Phuket’s 6 best cocktail bars

What’s the vibe? Hidden in a renovated three-storey building in Phuket Old Town, the Fool is a sleek, refined tarot-themed bar. Candlelit corners and elegant decor create a mysterious and intimate atmosphere, but the drinks scream fun –  each one inspired by a tarot card. If you can’t decide what to drink, draw a card and let fate decide your tipple.

When to visit: Check the calendar: DJs and guest shifts from Asia’s top bars keep the vibe eclectic. This spot also serves surprisingly good pan-Asian small plates that pair well with the drinks.

What to drink: Fool – a black glass with copper interior holds a fizzy, floral elixir of gin, vodka, sparkling wine and carrot punch – light, mysterious and dangerously drinkable. Non-alcoholic cocktails are equally inventive, so friends who aren’t drinking can enjoy the full experience.

29 Chana Charoen Road, Phuket Old Town. 5pm-midnight. 

What’s the vibe? Located on the second floor of Boat Avenue, this is not the kind of bar you simply stumble upon. Discover the space and you’ll find zen in a balance between chic and casual ambiance with beach-inspired designs bathed in warm red-orange hues. The cocktails are gin-forward – an effusion of Phuket’s botanicals and seasonal produce that sip both robust and delicate.

When to visit: The bar comes alive with nightcap seekers after romantic dinners, hitting its peak after 10pm.

What to drink: The Japanese highball blends roku gin, yuzu sake, elderflower and fermented white grape vinegar, finished with crisp CO2 fizz. With over 50 gins, including Thai craft labels and premium tonics, it’s the ultimate G&T destination.

Boat Avenue, 2/F, 49, 36 Bandon-Cherngtalay Road, Cherngtalay. Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight. Fri-Sat 5pm-1am.

What’s the vibe? DOXA Skybar defies gravity with its sleek square platform that gives the illusion you’re floating above the Andaman sea. Cross the glass-framed skywalk and sink into a plush fauteuil or grab a seat at the bar and as you sip your cocktail – its design makes it easy to believe you’re drinking on the edge of the world. But it’s not just the decor; every cocktail is crafted with precision, whether bold and spirit-forward or light and refreshing.

When to visit: Arrive just before sunset to enjoy the sea views and start as you mean to go on.

What to drink: Roots mixes rye, sweet vermouth, apricot brandy, beetroot, lime, bitters and mezcal – a smoky take on the boulevardier. For a lighter sip, ananas spice combines bourbon, tepache, coconut liqueur, lime and tonic, topped with airy foam.

Fira, 228/6–7 Khok Tanod Road, Karon. 4pm–10pm.

What’s the vibe? Equal parts bar and science lab, Zimplex has shaped Phuket Old Town’s nightlife for 14 years. The interior is clinical, but surreal (think futuristic morgue), with old-school hip hop and Japanese beats echoing around its chambers. The owner, a former writer, creates experimental cocktails that feel almost otherworldly.  

When to visit: Start your night here as a pre-party ritual or first stop on a bar-hopping circuit.

What to drink: Trip is a carefully constructed shot of pink gin, cream liqueur, syrup and house ‘lab liqueur.’ It's a work of art and mimics a tiny lava lamp for a few moments before the elements combine. For something easier to drink, banoffee is just as you’d expect – a sweet concoction of dark rum, coffee-banana liqueur and cream.

156/48 Phangnga road, Phuket Old Town.Tue-Sun 7pm–11pm. 

What’s the vibe? Shhh, this speakeasy is a secret and only for those in the know.   Look for an entrance disguised behind a door covered in keys and, in true Matrix style, turn the handle and pass through like The Keymaker. Inside, past a silver curtain, you’ll find a set of stairs that lead directly into the speakeasy. After all that effort, a fun and futuristic twist on cocktail classics is your reward, served in a dimly lit room lined with AI-animated replicas of famous landmarks.

When to visit:  Impress a date with the theatrics or grab a bar stool for a nightcap after dinner. 

What to drink: The signature ‘N.013’ is a nod to Phuket itself. It combines vodka infused with cocoa husk, chambord, sake, kombucha, coconut-bergamot cordial, jackfruit and a splash of tonic.

12 Thalang Road, Phuket Old Town. 6.30pm-midnight.

What’s the vibe? Emerald-green walls, velvet sofas, touches of pink and futuristic chandeliers create a lush, jungle-inspired hideaway. Overgrown blends nature and modern design, offering a high-ceilinged retreat where guests can feel both wild and cocooned, complemented by top-shelf spirits and a curated soundtrack.

When to visit: Early birds score buy-one-get-one-free cocktails from 3pm to 6pm.

What to drink: Deciduous combines forest botanicals with seeker gin, cointreau, rosella-lychee-holy basil shrub, guava juice, lime cordial and Japanese umami bitters. The stronger coniferous nods to the manhattan with Naked Malt whisky, vermouth rosso, apple-cardamom cordial and orange bitters. Local spirits are also highlighted throughout the menu.

La Green Hotel and Residence, 149 Cherngtalay road, Cherngtalay.  Daily 3pm–midnight.