Wind West — Attraction in Vientiane Capital

Vientiane absolutely stole my heart, and a huge part of that was thanks to Wind West. This little music venue isn't fancy by any means, but it's got that special something that makes you feel instantly welcome.

The first thing that hits you is the atmosphere. It's intimate, with fairy lights strung across the ceiling and mismatched furniture that somehow works perfectly. Everyone there seemed to be genuinely enjoying the music, a mix of local bands and international acts. It felt less like a show and more like a gathering of music lovers.

The owner, this amazing woman named Mai, runs the place with a passion that's infectious. She goes out of her way to chat with everyone, recommend drinks (trust me, try the tamarind juice!), and create a space where everyone feels comfortable. I ended up spending hours there, talking to fellow travelers and locals alike, all drawn together by the fantastic music.

Honestly, Wind West isn't just a bar, it's an experience. It's the kind of place that makes you understand why you travel, where you connect with people from all walks of life over a shared love of music. If you're ever in Vientiane, do yourself a favor and skip the fancy tourist traps. Head to Wind West, grab a drink, and let the good vibes wash over you. You...

By far, this is the best bar on the planet. I was really surprised to find it in Laos, but there it is. There are two reasons for it: live music and audience. Let me elaborate.

The band that performs there (not sure if it's a band even, there are like 5-10 musicians, changing one another) is superb and professional. Especially the lady that sings - she's got an absolutely amazing strong and beautiful voice and one can only wonder why isn't she doing a world tour and isn't famous. Not only does she have a voice, but she and other musicians are so charming, always talking to each other between the songs, laughing and taking requests from the audience (executing them perfectly, btw). All that really creates an amazing, friendly atmosphere.

Finally, the crowd there - mostly locals, because the bar is a bit away from the downtown - are great. They really listen and appreciate the performance.

If you are ever in Vientiane, make no mistake, this is the place to be. I think they play there every day, because I went there on Sunday night and then came back on Monday only to see the place is packed. The show starts around 10, I think, and...

Went into this bar almost by accident when in Vientiane. When we first arrived it was very quiet. It looked like they were settling up for some live music.

A guy started playing a guitar, he was excellent- mix of English and Lao songs.

Left the place to go for dinner as we had decided on a pizza but called in again after dinner. The place was buzzing. Fab band playing, great music, very lively.

Drinks were really cheap - 30000 kip for a decent glass of red wine!

Only negative was some drunk American guy hitting on the very young waitress! So...