Asian Current

Nightlife in Bangkok

Speak of nightlife in Bangkok, and it’s sure to raise a few eyebrows and elicit some hushed sighs of excitement. However, Bangkok has come a long way from its sleazy old days of bawdy and rowdy fun, and has emerged as the capital of “cool” of East Asia. Today, a night in Bangkok promises a host of entertaining activities, and provides plenty of opportunities to have fun in a safe and wholesome way.

Bangkok today boasts of a richly diverse nightlife scene featuring everything from excellent live music and good jazz clubs to ultra cool bars, trendy clubs and great restaurants. Take a walk along the Khao San Road and discover the throbbing heart of the backpacking universe. It’s the definitive destination in Bangkok for a raucous, anything-goes night out with its laid-back, cosmopolitan milieu. A growing contingent of fashionable locals to complement the multi-cultural mix, along with a slew of sophisticated bars and clubs, makes this the perfect spot in town to eat, drink, shop and dance without a care in the world.

An assault of high decibels of the latest techno groove will greet you as you walk down the road, but you can also find scattered servings of Indie, rock and reggae to add variety. In fact, there’s something for everybody here!

The locals often call Bangkok “KrungThep”, which means “City of Angels”. KrungThep is actually an abbreviated version of its full name, which holds the record for being the longest name of a city in the world. As I was saying, in Bangkok, there is always something for everyone. If you like clubbing, you’ll find no dearth of clubs in the City of Angels. Perhaps you enjoy watching your favorite sport while sipping beer. Sports bars are where you should be at. If you feel like playing some pool, the sheer number of pool bars in the city will overwhelm you, not to mention the plentiful players to test your skills with.

To pacify your belly rumbles, taste the finest in Thai cuisine at one of the countless restaurants and food-joints around. Just be aware of the legendary traffic jams of Bangkok. They can slow the pace down a bit if you’re not careful. It’s probably a good idea to travel with a local guide if you are not familiar with the city.

Bangkok has superb venues that appeal to all sorts of musical tastes. Thais are known to enjoy live music, and Bangkok offers great opportunities to listen to great tunes in a number of settings, ranging from loud and lively pubs, to dimly lit bars and classy hotel lobbies. Cool jazz, classical, retro, rock - Bangkok serves all.

Looking for something more adventurous? Take your pick from the many so-called Go-Go Bars in Bangkok. These much talked about (and somewhat notorious) bars that put Bangkok’s nightlife on the map still draw a lot of attention. Beautiful women and hunky guys bare almost all in sizzling live performances while moving sensually to rhythmic beats.

Other attractions of a night in Bangkok include attending the famed Ladyboy shows, featuring a fusion of Hollywood glam, disco diva and mythical creatures from the East, with a dash of comedy and spectacular costumes, cultural shows showcasing the best of Thai arts and culture. Last but not the least, pay a visit to one of the massage parlors for the perfect end to your day’s activities