Entertainment
In Bangkok
In their round -the-clock search for khaaw sanuk (fun), Bangkokians have made their metropolis one that literally never sleeps. To get an idea of what's available, check out the entertainment listings in the daily Bangkok Post and The Nation or the monthly Bangkok Metro. The latter maintains a good web page www.bkkmetro.com listing current happenings in the city. Possibilities include classical music performances, rock concerts, pubs, discotheque dancing, Asian music/theatre ensembles on tour, art shows and dinner theatre. Boredom should not be a problem in Bangkok, at least not for a short -term visit. But save some energy and money for your islands and beaches trip.

While Bangkok may have the reputation for being Asia's wickedest city - a mantle inherited from Saigon in the 1960s and Shanghai in the 1920s- Bangkok's evening entertainment scene goes way beyond its over - publicised naughty nightlife image. On offer is a heady assortment of entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos appealing to every proclivity. Many specialise in live music and jazz - while you'll hear the latest recorded music in the mega-disco as well as in the smaller neighbourhood bars. Hotels catering to tourists and business people often contain up-to-date discos as well.

All bars and clubs are supposed to close at 1 am or 2 am (the latter closing time is for places with dance floors and /or live music), but in reality few do.

Bars
Bangkok has long outgrown the days when the only bars around catered to male go-go ogles. Trendy among Bangkok Thais these days are bars that strive for a sophisticated but casual atmosphere, with good service, drinks and music. The Thais often call them pubs but they bear little resemblance to any traditional English pub. Some are theme bars, conceived around a particular aesthetic. All the city's major hotels feature Western-style bars as well.


:: Major Entertainment Location

About Café
Mitrijit Road Ph. 02 623 1742
This air-con haven with retro sofas and electric tunes sits right smack in the sleaziest section of Chinatown, and its high glass walls and low lighting give you a great view of the action outside.

Bourbon Street
Sukhumvit Soi 22,
Washington Square.
Open: 7am-1am. Music from 8pm.
Credit cards accepted.

Established HQ of the American expat community in Bangkok and the Bangkok version of "Cheers" Known for its gumbo and New Orleans/Cajun/Creole food plus live music - Thursday to Saturday from 8pm.

Dali
Rambutri Road
Ph.02 629 1173

A block north of Khao san road and tucked away amid a row of noodle stands; this is a comfortable, two-storey air conditioned bar with a casual feel and a long cocktail list.

Dubliner Irish Pub
Washington Square, Suhkumvit 22.
Skytrain: Phrom Pong Station
Open: 10.30am-1am. Music from 10pm.

Guinness, Kilkenny and other draught beers. Local expat favourite  Live music on Fridays.

Gulliver's Travels
Khao San Rd
Lively pub with happy hours 5-8pm and 11-2am in the backpacker area of Bangkok.

Hard Rock Cafe
Siam Square.
Open: 11am-2am. Music from 10.15pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Skytrain: Siam

The US theme restaurant still draws with high calibre international musicians from 10.15pm.

Huntsman Pub
Landmark Hotel Basement.
Open: 11.30am-2am. Music from 9pm.
Credit cards accepted.

Hunting may no longer be PC but this pub in the basement of the Landmark Hotel is always correct. House band Sweet Inspiration are a tight unit who perform well arranged covers of contemporary music with great harmonies and, although it's all a bit Radio 2, it goes well with the surroundings! When the band isn't playing, the central bar makes a good focal point and if you're a bit puckish you'll find a good menu of mostly pub grub.

Imageries
2 Sukhumvit Soi 24.
Open: 6pm-2am. Music from 9pm.
Credit cards accepted.

Restaurant with excellent live music. Excellent local studio musicians every night with special guests at the weekend. Thai and international food.

 

Irish Exchange
formerly Shenanigans Irish Pub
1/5-6 Sivadon Building,
Convent Road.
Skytrain: Sala Daeng station
Open: 11.30am-2am Music from 9.30pm.
Credit cards accepted

Another Irish extravaganza with live music, mostly cover bands, most nights. Popular with expats and travellers. Difficult to pin down the owners on who's playing when as the place changes bands more often than a Nana bar changes hands.

Londoner Brew House
Sukhumvit 33.
Open: 11am-1am. Music from 7pm.
Credit cards accepted.
Skytrain: Phrom Pong

Good pub atmosphere in this airy pub with home brew draught English bitter, Londoner Pilsner and great pub food. Satellite TV and big screen for the important sporting events, plus regular quiz night. Popular with local expats.

Mingles Pub
Amari Atrium Hotel,
1880 New Petchburi Road.
Open: 11am-2am. Music from 9pm.
Credit cards accepted.

Includes a vodka bar. Food menu has some good plain grills as well as Tex Mex..

O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Silom Road (corner of Soi Thaniya and Silom Road)
Open: 11am-2am. Music from 9.30pm.
Credit cards accepted.

Guinness on tap, waitresses in green outfits and good pub grub.  Resident band playing lively Irish jigs as well as rock and blues tunes. Blues jam every Sunday from 5pm.

O’Reilly Irish Pub
Silom Road Ph.02 362 7515
On the corner of Soi Thaniya, just few blocks away from Patpong, this is one of only two places in Bangkok that serves Guinness on tap. This is a good place to duck into if you need to escape the crowds on Silom's sidewalk. Bands play on some nights, and the place is often packed from 9pm until closing.

Radio City
Patpong 1.
Open: 7pm-2am. Music from 10pm.

Downstairs from Lucifer's disco, Radio City has Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators backed by a good local band right in the middle of Patpong

Q Bar
Sukhumvit 11 Ph.02 252 3274
Hosting what are probably Bangkok's trendiest DJs (at the time of writing anyway), it's worth checking out even if you're staying on the other side of town. There is a 300B cover charge (includes two drinks) on weekends.