Siem Reap
Cambodia's answer to Cirque du Soleil, Phare the Cambodian Circus is so much more than a conventional circus, with an emphasis on performance art and a…
Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia
Battambang
Battambang's signature attraction is the internationally acclaimed circus (cirque nouveau) of this multi-arts centre for Cambodian children. Although it…
Mandalay
Colourfully costumed dancers perform around 10 dances from a larger repertoire. Some give human form to traditional stories of local folklore, while…
Mandalay
At this puppet theatre, colourful marionettes expressively re-create snippets of traditional tales on a tiny stage. Occasionally a curtain is lifted so…
Bukit Peninsula
Although the performance obviously caters for tourists, the gorgeous setting at Pura Luhur Ulu Watu in a small amphitheatre in a leafy part of the grounds…
Central Java
Held at the outdoor theatre just west of the main Prambanan temple complex, the famous Ramayana Ballet is Java’s most spectacular dance-drama troupe. The…
Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
Chiang Mai
For an interactive immersion in all things Lanna, this first-of-its-kind Khantoke dinner-theatre experience remains unparalleled in Thailand. Guests…
Bangkok
Rajadamnern Stadium is Bangkok’s oldest and most venerable venue for moo·ay tai (Thai boxing; also spelt muay Thai). Be sure to buy tickets from the…
Phnom Penh
For this must-see performance, put on daily by Cambodian Living Arts, artists come from CLA's incubator program and work on specific shows for up to two…
Solo
The theatre in this vacant plot (formerly an amusement park now undergoing redevelopment) is the unlikely venue of one of the best shows in Java!…
Htwe Oo Myanmar Traditional Puppet Theatre
Yangon
Book ahead for this utterly charming cultural experience by Htwe and his family, who stage traditional puppet shows in their front living room. They've…
Little India & Kampong Glam
This is the headquarters of Singapore's premier dance company, which keeps fans swooning with its repertoire of classic ballets and contemporary works,…
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Kuala Lumpur
Part of the Sentul West regeneration project, this modernist performing-arts complex puts on a wide range of progressive theatrical events including…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
In addition to housing Thailand’s largest IMAX screen, Major Cineplex's options include the Blue Ribbon Screen, a cinema with a maximum of 72 seats, where…
Ubud
Sharing a building with the vegan Earth Cafe & Market, this surprisingly plush 150-seat cinema screens two films daily. The price of admission is…
George Town
This shabby-chic bar in China House has an indie vibe and is one of George Town's most reliable live-music venues for jazz and rock. Gigs usually kick off…
Ubud
The beauty of the setting may distract you from the dancers, although at night you can’t see the lily pads and lotus flowers that are such an attraction…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Don’t let looks deceive you: every night this bland hotel lounge transforms into the city’s best venue for live jazz. True to the name, there’s comfy,…
Phnom Penh
This German-run cultural centre screens art-house films, documentaries and shorts from Cambodia and around the world at its rooftop cinema. Films are…
Chiang Mai
This compact jazz club tends to pack in as many musicians as it does patrons, with local and visiting instrumentalists offering nightly sets and…
Kuala Lumpur
Blink and you’d miss this small live-music venue, bar and bistro, hidden as it is behind a grove of bamboo. NBT, as it's known to its faithful patrons, is…
Ubud
This open-air venue in a temple compound has a flame-lit, carved-stone backdrop and is an evocative place to see a dance performance. Different companies…
Banglamphu
This basement pub, a favourite destination in Bangkok for live music, hosts a nightly revolving cast of bands for an almost exclusively Thai crowd – many…
Malaysia
Tap into the local music scene at this grungy, arty venue, which hosts concerts and open-mic nights (and shakes up a decent cocktail). Happy hour is…
Bangkok
After more than 65 years of service, the Mandarin Oriental's Bamboo Bar remains one of the city's premier locales for live jazz. Guest vocalists are flown…
Hanoi
This atmospheric venue tucked behind the Opera House is the place in Hanoi to catch live jazz. There’s a full bar, a food menu and high-quality gigs…
Bandung
In the southern part of the city about 3km from the centre, this is a school for traditional Sundanese arts – music, dancing and pencak silat (martial…
Dalat
Expect top-notch improvised covers of Hendrix, the Eagles, the Doors and other classics at this recently relocated live-music bar owned by blues guitarist…
Yangon
This German cultural organisation occupies a beautifully restored villa dating from the 1920s. Apart from language classes, the library and a cafe in the…
Kuala Lumpur
Large-scale drama and dance shows are staged here, as well as music performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and National Choir. The building's…
Mandalay
This classic a-nyeint group became world famous in the 1990s when their jokes and rants against the Myanmar government brought them a string of prison…
Manila
Nonprofit VivaManila is an arts-and-culture organisation run by passionate locals who are on a mission to revive downtown Manila to its pre-war glory…
South Jakarta
Nautilus is a bold, classic European-versus-Asian-bling drinking lounge at the Four Seasons hotel. Upon entering, you're drawn to the striking mural of…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
The neoclassical Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall is home to Singapore's well-respected flagship orchestra, which makes its performing home at the 1800…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Using traditional instruments such as the liuqin, ruan and sanxian, the SCO treats listeners to classical Chinese concerts throughout the year. Concerts…
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's most eye-catching show is this nightly so-called 'ladyboy cabaret' in which cross-dresser and transgender performers wear carnival-style…
Phnom Penh
Cambodia's first gay dance company infuses Khmer classics with a contemporary (and LGBTQ+) spirit at its evocative performances in the Counterspace…
South Jakarta
Walk through the Aksara bookshop, then rub shoulders with Jakarta's artistic community at this hidden cinema, which hosts independent short and fringe…
Siem Reap
There are countless apsara dance shows around Siem Reap, but only the Sacred Dancers of Angkor can claim royal patronage from HRH Princess Norodom Bopha…
Jakarta
If you've never had a VIP cinema experience, this is the place to do it. Gold class has a premium lounge, reclining chairs and waiter service (you can buy…
