Lesbian nightlife
E-Fun
This is Bangkok's newest lesbian-only venue, opened in 2008. This bar, however, might not be too appealing for most Western lesbians, as it caters to "tom-dees", Thais who don't like to be referred to as lesbians and follow strict gender roles.
Zeta
Opened in the middle of 2006, this is the first lesbian-only bar in Bangkok. Only girls are allowed, no men gay men and drag queens are also not allowed. As it's in the middle of RCA, it attracts quite a young public, and like other clubs in RCA, it is very crowded at weekends.
For years, Bangkok's lesbian nightlife was almost non-existent, and the few bars that did exist were spread all over the city. Now a community of lesbian bars has started to emerge in Royal City Avenue, lead by Zeta and E-Fun.
Royal city avenue (rca)
LED Nightclub
Formerly known as 808 Nightclub, LED Club is one of the busiest clubs of RCA, this is the place to be for electro and house music. Many international DJs perform at the elevated stage, which makes the DJ stand out from the crowd. They are supported by stunning special effects, good sound systems and flashy lights.
Baroque Bar
At the edge of RCA, this nightclub is a more elegant place that attracts a wealthier crowd unlike the other clubs that mostly cater to university students. The interior is plush and absolutely overwhelming; it kind of feels like entering a giant Baroque-style residence. One room pumps up house and dance/trance music, while the other room puts up live performances. Often it stays open well beyond 02:00, stretching 03:30 or even later.
DuDe
Formerly known as JazzIt, this club offers deep house music, electro, pop, rock and jazz performed by international DJs and live music bands. Great wine bar with a wide selection of international cocktails.
Prop Bar
Not as ginormous as the big clubs, Prop Bar is more a place for relaxing than for hard partying. Usually there is a rock or ska group playing at the stage area. The only foreigners around RCA usually do not make it this far out, as it is completely at the northern side of RCA.
Route 66
Route 66 is one of the largest and most well-known clubs on RCA. It is terribly crowded with young, trendy Thais, especially on weekends. There are different wings, each having a different music genre or live band. All this is combined with beautiful light effects and animations on the walls and ceiling.
Royal City Avenue, usually referred to as RCA, is a popular and trendy road open only to pedestrians. It has gone through some tough times. In 2002, the whole street was pretty much dead as it was known as a place where under-aged locals would sneak in for their alcohol needs. It had a reputation for having bad facilities and long queues for the toilets. After a heavy social order campaign, ID-checks have been introduced and heavily enforced, with only those 20 or older allowed entry.
RCA became hip and happening again, with many of the biggest nightclubs in Thailand. Many clubs have been refurbished with absolutely stunning interiors and special effects. To boost its image, especially a lot of dedication has gone in the design of toilets. Route 66 is said to have some of the fanciest toilets in the world, with live bands performing while you need to go. There's also racks of magazines in case you're taking your time and a make-up room for the ladies.
Foreigners aren't common, but aren't unwelcome either.
Cosmic Cafe
This is a small chill-out lounge, not a large club like the others. Not a place for dancing or partying, but good if you want to have a conversation or play some pool. The music is a mixed bag, but it's generally mellow and relaxed. On Wednesdays Thai 1980s music is on. It's good for peoplewatching as you have a good view on the road, and there's free Wi-Fi available.
Flix/Slim
This is a colossal conglomerate of three large rooms and two fused clubs. Flix mostly focuses on house music, while Slim is separated in two "zones", one of them with hip hop music and the other with a live band performances and is also a dining room with seats and tables. The interior is absolutely stunning, and can be seen from the outside through the glass. The crowd, as is usual on RCA, are mostly local twenty-somethings.
H.O.B.B.
One of the newest clubs, and yet another one with live music performances. Obviously catering to locals, expect Thai pop, rock, house and hip-hop.
Overtone Music Cave
Instead of a general nightclub, all the chairs here are aimed towards the stage, so visitors actually listen and watch the bands perform. The focus is not on drinking, but on listening., usually with jazz, rock or blues bands. A Singha or Corona sets you back 100 baht, a cocktail costs you around 150 baht.
Ratchada soi 6 and 8
Hollywood Awards
Hollywood is one of the largest clubs of Bangkok, and represents the Bangkok of yesteryear with flashy neon lights and corny stage performances. It has a large drinking hall no dance floor with sexy entertainers performing cover tunes on stage, a bit like a cabaret. Don't expect to sit down anywhere though, as there are no seats.
Inch
A massive club that has space for over 2,500 visitors. Most of the visitors are wealthy young Thais. The club has a modern appearance, a cool steel and glass look that's a pleasure to look at. It is split in two rooms; the futuristic room boasts hip-hop music, while the retro room has large disco balls and live band performances.
A hot spot of late for local teens. Not a single venue, but a collection of several dozen large clubs. Hollywood Awards is by far the largest and best known one.
Dance Fever
Dance Fever has previously hosted concerts by Erasure and Bush. It is highly favoured among Japanese tourists.
Ratchada soi 4
Snop
The most popular of the Soi 4 clubs, and already stands out from the rest with its cool light effects outside. With two floors, connected by an escalator, it is certainly large and impressive. The interior is trendy and stylish with the tables neatly lined up. A great place to see local nightlife and hear Thai bands.
Zaleng
The interesting red carpet entry gives you a choice between two rooms, one with house/trance, and the other with the usual Thai performance band. Like the others, it's crazy loud, so forget any verbal communication. You'll be walking out with a beep in your ear.
Ratchada Soi 4 is a collection of several dozen music pubs very popular with 20-something Thais. Formerly a second-hand car lot, and with still some cars on sale at daytime, this soi gives kind of an insight in how young Thais like to have a good time out. The music is often way too loud, but that seems to be the main attraction. These clubs are not as impressive as those on RCA, they feel a bit run down and trashy, but are still good fun. The main clubs here include:
Rad
As popular as it is loud, this music pub is a great place for a fun night out. The music here is a mix of hip-hop, dance and electronic music, with live bands performing.
If you are looking for entertainment the locals enjoy, Royal City Avenue and Ratchadaphisek Road are an interesting night out. These nightclubs are huge, and most of them boost stunning visual effects. Partying here is quite different from the usual tourist places. Instead of 40-year old tourists, expect local early 20-something university students. Ordering drinks goes by bottle, instead of per glass, and the locals dance while standing at their tables not on the dance floor. The same are the ID checks; always bring identification papers as they will be checked upon entry.
massage parlors
Ratchadaphisek Road features many types of massage parlors ranging from upscale spas specializing in traditional Thai massage to the so-called "soapy" massage parlors that are quite famous in the area. These latter parlors are little more than a front for prostitution. They are indicated by big flashy yet windowless buildings with names like Emmanuelle, Poseidon, Caesar's, and further south, Mona Lisa. Most of these are in the area around Huai Khwang MRT station. Note that taking a taxi directly to one of these will often have the driver expecting a commission; this will be added to your bill if you're there for service, and potentially resulting in an annoyed driver if you are just stopping in.