Thanon Sukhumvit
Antiques and a shophouse-like setting give Apoteka a fun, old-school feel. Stiff mixed drinks and blues-oriented bands every night from around 7pm make it…
Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia
Thanon Sukhumvit
Nana is a three-storey go-go bar complex which attracts sexpats and gawking tourists alike. It’s also home to a few gà·teu·i (Thai cross-dresser or…
Kampot
Film showings are by appointment on an 8m high-definition screen (for groups of at least six) or on large flat-screen TVs (for smaller groups). Movie…
Siem Reap
Bringing a bit of Bangkok-style Broadway to Siem Reap, this show includes cultural dances from the region and a not-so-cultural ladyboy cabaret. It was…
Thanon Sukhumvit
This single-lane strip of raunchy bars claims direct lineage to the post–Vietnam War R&R era. A real flesh trade functions amid the flashing neons that…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Where can you catch the Bollywood blockbusters advertised all over Little India? Why, at the Rex, of course. This historic theatre screens films from…
Kota Kinabalu
The Suria Sabah mall houses an eight-cinema multiplex on the 8th floor that shows all the Hollywood hits, usually in the original English with subtitles…
Banglamphu
Although it's located one street over, Suk Sabai is the epitome of the open-air Th Khao San–style bar/restaurant, with live music played to beer-guzzling…
Banglamphu
This is a long-standing bar with live music – think Top 40 hits or perky Thai pop covers – on most nights. Despite its proximity to Th Khao San, it's a…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
With posters of Iron Maiden as interior design, and black jeans and long hair as the dress code, this long-standing, cave-like, live-music bar is Thailand…
Manila
A great place to catch Quezon City's rock scene, with a regular roster of punk, metal and blues bands kicking out the jams on its dark divey stage nightly…
Sentosa Island
Set above the ocean, this ambitious show fuses Lloyd Webber–esque theatricality with an awe-inspiring sound, light and laser extravaganza. Prepare to gasp…
Jakarta
Next to the Taman Ismail Marzuki centre, this inexpensive movie theatre shows the latest Western blockbusters in English with Indonesian subtitles.
Ho Chi Minh City
This tourist-oriented showcase of Vietnamese music, dance and flying acrobats is held in the spectacular, recently renovated Opera House, a French…
Surabaya
This large cinema complex, inside the Tunjungan Plaza mall, shows recent Hollywood releases in English as well as a massive array of Asian flicks. Good…
Ho Chi Minh City
Within the History Museum, this small theatre has performances at 9am, 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, lasting about 20 minutes.
Ho Chi Minh City
Performances of both traditional Vietnamese and Western classical music are held here. Check the English-language section of the website to see what's…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Check the MABA website to find out about matches held at the headquarters of the Malaysian Basketball Association. There's also a training court on the…
Manila
Popular venue for professional basketball games managed by the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the Philippines’ equivalent of America’s NBA.
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Kuala Lumpur
The largest of the convention centre's conference rooms and events spaces is Plenary Hall, which is sometimes used for concerts and seats up to 3000.
Siem Reap
Temple Club stages a free traditional-dance show upstairs nightly, providing punters order some food and drink from the very reasonably priced menu.
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This space functions as a musical instrument store during the day and hosts regular jazz gigs come night. Check the Facebook page for the schedule.
Kuala Lumpur
One of KL's oldest still-functioning cinemas, this art deco–style building dates back to 1920 and screens Tamil and other Indian-language movies.
Siem Reap
Popular with some Asian tour groups, this is the glitziest dinner-dance show in town, but in reality it doesn't live up to the hefty price tag.
Kuala Lumpur
Take your pick from the mainstream offerings at this 12-screen multiplex. Book in advance or be prepared to queue, particularly at weekends.
Makassar
Shows current Western films in their original language (with Bahasa Indonesia subtitles). On the top floor of the Ratu Indah Mall complex.
Golden Screen Cinema Dataran Pahlawan
Melaka City
This cinema within Dataran Pahlawan mall shows everything from Hollywood to Bollywood. The website flags which movies are subtitled.
Bandar Seri Begawan
A three-screen cinema at the Empire Hotel & Country Club, showing Hollywood blockbusters.
Hanoi
One of the oldest cinemas in town, with architecturally significant, modernist lines. It occasionally shows English-language films.
Solo
This cultural centre hosts all-night wayang kulit (shadow-puppet) performances; private dance lessons are also available.
Dalat
Small and dark bar that sometimes has live music and DJs, who crank the volume up loud to compete with the neighbouring bars.
Kuala Lumpur
There's a chance for audience participation at this fun Malaysian dance and music show that's combined with a buffet dinner.
Yangon
The centre hosts occasional events and has a library with a collection of 18,000 volumes, including a good Myanmar section.
Ho Chi Minh City
Located on top of the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint hotel, this centrally-located complex has five compact auditoriums.
Kuala Lumpur
Hollywood blockbusters and locally made crowdpleasers are screened at this branch of the GSC multiplex cinema chain.
Chiang Mai
Hosts moo·ay tai (Thai boxing) matches for entertainment rather than as proving grounds for the sport.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon's main water-puppet venue, with shows starting at 6.30pm and 8.30pm and lasting about 50 minutes.
Yogyakarta
An intimate bar and one of the city’s key live-music venues. There are bands most nights from 9pm.
Manila
Venue for high-profile concerts and shows; Madonna and Britney Spears have played here recently.
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This large multiscreen theatre is a great place to catch up on international releases.
