The word Thailand and nightlife have become inseparable over the past decades. From beach parties that continue from dusk till dawn to the notorious sex tourism in Phuket and Pattaya, Thailand’s nightlife has gained global fame. The buzzing capital Bangkok carries the flag in that regard.
Many youngsters fly into Bangkok from Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, the US, and all around the world, just to set foot in the Southeast Asian city that never sleeps. As soon as the darkness rolls in, neon lights start glowing everywhere, and you can hear the groove and the bass throbbing in your chest.
The only problem is that the city gets even more chaotic in the evenings, which might be intimidating for some. To help you blend into Bangkok’s nightlife, we have prepared a list of our favorite nightlife spots in Bangkok.
1. VERTIGO ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
Who wouldn’t want to start their night in Bangkok on a rooftop with a panoramic view of the city? The 61-story building of the luxurious Banyan Tree Bangkok is one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok, giving you uninterrupted views of the Downtown area and the Chao Phraya River. Vertigo, on the top floor, opens its doors to visitors every day at 6 pm.
You can start with a pre-drinks session at the Moon Bar and try the signature cocktails like Vertigo Sunset. If you are hungry, Vertigo’s extensive menu has options for every taste. They are especially well-known for their seafood starters containing tuna or lobsters, as well as BBQ pork ribs. Last but not least, we would recommend the signature deserts like the fig tart or the mango cheesecake. After you finish your three-course meal at Vertigo, you will have enough energy to spend the rest of the night dancing.
2. THE IRON FAIRIES BAR
We think of unicorns and rainbows when it comes to fairies, but this bar proves just the opposite. The inspiration for the gothic interior design comes from the fairytale book the owner wrote. When you set foot inside, you will instantly get shivers from the gloomy atmosphere, as iron sculptures of winged fairies keep staring at you.
The bar has a simple but satisfying food menu of gourmet burgers, while the tap beers come at reasonable prices around 4-5 USD. If dancing is not your vibe and you like to listen to quality jazz and blues music, The Iron Fairies have regular bands performing live.
Because there are only fifty chairs in the venue, it can get full quickly. If you want to find a seat, we suggest that you go a bit early, before 7 pm if possible.
3. SOI COWBOY
As soon as you fly into Bangkok, you might want to skip pre-drinks and go for a fast introduction to Bangkok’s crazy nightlife. Soi Cowboy, also known as Bangkok’s Red Light District, represents the nastier side of Bangkok’s nightlife ever since its establishment in the 70s. Located in Sukhumvt Road, the district has several go-go bars lined up on both sides. Here, you will find lots of adult entertainment, especially strip clubs.
Its popularity increased further due to popular culture, when it became the filming location for movies, including Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and The Hangover Part 2. So, don’t be surprised by the buzzing crowd that makes it almost impossible to walk on a straight line at times.
4. LEVELS CLUB AND LOUNGE
If you are the type of tourist that loves the European-style party scene, you will be happy to know that Bangkok has clubs that fall nothing short of Europe. This large venue consists of three zones. You can enjoy drinks at the terrace, socialize at the lounge, or dance till the sunset at the clubbing section. The playlist never stays the same; you can visit three nights in a row and probably not hear the same song twice.
The place has received acclaim from experts for its sound and lighting system, as well as for being spacious. The laser beam shows and the bass-accentuating sound system are among the highlights of Levels Club. So, it’s not surprising that the schedule includes so many international DJs who fly into Bangkok to work in such an ambiance.
The best thing about the Levels Club is that the entrance is free until midnight.
5. LEBUA SKY BAR
There is no other movie that made use of Bangkok’s colorful skyline as much as the Hangover franchise did. One of the places the Hangover brought fame is the Sky Bar at the rooftop of Lebua Hotel, one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok with 62 floors. The large staircase at the top gets covered up in ever-changing color, making it noticeable from every corner of Bangkok Downtown.
Despite the drinks being more expensive than a lot of bars in Bangkok, Sky Bar is also one of the most crowded places at night.
The restaurant may not be the best in town, but the experimental cocktails at Sky Bar are worth the splurge. Among the unique recipes, the poptails stand out with the Popsicle addition into the cocktails. Also, the signature Hangovertini with green tea liqueur is a bucket list item in Bangkok.
Last but not least, you can enjoy exceptional alcoholic tastes while listening to live jazz performances.
6. TAPAS ROOM
Latin music is one of the top five sources of entertainment wherever you travel, and Bangkok is no exception. Tapas room in the trendy Silom District invites you to an experimental Latino music and dance night. The building consists of three floors, and each floor focuses on a different genre, from Latino House to lounge music. In other words, it appeals to both the party-goers and those who prefer to spend a relaxed evening.
As its name suggests, Tapas Room specializes in Spanish tapas. You can get a platter of Spanish snacks and starters, with huge discounts if you are also buying a drink.
The entrance costs 9 USD, which earns you a free drink.
7. ONYX
The big-room style night clubs are favored by almost every party animal, due to the festival or concert feeling they evoke. Onyx Nightclub in Petchburi is the first of its kind in Bangkok, with its main room that can allow more than 2000 people. It makes the nightclub appealing to well-known DJs like Freddie Le Grand and the Chainsmokers, who fly into Bangkok regularly to perform here.
It’s not only the music but also the visuals that make Onyx so stunning. Laser show, smoke, and confetti are regular sights here.
The entrance fee depends on the type of entertainment you are seeking. If you are visiting with a group of friends, you can book one of their VIP sections that overlook the DJ booth. In the VIP areas, you get exclusive service, including the bartenders and private bathrooms.
8. CALYPSO CABARET
The word ladyboy always gets attributed to illegal sex tourism in Thailand, but people sadly overlook the stunning cabaret performances by them. If you are looking for a drag dining experience in Bangkok, look no further than Calypso Cabaret at the Asiatique neighborhood.
The performers show up with the most sophisticated outfits while lip-syncing to all-time favorite songs, with a bonus of K-pop and Japanese ballads. You can book a standard ticket at the auditorium for only 28 USD, which includes a free drink, or you can book a table for an extended dining experience. We must warn you, though, that the drag queens will not let you sit and eat quietly. Once they lay eyes on you, you will become part of the interactive shows.
Calypso Cabaret is open almost every day. A ticket allows you to watch two shows going on for an hour with a 15-minute break in between – performed by a different group of performers.
Still looking for more?
We did a little research on what cool stuff was happening in Bangkok at the time and stumbled upon a few Thrillophilia reviews. We headed over to their site and loved the many options available for a good time in Bangkok.
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