-
Lesla
Bangkok's biggest lesbian group date is held every Saturday at Chit Chat Pub in Bangkok's northern outskirts.
-
Living Room
Although it's not exactly a smoky den filled with finger-snapping hep cats, every night the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit's deceptively bland hotel lounge transforms into one of the city's best venues for live jazz. Check ahead of time to see which sax master or hide hitter is currently in town.
-
Lucifer
Meet the Miltonian side of Lucifer: a fun-loving hedonist. Nestled in the heart of Patpong, Lucifer kicks off the night with a few brave travellers who wander in off from the night market. By the crowd shifts to a younger, prettier persuasion with serious dance-floor know-how. Another wave of recruits arrives at hook-up time.
-
Met Bar
Cosy and fashionable, the Met Bar started its career as a members-only club but has relaxed its policy to include everyone dressed to impress. The Friday night theme nights get the most attention, but in fickle Bangkok the Met's social standing is not guaranteed.
-
Molly Malone's
The third and, we hope, final reincarnation of this Bangkok Irish staple has retained much of the faux-shamrock charm of its predecessor. Like most of its countryfolk, Molly's is equal parts game for a quiet pint alone or a rowdy night out with friends.
-
Moon Bar at Vertigo
Bangkok is one the few big cities in the world where nobody seems to mind if you set up the odd restaurant or bar on the top of a skyscraper. Now nearly forgotten, the restaurant Vertigo and the attached Moon Bar started the trend. Come dressed up and grab a coveted seat to the right of the bar for impressive views at sunset.
-
Nang Len
Young, loud and Thai; Nang Len (literally 'sit and chill') is a ridiculously popular sardine tin of live music and uni students on popular Th Ekamai. Get in before or you won't get in at all.
-
Nang Nual Riverside Pub
In the best Thai tradition, this riverside deck blurs the lines between a restaurant and a bar. Groups of friends gather around the whisky set and plates of kàp klâem (drinking food) to watch the river and the night flow by. At certain times, the bar's blaring pop music competes for valuable air space with the Muslim call to prayer from the temple across the river.
-
Narcissus
Faux-Roman decadence (think gratuitous marble and pillars) makes Narcissus one of Bangkok's most ostentatious clubs. It doesn't see as much action as it did in years past, but the whole city turns up when Paul Oakenfold graces this palace with his presence.
-
Advertisement
-
National Theatre
Thailand's National Theatre is the country's centre stage for Thai drama and khǒn Exhibitions of Thai classical dancing and music are held on the last Friday and Saturday of each month and, on occasion, the theatre also offers international performances.The National Theatre temporarily closed for renovations in 2005 and is still under construction in some parts, although performances are continuing as usual.
-
Nest
Perched on the roof of the Le Fenix Hotel, Nest is a chic maze of cleverly-concealed sofas and inviting daybeds. A DJ soundtrack and one of the most interesting pub grub menus in town bring things back down to ground level.
-
Noriega's
All the way at the end of the soi, where the rainbow flag ceases to fly, Noreiga's doesn't play the techno game. It prefers the raw noise of rotating bands of every genre, from salsa to Irish. The scene is also the unofficial headquarters of Bangkok's Hash House Harriers ('The drinking club with a running problem').
-
O'Reilly's
A squeaky clean facsimile of an Irish pub, O'Reilly's earns its shamrock for its affordable happy hour specials. Its central location, central to Patpong and Silom nightspots, also makes it a meeting spot for far-flung friends.
-
Opera Riserva Winetheque
Decked out in leather and wood and sporting a speakeasy feel, Opera's wine bar is more for the discreet conversationalist than the sensationalist. You're more than likely to find something you'll fancy from the week's wine pics, and an attractive and extensive menu of wine-friendly Italian-style meals and snacks is also available.
-
Paragon Cineplex
Designed to outdo everyone, Siam Paragon's theatre has better seats (more accurately beds), more showtimes and bigger screens. Capitalism at its best.
-
Parking Toys
This bizarrely-named bar is quite possibly Bangkok's best-kept live-music secret. A rambling hall decked out with vintage furniture, Parking Toys hosts an eclectic revolving cast of fun bands ranging in genre from acoustic/classical ensembles to electro-funk jam acts. Get a taxi from Mor Chit BTS station and tell the driver to take you to Th Kaset-Navamin (also locally known as the sên tàt mài ). Turn right at the Kaset intersection and continue until you pass the second stop light.
-
Patravadi Theatre
Patravadi is Bangkok's leading modern-dance venue. A stylish open-air theatre that also includes a gallery and restaurant, the concept is the brainchild of Patravadi Mejudhon, a famous Thai actor and playwright. The dance troupe performance is a blend of traditional Thai dance and modern choreography, music and costume. The theatre is also the primary venue for the Bangkok International Fringe Festival, held in January and February.
-
Phranakorn Bar
It must have taken a true visionary to transform this characterless multi-level building into a warm, fun destination for a night out. Students and arty types make Phranakorn Bar a home away from hovel with eclectic décor, gallery exhibits and, the real draw, a rooftop terrace for beholding the old district's majesty.
-
Q Bar
In club years, Q Bar is fast approaching retirement age, but still rules the techno-rati with slick industrial style. The dance floor is monopolized by working girls and pot-bellied admirers, but Sunday theme parties and celebrity DJs bring in everybody else in town. Q also boasts perhaps Thailand's largest range of drinks - 27 types of vodka and 41 brands of whisky/bourbon.
-
Advertisement
-
Rain Dogs Bar & Gallery
Tucked away down a dead-end street, you'd never find Rain Dogs unless you knew about it. Run by and for local and expat artists, photographers and journalists, it feels refreshingly grungy in increasingly slick Bangkok. Rain Dogs has regular events, but can also be empty, so call ahead to see what's on. To get there, walk from Klongtoei Metro (cross under the freeway, turn left down the small lane to the dead end) or get a taxi driver to call for the address.
-
Raintree Pub
Decorated like a country-and-western bar with driftwood and buffalo horns, Raintree is a relic in Bangkok's music scene. The nightly bands carry on the 'songs for life' tradition, one of Thailand's most unique adaptations of rock music, that has now passed from current to classic.
-
Roof Bar
Although the live acoustic soundtrack is hit-and-miss, the views are solid from this rooftop pub. Next to Khao San Palace Hotel.
-
Sa-Ke Coffee Pub
Near the Khok Wua intersection, 'Sa-gay' is in the middle of a mini gay scene happening just steps from Khao San.
-
Sala Rim Nam
The historic Oriental Hotel hosts dinner theatre in a sumptuous Thai pavilion located across the river in Thonburi. Free shuttle boats transfer guests across the river from the hotel's dock. The price is well above average, reflecting the means of the hotel's client base.
