Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis that comes alive at night with countless pubs, speakeasies, and clubs. Whatever your mood, each district in Bangkok has its unique vibe attracting partygoers from around the city.
Are you planning your next bar-hopping nightlife getaway to Bangkok? It can be a daunting task because of the sheer amount of nightlife entertainment on offer. This guide breaks down the best Bangkok nightlife areas to stay at with recommended hotels, bars, and clubs to help you plan your next adventure in the city that never sleeps.
Best places for nightlife:
Thonglor
Thonglor is situated off Sukhumvit Road between Ekkami and Phrom Phong. It’s a trendy upscale neighborhood with plenty of choices for food, massage parlors, and beauty salons but when the sun goes down Thonglor turns into a lively entertainment district with its many pubs, swanky bars, and clubs.
A popular nightlife destination for locals and ex-pats looking to let loose on the weekends. Thonglor nightlife spots are dotted along the main road with the most lively nightlife areas in the district being Thonglor 17 and Thonglor 10.
Bar hopping is ideal in Thonglor because venues are close together, pavements are walkable (not the norm in Bangkok), and the main entertainment areas are a 20-minute walk from the BTS.
Recommended hotels for Thonglor nightlife
- Hotel Nikko Bangkok
- Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55
- Somerset Sukhumvit Thong Lo Bangkok
- Staybridge Suites Bangkok Thonglor
Recommended Bars
Speakeasy which is hidden within an actual locker room that serves specialty cocktails but only has occupancy for 35 people.
Vibe: Exclusive
Classy craft cocktail bar in a nonbranded three-story building fitted with a plush interior and balconies overlooking the downstairs bar and DJ booth.
Vibe: Classy
Modern eco-friendly community space with a mix of outdoor and indoor seating with plenty of choices for beers and wines. The main bar has a wide selection of beers from around the globe including Belgium Trappist.
Vibe: Chill and socialize
Located within 72 Courtyard, Beer Belly offers a wide selection of beers, and live sports streaming, including a pool and pingpong table.
Vibe: Sports bar
Recommended Clubs
Designed by the internationally acclaimed design studio Pentagram, Beam is a popular club in 72 Courtyard. The club consists of a small bar on the bottom floor and a larger underground-themed club on the top floor with impressive sound, lighting, smoke machines, and lasers.
Music: Hip hop but some techno nights
Located on Ekkamai Road is EDM superclub Babyface which hosts both international and local dance DJs. Inside it’s an EDM clubber’s dream with an excellent sound system and VJ lighting setup.
Music: EDM
Thonglor nightlife map
Thonglor is one of the best areas to stay if you’re interested in parting with local Bangkokians. It’s also centrally located so during the day it’s easy to transit around the city via Bangkok’s mass transit system.
Chinatown (Soi Nana)
Soi Nana in Chinatown is known for some of the best cocktail bars in the city. The walking street with its unique historical Chinatown architecture comes alive at night with spanky bars and live music. It’s a perfect nightlife spot if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok and venture around lively alleys sampling the local cocktail scene.
Not to be confused with the controversial Soi Nana off Sukhumvit. Soi Nana in Chinatown is a unique nightlife experience with plenty of accommodation nearby to make the perfect nightlife getaway package. It’s an excellent location if you want to avoid the Sukhumvit area and stay in a more traditional Asian setting.
Recommended hotels for Chinatown (Soi Nana) nightlife
Recommended Bars
Featured on the Netflix show Midnight Asia, Asia Today is a cozy honey-infused Thai cocktail bar with a giant shark wall hanging hidden in a small alleyway in Soi Nana.
Vibe: Hipster
TEP BAR – Cultural Bar of Thailand
Experience herbal cocktails, and local cuisine while listening to Thai traditional music at TEP BAR.
Vibe: Traditional
Famous Gin bar found hidden behind traditional wooden double doors in Soi Nana. Inside you’ll find a tiny bar with a concrete underground Berlin vibe serving Thai herbal Gin infused cocktails.
Vibe: Homely
Chinese-inspired bar and restaurant with red neon light throughout providing the perfect Asian speakeasy feel.
Vibe: Chinatown
Khao San Road
Khao San road is located close to the Chao Phraya River and Democracy Monument northwest of Bangkok. It’s globally known as a top nightlife destination, especially for backpackers. Locals have started to venture to Khao San more frequently to sample the international lively party atmosphere and cheaper drinks.
The walking street of Khao San is dotted with massage parlors, tattooists, hostels, bars, and plenty of sights to leave you with a lasting impression of Bangkok’s nightlife. If crowds of tourists and local sellers fighting for your attention are not your thing then avoid Khao San and try another less crowded district like Thonglor.
You’ll find some of the best hostels in the city around Khao San with budgets to meet every traveler.
Recommended hotels for Khao San nightlife
- The Printing House Poshtel Bangkok
- BED STATION Hostel Khaosan
- New Siam Palace Ville
- Villa De Khaosan by Chillax
Recommended Bars
A hidden cocktail bar found in a secret location in a derelict building in The Old Town Area serving various herb-based cocktails, equipped with a DJ vinyl booth on weekends.
Vibe: Underground speakeasy
Molly Bar
Live music and sports bar located directly on Ram Buttri Raod a few minute’s walk from Khao San.
Vibe: Live music pub
Mulligans Irish Bar
Popular Irish bar found directly on Khao San Road great location to start the night off or if you need a good pint.
Vibe: Pub
There Bar & Cafe
Cafe during the day, beer garden at night. There Bar & Cafe is tucked away from the hustle of Khao San fitted with outdoor seating surrounded by greenery.
Vibe: Beer garden
Sathorn
The business district of Sathorn is located in the south of the city close to Lumphini Park (the biggest park in Bangkok) just off Rama IV road. It’s home to Bangkok’s luxury hotels, fine dining experiences, and fancy sky bars to watch the sunset go down.
Come 6 pm when business hours come to a close, bars and restaurants start to fill up with Sathorn residents and tourists soaking up the downtown atmosphere. Sathorn with its wide selection of bars is a great location for travelers looking for an upscale luxury nightlife experience.
Recommended hotels for Sathorn nightlife
Recommended Bars
Super prestigious Chinese-themed speakeasy with cabaret dancers located inside Novotel Bangkok on Silom Road.
Vibe: Chinese
Located on Suan Phlu is Smalls a retro live jazz bar serving special cocktails as well as delicious pizzas.
Vibe: Jazz
Berlin-styled underground bar and cafe serving western dishes located within walking distance from BTS Surasak.
Vibe: Underground
French-styled cafe bar serving food, wines, and beer from around Europe with outdoor Parisian-style seating.
Vibe: French
Looking over other nighttime activities? check out my other article on the best things to do in Bangkok at night.
Summary
The Bangkok nightlife scene has something for every taste with its countless underground speakeasies, luxury cocktail bars, and superclubs.
The adventures type? Stay in and around Khao San and let your senses go into overdrive with the sights and sounds of the backpacker scene.
Want a quiet drink to wind down after visiting the local attractions? Find a hotel near Thonglor or Sathorn districts and sample the local cocktail scene.
Avoid the city altogether and stay in Chinatown to experience a more traditional Asian nightlife vibe.
Whatever your vibe Bangkok has you covered.
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