Bangkok’s nightlife mainly takes place in the two red light districts Patpong (between Silom and Surawong Road) and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit). The latter was named after the first bar that was opened here – ?? the Cowboy Bar. Bangkok’s sex industry is booming as always and is very obvious. Nevertheless, in addition to the numerous sex clubs and massage salons, there are also many excellent cocktail bars and restaurants. The area is crowded at night, and although bars and clubs should officially close at 2:00 p.m., most of the places are open not only all day, but also late into the night. Some places charge entrance fees, but these usually include a voucher for one or two drinks. There are dress codes except for a few night clubs, where more value is placed on more elegant clothing, almost none. As in other cities, new bars and discos often disappear just as quickly as they appear.
The city magazine ‘The Big Chilli’ (www.bigchilli.com) reveals where the latest in-places are. Tickets for cultural events are available in advance from the respective event locations or can be obtained from Thai Ticketmajor (Tel: (02) 262 3456; www.thaiticketmajor.com). Cultural event information can be found at http://eventful.com/bangkok/concerts .
Cultural event
The birthdays of the Queen and King of Thailand are duly celebrated all over Bangkok. Before the king’s birthday in December, the Trooping of the Color ceremony takes place every year , at which the royal wardegiments once again pledge loyalty to the monarch as part of a flag parade at the Royal Plaza. The Royal Barge Processiontakes place only occasionally because the barges are very old, but there is a small display on the king’s birthday. The last major procession was in November 1999 to mark the King’s 72nd birthday, and before that the last time in 1996 to celebrate the King’s 50th throne. The pageants are always incredibly impressive, and in 1999 you could admire 52 of the elaborately carved barges that were rowed by thousands of costumed followers.
Bangkok has many traditional dance and theater companies performing at various venues throughout the city. Nowadays, however, they are more popular with tourists than with the locals, who generally. have turned to Western culture. The city has its own orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. In some international hotels, western plays with famous British or American actors are often performed in English for a short season.
Bars
Bull’s Head
Bull’s Head, Sukhumvit 33/1, is particularly popular with Bangkok’s foreign residents. It is a British-style pub and even hosts the quiz nights common in traditional pubs.
Address: Sukhumvit 33/1, Bangkok
Dubliner Irish Pub
Irish pubs are popular in almost every city in the world, and the well-attended Dublin Irish Pub in Sukhumvit, Washington Square, is no exception.
Address: Washington Square, Bangkok
The Barbican
A stylish pub is The Barbican, Soi Thaniya, Silom Road, with a good selection of drinks and food.
Address: Silom Road, Bangkok
skunk
The Skunk, Sukhumvit Soi 63, attracts many guests and regular visitors not only because of its bold name but also because of its unusual decor (for example, parts of cars on the walls).
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 63, Bangkok
Clubs
Concept CM2
Concept CM2, in the basement of the Novotel hotel in Siam Square, is a huge, quite expensive complex that consists of a disco, bar, and restaurant. One focus of the program is the Retro Night every Thursday.
Address: Siam Square, Bangkok
Narcissus
The astonishing lighting and sound system at Narcissus, 112 Sukhumvit Soi 23, which also has an ornate Art Deco style, attracts the city’s fancier house and techno fans.
Address: 112 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 12, regularly hosts guest appearances by internationally known DJs. House and hip hop are mainly played here.
Address: 2 Sukhumvit Soi 12, Bangkok
Q bar
The Q Bar, 34 Sukhumvit Soi 11 is popular and sought-after by local trendsetters and foreign audiences, which can also come up with internationally sought-after DJs. House and hip hop are mainly played here.
Address: 34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok
Website: http://www.qbarbangkok.com/
Live music
Ad Makers
At Ad-Makers, 51 Soi Lang Suan, live bands of international standing perform – ?? and the audience often sings along.
Address: 51 Soi Lang Suan, Bangkok
Saxophone pub
The Saxophone Pub, 3/8 Victory Monument, Phayathai Road is very popular, where many different music styles are played live, including funk, jazz, blues and ska.
Address: 3/8 Victory Monument, Phayathai Road, Bangkok
Website: http://www.saxophonepub.com/
La Lunar
La Lunar, Sukhumvit Soi 11, offers live bands and is characterized by its technical equipment (video system with multiple screens and impressive laser and headlight systems).
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok
Bamboo bar
The Bamboo Bar, 48 Oriental Avenue, in the chic Oriental Hotel, is considered a small and fine club that enjoys an excellent reputation for its jazz guest appearances.
Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok
Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/
Classical music
Sala Rim Nam
The Sala Rim Nam, 48 Oriental Avenue, is a nice restaurant in the traditional pavilion style. It is furnished with a lot of teak and belongs to the Oriental Hotel, which is located on the other side of the Chaophraya River next to the Peninsula Hotel. There is an evening banquet every day from 7 p.m., followed by an event with traditional music and dance from 8:30 p.m. Traditional performances of this kind are performed all over the city every day, but it is reputed to be the best in Thailand. Under no circumstances should you miss it.
Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 437 62 11; (02) 437 30 80
website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/
Baan Thai
The Baan Thai, Sukhumvit Soi 32, offers a music and dance event every evening in an old Thai house.
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 32, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 258 54 03
Bangkok Symphony Orchestra
The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra mostly performs in the Thailand Cultural Center, Ratchadaphisek Road.
Address: Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok
Website: http://bangkoksymphony.org/V2/
Theatre
National Theater
Performances of classic Thai dramas are very colorful and expressive and take place every last Friday and Saturday of the month at the National Theater, 2 Rachini Road.
Address: 2 Rachini Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 224 13 42
Bangkok Playhouse
In the Bangkok Playhouse, Phetchaburi Road, modern plays are shown every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.
Address: Phetchaburi Road, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 319 76 41
Chalerm Krung Royal Theater
The Chalerm Krung Royal Theater, Charoen Krung (New Road) regularly hosts plays and musicals.
Address: Charoen Krung, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 222 04 34
Calypso Cabaret
For visitors who are fascinated by the infamous “ladyboys” or katoeys in Bangkok, there are two demonstrations every night in the Calypso Cabaret, Asia Hotel, Phayathai Road. The shows are sold out every night.
Address: 296 Phayathai Road, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 215 08 08
Website: http://www.calypsocabaret.com/
Culture
Thailand Cultural Center
Thai and international cultural performances, ?? like classical music, dance, ballet and pop concerts, ?? take place regularly at the Thailand Cultural Center, Ratchadaphisek Road.
Address: Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 247 00 28
Website: http://www.thaiculturalcenter.com/
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
Thai and international cultural performances take place regularly at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, New Ratchadaphisek Road. ?? like classical music, dance, ballet and pop concerts.
Address: New Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 299 30 00
Website: http://www.qsncc.co.th/