Music: From tech house to world music
Thonglor’s hidden hipster haunt sees an unassuming backstreet townhouse turned into a cozy hang. Despite the sometimes cliquey crowd, the unique lineup of music keeps drawing us back.
810/22 Sukhumvit 55, Thararom Soi 2, 097-117-4374. Open Tue-Sat 5pm-1am
Music: Depends on the event, including techno, metal, and 90s hip-hop
This 320-capacity venue serves as a music hotspot and art and event space. Unlike other clubs, this one comes with its own engines, and they throw boat parties along the Chaophraya. Be on time when the boat leaves the dock.
Bangkok Dock Yanawa (opposite of Charoenkrung Soi 57), 088-022-0666. Open Wed-Sun 5-11pm
Music: Hit songs downstairs and house/hip-hop in the mainroom (second floor)
Before Beam, if you wanted somewhere to dance in Thonglor, you’d have to head over to Thonglor Soi 10 and try to squeeze yourself among tables and whiskey bottles. But Beam graced us with a proper dance space and Asia’s first "body kinetic" dance floor that shakes vibrations into revelers’ feet—you literally feel the rhythm as you dance.
1/F, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-392-7750. Open Wed-Sat 9pm-2am
Music: Depends on the night but includes hip-hop, UK grime, dancehall, tech house
From the mastermind behind Future Factory, Bangkok Block Party, and Aunty’s Haus streetwear brand, this used to be on top of Bad Motel for the coolest Gen Z partiers and their multicolored hair. Now, it’s on Soi 11, but the vibe is the same.
21/4 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 098-253-9356. Open Wed-Sun 9pm-2am
Music: Commercial EDM and hip-hop
You know the club will attract a mostly Thai crowd when there are tables all over the dance floor. If you’re a fan of Top 40 Hits that you’ve heard and know, this is the place for you. The extravagant chandelier and (real) fire really spark up the place for a luxurious feel.
Hyatt Regency, 1 Sukhumvit Soi 13, 064-642-8651. Open daily 7pm-1am
Music: Electronic, sometimes live, not always DJs
Originally opened at Liberty Plaza in Thonglor before moving minutes away from Khao San post lockdown, head over to De Commune for the underground scene, hosting everything from indie bands to electronic music.
1-2/F 469 Phra Sumen Rd., 088-419-7380. Open 5pm-2am
Music: Reggaeton
What is there to say about Havana that hasn’t already been said? At this point, it’s a bona fide institution. Though you don’t get a free hat anymore (bloody Covid), this place is a little slice of pre-revolutionary Cuba clubbing on Soi 11.
Havana Social, Sukhumvit Soi 11. 080-467-7409. Open daily 6pm-2am
Music: Synthy non-mainstream house
Eight years since opening as a humble daytime cafe, the Surasak shophouse continues to shine a light on underground art and music from its perch by an expressway. Here, cold beers go hand-in-hand with cult movie screenings, retro gaming nights, and gigs that often serve up the unexpected.
41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 093-592-9902. Open Tue-Thu 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sun 6pm-2am
Music: 90s hip-hop
A giant mural of Biggie and Tupac over an in-house dispensary set the tone at this club downstairs from the club favorite Sugar. Juicy opened earlier this year catering to your inner 90s kid—music and arcade games included. Expect classics all night.
Sugar Club Complex, 37 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 061-391-3111. Open Wed-Sat 7pm-midnight
Music: Dance pop
The night worth going is Sunday night when there are live drag shows in a room filled with beautiful gay men. Their Sunday Gay Night provides Bangkok with a good party on your usually quiet Sunday.
Fenix Novotel, 320 Silom Rd., 063-901-1123. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-2am
Music: Nostalgic sing-alongs
Looking for an excuse to revisit the disappointingly “revamped” Khaosan Road? This indie bar by Dudesweet’s Pongsuang “Note” Kunprasop is a new draw for partygoers and music fans alike. Since you’re already in the area, Bar Darn and Tropical Galaxy are also worth checking out.
9 Khaosan Rd. Open Tue-Sun 4-11pm
Music: Techno
Mustache Bangkok’s new venue is around the corner from Asoke intersection in Soi Sukhumvit 23. It’s a longtime home for underground techno, previously in Ratchada, drawing in the downtown crowd.
Young Place, 118 Soi Sukhumvit 23, 063-017-8555. Open Fri-Sat 9pm-3am
Music: Reggaeton
If you’re a fan of Latin American music away from Sukhumvit Soi 11’s Havana Social, this is the place for you to be in Silom. The new location at Holiday Inn Silom provides a huge dance floor, even bigger bar, and a secret door for the party to go on a little later.
981 Holiday Inn Silom Hotel, Silom Rd., 063-785-2703. Open daily 7pm-midnight
Music: House
Years after the opening, Sing Sing continues to be a favorite dancing spot for Bangkok’s slightly older and definitely well-heeled clubbing community. Here, you’ll find beautiful women and guys in untucked shirts dancing and rubbing bodies under the red lights and 1930s Shanghai-themed decor.
Sukhumvit Soi 45, 063-225-1331. Open Tue-Sat 9pm-2am
Music: Depends on the night but known for their synthy, non-mainstream world music
While you’ll find all the Gen Z with pretty faces at Beam, Studio Lam draws a pretty unique bunch on this corner of Thonglor. Featuring casual attire and sometimes white people with dreadlocks which goes hand in hand with music that your Shazam is no good for.
Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-2am
Music: Hit sing-alongs
Yes, we know this is technically a cocktail bar, but have you been there recently? Show up at around 11pm on weekends and you’ll forget this once was a fancy craft cocktail bar playing jazz. The floor is filled with dance moves, sometimes even the bar counter.
Salil Hotel, 44/7 Thonglor Soi 1, 087-713-6943. Open daily 7pm-midnight
Music: Trance
Lasers and trance music go hand in hand. For those who want to feel like they are at Tomorrowland but with a Ratchada budget, this is the place for you. The space is huge, offering three stories of crazy over-the-top lasers and live dancers.
278 Ratchadaphisek Rd., 066-009-1666. Open daily 8:30pm-2am
Music: Retrowave, synthwave, house
If you find Sukhumvit Soi 11 a little too much and too mainstream for you, just around the corner from there you will find this cozy place that can only fit up to 250 people. Here they spin sub-genre dance music heavy on retro and synth in an intimate and friendly vibe.
G/F 15 Sukhumvit Residence Building, Sukhumvit Soi 13, 084-015-0469. Open Wed-Sat 9pm-2am