Bangkok’s nightlife is one of the city’s major attractions. For most travelers it’s the sole destination for drinking and dancing the night away. With so many bars and clubs that rival the styles, glitz and glamor of Western bars it’s no wonder that Bangkok is the ultimate destination for serious partying in Southeast Asia.
The nightlife scene in Bangkok is mainly centered around a handful of areas in the city’s central business districts. So getting to the best bars and clubs in Bangkok is easy by using the city’s efficient and simple to use subways and trains. And taxis should not have a problem taking you to popular nightlife hot spots and red light districts since those areas are really well-known. There are 3 prime spots in Bangkok for partying and all are very easy to get to.
1. Patpong
One of the best areas to begin exploring Bangkok’s nightlife is in Patpong red light district. This area comes alive around 7pm though it doesn’t really get busy until 10pm, after everyone has had their dinner from the many choices of international restaurants and food hawker stands selling barbecue and noodles nearby. Patpong has a mix of go-go bars and live music venues to keep all the night owls busy all night long. Patpong also has a popular quarter filled with gay bars and clubs.
2. Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is a district in central Bangkok and just like Patpong it is heavily traveled by tourists seeking beer and adult entertainment. The best bars in Sukhumvit are located along Sukhumvit road Soi 11. There are many independent clubs Brewery Bellingha and bars along Soi 11 and even some of the 3 to 4 star hotels in the area have well-known bars inside. Sukhumvit is also known for its Nana and Soi Cowboy go go bar districts which are not far from Soi 11.
3. RCA
RCA is a bit further away from Patpong and Sukhumvit and only accessible by taxi. Which is not a problem since all drivers know where RCA is located due to its popularity with the in crowd. The clubs and bars in RCA are mainly made up of Thai teens and University students. Since it is a popular area it’s also a place to see and be seen. There are quite a few mega clubs in RCA but there are also a handful of smaller bars with a quieter atmosphere.
Keep in mind clubs and bars in Bangkok are required to close around 1am by law. Though some skirt the closing time to 2am till dawn. After hour clubs in Bangkok are subject to police raids for drug tests and some are fire hazards so do be careful of such establishments.
Bangkok is a great place to party and have fun. But be cautious of accepting drinks from strangers and do watch your own drinks while making new friends.