the night goes on. Chiang Mai winds down earlier than Bangkok or Pattaya, so do not leave it too late. Hours differ bar by bar, so check on the night, and keep a ride home in mind.
How Do I Get the Most from the Moon Muang and Kotchasarn Bars?
Stay near Tha Phae Gate so you can walk, choose one or two bars rather than hopping through all of them, and settle your chit before you move on. Play a game of pool or Connect Four, chat and keep it easy. Finish with a songthaew or Grab if you move on to Loi Kroh.