This list shall not be seen as a complete guide to Bangkok’s nightlife. I only pick and review a few places i recently visited and that i find worth mentioning. I will update the list several times per year. Last update : September 2011
“Normal” clubbing places :
1. FUNKY VILLA, Thong Lo
Currently the hippest club among Thais. Crowd is sexy, the area is ideal for clubbing. I mostly prefer the sound at the not so popular Club Demo next to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOoKIKLV3DU
2. NOIR, Ratchadapisek, next to Emerald Hotel
Extremely cool club, one of SEA’s hottest. The entrance tunnel is spectacular. Currently closed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhsZB4a348s
3. 808, RCA
If you like electronic music, you should check out the place. Good location at RCA and they have a cool selection international DJs. It is not so popular among Thais, mainly also because of entrance fees.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abYleSZvMao
4. FALABELLA, Royal Sports Club, 100 Ratchadamri road
One of Bangkok’s most exclusive night clubs. Place is well structured and managed. It’s the grown-up version of Funky Villa and a bit more VIP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRUOR1Xeb4w
5. NARCISSUS (“NARZ”), Sukhumvit Soi 23
Narcissus got completely modernized and looks now like a mixed opera house + mansion. The club is a bit too huge for me with different levels, so I mostly only hang out in one of their rooms where I like the music most. Lots of electronic music there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvt8Vr8nnng
6. DA CRIB, RCA
Da Crib goes new ways with its colorful, fresh design and by presenting different music styles in an uncommon way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEik1htBhKY
7. SHOCK 39, New Petchaburi road, Soi 39
Stylish, medium-sized club with an old-school, cool danceflor in the centre. The location is not ideal but it is open until very late.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0O1Qu3syEE
8. BED SUPPERCLUB, Sukhumvit Soi 11
A lot of foreigners, mostly hip-hop and electronic music, well established already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JycG4ZT6-xU
9. WINE BRIDGE PLUS, Lang Suan, ground flor, balcony building
Pretty relaxed, elegant chill-out place. They offer a broad selection of wines and cute girls are sometimes to be seen as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OARU79f0Q-g
10. MUSE, ThonglorÂ
Lots of young Thais. Club plays live Thai and is mostly crowded with people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdzj7MZNPEw
11. FLIX, RCA
RCA is a street with a lot of clubs where many Thai locals go. Slim (Route 66)/Flix are the largest ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks5CHFQMDWQ
12.INCH BAR, Ratchadapisek 55/49-60, behind Esplanade
Interesting club on Ratchadapisek and a welcome change from RCA and Thonglor/Ekamai clubbing. Crowd can be a bit too young sometimes though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=877OaY4FFDc
13.ESCUDO, Thonglor, between Soi 13 and 15, 4th flor
Mostly Thais. Nice club on Thong Lo, focussing on hip-hop and electronic music. After re-opening it lost its appeal to me tough, used to be cooler in the past.
Hotel bars :
1. CLIMAX, basement of Ambassador hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 11
Very popular spot among freelancers to go after work. Often live music and relaxed/friendly vibe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCpJXBShNm0
2. SPASSO, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 494 Rajadamri Road
Upscale bar, more expensive drinks, a lot of business people. Girls mainly range in the age group 25 to 35, so more old but stylish dressed and mostly well behaving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNfkHmsBViw
3. MET BAR, Metropolitan hotel, 27 South Sathorn Rd.
Used to be more classy, now more or less public and not such a great party place anymore.
4. CM2, Novotel 392/44, Siam Square Soi 6
Mostly hip-hop, many Russian girls. Not that classy, but lots of people love it.
5. NANA LIQUID, Nana hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 4
Nana Plaza bargirl/freelancer disco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpgjIZioSU
6. MIXX, Intercontinental hotel, 973 Pleonchit road
They try to imitate the style of Climax and it simply doesn’t work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqfOCTwIAFM
Gentlemen (G-) clubs :
1. THE PENT, 31/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini
Different rooms with specific music themes. They have the best management, best shows and are farang-friendly too. The location is pretty good as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8BPbDqG3jE
2. MAIAKE, 50/261 M9 Kaset-Navamindra, Klongkum, Bungkum
They currently have the highest amount of sexy coyote girls among all G-clubs, around 100 girls total are working there. The stage is pretty cool too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nRFj6vevX4
3. ST.MORITZ, Sukhumvit Soi 11
It is just 1 large room for about 250 guests but better structured than the Resort. They have good shows and the best G-club DJs.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl0r4b
4. THE RESORT, Ratchadapisek Rd. 13
Famous G-club. One large room, often playing live Thai music. Quality of girls has declined.
5. SHERBET, Ekamai road
Nice G-club, but it lacks a special atmosphere.
6. EXOTICA, Soi Thong Lor, Soi 5-7
Large club with many rooms. Designed mainly for Asian members with a lot private karaoke rooms.
7. PEGASUS, Sukhumvit Soi 23
Pretty large G-club focussing on Asian business guests who like that opera/mansion theme design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgXX5ZjV8o
1. SOI COWBOY, between Sukhumvit Soi 21&23
Street with about 30 bars. Baccara and Tilac are the largest and most popular ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3W9leyYz_Q
2. NANA ENTERTAINMENT PLAZA (NEP), Sukhumvit Soi 4
Plaza with about 30 bars on 3 flors. Most famous ones are the Rainbow bars which have a large number of Asian customers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3W9leyYz_Q
3. SUKHUMVIT SOI 33
Compared with Soi Cowboy a bit more expensive and upscale. More Asian customers. Also known as the dead poets street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNcWmSppQw0
4. PATPONG, Silom
A lot places are rip-offs or girls are pushy. Star of Light, Electric Blue and Bada Bing are famous places.