Songkhla has a low-key but genuine café scene, rooted in the old town's long tradition of Chinese coffee shops. These kopitiam-style places serve strong filtered coffee with sweetened condensed milk alongside toasted bread and soft-boiled eggs — unchanged for decades. Several are clustered on Nang Ngam Road and around the old market area.
The old town is not a nightlife destination, but a handful of relaxed bars have opened in restored shophouses in recent years, aimed at Thai visitors and the small expat community. They tend to close before midnight. The beach road near Samila has a few more options for evening drinks with sea views.