Yangon's nightlife is better than what I expected, even though it will need a few more years before it becomes travel-worthy.

For now, it is still a bit rough around the edges and somewhat repetitive. I counted over 15 nightclubs, but only 3-4 that I really enjoyed. The others are either too loud, too quiet or they simply have too many prostitutes. On the plus side, I was happy to find out that they are usually open every night of the week, sometimes until late, and that Burmese are enthusiastic party-goers.

Update 2021: Since this review was written before the 2021 Military Coup d'état in Myanmar and before COVID-19, I deleted most of the venues that were previously listed below. Please let me know if some new bars or clubs have opened by leaving a comment at the end of the article. Thanks in advance!

For the latest information in English about what's happening in Yangon, I recommend checking the Instagram page of Myanmar Mix. It's up-to-date and it covers anything from art, travel, food, politics, and nightlife.

Note: The Myanmar currency is the Kyat (MMK). At the time of writing: 1 USD = 1,407MMK

Yangon Nightlife - Quick Summary
If you don't have time to read my whole review, below is a short summary:

Where to stay?
To be close to both the nightlife and the tourist sites, stay in the downtown area near the Sule Pagoda.

→ 5-star:
Shangri-La Hotel Sule: 200$/night 

→ 4-star:
Best Western Chinatown Hotel (80$/night)

→ 3-star:
City Star Yangon (40$/night)

→ 2-star and dormitory
Backpacker Bed and Breakfast

→ Hotels With Nightclubs
Parkroyal (Music 5), Yangon International Hotel (Pioneer), Inya Lake Hotel (DJ's Bar, Inya Bar) and Kandawgyi Palace Hotel (The Clubhouse).

Where to party?
If you are a backpacker: Go to 19th street to eat, drink beer and meet other travelers. More recently, Sanchaung Street has become more popular with the local youth. They have several bars with live music, cheap beer, and some street food. Another popular sport for travelers and backpackers is the reggae bar 7th Joint.

If you live in the North of Yangon: Go to Kanbawza Street for eating or to Kan Yeik Thar Street for drinking. If you are young, Fuse Club in Myanmar Plaza Mall is trendy.

Tourists/Expats with a comfortable budget: Sunset at a rooftop (Atlas, Penthouse, Yangon Yangon), dinner in Shwe Sa Bwe, Opera (Italian) or Le Planteur (French). More drinks on 50th Street. For partying, go to the bar in Parkroyal to enjoy some live music.

How to get around?
Taxis don't have a meter so you need to negotiate directly with the driver. Crossing Yangon from Chinatown to Inya Lake costs about 4,000MMK. Traffic jams are a big problem during the day (average speed: 10 kilometers/hour) but it gets better after 8pm.

Thankfully, you can now use transportation apps such as Grab, which is the equivalent of Uber in Southeast Asia. It is cheaper, safer and easier.

Walking is fine for short distances, especially during the cooler months from December to February. Sidewalks are generally well-maintained. At night, it is not so safe as the streets are dark and filled with stray dogs. Burmese drive like crazy and they'd run over you just to avoid slowing down.

Travel Insurance
Dog bites, dengue fever, car accidents, food poisoning, etc... Your health is more at risk in Myanmar and the proper hospitals (International Clinic in Parami Hospital) are very expensive. Make sure you have solid travel insurance that covers your whole trip. If you don't have one, I suggest WorldNomads.

Nightlife Areas in Yangon
Overview of nightlife areas in Yangon
I created the map above to give you an idea about the different nightlife areas in Yangon. I also made a more detailed Google Maps that you can see at the bottom of this article.

The 6 major nightlife areas in Yangon are the following (ranked from North to South):

1) Inya Lake Hotel Compound
Within the Inya Lake Hotel compound, there are 2 upmarket nightclubs. A few hundred meters away, in Kan Yeik Thar Street, there are some less expensive bars and restaurants targeting both expats and wealthy Burmese.

2) Myanmar Plaza and Bahan
One of the poshest neighborhoods in Yangon, it is also where you'll find the trendiest nightclubs and bars. They can be found in the brand new mall Myanmar Plaza (Fuse), on Kabar Aye Road or in Kanbawza Street.

3) Kandawgyi Lake and Shwedagon Pagoda
This is not exactly a nightlife area, but you have several rooftop bars and cafés targeting tourists and locals. You can have a drink there at sunset time. In particular, The Penthouse has a beautiful view of Shwedagon Pagoda.

At night, it becomes more sketchy. On the main road, you may encounter ladyboys looking for customers. There are also luxury KTVs such as VIP and The One.

4) Yangon International Hotel Compound
This popular complex next to the Summit Parkview Hotel and the Yangon International Hotel is home to Pioneer club and a few more bars. I'm not writing down their names as they may change frequently.

5) Mingalar Mon Market
UPDATE JUNE 2017: This area of Yangon has been closed down by the police. It used to be a multi-storey complex with several huge nightclubs and KTVs.

6) Downtown Yangon, Chinatown (19th Street)
This is the older part of town where most tourists stay when they visit Yangon. The clubs, bars and restaurants are diverse and they are scattered around a large area. Some are popular with backpackers (part of 19th Street and particularly Kosan bar), some with Chinese visitors (Emperor KTV in City Central Plaza), some with NGO workers (7th Joint), some with businessmen (Club 5 in Parkroyal Hotel) and some with expats (50th Street Café).

40 comments to '' Yangon Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars (Updated 2021) "

ADD COMMENT
  1. Great current info, this guy gets around!
    Thanks for the effort.

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  2. Nasa Club and KTV, JJ, 9th floor, Asia entertainment city from Mingalar Mon Market were already shudown in this month.

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  3. heard Mingalar mon market pubs reopend for weekends only!
    not sure though.
    picked this up from one of the "girls" at the park royale club

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  4. since the y made tons of money, police didn't close this spot. it's been sold, going to be a high rise shopping and condo deveopment

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  5. Went to Dj's last night, good crowd, a lot of prostitutes. Was going to go to Inya Lake bar after but apparently it's closed down.

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  6. Thank you very much, you should become a professional party and hang out advisor in more cities :) great and straight to the point

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  7. DJ bar was open at nine, do not come early, the same to Muse bar in Myanmar Plaza, Emperor was full of prostitution, you can choose at lounge as well as ktv room, but there is 50000-80000mmk fee for room cost

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    Replies
    1. Has JJ's Entertainment re-opened?

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  8. Taxi service in Myanmar getting developed with Grab and Uber mobile platform application.

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  9. the vibe is not safe and supevisor are steeling from guest.

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  10. The hole complex (JJ's, Channel V etc.) is still closed.

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  11. Oh yes everything you have written is perfect just the prices have gone up everywhere

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  12. Brave they ask for you to purchase a bottle of whisky if entering as a single on a weekday. So I gave it a miss. Can stick the bottle up thrir ass.
    Mingalar Mon market - Went there just for the fk sake and nothing is opened, Everything is closed from what the locals around said.
    Pioneer theres plenty of staff around. On weekdays the quality of babes is just not there and it turns out to be more desperate men going for anything. The music was mostly electro techno. Beer is cheap there 4000 for a Myanmar. Left around 12.30am.
    Pyrite next to DJ Bar empty when I took a look. No charge there but if busier would say they would.
    DJ bar not a bad place, good music playing, weekday not as busy thou around 12am. I am sure if I am to stay long til 3am it would be busy. Quality of babes in the bar on the side are not bad. Soon as you walk in there they eye you off.

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  13. https://coconuts.co/yangon/news/mingalar-mon-market-ktv-owners-employees-protest-ycdc-order-shut/

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  14. Great review. What are current price ranges for a good looking girl ST-LT?

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    Replies
    1. Min. $100 USD :)

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    2. $100 for fancier places such as Park Royal, less in Emperor.

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  15. Min Ga Lar Mon clubs are reopened with early closing time.

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  16. Dj's permanently closed. Guess all the girls went across the border to Pyrite???

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  17. Is mangalar mon market entertainments open again ?

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  18. I was last week in Yangon. DJ's bar has changed name to Cele, 95% Burmese people and no working girls 10000k entrance. Club 5 was not so busy, 50% Burmese and 50% tourists. 90% working girls. Entrance is 13500k. Pioneer was big and busy mostly with Burmese, close to 95%. Working girls I could count 5, so about 10% of the girls there. Entrance is 10000k. The taxi driver told me that Brave had more girls but I was since the level was a bit disappointing I decided not to try

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  19. This site will be really helpful for my upcoming trip to Yangon.
    Thank you!
    By the way, I heard there was also the night club in Sedona hotel.
    How about it?

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  20. Anyone tried Apple bar? I heard it’s new JJ

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  21. Hi
    Thanks for fresher news. Can't really find any proper info on nightlife after 2013-14.
    Does anyone know if those fashion show parades still happen at some places. Have seen loads of videos on YouTube.
    Thanks a lot again.

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    Replies
    1. Not anymore but you can try on Empror and diamond lake hotel (Apple bar)

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  22. is best western girl guest friendly

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    Replies
    1. Do you mean Best Western Chinatown ? Yes it's girl-friendly but the girl may need to register and give her ID

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  23. BW ist guest-friendly, but strict and asking girl for details of ID (in case they use other’s ID)

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  24. Prices: despite the economic growth slowdown the prices are rising steep. My cheapest deal was a girl (good-looking, 22y, no kids) from 22:00 - 04:00 (obviously her BF waited for his ride) for USD 80.
    In Pioneer a PRO called USD 150 / 300 for ST / LT, could get her down to 100/200. LT contained morning glory.
    In Cele (ex-DJs) a real stunner (approx. 28-30, top body, top clothing, habits and very good English) started to ask for USD 1000 for LT at around 24:00. After some drinks had her down to USD 700 with happy morning (but I did not go)

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  25. Oh My God! Most Expencive in the world? Myanmar Yangon. Everybody crezy. Too many HIV, AIZ. Emperor's waiter 23, 24, 14, 34(most of them), Demand TIP! IF don't give, they change the attitude shout and commend to customer all every situation. so many girl want to get add money and treat, shout to customer in the room like "call police!"(to call another boy or customer) Don't go to Yangon and Emperor !!!!!

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  26. EMPEROR YANGON MYANMAR

    ★★★ Becareful Most Bad Waiter who 24, 23 Numbers! Emperor in Yangon City ★★★

    1. They approach to new customer to get the Big money by the Tip under the guise of Kindness.
    2. No, 24 waiter demand the Tip after introduce the girl and then customer give 10,000ks to him. But No, 24 waiter approach and interfere the same customer's another days again and again ....., visting customer even to take sit another waiter table.
    3. If customer deny No, 24 waiter that Bad waiter try to impede[interfere with] a customer´s playing under the bad and illegal ways!
    A. The bad waiter comeing to customer's table and tocuh the customer and distroy playing as if to try to take out the rings customer's fingers.
    B. He point a finger at laugh to infront of customer when together lady.
    C. He try to distory the customer's playing with lady like to shout or command to customer "Don't huging the lady!" OH MY GOD!
    D. He say to the customer's lady at behind like that "Don't meet to customer, he is very bad" by Gossip.
    E. Bad waiter No, 24 want to distory the customer's playing in Emperor even He is a Bad Owner.

    How about No, 23 Bad Waiter!

    He is same bad person like under the way

    1. He approach to new customer to get the big money under the guise of kindness.
    2. But No, 23 waiter approach and interfere the same customer's another days again and again....., visting customer even to take sit another waiter table.
    3. If customer deny No, 23 waiter that Bad waiter try to impede[interfere with] a customer´s playing under the bad and illegal ways!
    A. The bad waiter comeing to customer's table and He wandered[roamed] around the customer's table even come to another waiter table.
    B. He standing and watching to customer infront of customer's table like watchdog.
    C. He try to distory the customer's playing with lady like to Shout or Command to customer. He swear by myanmar language to customer. OH MY GOD!
    D. Bad waiter No, 23 want to harass the customer in Emperor even He is a Bad Owner.

    Dear Mr Tun Nay Aung and Mr Lin Htut Kyaw is Manager of Emperor, How most very bad They are! I don't want to see Them any more in Emperor~

    I hope that Emperor to be development by Global in Yangon together with the other good waiters!

    20. Oct. 2018.


    ★★BE CAREFULL! SOME BAD WAITER★★

    Emperor some Waiter who No **, HE say Badmouthing(slandering) to emperor Ladys about Customer. Because He want to got a Bic money by Commission from customer to introduce his lady.

    He spread bad story, backpacking be created by himself about Customer to emperor ladys

    He disturb the relaitionship with ladys and customer to meet by Themself.

    Andthen He got the money name of commission from new lady and customer after introduce the his lady to customer.

    One time, He try to got a 30,000ks from the Customer by illegal. It's a criminal. It's a very bad for the customer, lady, other good waiter, also Emperor~

    BECAREFULL! BAD EMPEROR WAITER LIKE THAT. HIS NUMBER IS **~


    Very Hot and Dirty Entrance.....

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  27. Great article thank you. Helped me a lot to choose a place to go. Just a few notes about Myanmar Plaza where I went with my mate on a Friday evening.

    The place is actually a shopping mall closing at 9PM. Confusing it is already as the nightlife is just gonna get started then. To get to the top floor (4th floor) inside the building can be tricky at first. You can reach up to the 3rd floor via escalators, then you have to use a lift to get to the 4th. Later on we found some other lifts which lead from the main road straight to the top floor. After 9PM this is the only way to get in and out.

    The top floor is pretty cool, all the bars and clubs are organized in a big circle. You can walk around the middle and pop in wherever you like. We were looking for Fuse but even after two circles we were unable to find it. So we just stood nearby Eclipse and were looking for girls for flirting. Very soon two nice chicks arrived and sat down on the edge of the middle circle. I went there and asked them where Fuse were. They showed us the entrance but it wasn’t open yet, so they suggested to go to Eclipse together – hell yeah :) There’s two ways to get in to Eclipse – pay the entrance fee (10,000 Kyat / person) or buy a table combo which includes various drinks and light bites (140,000 Kyat is the cheapest!). Either way you will get a table. So we paid the entrance fee rather and ordered some beer (small glass of Heineken from the tap 3,000 Kyat). The live music was fantastic and the singer girls were super hot. Good atmosphere in all. After a short chat our chicks suggested to go to our hotel rooms and they can be ours until 6AM for 100 USD (each of course). We refused the offer, but it was very tempting. They disappeared very quickly. Anyway, if you wanna pick up some girls for whatever reason, then do not go straight in to any of the bars, just stay nearby the large lit-up MYANMAR PLAZA sign as that is the best spot to see the arriving guests and also to be seen. Then start a conversation with any free chick you fancy – ‘Excuse me, could you please tell me where the Fuse nightclub is?’

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  28. Best Western Chinatown hotel NOT guest friendly.It's a decent hotel if you can score a good rate (and aren't looking to party) but security not letting women in.

    After some involved discussion, they were willing to let my guest in - if I paid a $10 "joiner" fee. (Screw that. And screw the Best Western Chinatown.)

    Give it a pass.

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  29. Othentic is a gay friendly coffee/Restaurant in Yaw min gyi opened since 2016

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  30. Emperor has raised the entrance fee to 10000 mmk for guys. One free can of beer with the fee. No bottle though, which was bs. Lots of girls on the weekends. Very easy pickings.
    If you're picking up a working girl then you can haggle for the prices a bit. The day I picked one, mine started with 100,000 for ST and 130,000 for LT. Got her to agree to 50,000 mmk for ST.

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  31. Official Exchange rate now 2100. Market rate now 2900.
    Taxis and delivery services stop running at 8.
    Curfew from Midnight to early morning.
    ATMs not working.
    You are charges 15000 at the airport for a fake covid test with instant results.




    Alcohol available in mini-marts.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, when did you get to myanmar?, is it safe now? Im planning in going there this December. Thanks

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