Vientiane Pub Crawls

The Vientiane Nightlife Scene

Vientiane is the quietest capital city in Southeast Asia by a significant margin. The main bar zone runs along the Mekong riverfront, specifically the stretch of Fa Ngum Road facing Thailand across the water: a line of bars, restaurants, and outdoor terrace venues that catches the sunset crowd and runs until midnight. Bor Pen Nyang ("no worries" in Lao) is the phrase that applies here more than any other. Khop Chai Deu on Setthathirath Road is the busiest bar in the city centre. The Spirit House bar on Nokeo Koumane Road has live music on weekends. After midnight, the options contract sharply; Vientiane closes early and means it.

What You'll Pay

Beerlao at a riverfront bar: 15,000–25,000 LAK or $1–2. Cocktails: $4–7. Khop Chai Deu runs happy hours until 7pm that drop prices to $1–1.50 per beer. A full Vientiane evening with the sunset on the river, dinner, and four drinks: $15–28. It's an affordable city in which to do very little, which is essentially what Vientiane offers.

Best Nights

Friday and Saturday evenings bring out Vientiane's small expat and NGO community; the bars near the riverfront are fuller but never loud. The That Luang Festival in November brings the city to unusual life for a few days. The rest of the year, variation between weeknights is minimal. Don't arrive expecting a Thursday.

Practical

Vientiane is flat and navigable by bicycle, which is how many residents and travellers get around. Rentals are $2–5 per day from guesthouses. Tuk-tuks cover the city for $2–5 per trip. Grab does not operate in Vientiane; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in. Cash (LAK or USD) is standard everywhere. The riverfront bars all close by midnight; plan transport from there back to guesthouses before you need it.