Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
After 30 years, Saxophone remains Bangkok’s premier live-music venue – a dark, intimate space where you can pull up a chair just a few metres away from…
Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Manila
Manila’s major cultural guns perform here, including Ballet Philippines, the nation’s premiere dance troupe; Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the nation…
Manila
A fantastic and intimate jazz lounge hidden off the grid in Quezon City. They put on top local musicians plus the occasional imported guest, and their…
Manila
The best of the city’s drag stage shows take place at the opulent Club Mwah!, an incredibly shiny, sparkly and simply fabulous place with obvious Las…
Kuala Lumpur
Don’t miss the chance to attend a show at this gorgeous concert hall. The polished Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra plays here (usually Friday and…
Jakarta
Jakarta's premier cultural centre has a great selection of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. Performances (such as Sundanese dance and gamelan…
Philippine Educational Theater Association
Manila
This ‘open’ theatre group does both comedy and tragedy, most of it original. Arguably Manila’s best troupe, but check whether performances are in English…
Ko Kut
This semi-open-air stage and music venue hosts live music from local and visiting bands nightly in season. It's a fine initiative from music-loving locals…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
A flagrantly 1960s-era cinema in central Bangkok, the Scala's one screen shows a mix of contemporary Hollywood and films from the past.
Kampot
Founded by Julien Poulson of legendary band Cambodian Space Project, this social enterprise has moved into a large new creative space on the outskirts of…
Yangon
Although the buffet meal served here is universally slated, the stage inside this concrete replica of a Burmese royal barge is the only place in Yangon…
Malang
Malang’s cultural and recreational park has a hectically busy swimming pool and children’s playground and some quirky events. Kuda lumping (horse trance)…
Malaysia
The Sepang Circuit, 60km south of Kuala Lumpur, is where Formula One holds the Malaysian Grand Prix. Tickets go for as little as RM93, though if you want…
Bangkok
Bangkok has heaps of attractions that draw tourists in – great weather, fantastic bars, unbeatable food, low prices – but it's not known for being a…
Manila
Hidden away inside the luxurious Peninsula hotel, this is a 1930s Shanghai–style drinking den full of dark nooks and hidden spaces. Themes range from…
Shadow Puppet Theatre & Cinema Tuktuk
Southern Laos
Run by Frenchman Yves Bernard, this magical theatre next to the tourist office tells a story from the Ramayana with traditional shadow puppets, while on…
Singapore
Since the theatre's inception in 1987, artistic director Alvin Tan has collaborated with resident playwright Haresh Sharma to produce over 60 original…
Singapore
If you're with kids, don’t miss Creatures of the Night, an interactive, 25-minute show whose stars includes otters, owls and a hyena. Seating is…
Chinatown & the CBD
Originally focused on puppetry, this bilingual (English and Mandarin) theatre company is now best known for its intercultural collaborations and envelope…
Chinatown
This art-deco Bangkok landmark, a former cinema dating to 1933, is one of the few remaining places kŏhn (masked dance-drama based on stories from the…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Even Ziggy Stardust–era David Bowie has nothing on this dark, decadent, rhinestone-encrusted den, one of Bangkok's best venues for mŏr lam and lôok tûng,…
Chiang Mai
Thai tourists eagerly make the pilgrimage 8km north of town to this rustic restaurant in the hope of hearing the dulcet tones of its owner, Thai chanteuse…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Singapore's sexiest theatre group is based in Kerbau Rd but performs shows elsewhere in the city (as well as abroad). A mix of homegrown and foreign work,…
Phnom Penh
Regular traditional shadow-puppet performances and occasional classical dance and traditional drum shows are held here every Friday and Saturday night…
Sumbawa
Horse racing is held at least four times a year, in April or May, July, August and December, at the Desa Panda horse stadium, 12km west of town on the…
Siem Reap
Bambu Stage offers an eclectic variety of traditional entertainment, including a nightly shadow puppet show that weaves a historical tale of the Cambodian…
Siargao
For Siargao's only cinema, and a unique and sweaty experience (air-con was supposedly in the works), head to this converted shack just outside GL. Popcorn…
Manila
Here you'll find acres of gaming tables, variety shows and a branch of celebrity Japanese restaurant Nobu. Three high-end hotels, including a Nobu-branded…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Originally designed as City Hall by British colonial architect AB Hubback, this handsome 1896 building with distinctive black domes has been refitted into…
Sentosa Island
Hang with Singapore's sun-kissed party people at Endless Summer, W Singapore hotel's popular pool party. It's a fun, chilled-out session with no shortage…
Luang Prabang
Garavek means 'magical bird', and this enchanting hour-long show – comprising an old man dressed in tribal wear playing a haunting khene (Lao-style lyre)…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Young ones are content to queue for seats at this popular live-music venue, whose rotating roster features local bands and singer-songwriters playing…
Manila
Okada is the newest and most ambitious of Manila's three Vegas-style casinos, occupying 43 hectares of reclaimed Manila Bay waterfront. You'll spot the…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Right on Haji Lane, Going Om is a raffish, free-spirited cafe with nightly live music. It's an atmospheric spot, with candlelit tables, smooth acoustic…
Northern Bangkok
A cultural theme park, this enchanted kingdom transports visitors to a Disneyesque version of ancient Siam with a brightly coloured stage show of…
Manila
Vegas-style casino with 24-hour gambling and the impressive Theater at Solaire, which draws high-profile musicians, variety shows and Broadway productions…
Jakarta
Despite the name, this is not a particularly family friendly place. Although kids are welcome, it can get pretty boozy. The dozens of private karaoke…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Bohemian pub BluJaz is one of the best options in town for live music, with regular jazz jams, and other acts playing anything from blues to rockabilly…
Siem Reap
Move over Macau (and Las Vegas): the Angkor Dynasty show has come to town. This is an epic multimedia performance that tells the story of Angkor through…
Siem Reap
Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has been training sniffer dogs to assist in landmine clearance in Cambodia and not had a single casualty to date. See these…
