Welcome to arguably the best city on Planet Earth! Bangkok nightlife is legendary and for good reason. Nightlife in Bangkok is virtually unrivaled. From its size, to its diversity, and overall epicness, Bangkok nightlife has it all. Whether you’re into bars, clubs, pubs, live music, night markets, or something else entirely, Bangkok has you covered.
The nightlife scene in Bangkok is MASSIVE, and can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers. But don’t worry! This guide will give you all the info you need to hit the town like a pro. We’ll cover the best nightlife areas in Bangkok, what type of nightlife each area is known for, and some of our favorite bars, clubs, and other nightlife hotspots.
Where does the fun happen in Bangkok at night?
Primarily, Bangkok nightlife is centered around a few key areas:
- Sukhumvit
- Khao San Road
- Silom
These areas are where you’ll find the best nightlife in Bangkok.
Is Sukumvit a good place for nightlife in Bangkok?
Sukhumvit is Bangkok’s nightlife central. This area is packed with nightlife venues of all types, and there’s something to suit every taste. From world-class nightclubs to laid-back bars, Sukhumvit has it all.
When is the best time of night to visit Sukhumvit?
The nightlife in Sukhumvit really gets going around 10:00 PM, but doesn’t really reach its peak until after midnight. That said, you’ll find a good mix of people out and about even as early as 9pm. The parties usually continue on until the sun comes up, so if you’re looking to party all night long, Sukhumvit is the place to be.
What type of nightlife can I expect in Sukhumvit?
Sukhumvit nightlife is incredibly diverse. There are world-class nightclubs like Levels and Demonia, upbeat bars like Soi 11’s Bourbon Street, rooftop bars like Sky Bar, live music venues like Saxophone Pub, and so much more. No matter what your nightlife preferences are, you’ll find something to suit your taste in Sukhumvit.
Is there a red light district in Bangkok?
Yes. Sukhumvit is also home to Bangkok’s red light district, Nana Plaza. If you’re interested in exploring this side of Bangkok nightlife, Sukhumvit is the place to be. Other places of note inside Bangkok’s red light district, are Soi Cowboy and Patpong.
There’s so much more to do in Sukhumvit than just the red light district, so be sure to enjoy other things, as well. At the end of your vacation, don’t leave with regret.
What about Khao San Road
Khao San Road is Bangkok’s backpacker nightlife central. This area is full of cheap bars, street food vendors, and overall good vibes. Khao San Road nightlife is perfect for those on a budget, or those who just want to enjoy a more relaxed night out.
Khao San Road nightlife is mostly centered around bar-hopping and socializing, rather than going to clubs or anything too fancy. That said, there are a few nightclubs in the area, as well as some live music venues.
When is the best time to visit Khao San Road nightlife?
Khao San Road nightlife is at its best around 10 pm. However, unlike Sukhumvit, which really gets going after midnight, Khao San Road nightlife starts to die down around 2 am. So if you’re looking to party all night long, Khao San Road might not be the best place for you.
Some places of note, on Khao San Road, are Bangkok Bar, Spicy Disco, and Roxy Rocker. These are just a few of the many bars located on Khao San Road.
What about Silom nightlife?
Silom nightlife is a bit more laid-back and upscale than the nightlife in Sukhumvit or Khao San Road. This area is known for its rooftop bars, classy cocktail bars, and live jazz music.
Silom nightlife is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for an even more relaxed night out. That said, there are still plenty of places to dance the night away, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Some of our favorite Silom nightlife hotspots are Bangkok Jazz Co-op, Banyan Tree Bangkok, and Chilli Bangkok.
These are just a few of the many nightlife options available in Bangkok. No matter what your nightlife preferences are, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste in this vibrant city. Bangkok is truly a nightlife paradise.
What to do before setting out on Bangkok nightlife adventures
One important thing to do, as always when traveling, is to have your passport readily available, however, one common practice is to have a copy of your passport, instead of the actual thing. This is because, if you’re going from bar to bar, having drinks, etc, it’s much better to lose a copy of your passport than to lose the real thing.
Another important thing, is to know your limits. Bangkok nightlife can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to drink too much and make bad decisions. So always be sure to keep an eye on your alcohol consumption, and never leave your drink unattended.
If you are going to drink, make sure you’re either in walking distance to your hotel, OR, make sure you have a reliable and trustworthy ride to pick you up. Do not attempt to drive a motorbike.
Speaking of motorbikes, if you do intend to drive one, or actually whether you intend to or not, please do two things:
- Traveler’s Insurance. Get it. This is a non-negotiable when traveling outside the country. It’s pretty cheap and can save you thousands of dollars. Always, always, ALWAYS get traveler’s insurance.
- If you are going to rent a motorbike, inspect the vehicle from top to bottom, recording it all on your phone or camera with the timestamps enabled. Do this before you ever touch the vehicle. This saves you from being blamed for damage that may have happened 3 weeks ago.
More things to do before enjoying all the wonderful nightlife in Bangkok
Keep an eye on your bill, so no extra drinks magically appear on your tab. The best way to avoid this, is to individually pay for each drink separately. This way, you’ll know you’re only paying for the drinks you’re intending to pay for.
Don’t let the exchange rate fool you. Prices DO add up!
Keep your valuables locked inside your hotel room’s safe. Make sure that if you happen to meet someone while enjoying the night scene in Bangkok, and if you happen to have them visit the location you’re staying in, make sure your visitor doesn’t learn your safe’s access method. This means lock it when you have no guests in the room and unlock it when you have no guests in the room.
Final Thoughts…
Bangkok nightlife is a lot of fun, but it can be very easy to get lost in the shuffle. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend too much money, or worse, get yourself into some trouble. So always be sure to keep your wits about you, and party safely!
I hope you enjoy your nightlife adventures in Bangkok!
