Chinatown & the CBD
Teahouse evenings organised by this nonprofit opera company are a wonderful, informal introduction to Chinese opera. Every Friday and Saturday at 8pm…
Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia
Northern Bangkok
One of northern Bangkok’s best venues for live music, Parking Toys hosts an eclectic revolving cast of bands ranging in genre from rockabilly to electro…
Kuala Lumpur
The stage at this chilled and popular cafe-bar is well used for various events, including live music, film screenings and open-mic nights. They also serve…
Ko Tao
Every night is different at this intimate bar where acts range from your standard Abba tributes to steamy topless crooners. If you're male and sitting…
Siem Reap
This small contemporary-dance theatre is set in a black box on the east side of the river and has been making a name for itself thanks to the innovative…
Hanoi
Concerts of traditional Vietnamese music are held in this intimate restored house in the Old Quarter. Ca tru is indigenous to the north of Vietnam, and…
Melaka City
Occupying a prominent position next to the Melaka River at the heart of Chinatown, it's hard to ignore this global franchise's presence. If you're coming…
Little India & Kampong Glam
Inside the Bugis+ mall, Hood's street-art interior sets a youthful scene for nightly music jams with acts such as Rush Hour and Singapore Char Siew Baos…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Need a good belly laugh? Head to Hero's bar on a Tuesday night to watch comics from far and wide. The good times keep rolling with a live band once the…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
One of the more experimental theatre companies in Singapore, TheatreWorks is led by enigmatic artistic director Ong Keng Sen. A mix of fresh local work…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Tucked behind a nondescript wooden door, this compact 60-seat jazz joint is where the city's cool cats head to toe tap to soulful performances of jazz,…
Yangon
Along with the neighbouring Shae Saung Cinema, this is one of the busiest movie houses in Yangon, screening local films, Hollywood staples and Bollywood…
Ko Samui
This dazzling and fun cabaret offers one-hour gà·teu·i (also spelled kàthoey) cabaret featuring cross-dresser and/or transgender performers every night at…
Bangkok
The historic Mandarin Oriental hosts a traditional dance theatre in a sumptuous Thai pavilion located across the river in Thonburi to complement a luxury…
Ho Chi Minh City
Don’t be misled by the name: most of the musicians are fully plugged in and dangerous when they take to the intimate stage of the city’s leading live…
Hat Patong
About 500m south of Patong, Simon puts on colourful cabarets that are wildly popular with (and now slightly catered towards) tour groups. The 600-seat…
Bangkok
A set or two of live jazz in this elegant glass-encased perch 32 floors above the city will help you forget some of your day's woes (or life's worries)…
Bangkok
This six-storey shophouse-turned-artspace in bustling Silom has something for everyone: film screenings, indie concerts, gallery nights displaying local…
Penang
The supporting act to the Hard Rock Hotel resort next door is this restaurant-bar – one of the few places in Batu Ferringhi where live music is guaranteed…
Jakarta
Those wanting to tap into Jakarta's underground music scene can head to this grungy venue which hosts local punk, metal, indie and hip hop gigs most…
Phnom Penh
Established by Cambodian-French filmmaker Rithy Panh, this is a free audiovisual resource for filmmakers and researchers. Visitors can explore its archive…
Kuala Lumpur
The home of Malaysian dance legend Ramli Ibrahim is also a showcase for Indian classical dance as well as a dance studio, painting and photography gallery…
Chiang Mai
An atmospheric and intimate red-brick house where a diverse array of musicians perform throughout the week. There's also an adjacent hostel, a craft store…
Municipal Water Puppet Theatre
Hanoi
Water-puppetry shows are a real treat for children. Multilingual programs allow the audience to read up on each vignette as it’s performed. Although there…
Vientiane
A roadhouse-style bar and restaurant, Wind West has live Lao and Western rock music most nights. Depending on the night it can be heaving or completely…
South Jakarta
Indonesia's largest stadium was completed in 1962. Since then it's had a few rebuildings and is presently used for football matches – especially by…
Yogyakarta
It calls itself an art and coffee shop, but this split-level grungy venue is more like a restaurant and bar. Frequent live bands play here from 9pm…
Phnom Penh
Check the flyer out front for information on performances at the landmark Chatomuk Theatre, located in the heart of Phnom Penh's popular riverfront…
Banglamphu
Linked with Silpakorn University, Thailand's most famous arts university, jazz happens! is a stage for aspiring musical talent. With four acts playing…
Phnom Penh
This black box theatre, opened in 2018, runs a regular program of dance, performance, music, poetry, film screenings, talks and more. The resident company…
Manila
Manila's iconic arena was the site of the 'Thrilla in Manila', possibly the most famous boxing match of all time. Today it hosts big PBA (Philippine…
Manila
A long-running Quezon City bar, '70s Bistro is known for getting some of the best reggae acts in the country, plus classic Pinoy rock bands that have been…
Bangkok
It’s Oktoberfest all year round at this hangar-sized music-hall-cum-microbrewery. The Thai–German food is tasty, the house-brewed ales are eminently…
Banglamphu
This closet-sized blues bar is everything a neighbourhood joint should be: lots of regulars, cold beer and heart-warming tunes delivered by a masterful…
Manila
This is a longstanding, character-filled venue attracting an older, sit-down crowd for more acoustic-oriented gigs. The garden is a good place to chill…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This rustic pub is one of the few remaining places in town to hear ‘songs for life’, Thai folk music with roots in the political movements of the 1960s…
Baguio
In a city where live music seemingly wafts out of every window, this dive opposite Prince Plaza Hotel consistently features Baguio’s best original live…
Yogyakarta
A fairly standard pub, but worth dropping in for the live music. Bands play from 8pm and feature acoustic music on Mondays, the Top 40 on Tuesdays,…
Around Manila
This huge semi-open-air waterfront place next to Lighthouse Marina Resort has live bands every night, usually playing foot-tappable Filipino pop. Also a…
Ubud
A simple, open terrace in a convenient location. In many ways this location hints at what dance performances have looked like in Ubud for generations…
