When in Phuket, one of the must-do experiences is to watch the sun dip into the horizon with a cocktail or mocktail in hand. These are our picks for the best sundowner bars on the island.
Bars Above Kata Noi
The view of the sunset from this cluster of hillside bars above Kata Noi Beach will take your breath away — especially since getting to them involves going up the winding, steep road from the southern end of Kata Beach. The picturesque sunset from these bars’ unique location, however, makes it worth the effort. If you’d rather not hoof it, you can jump into a vehicle to reach these bars.
Check out After Beach Bar, Small View Point Restaurant & Bar, and Baan Chom View, all perched on the side of the hill road between Kata and Rawai, directly above Kata Noi Beach.
Joe's Downstairs Patong Beach
This seaside restaurant and bar is a favourite among Phuket’s young “it” crowd. Its fantastic location above granite boulders overlooking the Andaman Sea makes it an idyllic sundowner spot.
Bask in the scenic view of Kalim Bay, while enjoying skilfully mixed cocktails and excellent wines paired with tapas dishes from award-winning chef Aaron Hooper.
Joe's Downstairs is in Kalim, a few minutes’ drive northwards from Patong.
Promthep Cape Restaurant
Promthep Cape, a rocky piece of land jutting out into the Andaman sea, is supposedly the best spot in all of Thailand for capturing picture-perfect sunsets due to its ideal location and southern-facing views.
Gaze at this spectacular sight while tucking into tasty food at Promthep Cape Restaurant. This large and somewhat rustic restaurant sits on a green hillside above the cape, giving you views of both Ya Nui Beach and Nai Harn Beach, as well as a glimpse of lovely Ao Sane Beach from afar.
The restaurant serves affordable Thai and seafood dishes. The menu is in English, with a good description of the food on offer.
Catch Beach Club
Immerse yourself in a chill-out sunset experience at Catch Beach Club on Bangtao Beach.
This hip and happening oceanfront beach club lets you soak up superb views of the Andaman Sea while lounging by the pool, at the open-air restaurant, or either one of its two bars. Once you’ve chosen the perfect viewing spot, sip chilled champagne and nibble on dishes from the á la carte menu.
