Category Archives: Bars/Clubs

Jun 16 2008

Bar/Club guide Jakarta

club_stadium_jakarta_globalnanpa

Last update : August 2011

“Normal“ clubbing places :

1.STADIUM, Jl. Hausann Wuruk No.3

Huge, legendary club. This place is very controversial, always full of people. I really enjoy the music and dark, gloomy atmosphere. It is like a cathedral for all “evil” minds. The owner also operates Malioboro spa/hotel. Stadium is an unreal original : The world’s only place that is a club/disco, restaurant, short-time hotel all in one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N01fMdLrg-M

2. IMMIGRANT, Plaza Indonesia, 6th flor

Great party place. Club is inside Plaza Indonesia and got a terrace with an impressive view. The place is classy, people behave well, the music is not too loud and gladly not mainstream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQlu41LmTGw

3. X2, Plaza Senyan, 4th flor

The biggest clubbing place in Jakarta, always packed with people. A bit too large for me and it has nothing that really dazzles me. Still always worth a visit for some special events. It is also a good place for nanpa with normal girls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJLS02zAGjk

4. DRAGONFLY, Graha BIP

Stylish club. Women dress to kill and plenty of international guests. People could be friendlier though.

5. MUSRO, Hotel Borobudur, Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan

Very cool, small-sized club. I wish it had more events and would be open more often.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfQSs77g64I

6. BARCODE, Le Codefin, rooftop, Jalan Kemang Raya 8

People you encounter in Kemang are extremely friendly. Place is owned by DJ Riri, Indonesia’s most famous one. Interesting place, but far away when staying near the Welcome Monument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmE35eszlA

7. RED SQUARE, Arcadia Plaza, Senayan complex

Popular expat club, moved upstairs. Some Bats/CJs girls hang out there also. This place gets packed at weekends and it is not that big actually, around 350 sm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QfPeuZ7Vkk

8. Blowfish, Wisma Mulia, Gatot Subroto

Next to Dragonfly and had the same interior designer; Ismaya Group. Both places are stylish, it depends on your taste. Blowfish also exists in Surabaya where I like it more.

Hotel bars :

1. MO Bar, Mandarin Oriental

Most classy hotel bar. Ladies night is sweet, it can get surprisingly crowded at special events. Managed by a cool German guy.

2. CJs, Mulia Hotel

A bit lower class than Mo bar, but more easy-going and relaxed atmosphere. Drinks are expensive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m5Cd3Gqpk8

3. BURGUNDY, Grand Hyatt Hotel

Small-sized but stylish place. Good thing about the Grand Hyatt is that it is very established and you always meet interesting people.

4. BATS, Shangri-la Hotel

Larger bar with live music and many freelancers. Feels like CM2 in BKK.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4n1GJJawx4

Bargirl places :

1. TOP GUN, BLOK M

Best bar on Blok M. Quite large, mostly around 50 girls, good pool tables and often live music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDSphipiuKU

2. MY BAR, Blok M

Used to be my favorite place at Blok M in the beginning.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDwZk-4B7h4

3. D’s, Blok M

Upstairs at D’s got sadly closed now, but the place is still fun.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xke71f

Feb 07 2008

Lady bar (go-go) guide, South East Asia (SEA)

ladybar_guide_southeast_asia_globalnanpa

Lady bar (go-go) guide, South East Asia (SEA)

This list shall not be seen as a complete guide to the SEA gogo scene. I only list a few places I recently visited and that I find worth mentioning. I will update this list from time to time.

I believe that describing gogo bars in words does not make much sense except giving a bit of background information. You mostly have to check out the places yourself and find out if you like it or not. I can only give you a first idea what a good spot might be and then you have to check if that could be a place to visit or not.

Thailand

Pattaya :

1. BACCARA, Walking Street

2. AIRPORT CLUB, Walking Street

3. HAPPY AGOGO, Soi Happy, Walking Street

4. HEAVEN ABOVE, Soi Diamond, Walking Street

5. SECRETS, Soi 14, Walking Street

Bangkok :

1. RAINBOW 1 and 4, Nana Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 4

2. BACCARA, Soi Cowboy, between Sukhumvit Soi 21&23

3. TILAC, Soi Cowboy, between Sukhumvit Soi 21&23

Philippines

Angeles City :

1. ATLANTIS, Fields Avenue

2. CLUB ASIA, Fields Avenue

3. CRYSTAL PALACE, Fields Avenue

4. DOLLHOUSE, Fields Avenue

5. DIRTY DUCK, Fields Avenue

6. CAMELOT, Fields Avenue

7. PONY TAILS, Perimeter

Manila :

1. to follow

2. FLAMINGO’S, Burgos Street

3. BANDITOS, Burgos Street

4. FIREHOUSE, Edsa Entertainment Complex

5. LA Cafe (MANILA BAY CAFE), Ermita

Indonesia

Jakarta :

1. TOP GUN, Blok M

2. MY BAR, Blok M

3. D’s, Blok M

Jan 06 2008

Bar/Club guide Bangkok

funky_villa_logo_bangkok_globalnanpa

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, Thonglor 

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

Bargirl places :

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BuX5CHwdOA