Whether it’s a restaurant, a bar, or a car wash, opening a popular venue in Phuket and leading it to fame requires one key element—making it for somebody. Knowing your customer might seem like a business cliché, yet even seasoned business people in Phuket often overlook this simple but crucial prerequisite.

A place thrives as long as it has a community. It thrives as long as it fills a need, allowing the owner to cut back on advertising because what you hear on the grapevine is often more motivating than a radio commercial.

Shaman Lounge Cafe Bar has just embarked on its journey to stardom, and its early days show the owners have a deep understanding of this principle. More importantly, they’ve identified a specific demand within the Phuket community. Even before its official opening, there was buzz about the upcoming events at Shaman.

– So, where’s the concert?
– At Shaman.
– Have they opened yet?
– Not quite, but…

Shaman recognized the demand for venues where one can not only gather with friends for a party, but also host one. Speaking to RL in late 2023, renowned event organizer Alexander Nakhapetov highlighted Phuket’s shortage of spaces for private events. The same point was made by many other Phuket residents we spoke to.

Ironically, the bustling tourism island offers countless parties to attend every weekend but few venues for hosting your own. The lounge kicked off operations amid the New Year festivities, when demand peaked, delaying its grand opening for a month as Shaman’s circle eagerly booked the space for their own celebrations. Some events featured international superstars who performed privately at Shaman following their publicly advertised concerts elsewhere.

“We’ve already hosted Alena Apina, Mumiy Troll, Tima Belorusskih, and Markul. We’ve welcomed Nurlan Samburov, Alexander Zubarev, and many more. Together with our partners, we’ve organized themed parties, like Love at First Sight on February 14, and set up movie nights, turning our lounge into a cozy private cinema,” shares the Shaman team.

True to its name, Shaman doesn’t impose rules but invites guests to co-create them. Celebrating the diversity of its community, including patrons and staff, the lounge presents itself as a “collective Shaman”, an entity with an ever-growing persona.

The thoughtfully chosen location reflects Shaman’s ethos of being a private haven for magic where guests neither disturb nor get disturbed. Nestled amidst lush greenery in the Cherng Talay area, the venue is conveniently accessible yet remains discreetly off the beaten path.

“We intentionally chose a location away from the beach and other venues. Shaman is still less than 2 km from Bang Tao and Laguna but in a serene green area. Surrounded by pristine nature, with eucalyptus trees and a small pond adorned with aquatic flowers, the setting is perfect, enhanced by sophisticated interior design. Shaman prides itself on its unique mystical ambiance, unlike any other in Phuket,” the team explains.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a black stone arch emblazoned with the Shaman logo. Inside, they discover a stunning lotus pond encircled by various events, dining, and leisure areas. Although these spaces are continually expanding, there’s still plenty of room.

The primary area is the main lounge, featuring comfortable sofas, a stage, a large screen, and a bar. Capable of accommodating 70 guests, this zone serves as Shaman’s central event space, perfect for a concert by a visiting superstar at night or a seminar or workshop during the day. The space is highly flexible and can be tailored to customers’ needs.

Adjacent is a smaller private lounge around a decorative pool teeming with fish. This area can host events for 25 guests or serve as a dining area where couples can enjoy coffee and snacks.

Further down the wooden deck lies Shaman’s signature restaurant, a new yet already beloved addition to Phuket’s dining scene. With an open-air area and air-conditioned space, the restaurant is also suitable for anything from yoga classes to art workshops.

Not to be overlooked is the karaoke room, equipped with high-end sound equipment and state-of-art soundproofing, allowing singers to indulge in complete privacy.

Like a living organism, Shaman evolves, adding new facilities based on patrons’ feedback and accommodating their needs. Early operation weeks prompted the addition of a massage and spa area to complement the relaxing ambiance of the lotus pond. Initially designed for evening events, Shaman now opens earlier for breakfast due to the increasing number of morning workshops.

A delightful surprise on our last visit was a delicious sourdough toast topped with creamy avocado and a poached egg. The breakfast menu was introduced just that day for the participants of a seminar and has remained since. We now dream of a picnic by the lotus pond, hoping the spirits of the place might listen and, on our next visit, offer picnic baskets and mats.

As diverse as the venue itself, the lounge’s culinary offerings deserve their own story. Switching roles effortlessly, Shaman can transform into a Japanese restaurant, an Italian trattoria, or an American bar and grill.

“Our chef and mixologists are highly talented professionals with impressive experience at high-end venues in Europe, Russia, and beyond. Selecting only top-quality ingredients, they cook to perfection, surprising guests with exquisite tastes and quick service. The balanced menu features Japanese sushi, sashimi, rolls, and Wagyu beef, along with iconic dishes from around the world. Our drink selection includes unique crafted cocktails, created exclusively for Shaman and not available anywhere else as the recipes are top secret,” the Shaman team states.

The venue’s motto, “Relax and trust the service,” underscores the mutual trust at Shaman Lounge Cafe Bar, fostering a unique creative energy that transforms the space. Fully trusting its patrons, Shaman invites them to co-create the lounge’s remarkable story.

The incredible performances by Mumiy Troll and Markul were more than just concerts by international stars. Similar to immersive theater, the magic was co-created by the performers and the audience, making both the singers and the listeners superstars.

Pragmatic observers might praise Shaman’s mystical décor, from the totem poles to the fanciful patterns and plumes of smoke, while others half-jokingly claim they’re genuine magic symbols.

The real magic, however, comes from the inspired family of professionals and creators at Shaman, who daily conjure magic beside the lotus pond in Cherng Talay. Bartenders, waiters, chefs, designers, sound technicians, and visual effect artists are capable of orchestrating the most spectacular party Phuket has ever seen – and they’ll do it with a smile, because Shaman has what it takes, including equipment, passion and skills. Most importantly, Shaman has a community of extraordinary patrons who demand their events be as outstanding as they are.

A place thrives as long as it draws visitors – and this is the open secret every shaman knows.