Nightlife in Bangkok: What you need to know  

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Information about the best nightlife in Bangkok. Top tips for how to party on Khao San Road and Bangkok’s other famous streets, as well as tips for other things to do after dark.

Blue hour in Bangkok

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Bangkok has so much to offer travelers: stunning temples, rich history, cheap and delicious food. You can spend all day exploring the city, but you’ll want to make sure you experience nightlife in Bangkok during your stay as well. 

Thailand’s capital is notorious for some of the best party spots in all of Asia. And whether you’d like to catch a Muay Thai fight or spend a night enjoying a few buckets on Khao San Road, Bangkok has enough to keep just about anyone entertained. 

However, if you have a few weeks to spare, check out our detailed Thailand itinerary so you don’t skip a beat.

Without further ado, here are a few of our suggestions for the best things to do in Bangkok at night. 

Best nightlife in Bangkok 

Bangkok traffic at night

If you are looking for a fun night out on the town, Bangkok has you covered. There are so many bars and clubs across the city that it would take decades to experience them all. Better yet, there is literally a vibe for every single person.

Looking for cheap beers and backpackers to hang out with? Head to Khao San Road. 

Prefer a classier evening with upscale cocktails and amazing views? Then, check out a few rooftop bars. One of the best has to be The Speakeasy, a fantastic gin bar with 1920s prohibition-era decor. It is also far cheaper than many of the other rooftop bars in the city.

Want to do something unique or unusual? Wander around Soi Cowboy and take in a ladyboy cabaret show.

Of course, no night in Bangkok would be complete unless you’ve crammed far too many people in a tuk-tuk to get yourself home. So, make sure you add that to your Bangkok bucket list, too.

The best way to decide how to enjoy a night out is to think about what type of evening you’d like to have and which neighborhood you’d like to explore. There are a few famous streets in Bangkok for nightlife, so we’ve broken it down street by street to help you make a plan.

Best streets in Bangkok 

People eating outside in bangkok

Because Bangkok is such a sprawling metropolis, figuring out where to stay and where to go out can feel overwhelming. However, a lot of the hot nightlife is concentrated in a few areas.

Here are some of the best spots to check out:

Thonglor

This street is located off of Sukhumvit, one of the city’s main areas. It is a hipster area with plenty of cool bars and clubs.

A few places of note are Rabbit Hole Bar and BEAM nightclub, a spot that plays house, techno and EDM music.

Ekkamai

One stop away from Thonglor on the Skytrain is a trendy district called Ekkamai. This is an excellent spot for grabbing a beer and enjoying live music.

Baan Puen Bar is perfect if you’d like to watch local bands play a mix of Thai and western music while enjoying a few cheap drinks. Wine Bibber Sangria has plenty of live acts and a DJ when it gets a little later.

Khao San Road

Khaosan Rd nightlife in Bangkok

Infamous for alcoholic buckets, Chang beer, and scorpions on sticks, Khao San Road is the perfect place for an alcohol-fueled evening. 

The Club is one of the best places to rave on the strip and is open until 3 am. 

Superflow City Beach Club is a great spot to hang out all day. It is really chill during the day but turns into a wild, full moon style party, a lá Koh Phangan once the sun goes down.

Soi Rambuttri

Like Khao San’s quieter little brother, this street is located just off the main part of the chaos. This means it still has a great vibe and plenty of quality bars, but you’re far less likely to see frat boys puking in the street. 

If you head here, be sure to check out Gypsy Lips.

Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy Bangkok nightlife

This is one of Bangkok’s red-light districts filled with go-go bars and cabaret shows. Soi Cowboy isn’t nearly as crazy as the notorious Nana Plaza. Still, parts of The Hangover 2 were filmed here, so you know that you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a great night out. 

The Stranger Bar has a fabulous cabaret show.

Pro Tip–just make sure you show up early to grab a seat. It’s first come, first served, but you can always have a drink while you wait for the show to begin.

Royal City Avenue (RCA)

If you want to go clubbing, this is the best spot. You’ll find places like Levels and Route 66 here. Just note that clubs tend to close early, at about 2 am. So if that’s a bummer, start your night earlier!

Mixx Discotheque is open until 4 am (depending on the mood of the local authorities), so if you are looking for a late night Bangkok party, this club may be for you. 

Best markets for nightlife in Bangkok 

Train market in Bangkok at night

If partying into the wee hours isn’t your thing, consider checking out a Bangkok night market instead. 

Asiatique the Riverfront is along the bank of the Chao Phraya River and is a very glamorous market by Thai standards. There are tons of interesting and unique finds inside, and the stalls stay open until 12 am.

Patpong Night Market in the Red Light District is almost Asiatique’s opposite. Vendors dole out cheap goods and tacky souvenirs, but it is a great place to haggle and wander around after visiting a few bars.

The Train Market, formerly called the Rot Fai Market, is another great spot to check out. There are thousands of stalls with lots of great vintage finds and amazing street food.

Helpful information about safety

Bangkok tuk tuk at night

It is essential to note that Thailand has a strict zero-tolerance policy for drugs. This may seem strange considering how lackadaisical everything seems down on Khao San Road, but getting caught with even marijuana can land you in jail. 

Bangkok is relatively safe, even for solo female travelers. But like any big city, it is important to exercise caution when traveling alone, especially if you are drinking. 

If you want to experience Bangkok nightlife for singles, it is easy to meet up with others at hostels or bars. People are generally friendly and welcoming, so make sure to say hello and ask people where they are heading out for the evening! The best tips to stay safe are watching your drinks and taking a taxi/tuk-tuk rather than walking alone at night.

Overall, even if you only have 24 hours in Bangkok, it’s a raucous city that has to be experienced both during the day and once the sun goes down. So, whether you go out for beers with newfound friends or simply take in the sites at one of the famous markets, you are bound to have a great night out!

FAQ

Is the Chatuchak Market open at night?

No. The largest market in Bangkok is only open on the weekends and until 6pm.

Are there food stalls open late for my after club munchies?

There are usually some stalls open near the late-night hot spots for that very reason.

What time does the Train Market close?

It stays open until 1 am, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore and shop til you drop!

Posted November 2, 2022
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Samantha Bryant
Samantha has been wandering the globe since 2010, when she hopped on a plane for a gap year in order to wait out an age restriction for a job application. Twelve years, four continents, and countless experiences later she has decided that she is perfectly content embracing her wanderlust. Samantha works as an English and ELL teacher at an international school in South Africa, but her passion for writing has kept her busy in what spare time she can find. If she isn't working or writing, you can find Samantha exploring a new city in an off-the-beaten-path destination or relaxing on a beach somewhere.
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