
Roots Rock Reggae (Loi Kroh)
Roots Rock Reggae (Loi Kroh) is the satellite location of the long-running Chiang Mai reggae institution, with the original venue near the Zoe in Yellow complex on Ratvithi Road in the Old City. The Loi Kroh-adjacent room runs live bands nightly playing ska, roots reggae, dub, and rock covers, with the after-Zoe crowd of backpackers and budget travelers filling the space from midnight onward. The interior is cluttered, smoky, and timber-clad, with reggae and Marley iconography on every wall, a small stage at one end, and bar service along one side. Drinks run cheaper than most Loi Kroh venues: beer 80-100 THB, simple cocktails 150-180 THB. The crowd is heavy on European backpackers, exchange students, and music-focused regulars. Bands typically play three sets running until 1 AM.
Where to stay near Roots Rock Reggae (Loi Kroh)
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A cluttered timber-walled reggae room with Marley posters, low ceiling, and a small stage hosting cover bands playing ska, roots reggae, and rock. The energy builds through the night as Zoe in Yellow patrons drift over after midnight.
Smoky, warm, music-driven. A real reggae-bar feel without the tourist veneer.
Roots reggae, ska, dub, classic rock covers, occasional Latin
Backpacker casual. Shorts, T-shirts, sandals all fit perfectly.
Reggae fans, late-night travelers continuing from Zoe, budget drinkers, and music-focused visitors.
Cash strongly preferred, cards slow
Price Range
Beer 80-100 THB, cocktails 150-180 THB, no cover
Beer ~$2.30-2.80/€2-2.50, cocktails ~$4.20-5/€3.80-4.50
Hours
19:00 to roughly 01:00, live music from 21:30
Insider Tip
Saturday nights are the busiest, with the band running longer and the room filling completely. Cash works faster than cards. Tip the band 50-100 THB if a particular cover lands well; they pass the hat between sets.
Full Review
The room sits in a small standalone building with a beaded-curtain entrance and a chalkboard out front listing the night's band. Inside, the walls are covered in reggae posters, Bob Marley artwork, and Rasta flags, with a low timber ceiling and a small stage at the far end. Seating is mixed between bar stools, low tables, and a few floor cushions in the corners. Capacity is around 50 to 70 people when packed.
The band programming runs nightly with rotating local musicians playing reggae and rock covers. The sets typically start at 9:30 PM and run in three rotations until 1 AM, with breaks for the band to pass the hat for tips. The volume sits at a comfortable conversational level during early sets and climbs after midnight as the crowd density increases.
Compared to other reggae venues in Chiang Mai, this room is closest in feel to the original Roots Rock Reggae on Ratvithi but smaller and looser. The original has a wider open-air space and pulls more foot traffic from the Zoe complex; the Loi Kroh location runs as a more dedicated late-night reggae destination. The room is far smokier than the average Chiang Mai bar, so smoke-sensitive visitors should sit near the door.
The band tip culture is real here. Musicians pass the hat between sets and the standard tip is 50 to 100 THB if you liked a particular song. Generous tipping often gets a song dedication or a callout from the stage. The bar staff are friendly with English-speaking patrons.
The Neighborhood
Roots Rock Reggae (Loi Kroh) sits on Ratvithi Road or its immediate cross streets, depending on current signage. The Zoe in Yellow complex is two minutes away; the Loi Kroh strip is 10 minutes south.
Getting There
From Tha Phae Gate, walk 10 minutes north into the Old City along Ratchadamnoen and follow signs. From Chang Phueak Gate, three minutes south along Ratvithi. From Nimman, 15 minutes by Bolt at around 110 THB.
Address
Ratvithi Road, Tambon Si Phum, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Staying connected in Thailand
Tourist SIM cards usually require your passport and a trip to a kiosk. An eSIM works the moment you land: scan a QR, pick a data plan, done. Roaming charges from your home carrier rarely make sense for trips longer than a few days.
Airalo covers Thailand with prepaid eSIM plans starting around $5 for 1 GB. Works on iPhone XS and newer, plus most Android phones from 2020 onward. No contract, no commitment.
Browse Thailand eSIM plansOther Venues in Loi Kroh Road

The Spicy
Late-night licensed nightclub just north of Tha Phae on Chaiyaphum Road. Runs until around 5 AM and absorbs the late crowd from Loi Kroh, Zoe, and Nimman. Mixed Thai and tourist crowd, hip-hop and EDM.

Boy Blues Bar
Long-running live-blues bar on the mezzanine of the Kalare Night Bazaar complex at the east end of Loi Kroh. Smooth blues, soul, and rock most nights, opposite a small dancing-stage food court.

Bus Bar
Outdoor beer bar built around two repurposed buses overlooking the Ping River near Nawarat Bridge, at the east end of the Loi Kroh corridor. Live acoustic music, cheap beer, and a mixed traveler crowd.

6ixcret Show
Drag cabaret bar on the 2nd floor at the rear of the Night Bazaar building, just off Loi Kroh. Free admission with a two-drink minimum. Shows run Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 PM.

Ram Cabaret
Long-running ladyboy cabaret venue in the Loi Kroh corridor with nightly drag shows starting around 10 PM. Tourist-focused, with seated table service and a two-drink minimum on busy nights.

John's Place
Open-fronted sports-and-beer bar on Loi Kroh with large-screen TVs showing live Premier League, MotoGP, and rugby. Cheap bottled beer, pool tables, and a steady older-expat clientele.