Okay, no, I didn’t actually go to prison. Yes, this is a clickbait title. But this quirky little café-bar just outside the centre of Vientiane is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking to add some unusual fun to your night out.

Coffee Prison Laos is located in the north of Vientiane, in an area dotted with other bars and restaurants. What sets this place apart is right there in the name: it’s styled to look like a prison, and they’ve fully committed to the theme.

When you arrive and ask for a table, you’re directed to a “cell”: a small room enclosed by metal bars where you sit behind your own private “prison door.” Thankfully, they didn’t lock us in, though they easily could have.

To really get into the spirit, you can dress the part. The bar provides costumes so you can cosplay as inmates or guards, and even has masks from a certain Korean TV series you might recognise.

After a couple of drinks and at least one obligatory photo behind bars, we left to see where the rest of the night would take us. A fun, offbeat stop that added a bit of silliness to the evening – definitely worth popping into if you’re in the area.