Celebrated globally for its LGBT-friendliness, Thailand’s capital city has a thriving and continually expanding gay scene catering to both locals and foreigners alike. Referred to as the “gay capital of Asia,” Bangkok offers everything on the nightlife spectrum – from gay pubs and cafes to world-renowned clubs open well into the early morning.
DJ Station
Cocktail Bar, Nightclub, Thai, Pub Grub, $$$
DJ Station, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon | Courtesy of DJ Station
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DJ Station is THE premier gay club in Bangkok, headlining the LGBT circuit for years. Located on “gay party street” Silom Soi 2, packed to the brim with pre-game drink spots, DJ Station is the illuminated oasis attracting a robustly international crowd, from regional weekenders to gay tourists. While the interior shows a bit of wear from its years at the helm of the gay party scene, its momentum for drawing a packed venue every weekend has yet to abate.
The once noticeable gap in the Bangkok lesbian scene is quickly closing. Recently, the local LGBT community launched this monthly 24-hour party featuring several Bangkok resident DJs, playing a combination of indie-rock-electro music. Each party comes with a different theme, and costume-dress is highly encouraged. While hotly followed by the growing lesbian community, all are welcome.
An iconic staple of Soi 4, this popular gay haunt is named for its two balconies and an upstairs bar offering an aerial view of the street outside. Inside the lounge, visitors are transported to 1950’s Hollywood, complete with hugely popular cabaret nights. Happy hours are on from 5:30-8PM, with crowds accumulating by about 9:30. While advertised as a gay bar, the draw of the views, the cabaret, karaoke lounge, and game machines mean that a wide assortment of people fill the bar on any given night.
Gay Bar, Bar, Restaurant, LGBTQ Bar, Thai, Pub Grub
The Stranger Bar (House of Drag Show), Bangkok | Wikimedia
Voted the Best Gay Bar Bangkok 2016 and 2017, this New York-themed bar attracts a true international mix. Famous for its drag shows– every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights – and gay bar classic drinks like the “sperm shot” and “golden shower,” while serving up a vast menu of standard Thai and Western bar food. Stop by early for happy hour before 9:00PM.
This monthly party has been coined the “mother of all Thai lesbian parties.” Assembling a medley of Thai and foreigner lesbian, bi-sexual, and queer women, the party carries on late into the night amid house music, games, and Thai live music. The venue is ever-changing among different clubs and bars in Bangkok, and so this hotly-followed party is always bringing a dynamic atmosphere and great times. Check their Facebook page for details on this month’s pop-up party.
Formerly known as Sphinx, Fork & Cork is a popular gay-owned restaurant and bar on the party-hub Silom Soi 4. Known for its generous selection of whiskeys, bourbons, and its coveted signature cocktails, it offers a chill-out vibe with its mix of live and jazz music. The restaurant serves up top-quality, authentic Thai and Western food to fill you up before entering the madness that is Soi 4 after dark.
Another famous bar on Silom Soi 4, 30-year old Telephone Pub and Restaurant is a popular stop for gay party-goers before heading to DJ Station. Situated at street level, the bar is an excellent spot for people-watching over cheap pub food and drinks. It attracts a huge variety of gay men from all over the world.
This lavish, glittery venue boasts world-class audio systems and trippy light shows. Male models dance on stage as locally-famous live bands cover pop music from Thai hits to K-Pop and everything in between. The club expands the gay scene outside of Silom, and draws an eclectic crowd of Thais and foreigners alike.
One of the only Soi 4 establishments open during the day, Dick’s offers up Thai and Western food from 11 AM for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is open until 2 AM to grab some late night snacks as well. It’s popular for its quiet ambiance, where patrons are able to have conversations while still being smack in the heart of everything.
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Telephone Pub and Restaurant’s more low-key neighbor, Connections is a great spot for cheap drinks and a relaxed atmosphere. The bar’s owners are a staple that keep visitors returning and the vibe down-to-Earth. There is no restaurant, but the staff will bring food over from nearby restaurants to snack on while you down cheap beer after cheap beer and watch the chaos of Soi 4 unfold.
