Buddies

Buddies keeps things easy on Sai Kaew Beach — an open-front, toes‑in‑the‑sand bar where the beer is cold, the staff are chatty, and you can watch the sea glow after sunset. It’s the reliable meeting point on Koh Samet when you want something simple and sociable without the fuss or the thump of a full‑blown beach party. Regulars know the drill: grab a stool facing the sand, rack up a game on the pool table, and keep an eye on the screens for live sports. Prices are friendly (beers from 80 THB), and there’s no dress code beyond flip‑flops. The crowd skews toward island‑hopping expats and repeat Samet fans who appreciate a bar that remembers your name and your drink. Swing by after dinner — it fills up around 10pm — for a couple of easy rounds before calling it a night or wandering up the beach. If you’re staying near Sai Kaew, Buddies is close enough for a last‑minute nightcap and early enough to catch last orders at 11pm. No cover, no pretense, just a straightforward beach bar that does its job well.