etb_bangkok_nightlife_zones by Mark Lee

Page 2 Directory or view web / eBook live map link Nightlife zones

introduction of eBooks Family <> Popular <> Shopping <> Nightlife

Slideshow Bangkok Nightlife

This book is available in hard-copy but developed for web & eBook Hospitality.. it's the people you meet that makes the memories! Tourism... Something special about Thai read more We acknowledge contribution by Skal Club Bangkok

FREE: @ Asoke eBooks, view online or download to your mobile tip: eBooks view includes ZOOM tool, but bookmarks disabled a hard copy is available @ quality travel agents, please note a print fee may apply (negotiable with the agency) based on client relationships. We use & recommend Thailand's Longdo map Mapped venues include guestbook, photos and web links best map tips near the end of this book Feedback This book is optioned for D.I.Y. or appointment of a local host. Each zone and Icon is linked in a tour leader database for logistics All Major transport stations are linked in the database

The database includes a "nearby venue" option in the transport section. "Get the most, use a host" with A.P.A.C. Asoke P.A.C (Personal Assist Concierge), small cost - big smiles

Bangkok Nightlife

zones

2011-11-11

what makes this Directory your best choice: • Zone intro, map directions, map guestbook, links and tips • D.I.Y. concept, supported by tour leader database and option for Personal Assist <> Concierge • Censorship rating: Children, Family, Mature(over 18), Parental Guidance, R-adults only Direction from Siam Siam central

Censorship F-M-PG

updated 2011-09

4 km West

F-M-PG

2011-09

5 km N.East

2011-09

5 km N.East

2011-09

2.7 km East

F-M-PG

2011-09

Sukhumvit Soi 33

4 km East

M-R

2011-09

Sukhumvit Soi 21-23 (Soi Cowboy)

3 km East

M-R

2011-09

Sukhumvit Soi 4 Nana Plaza

2.5 km East

M-R

2011-09

Pat Pong (Silom)

2.5 km South

M-R

2011-09

to be added "Bang Rak" and "Thong Lo"

3.5 km S.East

F-M-PG

Zone Siam Centre Khao San Rd RCA Ratchada Soi 4 (including Hollywood) Sukhumvit Soi 11

map link all zones all venues Slideshow

The "Censorship" rating is a guide only - if in doubt ask for help - feedback welcome. Sophistication in Thailand comes at a price and because of the rather complicated system of pricing drinks, visitors are well-advised to make their 1st visit to Exotic venues in the company of an educated HOST, by which we don't mean a taxi-driver or a tuk-tuk driver, nor the guide who showed you around the Culture zones. Additional topics • Thai Language - Culture Do's & Dont's

• Map tips and tricks • Public Transport System and maps Business, Community and Tourism Longdo is Thai for "please try"

• Maps: Family-Shopping-Nightlife-Popular A joint venture project Exec Tours Bangkok

AusWaThai

Siam Centre 2011-09 Censorship: F-M-PG Whats up: Family stuff! Shopping, cinemas, bowling, karaoke, some live entertainment. Siam doesn't offer much in the way of nightlife. However, there are a few pubs, clubs and bars scattered around. Collage > slides Collage <> All Photos Siam Square has a Hard Rock Cafe, recommended for live music. At Sukhumvit Soi 1 turn left to see Hard Rock Caf'e in the distance. Nightclub complex concept beneath the Novotel Hotel on Siam Square is worth a visit if you're looking for a boogie, as well as Club culture is an option, housed in a traditional Thai building (formerly a Restaurant/Theatre). Moving to a more formal stage is Spasso, basement of Hyatt Hotel. Spasso transforms from a restaurant to "Hiso" (high society) disco; live band popular songs for dance and romance. Across the street is Mixx Discotheque, very impressive. If your staying put in Siam Centre then this is it, but the good news is it's not far to connect with the nightlife. Nearby Nightlife "Family places". • MBK shopping centre, open until 10pm, from 8pm "street vendors' unfold on the skytrain bridge, quite a site. • *Khao San Road - backpackers haven. Loads of markets, eating places and things to see. • *Chao Phraya river Dinner cruises: getting their is easy, they'll pick you up or use the BTS skytrain, Taxi or Tuktuk. The River cruises run day and night, more in Popular tours • Bang Rak (riverside) many luxury Hotels and vantage points to view the River This image illustrates the search options. Make sure the map centre "+" is at the preferred location, or re-position and refresh the search. There are more map tricks below as well as a link to a Database and host service

map link nightlife Siam zoom in/out

@ map position "+" search "bar-" or "transport", or see all map tricks Tour database: bars/Nightlife venues <> Index Bangkok Novice to Pro Tip: "Get the most, use a host" APAC (Personal Assist <> Concierge), small cost big smiles Search engine: Bars

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Khao San Rd 2011-09 Cesorship: F-M-PG Whats up: Passive Chaos nightly! Located in "Bang Lamphu" here you'll find 200+ pubs, bars, nightclubs little restaurants serving toned-down versions of Thailand's spicy classical dishes. The locals and expats used to turn up their noses at the very mention of this 800mtr long strip of flophouses, retail outlets and travel agencies, frequented by impoverished tousle-haired backpackers wearing toeless shoes and shorts. But nowadays better-dressed, better-off and altogether a better proposition. Backpackers still visit Khaosan in their thousands and dominate the scene both by day and night. But after sunset, when the neon lights flicker into life, and the entertainment establishments open their doors, the area takes on a new dimension. Office workers, students with money to spend and freelance. Collages > Slides collages > All Photos Khao San Rd The area is broken into the three (3) zones Map Khao San Rd 3 x zones There are no go-go bars here, no sex-shows or touts, but there are plenty of good bars and nightclubs. from open air rooftop "Gazebo" to nightclubs with scintillating dĂŠcor, laser strobes, large dance-floor and sensibly-priced drinks. Neighbouring Rambuttri Road is home to the best of the Thai-style bars and clubs. Transport: Neither the Skytrain (BTS) nor Subway (MRT) go near Khao San Rd. The Ferry (River or Canal) or close but close at 8pm. Taxi/tktuk or M.Bike in the evening rush-hour is risky, not all drivers are keen because of traffic gridlocks. By 9pm however, access shouldn't be a problem.

map Nightlife venues Khaosan Rd map tips below

@ map position "+" search "bar-" or "transport", or see all map tricks Tour database: bars/Nightlife venues > select Khao San Rd Tip: "Get the most, use a host" APAC (Personal Assist <> Concierge), small cost big smiles Search engines Bars

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RCA 2011-09 Censorship: M Whats up: Youth & Loudsville! RCA is back! Low drink prices, free entry everywhere, and the party atmosphere brings thousands to the RCA strip every night. It is considered by young, and many not-so-young Thais, to be the best nightspot area in town. Royal City Avenue, or RCA as it is known to taxi-drivers and clubbers, is a 1km strip of retail outlets, offices and clubs located in central Eastern Bangkok, off Rama 9 Rd. By day you will find hairdressers, several excellent motor-cycle shops (including Triumph), company headquarters, a bowling alley and an indoor karting track on top of RCA Plaza, several restaurants, a Starbucks, and about 16 nightclubs, discos and bars. Collages > Slides collages > All Photos RCA Considered by young, and many not-so-young to be the best nightspot area in town, not least because of the choice of live music that is available every night of the week. Low drink prices, free entry everywhere, and the party atmosphere that pervades much of the strip are other factors that are bring patrons back. At Soi 4, Ratchadapisek Road you will find bars, pubs, music pubs and music bars. Soi 4, Ratchadapisek nightlife is a good place for bar hopping in Bangkok, Thailand. Some good places are the Pure bar, Hollywood, Dance Fever, the Gig Club, the Kokok pub, the Snop and much more venues. No entry fees and very busy in the weekends. The Tour leader Database (link below) provides more details on venues. Access: Transport client link for best tourism stations to find a match to this area. The nearest Skytrain BTS Station is Asok (E4), 5 kms (use Exit 3). The nearest MRT Underground is Petchaburi (use Exit 1) about 3 kms from RCA map: Nightlife RCA zone (zoom in/out) @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", see example in page Siam or see all map tricks Tour database: bars/Nightlife venues <> Venues RCA <> master search index "Get the most, use a host" APAC (Personal Assist <> Concierge), small cost big smiles Search engines: Bars

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Ratchada Soi 4 2011-08 Censorship: M Whats up: Youth & Loudsville Live bands, are selected not only for their musical talents but also for their ability to pump-up the decibel level. Not the area to go for a quiet conversation, nor a place to sit down, stand up at navel-high cocktail tables, and although a few places have a designated dance area most people jig around wherever they are standing. The average age is probably not much higher than 22, and in the early evening it looks like a lot less than that. For the more adventurous, this area can provide something of an insight into how young Thais like to have a good time and get plastered. The Soi, which was previously a second-hand car lot, and which even now sells cars during the day, comprises a cluster of bars and pub discos patronised 90% by Thais but enough foreigners to make the visitor feel you should be there. The clients are young, not as teenie as it was before the ID law started to be enforced, They are a lively crowd, mostly getting to and from the area in groups of three or four. And although they are happy enough to see the occasional visitor, most of them are not looking to pick you up, that is, not unless you are a 20-year-old pop star or your name is Brad Pitt. Collages > Slides Collages > All Photos Ratchada Soi 4

Hollywood Bangkok. Sing karaoke at the Modern Coyote Club with Thais, Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. Or dance the night away at Dance Fever. It may be crude, it may be boisterous, it may be limited in scope and it may be a bit naughty, but it's Hollywood, Bangkok! Ask any taxi driver in any part of Bangkok to take you to Hollywood - Ratchada Rd Soi 8. Hollywood Awards is in fact only one of about 12 pubs, discos and restaurants in this very lively entertainment area. Hollywood Awards is also one of the biggest clubs in town with a floor area measuring more than 2,000 sqm. This is definitely a place to join in and let your hair down. The official closing time 2.0am, but the bigger clubs invariably stay open until 3am, thus attracting a lot of the girls and guys from the go-go bars in Nana and Soi Cowboy where they really close. After 3am Soi 6 is invariably host to postclosing-time street parties which might carry on until 4am or even later. The crowd is mostly Thai, but there are always a few foreigners among them. Transport: To Ratchada Soi 4 by public transport take the MRT (Subway) to Thailand Cultural Centre, Exit 2. Soi 4 is a 400mtr walk from the exit. The BTS Skytrain doesn't go anywhere near here, see map links below. map: Nightlife Ratchada zone (zoom in/out) @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", see example in page Siam or see all map tricks Tour database: bar/Nightlife > Venues Ratchada > master search index "Get the most, use a host" APAC (Personal Assist <> Concierge), small cost big smiles Search engines: Bars

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Sukhumvit

Soi 11

2011-10 Censorship: F-M-PG With some of the best nightspots Bangkok has to offer, Soi 11 has built up a devoted following and well supported by a variety of Hospitality services; Restaurants, Transport, Accommodation etc., Cheap Charlies, bizarre yet ever so popular, a must do (and soooooo cheap), it's down a side alley so ask, and do walk beyond the side soi conceals a few treaures. A brisk walk and engage an Icon "Aussie Pub & BBQ", it's just after the German Pub and close to the Irish Bar (Temples). Then a little further is the world famous BedSupper Club, a unique establishment that provides fine cuisine in a most exotic environment, then transforms itself into a glittering nightclub that attracts Hiso (Thai word for High Society) Thais and well-heeled visitors. Just before and across the street is Catalanas Tapas wine Bar opened late 2011, refined style and very affordable. Collages > Slides Collages > All Photos Sukhumvit Soi 11 Just around the corner is QBar, another of the capital's most celebrated nightspots. Attracting some of the best international DJs in the world, QBar has a devoted following built-up since the opening back in 1999. Have a mentioned "The Nest" a rooftop Bar that's has to be the place the be Opposite Cheap Charlies is Climax Nightclub, a heavy sound found in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel, always oozing but slightly flawed by free wheeling smokers. Around the corner in Soi 7/1 is a must do Bangkok Beat, it lives up to the name; the band goes boom and the crowd lite up and the staff know how to boogie. Transport: BTS (skytrain) station Nana exit E3 is almost at Soi 11. Subway (MRT) station Sukhumvit is about 1km away, all the venues are in the tour database (link below) showing distances and map links.

map: Sukhumvit Soi 11 Nightlife venues (zoom in/out) @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", see example in page Siam or see all map tricks Tour leader database: bar/Nightlife > Venues Sukhumvit Soi 11 > master search index "Get the most, use a host" APAC (Personal Assist Concierge), small cost big smiles Search engines: Bars

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Sukhumvit

Soi 33

2011-08 Censorship: M-R Whats up: Tinsel town, overpriced, aged, but there are a few treasures. Also known as Dead Artists Soi, as many bars in the soi are named after famous dead painters. It was a "the firm favourite of the visiting businessman" looking to meet attractive young, and sometimes not so young. In stark contrast to the youthful exuberance of the Ratchada Rd entertainment areas, Sukhumvit Soi 33 is most everything the opposite. It all started about 20 years ago, when about three shop houses were converted into cocktail bars for the discerning gentleman having a night out on the town, and not necessarily with his wife and family. Because of the nature of the clientele, Soi 33 is actually busier on weekdays than it is on weekends when most patrons are out of town, playing golf or at home. Many of the bars belong to the same owner who has a deep interest in the fine arts and named his outlets after famous impressionist painters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Monet, and Gauguin. Carrying on the artistic tradition, other clubs include Dali and Goya Club. They are all quite similar, both outside, where the best of the goods may be on display wearing evening gowns and high-heeled shoes, and inside where seating and dĂŠcor can best be described as being somewhere between Chinese Kitsch and Jewish Renaissance. The ambiance of the clubs is supposed to be sophisticated and relaxed, but of course it doesn't always work out like that! The price of drinks and other items is of course higher than in a go-go bar or pub disco because everything is dressed up that little bit more. Collages > Slides Collages > All Photos Sukhumvit Soi 33 Rather different to the cocktail bars, but in the same area, are establishments of interest. Mojo's for live Music, pool, good food, sensibly priced drinks, coyote dancing. Opposite is the Office, which promotes itself as a sports bar similar to "Bar Fly". Something different is Livingstones a Lodge with Pool restaurtant and bar causal yet odd! Closing time is 01.00am, but most bars stay open until 2am if enough customers are still spending money. Transport: Skytrain (BTS) to Phrom Pong station (E5) Exit 1 before walking about 200 mtrs to Soi 33 0 mtrs to Soi 33. The nearest MRT subway station is Sukhumvit about 2kms away. map: Soi 33 @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", all map tricks Tour database: bar/Nightlife > Sukhumvit Soi 33 > master search index Search engines: Bars

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Sukhumvit Soi

23 Cowboy

2011-08 Censorship: M-R Whats up: Where sexy and sensual seem same same but different. While Patpong and Nana have been sitting on their laurels and stagnating Soi Cowboy up-graded with new layouts and put it ahead of the competition. A 300mtr pedestrianonly strip located off Sukhumvit Soi 23, more than 60 places of entertainment and now considered Bangkok's premier zone for gogo bars. With the exception of a pharmacy, a couple of pool halls, a general provisions shop and a pub called Old Dutch, every establishment in Soi Cowboy is a go-go bar or a variation of the same. The area is named after T. G. "Cowboy" Edwards, a retired American airman who opened one of the first bars there in 1977. A tall African-American, Edwards got his nickname because he invariably wore a cowboy hat. Over the past 30 years as numerous swanky new hotels have opened along Sukhumvit Road, bringing in their wake, businessmen and tourists with a hankering for the exotic. There are no sex shows and therefore, mercifully, no "sex-show" touts. Instead the Soi is lined by "greeters", female employees who coax you into their bar. This in itself can be fun, no high-pressure strategy you get from aggressive male touts in Patpong. Collages > Slides Collages > All Photos Sukhumvit Soi 23 Also in Soi 23 is one of Bangkok's finest gentleman's clubs. The Narcissus has been there for decades, but has only recently attracted the attention of Westerners looking for the company of a more sophisticated hostess than can be found among the sisterhood of rice-farmers daughters who rule the roost in Soi Cowboy. Transport: Excellent: 100mtrs from subway (MRT) station Sukhumvit, 200mtrs BTS skytrain station Asok and many Taxi. The walk across the intersection or use the MRT underpass. Entrance: Soi 21 (Asok), closest from the BTS & it's hectic. If you arrive by taxi ask them to go Soi 23, a quieter entrance and at that corner is "old Dutch Restaurant" with outdoor seating (nice gallery position). Trading hours: not much on show until 8pm, as of 2006, Soi Cowboy bars switch off their outside neon lights by 1am but usually close at 2am or later if enough patrons are spending. map: Soi 23 (cowboy) @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", all map tricks Tour database: bar/Nightlife > Sukhumvit Soi 23 > master search index

more tips below

Search engines: Bars

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Nana Plaza

Soi 4

2011-08 Censorship: M-R Whats up: Where sexy and sensual suddenly is sleazy. Nana Plaza is (in)famous around the world. Unfortunately it's gone south in recent years and its three floors of mostly non-descript bars staffed by people who can't get a job anywhere else. In early 2011 the centre ground floor plaza area has received a face-lift.. (it does not really help).. if you've managed to get past the the challenges at the entrance (see below) then you've committed yourself, as you should! Bangkok's nightlife culture may appear intimidating but it's quite harmless, if your a paying customer the hospitality awaits. For go-go bars Nana Plaza used to run a close second to Soi Cowboy. But over the past five years there is little evidence any money has been spent to upgrade this downmarket area. Transport: Good, BTS (skytrain) NANA. On Soi 4 side (exit E3) a quietish walk whereas the other side is busy - up to you! about a 500mtr walk. MRT (Subway) station Sukhumvit about 2kms, see Tour leader database below. Entrance: The entrance is well guarded by Ladyboys and congested with Pang Loi (street food), the short walk into the plaza (about 30 mtrs) is flanked by open bars which are always popular seating to watch all who enter and what you leave with (haa haa). Collages > Slides Collages > All photos Nana Plaza Nana Plaza is a courtyard comprising four floors of mostly non-descript bars. There are of course a few exceptions, and in particular Carnival Bar where, night after night, a staunch crew of girls provide terrific entertainment by mounting and being thrown off a mechanical bucking bronco, apparently the only one of its kind in Bangkok. Customers are invited to join in, and many do. mapped venues: Nana @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", all map tricks Tour database: bar/Nightlife > Soi Nana, (no venues in Nana) Search engines: Bars

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Pat Pong (Silom) 2011-08 Censorship: M-R Whats up: slip-slop-slap > sleazy! Thailand's 'Wall Street' is by day a place of financial institutions, law firms and multinational corporations. By night however, Silom slips out of its suit, transforming into a bustling shopping street and frenetically paced hedonist's playground. Patpong is where it all started in the 1960's. The war was raging between Americans and the Vietcong in neighbouring Vietnam. The rest is history. Quite simply, Patpong has become one of the world's most famous red-light districts. With it's great selection of pubs, clubs and bars, Silom rarely disappoints the party crowd. Want to experience Silom's sleazier side? Head to world-renowned sex-district Patpong, where you'll find a procession of tightly packed go-go bars, touts flashing explicit menus, and promises of racy memories if only you follow them upstairs! Patpong, if you didn't already know, is composed of two parallel 400-metre-long streets (sois) between Silom Rd and Surawong Rd in central Bangkok, and it is where Bangkok's go-go bars started way back in the 1960's when war between the Americans and the Vietcong was raging in neighbouring Vietnam. The rest is history. Quite simply, Patpong has become one of the world's most famous red-light districts alongside Pigalle in Paris, and Soho in London. The thing to remember is "the past" you've been warned! "never go into an upstairs bar" because this is where the rip-offs occur. Yes, you will suffer the disappointment of not seeing a live frog or a ping-pong ball pop out the anatomy - please do smile as you resist the dozens of sex-show touts who will collar you in Patpong Soi 1 "the ultimate salespeople". What used to happen (rarely today unless your an easy "mark" for the nightmare of being held hostage and told you cannot leave until you have paid through the nose for dozens of drinks that you never ordered for girls whom you never asked to sit next to you. Smile and negotiate .. it really isn't that much for the experience! But by all means venture into any of the ground-floor bars where you will find an interesting mix of ready-to-go poledancers, most of whom are female in the traditional sense but many of whom are post-op lady-boys. You can usually, though not always, spot the latter variety by their above-average sized chest appendages. Also their hands and feet are invariably larger than those of the real thing. Collages > slides Collages Silom > all photos Silom > more on Patpong Access: Public-transport is very good. The BTS Skytrain station: Saladaeng (S2) (Exit 2) disgorges passengers within 50 metres of Patpong Soi 1. Metro station Silom is only 150 mtrs away. If getting to Patpong is easy, getting away after midnight can be a nightmare. Ignore taxi touts and don't allow taxi drivers to quote you a price either in Silom Rd or in Surawong Rd. Instead, walk 100mtrs in any direction and hail a taxi whose driver is "metre". map: Silom Pat Pong @map centre "+" search "bar-" or "transport", all map tricks Tour database: bar/Nightlife > Silom (nominal data) I Search engines: Bars

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Longdo - Bangkok - Map basics • Zooming in/out offers more options, Dual language; English/Thai, printable for driver • Click on a venue for pop up window, guestbook in link "detail" • Fastrack maps and best tag search words @ Hospitality Bangkok

map tips

1. The map centre is the "red cross" + position it before a search • Tag words: Name, Product or Service tips @ tag word index) • Tag Icons: By Industry. example: Hotel, Restaurants, Shopping, Transport, Travel spot Tag words Tag Icons

see best search tips • Beginners "map user guide" Intro video, index & fast-rack maps • Advanced users go to www.map.longdo.com Mobile apps: "Longdo mobile" includes "whats around me", create bookmarks, upload photos. With Longdo Traffic view all Traffic-cams, or use their Language Translator Longdo is a Thai for "please try" INTERNET: INTERNATIONAL ROAMING costs ARE very EXPENSIVE Map pages / Photos are very detailed, look for Wifi free venues. or buy a local INEXPENSIVE Thai sim card, Asoke P.A.Concierge can assist

Authors comments Aussie Exec Tours Bangkok are based in Asoke, Khlong Toei (Soi 19) "We are proud to introduce the Community. Our guests constantly report exceptional Hospitality experience, "it's home away from home" see more at Tours @ Soi 19 Vendors Bangkok "Hospitality/Tourism" see our Nine (9) FREE media links

Advertise / Sponsor NINE (9) FREE media links or contact Thai Bis Directory: Phill Smith web card or E: thaibisdir@austhai.biz or enquire @ Soi 19 Travel Agents

Tourism Bangkok - eBooks "most popular icons and zones" Optioned for D.I.Y. or appointment of a local host. Integrates with tour database (600+ venues) and Thailand's Longdo map. "Longdo" is Thai for "please try" @ www.thaibis.com/bangkok/tours/icon-ebooks Most POPULAR attractions