Bangkok nightlife

The choices for 'one night in Bangkok' are endless with everything from the famed sex shows and gogo bars to extremely sophisticated nightclubs, quiet bars and kicking live music venues. A good place to head for a big night out in Bangkok is Sukhumvit Road. A long, busy strip of shops, restaurants and bars favoured by expatriates and featuring many of the city's top entertainment venues.

The choices range from high-end bars and restaurants at the top hotels to cosy bistros and international pubs, as well as the more seedy side of Bangkok with go-go bars and hostess bars. The choice of food along Sukhumvit is vast, which makes it the ideal place to start a night out before heading into the many side streets to experience the sights and sounds of Bangkok by night. Popular venues for foreigners include a good number of Irish Pubs, as well American style sports bars and a lively club scene.

Top dance venues in Bangkok include Bed Supperclub, Qbar , Toxic, RCA and Astra, the latter two clubs aimed mainly at a younger crowd. Most of the big hotels also have swish nightclubs, including Syn at the Swissôtel and Spice Club in the basement of Ambassador Hotel and the swanky bar at The Conrad Hotel. Top DJs make regular appearances at these clubs and the cocktails and company are generally quite sophisticated.

Less classy than the club scene, but equally popular, Patpong off Silom Road is another major nightlife zone, famous for its two streets of strip clubs where girls (and boys) dance on poles. It's more of a cabaret zone than a serious red light district nowadays and attracts plenty of tourists. Some good restaurants, bars and clubs are interspersed between the gogo bars, and the atmosphere is always lively.

For live music there's Saxophone Pub  near Victory Monument, with excellent musicians playing  an eclectic mix of famous of tunes and Brick Bar on the infamous Khao San Road, which hosts some of the cities best bands. You can also see major international bands at the Impact Arena, a huge outdoor venue on the outskirts of the city (see local press for details).

If you want to experience a night out, Thai style, head for Ratchadapisek Road, famous for it's sleezy massage joints but also one of Bangkok's best-kept nightlife secrets. Known to the locals as Rachada, the street is lined with neon-lit watering holes where large groups of locals gather to sip whisky and soda, tell jokes and sing along to their favourite songs with friends. The main venues are all right next door to each other along Ratchada Soi 4. Popular venues include Snop, Rad, Baku, Kokok Pub, Hollywood, Pure Bar and Gig Club. Free entry and honestly priced drinks make this a great place to experience "Sanook", which means fun in Thai. There's plenty to go around and you could easily while away a whole night bar-hopping and meeting new friends.

Bangkok Nightlife