The Best of Cambodia & Laos

238
VIENTIANE
11
NIGHTLIFE
unsavory-looking types on visa renewals from across the river makes it all feel a little
rough. They also have a selection of fairly indifferent Western food. The staff is very
capable and friendly, however, and given its slightly explosive nature it is very well managed.
The view is beautiful and worth the climb. Open daily 10am to midnight. Fa Ngum.
& 020/787-3965.
Future Nightclub This is another deafening, thumping nightclub with frenetic
lighting situated just past the Novotel. It gets very busy even on weekdays. Like Lunar 6
it follows the Thai format and there is no dance floor. Revelers stand around their table
laden with Black Label and Beer Lao and jiggle about madly. Be aware that the Future
has an aspect of very marked sleaze about it but not threateningly so. You will not be
harassed if you wish to jiggle in peace. It ostensibly closes at 1:30am. In practice they are
often open longer. Open daily 5pm to 1:30am. Luang Prabang Rd. (just past the Novotel).
The Jazzy Brick As chic as its name suggests, the Jazzy Brick’s rampage to impose
good taste means that customers will only be allowed in to sip expensive cocktails if they
are properly attired; no shorts or sleeveless shirts allowed. The place is cool (quite literally,
given the generous A/C) with lots of dark wood, brass fittings, and laid-back music, but
it is also very expensive which may be intentional on their part to further deter those they
view as the shorts-wearing riff raff. All said it is a class act. Open daily 11am to midnight.
Setthathirath Rd. & 021/212-489.
Lunar 36 On the roof of the monstrous Don Chan Palace Hotel, the Lunar 36 adds
to the already tasteless tackiness with wild abandon. It is a booming modern nightclub
open ’til late and packed with a fairly wide assortment of customers from well-groomed
visiting businessmen, to young clubbers, to a local good-time crowd. It’s fun if you are
in the mood for a weekend night out bathed in the glow of vulgar neon and deafened by
the sound of techno tunes. It remains the most popular disco in town and is open until
the small hours. There is, however, no dance floor. People dance about around the tables
where they drink in a style borrowed from Thailand. Open daily 6am to 11:30pm. 6 Ban
Piawat, Fa Ngum Rd. & 021/244-288. Fax 021/244-111. www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com.
Martini Lounge This is another upscale cocktail bar, and it is pretty relaxing and well
thought out if you wish to lounge in the heavily air-conditioned half-light of an acquired
international elegance. They have happy hours on Monday and Wednesday between
6pm and 7:30pm when you can get two-for-one cocktails. They also show movies
upstairs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 8pm. On Thursday they spread the
word of salsa dancing. Nokeo Khumman. www.martini-laos.com.
On the Rock This is a lively nightclub with a live band that makes you feel you have
been flung back through time to 1982, when big bouffant hairdos, tight stonewashed
jeans, and white high-top sneakers were the order of the day. It is a world where the band
Toto could actually be fashionable. Once you are over the shock of the time shift, you
will have a great time as the young Lao crowd rocks out in a dated but charming fashion.
This club is supposed to close at midnight, like everywhere else. It often seems to manage
to still be open at 1:30am on weekends. Open daily 7:30pm–midnight. Luang Prabang
Rd. No phone.
The Samlo Pub This is probably the latest opening bar or pub in town and as a result
attracts an end-of-the-night crowd of the usual backpackers, expat late-risers, and singleminded
sex workers. It is one of the oldest pubs in town and fills up after everywhere else