The nightlife is on Ko Lipe and nowhere else in the marine park. Pattaya Beach has the loudest concentration: fire shows, beach bars with cushions on the sand, and DJs playing house and reggae through to one or two in the morning during high season. Walking Street has a steadier mix of small bars and a couple of slightly more grown-up places. Sunset Beach has the most low-key option — drinks on cushions, sun going down, quiet conversation.
Beer is universally cold. Cocktails are universally generous and rarely subtle. A few decent espresso cafes have opened along Walking Street in recent years for the morning-after crowd; the coconut shake stalls everywhere are the better local thirst-quencher.
On Ko Tarutao there is one small park canteen and no bar at all. Most overnight visitors there bring their own beer from the mainland.