Joe’s Downstair (223/3 Prabaramee Rd., 076-344-254, 076-344-927. www.baanrimpa.com) is a venue for lounging with a couple of drinks before heading back to your warm and cozy bed at the hotel. Drinks are similar to its big sister, Joe’s South: champagne cocktails, martinis, gin and some of Joe’s creations including the signature Joe’s Smile (Havana club rum, Midori, mango juice, lime juice and syrup.)

Soi Paradise (Rath-Uthit Rd., Patong) is notorious for its money boys and tacky cabaret shows. But there’s an increasing contingent of visitors (many from Southeast Asia) who just want a beer (or want to hook up without forking out B2,000 for the privilege) and some house music. The decades-old Boat Bar (125/20 Paradise complex, Rath-Uthit Rd., Patong, 076-341-237. www.boatbar.com) is an institution and has been recently challenged by a contestant that opened just across from it but remains queen in our hearts.

Spend all your afternoon, evening and night hanging out at Nikita’s (44 Rawai Beach, 08-1272-0561. Open daily 9am-late) and you won’t have a clue when and how the whole day quickly passes. Offers Thai dishes, snacks and some good cocktails. Why here? Well, it’s simply because this is the one and only real beach bar on Rawai. With outdoor tables really close to the water, it’s not a surprise if you find yourself jumping into the ocean once in a while. For those who don’t appreciate nature’s beauty that much, seats inside its small hut are also available.

White Box (247/5 Prabaramee Rd., Kalim Beach, 076-346-271. www.whiteboxrestaurant.com) is a new bar on Kalim beach. The cube-shaped restaurant offers Mediterranean and Thai dishes cooked by Belgian chef Vincent Denayer. On top of the box is an alfresco lounge. Filled with house music most of the time, but in-house jazz band plays live everyday, 7:30-9:30pm, and international DJs are occasionally invited to spin here.