Pattaya guide
Soi Buakhao Pattaya: Area Guide, Bars, Food and Nightlife
Your complete guide to Soi Buakhao in Pattaya. Discover the best bars, restaurants, markets, and things to do on one of the city’s most vibrant and diverse streets.
Planning a visit to Soi Buakhao? This guide covers the best places to eat, drink, shop, and explore on one of Pattaya’s most popular streets.
Quick Tips
- No agogos, no pressure — Soi Buakhao is a mix of beer bars, pool bars, girls bars, and pubs; the most relaxed nightlife area in Pattaya. Girls bars with bar fines are present throughout the soi
- Beers ฿80–฿120 at open-air pool bars; ฿100–฿130 at pubs; happy hour 4–7pm drops prices to ฿65–฿80
- Best bars: Retox (pool tables), The Sportsman (sports screens, food), Prime Burger (best burgers on the soi)
- Street food stalls set up from 6pm — som tam, grilled skewers, noodles from ฿40–฿80
- Parallel to Second Road, 3–4 minutes walk from LK Metro; walkable from most Central Pattaya hotels
- Soi Bongkot (short side street off Soi Buakhao) for quieter dive bars after 10pm
Table of Contents
- Why Visit Soi Buakhao?
- Top Places on Soi Buakhao
- Soi Buakhao Map Orientation
- Bar Write-Ups
- Food on Soi Buakhao
- Related Guides
- Tips for Enjoying Soi Buakhao
- FAQ: Soi Buakhao
- Share This Guide
Why Visit Soi Buakhao?
A bustling scene on Soi Buakhao, Pattaya
Soi Buakhao offers a unique Pattaya experience:
- Bars & Pubs: From classic British pubs to trendy cocktail bars
- Diverse Restaurants: Thai, European, Indian, and more
- Markets: Day and night markets for shopping and street food
- Live Music & Entertainment: Bands, DJs, and open mic nights
- Expat Community: Friendly locals and long-term visitors
- Walkable Area: Easy to explore on foot, with plenty to see and do
Top Places on Soi Buakhao
Here are some of the best spots to check out on Soi Buakhao:
| Place | Type | Opens | Beer / Food | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retox Bar | Sports bar / pool | 4pm | ฿90–฿110 beer | Pool tables, Chang on tap, expat regulars |
| The Sportsman Pub | British pub | 12pm | ฿100–฿130 beer, food ฿150–฿320 | Sports screens, pub food, longer sessions |
| Prime Burger | Restaurant / bar | 11am | ฿100–฿130 beer, burgers ฿220–฿320 | Best burgers on the soi; dinner stop |
| Chunky Monkey | Bar & restaurant | 11am | ฿90–฿120 beer, food ฿120–฿250 | Casual; affordable; good for lunch |
| Open-air pool bars (mid-soi) | Beer bars | 2pm | ฿80–฿110 beer | Cheapest beers, social, pool tables free with drinks |
| Soi Buakhao Market | Day market | 8am | Food from ฿40 | Fresh produce, cooked food, cheap breakfast |
Soi Buakhao Map Orientation
Soi Buakhao runs roughly north-south, parallel to Second Road. Key reference points:
- Northern end: Soi Khao Talo intersection — quieter, more local
- Middle section: The busiest part — Tree Town Market, most bars and restaurants
- Southern end: Near Soi 6 and Beach Road intersection — easy access to beach
- Soi Bongkot: Short side street off Soi Buakhao, worth exploring for quieter bars
Bar Write-Ups
Retox Bar
One of the social anchors of Soi Buakhao. Pool tables always in use, cheap Chang (฿90–฿110), and an easy-going crowd of expats and regulars. Open from around 4pm. Good first stop before moving further down the soi.
The Sportsman Pub
British pub format with multiple sports screens and a solid food menu — fish and chips, pies, burgers, Sunday roast. Beers ฿100–฿130. One of the better spots for a longer sit-down session with food and sport. Open from noon.
Prime Burger
Widely regarded as the best burgers on Soi Buakhao (฿220–฿320). Cold beers ฿100–฿130 and casual outdoor seating. Good for a dinner stop at 7–8pm before the night continues. Open from 11am.
Open-Air Pool Bars (Mid-Soi)
Several open-air beer bars run along the middle stretch of Soi Buakhao. No cover, beers ฿80–฿110 (the cheapest on the soi), and pool tables free to use if you're drinking. The most social and relaxed option — good for a long afternoon session.
Soi Bongkot
A short side street off Soi Buakhao. Smaller, quieter bars with a dive-pub character. The long-term expat crowd tends to gravitate here later in the evening. Open from around 6pm, some bars run until 2–3am.
Food on Soi Buakhao
Soi Buakhao has some of the best-value eating in central Pattaya:
- Local Thai restaurants — multiple options along the soi; dishes ฿80–฿180. Mae Sri Ruen and similar local spots serve pad thai, som tam, grilled meats, and rice dishes
- Street food stalls — set up from around 6pm; grilled skewers ฿20–฿40 each, som tam ฿60–฿80, noodle soup ฿60–฿80
- Western pub food — Sportsman Pub and Prime Burger; ฿180–฿320 for a full meal
- Soi Buakhao Market (mornings) — fresh produce and cooked food from ฿40; great for a cheap breakfast
Tip: Eating at street stalls or local Thai restaurants before bar hopping keeps the night affordable — three Thai dishes cost the same as one pub burger.
Related Guides
- Pattaya Chill Night Timeline
- Pattaya Nightlife Map
- Soi 6 Guide
- Walking Street Pattaya Guide
- Best Bars on LK Metro
- Best Girls Bars in Pattaya
- Best Restaurants in Pattaya
- Pattaya Budget Calculator
Tips for Enjoying Soi Buakhao
- Start during happy hour (4–7pm at most bars) — beers from ฿65–฿80 vs ฿100–฿130 later in the evening
- Walk the full soi first before choosing where to settle — the atmosphere at each bar varies and it is easy to find a spot that suits you
- No dress code — shorts and sandals are fine everywhere; this is not a Walking Street club
- Carry small notes (฿20, ฿50, ฿100) — makes paying for beers at open-air bars much smoother
- Combine Soi Buakhao with a late walk to LK Metro or Walking Street — a 3–5 minute Grab ride (฿50–฿80) if you want to continue the night at agogos or clubs after 10pm
FAQ: Soi Buakhao
What is Soi Buakhao known for?
Soi Buakhao is the expat heart of Pattaya — pool bars, British pubs, open-air beer bars, and girls bars with bar fines. Beers from ฿80–฿120. The vibe is more relaxed than Walking Street or LK Metro, with a heavy expat and regular crowd. No agogos, but girls bars are present throughout the soi. Happy hour runs 4–7pm at most bars with beers from ฿65–฿80.
Is Soi Buakhao safe for tourists?
Yes — Soi Buakhao is one of the safer and more relaxed areas in Pattaya. It is well-lit, busy from 5pm, and the expat community gives it a notably friendly atmosphere. Normal precautions apply (watch your belongings, keep your wallet secured) but it is generally safe to walk alone at night.
What are the best things to do on Soi Buakhao?
Bar hop the beer bars and pool bars, eat at Prime Burger or The Sportsman Pub, try local Thai food at the street stalls (from ฿40–฿80 per dish), and explore Soi Bongkot (a quieter side street off Soi Buakhao) after 10pm. The street is fully walkable and there is no need for transport between stops.
Are there markets on Soi Buakhao?
Yes — Soi Buakhao has a daytime fresh-produce market (open mornings) with cooked food, fruit, and Thai essentials. Street food stalls set up from around 6pm along the soi with grilled skewers, som tam, and noodles from ฿40–฿80.
Share This Guide
For more travel tips and the latest updates, check out our other Pattaya guides!