Starz Rooftop Bar – Karon Beach

Starz is a small rooftop bar and lounge on Karon Road, run by Karon Sea Sands Resort across the street. It sits on the fourth floor of a narrow building, above O'Reilly's Irish Pub on the ground floor and Kiran's Indian restaurant and Ikigai Japanese below, and you reach it by the stairs at the side. From the top the view runs over the casuarina trees to Karon Beach and the open Andaman Sea, with the street life of Karon Beach Road below.

It is a relaxed, inexpensive place for a sundowner rather than a dress-up sky bar. The bar pours cocktails, beer and spirits, and the menu runs from bar bites and pizza to Thai dishes and grills, with a separate dining area for a proper meal.

Starz opens daily from 4.30pm to 1am. Dress is casual and there is no need to book; arrive by about 6pm for a rail-side seat at sunset.