Ice Bar Lamai
Ice Bar Lamai is a long-running bar on the Lamai strip with outdoor plastic seating, a bar counter facing the road, and a functional setup that makes no claims to atmosphere beyond cold beer and reasonable prices. The bar has been in operation for over a decade and has accumulated a regular crowd of backpackers and older male tourists who value simplicity. The seating area extends onto the pavement with tables and chairs, and the bar counter runs back into a covered section. Staff are friendly and direct. The operation is honest about what it is: a cheap bar on a tourist strip.
Where to stay near Ice Bar Lamai
Hotels close to Lamai, Koh Samui.
What to Expect
A simple, no-frills roadside bar with cold beer and outdoor seating. No surprises in either direction.
Relaxed and road-facing. Good for watching the strip from a seated position.
Thai pop and international radio mix at low-to-moderate volume.
Casual. No requirements.
Budget travelers, visitors who want a first-stop drink on the Lamai strip without committing to a specific venue type.
Cash. Thai baht.
Price Range
Beer 70-100 THB per bottle. Cocktails 160-220 THB. Lady drinks 100-150 THB. No cover.
Beer ~$1.95-$2.80. Cocktails ~$4.45-$6.10. Lady drinks ~$2.80-$4.20.
Hours
16:00-01:00 daily
Insider Tip
The outdoor seating is the main draw; it positions you to see the strip's traffic and start conversations easily. Prices are among the lowest on the Lamai strip. A good starting point before moving on to the beer garden or the clubs.
Full Review
Ice Bar is one of those places that survives in tourist zones because it keeps things straightforward. Cold beer at fair prices, outdoor seating with a view of the street, and staff who don't create drama. Nothing is exceptional, nothing is terrible. The bar has been here long enough that it functions as a landmark: people meet at Ice Bar before deciding where to go, and regulars drift back to it throughout the evening.
For backpackers with limited budgets, Ice Bar's pricing is hard to beat on the Lamai strip. The 70 THB beer is genuinely 70 THB when the bill arrives. The outdoor seating positions you naturally to watch the foot traffic on the strip, which on a busy evening is as entertaining as most paid entertainment on the island.
The regular crowd includes the kinds of people who've visited Samui multiple times and chosen Lamai over Chaweng deliberately. They tend to be in their mid-thirties and above and have opinions about everything from where to eat to the state of the island generally. Ice Bar is a place where you hear them.
The Neighborhood
On the main Lamai strip, within the central cluster of bars and restaurants.
Getting There
On the main Lamai commercial road. Walking distance from most local accommodation. Visible from the road.
Other Venues in Lamai
Bauhaus Bar
Lamai's main club in a large open-air structure near the bar strip center. Live bands and DJs alternate throughout the week with a crowd that peaks after midnight on weekends.
Shamrock Bar Lamai
Irish-style pub on Lamai's main strip with sports screens, pool tables, and familiar European beers on tap. Popular with expats and long-term visitors for its straightforward no-frills atmosphere.
Lamai Beer Garden
Open-air beer bar complex with a cluster of small bars, pool tables, and bar staff in a shared courtyard setup. Standard pricing and a casual crowd of tourists and Thai regulars.
Utopia Bar
Calmer lounge bar on the edge of Lamai's main nightlife cluster. Cocktail-focused with lower volume than the clubs nearby. Good option for an early drink or a post-club wind-down.
Coco Tam's
Beach bar on Lamai Beach with swing seats, fire dancers some evenings, and a social mixed crowd. More of a sunset and early-evening destination than a late-night venue.
Club Vibe Lamai
Compact club near the center of the Lamai bar area playing commercial Thai pop and international EDM. Cheaper entry than Chaweng's main clubs and a more local crowd on weeknights.