Bright neon lights, loud music and countless drinking opportunities – Pattaya’s Walking Street is a colourful assault on the senses.

Though best known for its nightlife and rowdy red-light scene, Pattaya’s Walking Street is also home to a surprising number of restaurants, live music, beer bars, Muay Thai venues and plenty of street vendors to fulfil after-hours cravings.

First landing on the international map during the Vietnamese War when American soldiers would visit during their R&R leave, Pattaya has become a global destination known for its seaside scenery and somewhat hedonistic reputation. The city really started to see a tourism boom in the 1980s and hasn’t slowed down since – the popular holiday getaway is often considered one of Thailand’s top three tourist destinations.

Spanning a kilometre of Beach Road along Pattaya Beach, the densely packed walking street (meaning no cars allowed in the evening) stays quiet during the day then comes alive as the sun starts to set and stays busy late into the night with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. With so many venues, cuisines and entertainment types to choose from, you could easily head to the strip every night of the week and still discover more.

Here’s what to do and where to go for a fun night out at Pattaya’s Walking Street.

Restaurants on Pattaya’s Walking Street

There are dozens of casual eateries to choose from on Pattaya’s Walking Street. Ranging from sprawling seafood outlets to American-style diners, Italian restaurants to French cafes, you’re never far from a delicious meal.

Lobster Pot Pattaya and King Seafood Pattaya are two of the strip’s popular seafood restaurants both boasting extensive seafood menus featuring fresh catches of the day and stunning views overlooking Pattaya Bay and out into the Gulf of Thailand. If you’re a seafood lover, stopping at one of these buzzing restaurants is a must to fill up on platters of local fish, squid, crab, clams and cockles. Though busy, the bustling vibe is part of the restaurants’ appeal.

The European-influenced La Notte jazz bar and restaurant serves fantastic French and Italian fare complete with European wine and cocktails. The popular restaurant has an indoor dining room as well as an open-air candlelit terrace that lends itself to a more romantic atmosphere.

A more casual option for those seeking western cuisine is New York Diner, which offers an extensive menu of American dishes such as big breakfasts, fresh green salads, pasta and, of course, hamburgers.

Bars on Pattaya’s Walking Street

While there are almost countless bars to choose from, some perennial favourites include the grungy Utopia Rock House (known for its house band playing rock covers nightly), The Stones House (a newer two-storey establishment featuring live bands playing rock, jazz, hip hop, blues, jazz and more) and My Way Beer Bar (a casual bar that’s known for being one of Pattaya’s most popular ladyboy bars).

Whatever your nightlife preference, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to throw back some bottles of ale and see where the night leads!