Bangkok Nights
Bawdy Bangkok at Night
A city rich in religious history and infamous for their adult-themed entertainment, Bangkok is definitely not the place for prudes. That being said, the government recently launched a social order campaign and is actively cracking down on nudity and drugs. Moreover, smoking is strictly prohibited in all restaurants, nightclubs and bars.
But the go-go and beer bars still thrive.
Sukhumuit and Silom are the two main party districts in Bangkok. For the most part, bars and clubs close at 1:00 a.m., but some are permitted to stay open until 2:00 a.m. Feel like partying into the wee hours of the morning? Find a taxi driver and request that they take you to an after-hours club. Liveries get commissions from late-night hot spots, so there is a good chance you won't have to pay a fare.
Bangkok nightlife areas are contained on specific “sois,” or alleys. Each district has several sois with distinct characteristics.
Sukhumuit Nightlife District
Wealthy Thais, tourists and ex-pats prefer bars and clubs in the Sukhumuit district. The neighborhood is known for bar-hopping as many of the party sois are in close proximity. Soi Cowboy and the 3-storied Nana Entertainment Plaza are jam packed with go-go bars, whereas Soi 33 features more upscale hostess bars. In recent years, Sukhumuit has become the unofficial wine-district of Bangkok and spirit cafes are increasingly popular.
If you're a fan of hops, stop by The Londoner; it's the only bar in Bangkok that brews their own beer. Happy hour happens every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Silom Nightlife District
Perhaps the most infamous district in Bangkok, Silom is home to Soi Patpong, the strip that single handedly gave the city its wild reputation. Referred to by locals as “the Pong,” the area is sedate by day, hot-and-bothered by night.
Westerns may not have much luck gaining entry to the lounges on Soi Thaniya. It's a heavily Japanese-influenced area and they're not shy about keeping it that way. Women walk around in Kimonos and North Americans are routinely turned away from the area's private hostess bars. Restaurants, however, are more than welcoming and Soi Thaniya is by far the best place to grab sushi and sake in Bangkok.
If you're looking for pristine sidewalks and tame, relaxing lounges, Bangkok may not be the place for you. But for those in search of the shocking, bawdy Bangkok may be the perfect plan.
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