Get the lowdown on Bangkok’s best party spots for a great night out

WORDS CHARLENE FANG

Sirocco
Photo: Sirocco

Bangkok, a city that is equal parts brash and modern, sublime and cultured, has an unmistakable raw energy, attracting people of every creed, colour and leaning. It’s nightlife is one of its best-known attractions, and while it’s no longer the late-night party town it used to be, the high-octane intensity of the revels makes up somewhat for the 1am lights-on rule. A night out on the town requires a bit of co-ordination, as hot spots are spread across a number of districts – Royal City Avenue, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Thonglor, Silom and Khao San Roads are the popular ones. Here’s our list of Bangkok’s best.

Best for sunset drinks

Sirocco
There are a few high-altitude bars in Bangkok, but the best by far is Sirocco (Flr 63, State Tower, 1055 Silom Rd, tel: +66 (2) 624 9555). It’s perched at the top of the State Tower, so a (pricey) drink here buys you an uninterrupted view of the city’s skyline, and more importantly, some respite from Bangkok’s noise and chaos. At sunset, sipping expertly mixed cocktails to live jazz (a band plays here every day except Mondays) is an experience not to be missed. If you’re prone to vertigo, though, steer clear of the Sky Bar (also inside the State Tower), a semicircular extension walled-in only by glass – but if you’re game, the sight of Bangkok sprawled underneath you makes it worth the while!

Best for people-watching

Bed Supperclub
Photo: Corbis/Bruno Ehrs

Bed Supperclub
If there’s one staple of Bangkok’s night scene, it has to be Bed Supperclub (26 Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel: +66 (2) 651 3537). Housed in a futuristic oval-shaped hangar building with all-white interiors, padded walls and sexy bed-like fixtures – hence the name – this is an oldie but a goodie. A restaurant-cum-barcum-club, you can dine in one half and carry on the night dancing in the other half. Fridays and Saturdays see Bed at its buzzing best, with Bangkok’s beautiful set forking out the 600 baht (AU$23) cover charge (which includes two drinks) to sip potent cocktails and groove to the beats. The club’s a regular pitstop for many international DJs – on Friday nights expect a deep funky house groove; Saturdays cater to the techno-loving partygoer.

Best for cocktails

Chillout Lounge, Q Bar
Photo: Q Bar

Q Bar
Another of Bangkok’s legendary hot spots, Q Bar (34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel: +66 (2) 252 3274) comprises two bars, a spacious terrace and a dance floor. While its popularity has waned a little in recent years, it still packs a decent crowd and earns kudos for its varied music line-up, spanning funk, percussion and hip-hop, to name a few. The house speciality seems to be vodka, judging by the 35 different types stocked on the shelves! Expect to pay a 600 to 800 baht cover charge (AU$23 – AU$31), including two drinks, for Friday, Saturday and international DJ nights.

Best for live music

Santika
Santika (235/11 Sukhumvit 63, tel: +66 (2) 711 5886/7) is a huge venue that caters to live-music lovers and clubbers; on Wednesdays and Saturdays it’s packed to the rafters with locals, foreigners and expats. The live-music room has local bands belting out covers and original reggae, metal and rock tunes; drinks of choice are Singha beer or whisky-and-sodas. In the other room, dance along to hip-hop music; it’s not as fun, but still worth a peek!

Best local experience

Route 66
Photo:  Route 66Route 66
One of the hottest spots on the infamous RCA (Royal City Avenue), Route 66 (RCA Block C, Rama 9 Rd, tel: +66 (1) 440 9666) is a local favourite that sees only a smattering of foreigners. Like the other clubs on the RCA stretch, the preference here is for hip-hop and R & B, with flamboyant DJs and synchronised visuals adding to the party vibe. It’s too easy to order a whisky-based drink or a standard beer: the potent Kamikaze and sexy Route 66 cocktails should be your first choice – they’ll get you all revved up and ready to go!

Best design

Escudo
Stylish interiors and bass-heavy music come together in this half-pub, half-club. Escudo (Flr 4 Duchess Plaza Bldg, Sukhumvit Soi 55, tel: +66 (2) 381 0866) is one of Thonglor’s more popular spots and is packed on the weekends; head down for an opportunity to party with Bangkok’s hippest young locals.