If you're looking for a touch of funkiness to the usual nightlife scene, Phuket is the right place for you. Like Thailand, some of the entertainment you find here, you won't find anywhere else in the world. There are the mimics', but no one does it as good. There's a range so wide in Phuket that it's hard to know where to start unless you know what you want to see specifically first.

We start off with the Phuket town nightlife, where you get a look into the life and culture of the Thais. Try out a Thai style night club - rooms packed with people drinking and dancing and having a good time. Usually live bands provide the entertainment with music ranging from Thai-pop to groovy semi-outdated western music. If you prefer a regular pub as opposed to a club, one good bar known for its Happy Hour is Dorn's (located on Vichit Songkran) where you see most locals come after a hard day's work. Other local favourite hotspots include Suea Saming; a swanky place with a fine selection of drinks and funky music, Balika and Oasis (Mae Luan Road) and Ozone (Thalang Road) which features a multi-level dance floor.

A tip if you're you would like to party like the locals, bring your own bottle. A common thing over here would be to drink by the bottle instead of paying by the glasses (maybe because it's cheaper).

For a complete 180 on the nightlife scene, head for Patong Beach. Known as the craziest part of Phuket, this place holds itself much better now and the fun is just as wicked. Patong boasts several nightclubs and discos around the area for people to just let go and have fun like no where else. Dance floors, cheap drinks, repeated music and endless energy are found here. For the 'normal' discos, head for Bangla Road. In this vicinity, you'll find places like Tiger Disco, Tai Pan, Baya Beach (think tropical themed), and Banana Disco (popular amongst the younger folk). For the more adult orientated fun, go-go bars are popular in this district as well as Beer bars.

If you're there for the music, check out places like Saxophone and Molly Malone's with live bands and if you prefer the upscale bars Patong satisfies that too. Club Rio for one, known for its cool Latin jazz and The Sofa, a place filled with ( you guessed it ) large plush sofa's and armchairs where you can sip martinis. For something completely wild, (not for kids) try watching a Cabaret. It's both fun and fascinating and something you can only see in Phuket!

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Phuket rentals & Vacation Rentals http://www.holiday-velvet.com/