Crocket..Cha-Am is more of a resort for Thais down from BKK.
There are a couple of bars suited to farangs..one I found myself in was along the seafront and it almost had a
pub-feel to it. There is on this forum a section for Cha-Am..maybe ask on there & some of the ex-pats living there will give you the info you need..there was mention of a fine Indian restaurant in Cha-Am not long ago
..?? Quite a few ex-pats in Cha-Am run with the Hash House Harriers..so they will be drinking in town
somewhere there..??
Nightlife (read girly bars and karaoke joints) in Cha Am is located on the main road leading from Petchkasem toward the beach. There are also massage parlors and girlie bars in the area around the bus station near the beach, to the right on the beach road.
Now, if you just want to get drunk and get laid, those areas may cater to your needs but the selection is not great and certainly not to the taste of sophisticated mongers. If you don't find what tickles your fancy in Hua Hin, go to Pattaya. Good luck.
Nightlife can be found in two small connecting sois off the beach. Some girly bars. I personally always found the girls less rude than in Hua Hin. They showed more respect and were more willing to talk with the customer. Over all a more relaxed scene.
Curiously enough Cha Am hosts the only Go-Go-Bar in the region. These places are banned in Hua Hin as it is a Kings Resort.