The rose of the North, Thailand's second city is full of good places to eat and drink here are a selection of Chiang Mia's best pubs and restaurants.

Only an hour’s flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mia could not be more different: it has a laidback style and the city is often comfortably cooled by the protective ring of mountains that forms a natural basin making the climate refreshingly different from most of the rest of Thailand, but this also means that the wet season is wetter.

Pubs and Bars

Come night-time and even laidback Chiang Mai comes alive with its fair share of bars and pubs. Perhaps the most renowned entertainment in town is Simon’s Cabaret Bar which has spectacular and colourful shows that aim to illustrate the history of the area from the Lanna period to the present day Thailand.

Of course there are the usual Irish and British theme pubs perhaps the best of which is the Red Lion at the heart of the vibrant night bazaar. It has the authentic British pub feel with good home-made pub-grub of steak and kidney pie, fish and chips and mushy peas and roast beef dinners as well as a good selection of Thai food. Local brews are available as well as Guinness and Kilkenny beers and Strongbow cider. Open from 11am to 1am every day.

123 Loy Kroh Rd, Night Bazaar, Tel: 053 818 847

Also convenient to the night bazaar, O’Malley’s Irish pub is probably the most authentic Irish pub in Chiang Mai, the food is good and in massive proportions. It may also sell the cheapest pint of Guinness in town. Open from 11am to 1am

Anusarn Market, 149/14-15 Chan Klang Road, Tel: 053 271 921

Located in a beautifully restored Thai-style house Fine Thanks on the weekend here rocks with live music and sometimes famous Thai bands. In their six inch platform shoes the waitresses tower above the crowd. Serving from 11am to 1am

19 Nimmanhaemin Road, Tel: 053 231 605.

Sitting on the banks of the Ping River is theRiverside restaurant and bar, . The Riverside is the city’s most famous open-air riverside bar with a magic atmosphere, live bands every night, great western and Asian food , you are guaranteed a rollicking night out. Open 12am to 2am

9-11 Charoenrat Road, Tel: 053 243 249

Occupying the former Burmese Embassy a traditional teak house, The Smiling Monkey attracts a predominantly Thai clientele. It has an extensive Thai menu. The garden is delight with waterfalls and nightly live music. Open from 11am to 1am

40/1 Bamrungburi Road, Tel: 053 277 538

For the die-hard traditionalist there is the Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club, set in its own grounds visitors are welcome to the bar and the restaurant. The Gymkhana Club is one of the oldest clubs in Thailand and the traditions of years gone by are not forgotten. Civility and courtesy are bywords here. Private club and opens at 9a until late

Old Lampoon Road. Tel: 053 235 031

And if this is not enough to slake your thirst there is always the Chiang Mai Entertainment Centre with its thirty bars with pool tables, a Thai boxing hall, and a lady boy cabaret. It may be best to leave the kids at the hotel.

Of course there are many roadside bars that just invite you to sit and watch Chiang Mai’s world go by.

Eating

The international wanderer who lusts for home cooking is not bereft of choice either it does not take long to find establishments that specialise in French, German, Italian and American food. Those who want the authentic taste of Chiang Mai may be tempted to sample a morsel from a roadside food vendor.

There is something for every taste and every pocket in this city, but on my trips to Chiang Mai I invariably find myself eating, at least once, in Rattana Kitche, this is a comfortable and unpretentious even down-beat bistro but the atmosphere, food and the very friendly and efficient service can not be bettered.

Thapae Rd, Moom Muang, Tel: 053 874 173