Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Go-Go Bars
Although technically illegal, prostitution is fully 'out' in Bangkok, and the influence of
organised crime and healthy kickbacks mean that it will be a long while before the exist-
ing laws are ever enforced. Yet, despite the image presented by much of the Western me-
dia, the underlying atmosphere of Bangkok's red-light districts is not necessarily one of
illicitness and exploitation (although these do inevitably exist), but rather an aura of tack-
iness and boredom.
Sala Daeng exit 1)
, arguably one of the world's most famous red-light districts, earned its no-
toriety during the 1980s for its wild sex shows involving everything from ping-pong balls
to razors to midgets on motorbikes. Today it is more of a circus for curious spectators
GOOGLE MAP
(btwn Soi 21 (Asoke) & Soi
Asok exit 3)
and
Nana Entertainment Plaza
23, Th Sukhumvit;
4pm-2am;
Sukhumvit exit 2,
Nana exit 2)
are the real
GOOGLE MAP
(Soi 4 (Nana Tai), Th Sukhumvit;
4pm-2am;
OFFLINE MAP
scenes of sex for hire.
Live Music
Music is an essential element of a Thai night out, and just about every pub has a house
band. For the most part this means perky Thai pop covers or tired international standards
(if you've left town without having heard a live version of
Hotel California,
you haven't
really been to Bangkok), but an increasing number of places are starting to deviate from
the norm with quirky bands and performances.
Brick Bar
OFFLINE MAP
LIVE MUSIC
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.brickbarkhaosan.com
; basement, Buddy Lodge, 265 Th Khao San; admission 100B; 8pm-2am; Tha
Phra Athit (Banglamphu))
This cavelike pub hosts a nightly revolving cast of live music for an
almost exclusively Thai crowd. Come at midnight, wedge yourself into a table a few
inches from the horn section, and lose it to Teddy Ska, one of the most energetic live acts
in town.
Cosmic Café
(
www.facebook.com/cosmiccafe.bkk
;
Block C, Royal City Ave (RCA), off Th Phra Ram IX; 8pm-2am Mon-Sat;
Phra Ram 9 exit 3 & taxi)
Blessedly more low-key than most places on RCA, Cosmic calls
itself a cafe but looks like a bar, and in recent years has become one of Bangkok's better
LIVE MUSIC
