KOH TAO PUB CRAWL 3RD
All You Need to Know About South East Asia’s Biggest Pub Crawl. One of the smallest yet most popular islands in Thailand, Koh Tao is home to the biggest pub crawl in South East Asia, and it’s not to be missed. This event is ideal for meeting new people; moreover, you’ll probably bump into old friends you’ve made on the South East Asia backpacker trail. My friend Paddy couldn’t praise the Koh Tao Pub Crawl enough, and it sure lived up to its expectations. Essentially, it’s the usual routine of going to a few bars and getting drunk. However, there are a few subtle differences in this pub crawl. Sometimes you go to a pool party, and other times you go to a beach bar to watch a fire show. If you are really lucky, you’ll end up at a Ladyboy Cabaret Show!
IT’S SOMETHING YOU MUST DO!!
I’ve now lost count of how many times I’ve taken part. It has now reached the stage where the owner of the bar and pub crawl recognizes me. This is probably due to the fact that I haven’t missed one over the past two weeks. Consequently, he was happy to offer me a job.
All You Need to Know About South East Asia’s Biggest Pub Crawl
The pub crawl happens three times a week and costs a few hundred Baht, a small price to pay for what you get! Firstly, you will visit four bars, which isn’t a lot by pub crawl standards. However, this isn’t any old pub crawl. Myself, the three Americans, and the Swedes all went together and looked our usual 1 Million Baht! The bars you’ll visit depend on the night you go, as they like to mix it up day to day. Each time, it starts upstairs in Choppers Bar. After signing in, getting your free T-shirt, bucket, and your name on your arm, it’s off to the Ladyboy Cabaret Show to ‘loosen you up’.
LADYBOY CABARET
If you used your wildest imagination to guess what happens in this club, you probably wouldn’t come close! After the “show,” a girl and a guy are chosen from the crowd and given a lap dance from a ladyboy. Interestingly, Asa wasn’t so much chosen but more chose herself to get the lap dance. She loved every second of it.
Asa loving it
It’s all a good laugh and a great way to set the tone for the rest of the night. However, there are only so many of these you can watch before it becomes repetitive. Therefore, a few of us stood outside with others who couldn’t get in (there were quite a few of us). Since drinks inside are limited, it’s better to get yourself a bucket of Sangsom outside.
The locals
POOL PARTY
After any photos with the ladyboys, it’s onto the pool party as everyone is well lubricated with alcohol. Therefore, come prepared and wear swimmers if you plan to jump in. However, most of us are straight in regardless, getting a free shot in the process. You can imagine the carnage. Here, you might come across a little fella with a Connect 4 board. Connect 4 is big business around Koh Tao, with hustlers trying to make a few baht by beating you. I won but left it at that. The boys told me the guy let me win to draw me into a false sense of security, which wasn’t true. His face said it all, but I wasn’t willing to go for round two.
All You Need to Know About South East Asia’s Biggest Pub Crawl
MY FIRST SAKE BOMB EXPERIENCE
At this stage, everyone is a little worse for wear. Now, it’s off to the Fish Bowl, one of my favorite bars in Koh Tao. If you fancy a quiet drink and a bite in the evening, or if you prefer to go all out until the early hours of the morning, the Fish Bowl offers both. The bar has beer pong tables galore (and official rules for any disputes). Interestingly, it’s the only game you get better at the more you drink.
I don’t even smoke but who wouldn’t enjoy lighting a cig this way
This is where I meet Jason with his little man bag, ready to start his night with a couple of sake bombs for me. These things are the bane of my life, and he knows it! It’s a tumbler full of Chang (Thai beer) with two chopsticks lying on top and a shot of sake (Japanese shot) on top of the sticks. A hard thump on the table spreads the chopsticks, and the shot of sake drops into the Chang. The result is absolute rocket fuel. No matter how many times I experience the outcome, I never learn!
Sake Bomb
The fire performers are always happy to let you have a go!
After beer pong, dancing on tables, throwing a few firesticks, and some more sake bombs, it’s back to Choppers to finish the night with a live band. However, I more often than not finish in the Fish Bowl as it’s a better vibe. Additionally, Choppers is a 10-minute walk, which is a challenge at this stage of the night.
Never play with fire kids. Rose’s effort to stop the burning will always crack me up
FINAL THOUGHTS
The pub crawl is famous around this part of asia and def worthwhile to experience whether in a group or on your own, it’s a great way to meet new like minded people (people who like to party).
NEXT UP
Taking a few Kayaks out to Nangyuan Island the most photographed place of Koh Tao. Click here to read it.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
23/229
This post is part of The South East Asia Series, for the next article click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you been to Koh Tao, did you try the pub crawl?
- Have you ever tried a sake bomb?
- What was your favourite bar on Koh Tao?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
