Lima Bar
Lima Bar: a small bar that's still getting started, but does excellent cocktails - try the chocolate martini. Located at the end of the village road, next to Buddy Bar.
Ploy Bar
A large, generally thai-style night spot that often has live acts and some manner of sideshow games. located in the middle of haat sai kaew, a big establishment, you can't miss it.
Sunrise Bar
A small, newly opened bar located on the 'mermaid headland' at the bottom of naga hill, this bar is a nice spot to relax with a drink in the late afternoon, or chill out and enjoy their selection of guest djs.
Naga Bar
At the top of 'naga hill' between haat sai kaew and ao hua khok. once 'the' bar on the island, it has gone downhill somewhat in the last few years, but still a good place to hang and enjoy cheap drinks and a few games of pool with locals and tourists alike.
Tok's Little Bar
A small thatched hut serves as the main bar for this laid back, chilled out drinking spot located next to naga bar. they generally have good drink specials and a different theme for every night, so grab a bucket and chill out on a mat on the beach. occasionally has some fireshows and special parties.
Gecko Bar
Located just next to silversand, this small but personal bar offers a superb selection of specialty cocktails and icecream sundaes, as well as pool tables and movies. you can't go past the bar's signature cocktail, the 'beach bar coffee'.
Baywatch bar
Ao wong duan, (http://www.baywatchbar.com). popular bar for foreigners and thais on ao wong duan with very relaxed chairs and an extended cocktail list to enjoy those long thai nights.
Although Ko Samet is not a renowned party island, Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai do get their fair share of backpackers, and therefore have their fair share of parties. Everyday on Ao Phai flyers are handed out from the different bars that advertise the drink specials for that night, and might even give you a free drink. Biggest nights are generally Thursday-Saturday, when more backpackers, expats and locals from Bangkok come to the island.
The main bars along Hat Sai Kaew are:
...and along Ao Hua Khok / Ao Phai are:
The local special can be reproduced as follows:
one child's sandbucket, small
one pint Mekong whiskey
one can Coca-cola or Pepsi
one bottle Thai Red Bull
one scoop ice Optional, most hardcore people can make the ice from tap water, which guarantees a massive hangover.
one to four straws
Place all ingredients in sandbucket and drink via straw. Repeat until the sandy beach rises up to meet you.
There's also the usual assortment of Thai beer - Chang, Tiger, San Miguel, Leo, and Carlsberg. Prices are significantly higher than on the mainland, but most bars have some form of happy hour. Alternatively, there's always the option of buying a 6-pack and sitting on the beach; for non-drinkers there are tropical fruit drinks.