Our Take
Chiang Mai's classic riverside bar.
Nearby
Bars open, close and rebrand fast here, so check a place is still trading before a long ride.
Questions About the Riverside
Where Is the Riverside in Chiang Mai?
The Riverside is on Charoen Rat Road, beside the Ping River in the Riverside district. It is a short ride from the Old City, so take a Grab or a red songthaew and agree the fare first. Good View, Mojo Cafe & Gallery and Sip Bar are all in the same stretch.
What Is the Riverside Like?
It is Chiang Mai's classic riverside bar. The appeal is the setting on the water, a long-standing reputation and a relaxed crowd of visitors and residents. It is a place for dinner, a drink and an evening by the river, not for bar girls.
Is the Riverside Good for a Date or a Group?
Yes, both work well here. The riverside setting is public and relaxed, so it suits a date, and it copes with groups too. Book ahead for weekends, arrive early to get a table close to the water and keep an eye on the weather.
What Is Near the Riverside?
Nearby are Good View, Sayuri, Sip Bar, Riverside Bar & Restaurant, Mojo Cafe & Gallery and Padma Massage. That gives you other riverside bars, a gallery cafe and a couple of massage shops, so you can eat at one place and drink at another without a ride.
Can I Meet Women at the Riverside?
It is a bar-restaurant on the river with a mixed crowd, so do not expect a working-girl venue. Chat with whoever is nearby and see where the evening goes. If you want the bar-girl scene, the beer bars on Loi Kroh Road are the place, and a short ride away.
How Does the Riverside Compare with Good View?
The two sit side by side on Charoen Rat Road. The Riverside is the classic bar, while Good View is a bar-restaurant with a live band. Many people try both in one evening, and the easiest way to choose is to walk past and see which one has the mood you want.
When Should I Go to the Riverside?
Go in the evening, early enough to get a riverside table, and stay as it fills. Weekends are busier, and the cool, dry months from November are the most comfortable for sitting outside. Opening times vary, so check on the day before you set out.
How Do I Get the Most from the Riverside?
Book a table by the water, eat early and stay on for a drink. Pair it with a walk along Charoen Rat Road to look in at the neighboring bars. Keep your phone in a front pocket, settle the bill as you go and book a Grab back, as late songthaews are scarcer.