Kosan
Kosan occupies a corner spot on 19th Street with a ground-floor bar and a rooftop terrace that catches whatever breeze comes off the surrounding city blocks. The bar opened as a backpacker hostel and social hub, and the ground floor evolved into Chinatown's most foreigner-friendly drinking spot. The interior mixes exposed brick with wooden tables and a long bar counter staffed by English-speaking bartenders. Upstairs, the rooftop holds about 30 people and offers low-angle views across Chinatown's rooftops and the glow of nearby pagodas. The crowd is a rotating mix of the few backpackers still passing through Myanmar, NGO workers from nearby offices, and young Burmese who feel comfortable in an international setting. Draft Myanmar Beer and Tiger flow freely. The cocktail selection is basic but functional, and the food menu covers both Western and Burmese dishes. Weekend evenings sometimes feature a DJ or recorded set, but the main draw is the social atmosphere and the fact that you can have a conversation in English without difficulty.
What to Expect
Walking in from the smoke and noise of 19th Street feels like crossing a threshold. The air conditioning hits first, then you notice the English-language chatter and the Western music playing at a reasonable volume. It's the most familiar-feeling bar in Chinatown, which is either its appeal or its limitation depending on what you're looking for.
Relaxed, social, and distinctly international. The closest thing to a hostel bar in Yangon.
Western pop, indie rock, and occasional DJ sets on weekends
Anything goes. Backpacker casual is the norm. Sandals, shorts, t-shirts are standard.
Solo travelers looking to meet other foreigners, or anyone wanting an English-speaking base to start a Chinatown evening
Cash preferred (Myanmar kyat). US dollars accepted at a poor rate. Cards work intermittently.
Price Range
Draft beer 2,000-3,000 MMK, cocktails 5,000-7,000 MMK, food 3,000-8,000 MMK
Draft beer ~$0.60-0.85/~0.55-0.80 EUR, cocktails ~$1.40-2.00/~1.30-1.85 EUR
Hours
16:00-23:00 daily
Insider Tip
Head straight to the rooftop if the weather allows. The ground floor gets stuffy on hot evenings. The Burmese curry is better than the Western food on the menu.
Full Review
Kosan works as the default starting point for foreigners exploring Chinatown nightlife. The ground floor bar has about 40 seats spread between tables and bar stools, with decent air conditioning that justifies the slightly higher prices compared to the street-level beer stations outside. Staff speak English well and are genuinely helpful with recommendations for the area.
The rooftop terrace is the highlight. It's simple, just some tables and chairs with string lights, but the elevated perspective over Chinatown at night gives it a charm that the ground floor lacks. On a cool-season evening, it's one of the most pleasant places to drink in Yangon. Capacity is limited, so arriving before 7:00 PM on weekends is smart.
Drinks are straightforward. Draft beer is the main attraction, served cold and cheap by any standard except the beer stations directly outside. Cocktails won't win awards but they're mixed competently. The food menu tries to cover too much ground; stick to the Burmese dishes, which are prepared by kitchen staff who clearly know what they're doing, rather than the burgers or pasta.
Compared to 50th Street Bar a few blocks away, Kosan is more casual and younger in its crowd. Compared to the beer stations on 19th Street itself, it's more comfortable but less authentically local. It fills its niche well as the meeting point where different groups intersect. If you're in Yangon for a few nights, you'll probably end up here at least once.
The Neighborhood
Kosan sits right on 19th Street in the thick of the beer station strip. Walking out the door puts you immediately into the BBQ smoke and plastic-stool scene of Chinatown's main nightlife stretch. Pioneer is visible from the entrance.
Getting There
Walk south from Mahabandula Road into 19th Street. Kosan is on the left side within the first block. Taxis from Sule Pagoda cost 2,000-3,000 MMK.
Other Venues in Chinatown & 19th Street
Pioneer
Well-known beer station at the heart of 19th Street serving cheap draught Myanmar Beer alongside BBQ skewers. A Yangon institution.
Mojo Bar
One of Yangon's few dedicated live music venues, hosting local bands playing rock, blues, and pop covers most evenings.
50th Street Bar
Expat-friendly bar and restaurant in the Chinatown area serving craft beer, pub food, and hosting occasional trivia nights.
Feel Bar
Open-air beer bar on 19th Street with plastic furniture and a casual atmosphere. Draws a mostly local crowd with some of the cheapest draught beer in the area.