Bangkok clubs

Hey guys, here is another guest blog from Ace over at http://www.thailandrockstar.com/. As I mentioned before, Ace goes out a lot in Bangkok, but stays out of the pay for play scene. But he knows the club scene well and he’s written a piece about Bangkok’s club scene to help paint a clear picture for us. Here it is:
Bangkok’s nightlife rivals that of any other city in the world. Seven days a week and almost 365 days per year (barring certain religious holidays) there are bars and clubs packed with locals, tourists and expats playing everything from Thai pop and rock music to banging techno and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for naughty nightlife, rooftop cocktails, cheap street drinking or drum & bass raves you’ll find it! 

A visit to Bangkok without hitting the clubs would be a big mistake. Bangkok has some of the best nightlife in the world with clubs, music and scenes to suit all types of people 7 nights a week. Depending on what you like will determine where you want to go. If you’re a backpacker looking to party with similar minded people on the cheap then Kowsan Road is your best bet, try Gazebo, Gullivers or The Club. If you’re more into high end but still want to stay in the tourist area then clubs like Bed Super Club, Q Bar and Levels will suit you. If you want to party with local students head to RCA for clubs like Route 66 and Slim / Fix or to the more off the beaten track Ratchada Soi 4 and try out SNOP or Zaleng. If high society clubs with bottle service and beautiful locals is more up your street then the districts of Thong Lor and Ekkamai are on the cards, try Funky Villa, Demo or Muse.  Safehouse is good too!   If it’s naughty nightlife, bar girls, freelancers and ladyboys you’re after start the night off at Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza then head to Climax or Insomnia around 2am when most bars close. Too cheap to drink in bars and clubs? Then grab a big bottle of Chang from 7/11 for 39B and sit out on the street people watching, believe it or not this can actually be a fun night. Whatever you’re looking for or whatever your budget in Bangkok you can find it.

If you’re planning on going out in Bangkok but not sure where to go here are a range of clubs that cater to almost all tastes:

Route 66 at RCA for Locals, Expats & Tourists
The number one club for a mix of locals, expats and tourists is Route 66 at RCA. RCA is a nightlife area that takes up a whole street. Originally almost exclusively an area for Bangkok students over the past few years it’s become more and more popular with expats living in Bangkok and increasingly tourists. If you want to experience a taste of Thai nightlife without venturing too far out your comfort zone then RCA and more specifically Route 66 is the place to go. The club features 4 different sections with music ranging from Thai pop and rock to western dance and hip hop and gets stupidly busy at the weekends.
Used to be one of the best places for farang to pick up a local girl due to the novelty factor but the increasing amount of tourists and expats means not so much now BUT still a better option than any of the clubs near Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza for guys looking to find regular chicks. One of the few Thai clubs to have a decent area for dancing. It’s 300B entry and you’ll get vouchers for free and discounted drinks.

SNOP at Ratchada for A Thai Experience
If you’re brave enough to venture away from the tourist areas heading to Ratchada Soi 4 would be a good move. Here you’ll find a street packed with clubs catering almost exclusively to young Bangkok locals and hardly a foreigner in sight. Ratchada and particularly club SNOP is what RCA was several years ago meaning as a white guy you’re still a novelty here and considering how drunk some of the Thai girls get at SNOP you’ve got a decent chance of picking one up who’s left her morals at the bottom of a whisky bottle. Totally unpretentious, young crowd and bottles of vodka only 800B…can’t go wrong! Tell the taxi driver ‘Ratchada Soi see’ (Ratchada street 4) and he’ll know exactly where to take you.

Muse at Thong Lor for Hi-Society Fun
Thong Lor is thought to be a ‘hi-so’ area meaning ‘high society’ full of ‘high end’ clubs where Bangkoks rich and beautiful party but really it’s not that pretentious for the most part and you’ll have no problem getting into any of the clubs here assuming you’re not dressed in backpacker attire. One of the best clubs in the area is Muse. It’s always packed full of Thai’s, farang friendly and live bands play Thai pop, rock and indie most nights with occasional DJ sets. You won’t see many other white people here and a lot of the girls are not against hooking up with a farang as long as he doesn’t appear to be a stereotypical Western sex tourist. Living in BKK and speaking Thai helps. Entry prices remain similar to elsewhere in Bangkok (300B) with drink prices being a little more expensive at 180B for a beer and 2000B + for a bottle of whisky.

Backpacker Fun at The Club at Kowsan Road
The majority of backpackers who visit Bangkok only venture a short distance to see the temples, buddhas and grand palace never seeing the what the rest of the city has to offer in terms of nightlife. This is frankly a big mistake but none the less if you’re looking to party with similar minded people who are also backpacking through Thailand then The Club on Kowsan Road is the place to go. Free to get in and 80-90B for a beer or spirts & mixers this trance club is packed 7 nights a week with badly dressed farangs, some working girls and a few regular locals. If you want to pick up a backpacker girl this is the place to go. Bonus points if you tell her you’re staying in a nice hotel or apartment with aircon as most have been slumming it around SE Asia staying in 200B fan rooms, so a night in aircon can seal the deal…seriously, how tragic yet utterly brilliant is that?

Insanity After Hours Club near Nana
Insanity (formerly Insomnia) is a late night ‘super club’ with incredible light and sound system and is packed 7 nights per week with tourists and freelance prostitutes. If you’re looking to continue the party or find a pay for play girl for the night this is the place to go. Music is a mix of Western pop, dance and R&B. It’s 300B to get in with one free drink and taxis will take you there for free as they get commission from the club. Don’t show up until after 2am and don’t expect to leave until 5am or later. 99% of girls in here are ‘working girls’ and even if no money is discussed at the time assume it will be in the morning.

This is the ‘best’ of Bangkoks nightlife giving you a good selection of different clubs depending on your tastes and where you’re staying in Bangkok. Everything from backpacker to expat to local is covered and should give you a head start on deciding where to go. Have a bottle of Leo for me. Cheers!