Scooter's Bar on Soi Buakhao, Pattaya
Soi Buakhao Pattaya: Best Bars, Markets & Nightlife
Soi Buakhao is the heart of Pattaya's local nightlife. Cheap beers, incredible street food, night markets, and a laid-back vibe — your complete insider guide.
Last updated: September 20, 2026
Soi Buakhao is the beating heart of Pattaya's local nightlife scene. While Walking Street draws the tour groups and Soi 6 attracts the curious, Soi Buakhao is where expats, long-term visitors, and savvy travellers come to drink, eat, and enjoy the real Pattaya atmosphere — at half the price.
Stretching from South Pattaya Road down to Pattaya Klang (Central Pattaya Road), this long soi is packed with open-air beer bars, Thai restaurants, street food vendors, and weekly markets. It's loud, chaotic, and completely authentic.
Where Is Soi Buakhao?
Soi Buakhao runs parallel to Second Road, about one block inland. It connects South Pattaya Road to Central Pattaya Road, cutting through the middle of the city. The easiest landmarks to find it are the Buakhao Market intersection and the iconic Soi Buakhao / Soi Diana junction.
If you're coming from Walking Street, head east on South Pattaya Road for about 10 minutes on foot. From Beach Road, cut through any connecting soi heading east — you'll hit Buakhao within a few blocks.
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run along Second Road and will drop you nearby for 10 THB. Motorbike taxis from anywhere in central Pattaya cost 30–50 THB.
Best Beer Bars on Soi Buakhao
Soi Buakhao is famous for its beer bars — small, open-air setups with stools, pool tables, and friendly staff. Unlike the gogos on Walking Street, these bars are relaxed, affordable, and perfect for an easy night out.
Top picks:
- Ake Bar — One of the most popular spots with great music, a lively crowd, and cheap drinks. A large Chang draft goes for 69 THB.
- Norway Bar — Attracts a Scandinavian crowd with big screens for football, cold beers at 79 THB, and a welcoming vibe.
- Butterfly Bar — Tucked into a small complex off the main road, this bar has pool tables and some of the friendliest staff on the soi.
- Stumble Inn — A long-running expat favourite near the Diana junction. Bottles of Leo or Chang start at 65 THB.
Most beer bars on Soi Buakhao charge between 65–89 THB for a domestic beer and 120–160 THB for imports. Lady drinks are typically 150 THB. Compared to Walking Street, you'll easily spend 40–50% less here.
Soi Buakhao Night Market & Street Food
Every Tuesday and Friday, the Buakhao Market takes over the intersection near Soi Khao Noi. This is one of Pattaya's best night markets and a must-visit even if you're not into the bar scene.
What to eat:
- Som Tam (papaya salad) — 40–60 THB from any of the street vendors. Ask for "mai phet" if you can't handle spice.
- Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) — 10 THB per stick. Buy five and pair with sticky rice for a 70 THB dinner.
- Pad Thai — The classic stir-fried noodle dish. Street vendors charge 50–60 THB, and the portions are generous.
- Khao Pad (fried rice) — 50–70 THB, available everywhere. Add a fried egg for 10 THB.
- Fresh fruit shakes — Mango, pineapple, or watermelon smoothies for 30–40 THB.
Beyond the market, Soi Buakhao has dozens of Thai restaurants serving proper local food at local prices. Look for the places packed with Thai customers — that's your quality indicator.
LK Metro & Soi Diana: The Side Streets
Two major nightlife zones branch off Soi Buakhao and are worth exploring:
LK Metro sits at the south end of Soi Buakhao, near the LK Renaissance hotel. This compact area is packed with beer bars, a few gogos, and a buzzing atmosphere every night. It's often described as a mini Walking Street without the tourist markup. Beers run 70–90 THB and the scene peaks between 10 PM and 1 AM.
Soi Diana branches off Soi Buakhao near the Diana Inn. This short soi has a cluster of bars, massage shops, and restaurants. It's quieter than LK Metro but still lively. Soi Diana is a good option if you want a drink without the full-on Buakhao chaos.
Drink Prices on Soi Buakhao (2026)
Here's what you can expect to pay on a typical night:
| Drink | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Domestic beer (Chang, Leo, Singha) | 65–89 THB |
| Import beer (Heineken, Tiger) | 120–160 THB |
| Cocktails | 120–180 THB |
| Lady drink | 140–160 THB |
| Bucket (vodka/whisky mix) | 200–300 THB |
| Shots | 80–120 THB |
These prices are roughly 30–50% cheaper than Walking Street and about 20% cheaper than Soi 6. Happy hour deals (usually before 8 PM) can bring domestic beers down to 49–59 THB at some bars.
Tips for Enjoying Soi Buakhao
Best time to visit: The street comes alive around 7 PM and peaks between 10 PM and midnight. The Tuesday and Friday markets start around 5 PM and wind down by 10 PM.
Bar hopping strategy: Start at the north end (near Central Pattaya Road) and work your way south toward LK Metro. This way you finish the night at the liveliest spot.
Stay safe with cash: Bring enough cash for the night — ATMs on Soi Buakhao charge 220 THB foreign withdrawal fees. Withdraw from the ATMs on Second Road or Beach Road before heading over.
Dress code: There isn't one. Soi Buakhao is casual — shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt are perfectly fine. This isn't Walking Street where some clubs have dress codes.
Watch your drink: As with anywhere in Pattaya, keep an eye on your drink. Stick to bottles you see opened in front of you rather than pre-mixed cocktails from places you don't trust.
Respect the locals: Many Thai families live on and around Soi Buakhao. Keep noise reasonable when walking back to your hotel late at night, and always be polite to street vendors and motorbike drivers.
Where to Stay Near Soi Buakhao
Staying near Soi Buakhao puts you in the middle of everything without the noise of Walking Street right outside your window.
Budget (under 800 THB/night):
- Guesthouses along Soi Buakhao itself — basic but clean rooms with AC and Wi-Fi.
- Diana Inn area — several budget hotels within stumbling distance.
Mid-range (800–2,000 THB/night):
- LK Renaissance — right at the LK Metro junction, modern rooms, pool on the roof.
- Hotels along Soi Diana — quieter location but seconds from the action.
Top-end (2,000+ THB/night):
- Properties closer to Second Road or Beach Road offer higher-end rooms while still being a short walk from Soi Buakhao.
Soi Buakhao vs Walking Street vs Soi 6
| Feature | Soi Buakhao | Walking Street | Soi 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Local & relaxed | Tourist & flashy | Raw & intense |
| Beer price | 65–89 THB | 120–180 THB | 75–100 THB |
| Crowd | Expats & regulars | Tourists & groups | Mixed |
| Best for | Chill nights, food | Big nights out, gogos | Bar crawling |
| Dress code | None | Some venues enforce | None |
| Peak hours | 8 PM–midnight | 10 PM–3 AM | 2 PM–midnight |
| Markets/Food | Excellent | Limited | Minimal |
Getting Around from Soi Buakhao
- To Walking Street: 10-minute songthaew ride (10 THB) or 50–80 THB by motorbike taxi.
- To Beach Road: 5-minute walk west through any connecting soi.
- To Jomtien: Songthaew from Second Road heading south, about 20 minutes (10 THB).
- To Terminal 21 mall: 5-minute motorbike taxi north (40 THB).
- Grab (ride-hailing app): Works well in Pattaya. A car from Soi Buakhao to Walking Street costs about 80–120 THB.
Soi Buakhao isn't the flashiest street in Pattaya, and that's exactly the point. It's where the city's real character lives — in the beer bars, the night markets, the street food stalls, and the regulars who've made this soi their second home. If you only see Walking Street, you haven't seen Pattaya.
Related Pattaya Nightlife Guides
FAQ
Is Soi Buakhao safe at night?
Yes, Soi Buakhao is generally safe at night. It's well-lit, busy with other visitors, and has a regular police presence. Use normal precautions — watch your belongings, avoid confrontations, and stick to busy areas. The biggest risk is petty theft, not violent crime.
What are the best nights to visit Soi Buakhao?
Tuesday and Friday are the best nights because of the Buakhao Night Market, which adds a whole food and shopping dimension to the bar scene. Saturday nights are also lively with larger weekend crowds. That said, every night has something going on.
How much money should I bring for a night on Soi Buakhao?
A comfortable budget is 1,000–2,000 THB for a full night including drinks, food, and transport. If you stick to domestic beers and street food, you can get by on 500–800 THB. This is significantly less than a night on Walking Street, which can easily run 3,000–5,000 THB.
Sources & References
- 1.Pattaya City Official Tourism
- 2.Buakhao Market vendor interviews (on-site)(2026-03)
- 3.Pattaya Expat Community Reports(2026)
