Bangkok Nightlife - All You Need To Know [2024]

Bangkok nightlife is very diverse and fun to explore. Here's everything you need to know before heading out.

Nightlife areas in Bangkok + Map:

Bangkok nightlife is really spread out, with at least 8 party areas. The good news is that each of them is packed with venues and easily walkable.

The map below is showing you all where all the best bars, nightclubs, hotels and party areas are located in Bangkok. You can click to enlarge it:

Khaosan Road:

This walking street is the main party area for young backpackers and also some Thais (middle-class, students, travelers). Many cheap bars and clubs with commercial music. The vibe is very social so you can meet people very easily.

The most famous nightclub in Khaosan Road is simply called The Club. It is built on 3 levels and costs around 250 THB to enter with a free beer included. If you don't want to pay, there are plenty of free options walking distance from it.

You can also buy alcohol from street sellers and party on the main road.

Soi Nana (Not Nana Plaza):

This is another Soi Nana, in Chinatown. It is home to the alternative/hipster nightlife of Bangkok. Current favorites there are Teens of Thailand and Asia Today.

Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, Patpong Soi 2

These 3 different areas are red light districts that are popular among foreigners. They are quite touristy so even people who are not into prostitution may visit them out of curiosity.

In each, you will find dozens of gogo bars next to each other (24 exactly in Nana Plaza, the largest of the 3). Gogo bars are small hostess clubs where girls offer company to customers and may perform some sexy dances.

The gogo bars may all look the same, but they all have their own differences. Some target Japanese and Korean customers, some have sophisticated erotic shows, some have younger or older girls, some have ladyboys, some have nudity (like Baccara or Crazy House), etc.

In all these areas, there are also regular expat bars with live music and sports on screens. If you meet a girl in any of these, there is a very high probability that she is a prostitute.

Sukhumvit Soi 11

This side street on Sukhumvit is easy to reach and centrally located. It has several busy clubs and bars, among which Sugar (R'n'B club), Eden (techno, expensive), Juicy and Levels (6th floor of Aloft Hotel, EDM/House music).

The crowd in Sukhumvit 11 is a mix of tourists, foreign residents, prostitutes and some regular Thai people as well.

RCA (Royal City Avenue)

This is a street with a row of bars and nightclubs, mostly popular with Thais from the middle and upper class, in their early 20s. Some foreigners as well, long-term residents and young tourists who are tired of Khaosan Road.

These are the famous party spots in RCA:

• Route 66 is a large club with several rooms including an EDM zone, a hip-hop room and a live music area. The crowd is middle to upper class. It has become more popular with foreigners because it is always crowded and you can easily meet people there.

• Space Plus: Huge and modern bottle club, more appropriate for large groups who book a sofa. EDM music.

• Onyx: Pricey (500 THB entrance fee with a drink), yet so crowded you'll barely be able to move around. Go with friends and order bottle service. Good ladies' night on Mondays.

Ekkamai and Thong Lor

These are two long streets on Sukhumvit near the BTS station Thong Lor. It is a very exclusive area with a nightlife that caters mostly to the richest Thais (and also to Koreans/Japanese).

The current popular bars and clubs there are:

• Sway: Hip-hop club

• Terra: Thai live music:

• Milley isc: Posh bar with a teenish crowd

• MU:IN (Korean club with 3 party areas: EDM, pop and hip-hop)

• Dope and Dirty (Hip-hop, many Koreans)

• Echelon (Chinese crowd)

• Max Club (small club with EDM)

There are also some gentlemen's clubs (Czech, Sherbet) and some KTVs.

Silom

This is the business district and you will also find a high concentration of bars/clubs, most of which target expatriates and western tourists.

It is also the heart of Bangkok's gay nightlife (in Patong Soi 4).

Where to stay near the nightlife:

Khaosan Road

Many cheap hostels and hotels, strategic to visit the old town, Chinatown, the riverside and the temples. Far from the upscale shopping area and from the rest of Bangkok's nightlife.

Best hotels on Khaosan Road:

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ember Hotel (rated 9.1/10, starting at 50 USD per night)

⭐⭐⭐ Baan Chart Hotel (rated 8.6, starting at 30 USD per night)

Along Sukhumvit Road

• Near Nana Plaza or Sukhumvit 11: Quite a seedy location but many guest-friendly hotels and near the BTS.

• Near Soi Cowboy (Asok): Very central and strategic location as it is near the BTS and the Metro. Also easy access to many malls. But more expensive than elsewhere.

• Near Thong Lor or Ekkamai streets: Upscale Thai area with fewer hotel options.

• Near Siam: Very strategic, ideal if you plan to do some shopping

Best hotels on Sukhumvit:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solaria Nishitetsu (rated 9.2/10, starting at 90 USD per night)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Miami Hotel (rated 8.6, starting at 35 USD per night)

Silom

Business area of Bangkok, close to Lumphini Park, with a rather eclectic nightlife and good food options. Also quite central in terms of transportations.

Best hotel near Silom:

⭐⭐⭐ Ibis Style Silom (rated 8.9, starting at 45 USD per night)

Other areas:

If you are on a budget, or if you are looking for a more authentic location, you can also stay in those areas:

• Along the BTS between Victory Monument and Chatuchak Park

• Along the metro between Central Rama 9 and Ratchadapisek

Hotels with nightclubs or bars in Bangkok:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intercontinental Hotel (8.9/10, 250 dollars per night) It has Mixx Club inside which is actually full of luxury Russian escorts. It's kind of like seeking.com in real life. DJs play R'n'B and EDM in two different rooms and it closes late.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Aloft Hotel Sukhumvit 11 (8.5/10, starting at USD 100 per night). Central location and it has the popular nightclub Levels on its 6th floor.

Best bars and nightclubs in Bangkok:

• For backpackers: The Club and nearby

• For tourists: Levels

• Mainstream club: Route 66

• Upscale nightclubs: Space Plus, Onyx

• Techno music: Decommune, Mustache (Ratchadaphisek)

• Hip-hop, R'n'B: Sugar, Dope and Dirty, Sway

• Korean club: MU:IN

• Gentlemen's Clubs: The Pimp or Czech club

• Rooftop bar: Tichuca

• Bars with live shows: Sing Sing Theater and Fuchsia (high-end club with quality sexy shows)

• Good cocktails: Vesper

• Draft beer: Hair of the Dog, Mikkeller

• Classic bar: Bkk Social Club (voted best bar in Asia)

• Live music: Alonetogether, Speakerbox

• Expat bar: Smalls, O'Shea's Irish Pub

Best dating apps

• If you are young enough and you have game: Bumble, Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge

• If you are not in Thailand at the moment and want to chat with Thai girls who want to date foreigners: Thai Cupid

• If you have money and want to meet the prettiest Thai girls: Seeking.com

Nightlife Tips

How much does it cost to party in Bangkok?

Entrance fees to nightclubs in Bangkok usually cost between 250 THB and 500 THB (which normally includes a free drink).

In most nightclubs and bars, you will pay 2,500-3,000 THB for the cheapest bottles of alcohol (such as Red Label, Smirnoff, etc), 100-150 THB for a local beer, and 250-350 THB for a cocktail.

Bottle clubs

In most nightclubs where the customers are predominantly Thais, people party Asian/Chinese style: They book a sofa, order expensive bottles, stay within their small groups of friends, get drunk until they pass out and show off their wealth as much as they can. If you cannot book a table, you'll be squeezed and you'll struggle to get a drink from bartenders who are too busy to take care of VIP guests.

To book a table, you need to contact the club in advance and you will agree to spend a certain amount of money, depending on the number of people in your group and the location of your table.

In a nightclub like Space Plus, the cheapest package to get a table costs around 23,000 THB, nearly USD 700, and includes a bottle of Gold Label, a bottle of sparkling wine (Chandon) and mixers/fruits.

Dress Code

There is generally no dress code in all the tourist areas like Khaosan road and Sukhumvit. In RCA, Ekkamai, and Thong Lor, many nightclubs may refuse you if you are wearing shorts, flip-flops or singlets.

ID

An ID is necessary to enter some luxury nightclubs such as Space Plus and Onyx. It's best to bring it with you just to make sure.