Perhaps it was small once, but the bar is huge these days. The latest addition to the floor space juts out high above the forest. Large beams have been planted there to support the weight of the scores of tourists and locals who come to Kata hill to see the sunset.

Many of them stay on to enjoy a dinner in one of Phuket?s most popular tropical tourist attractions. The Small Viewpoint Bar may have had small beginnings, along with its neighbour, the After Beach Bar, but in peak season they?re big businesses now.

Looking out over Kata Noi and the Andaman Sea, high above the treetops, provides a memorable sunset view that the ocean-level beaches cannot hope to match. Thank goodness that the local building inspector also has a far-sighted viewpoint.

There?s a bit of a scramble for prime sunset positions and on one night recently, the best table in the house was taken by a couple of Thai girls who attracted almost as many favourable glances as the golden orb sinking into the waves on the horizon.

The girls ordered a huge plate of crabs and cracked away heartily, quaffing a couple of glasses of red at the same time. The mark-ups here on wine are large but not as over the top as you?d find at five-stars. Thatch roofs seem to keep the lid on unreasonable margins.

There?s a reggae touch to the place and the sounds of Bob Marley and his Thai succesors fill the air, along with large bats that circle with the currents.
It?s a chill-out destination that becomes even chillier ? depending on how many Mai Tais have been consumed.

The Mai Tais come disguised as pineapples, so nobody needs to know that you?re actually more juiced than the original was.

This sensational reggae-view of a Phuket sunset has to be seen at least once. And the seafood is pretty darn good, too. To avoid the crush, try it for breakfast or lunch.

Location: On the main road south from Kata, high above Kata Noi beach.
Parking: On-street
Open daily from 10am until late
To book: 089-7297780