Bangkok's gay bar scene splits into two distinct types, and knowing the difference before you go saves confusion. There are regular neighbourhood bars on Soi 4 and Soi 2 where you sit, drink, and talk. Then there is the go-go strip on Soi Twilight (also known as Soi Pratuchai), which operates on a different format entirely. Both are in the same general area of Silom, a short walk from each other.

Soi 4 and Soi 2

Soi 4 is the calmer of the two. Open-fronted bars line the street, with seating spilling out onto the pavement. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff are friendly, and prices are low. It is the kind of place where you end up staying longer than you planned because the beer is cheap and the conversation flows. Most venues here have a mixed crowd of tourists and expats, with some local Thais mixed in.

Soi 2 is slightly more club-oriented, with DJs and a bit more noise. There is crossover between the two sois and people move freely between them across an evening.

Everything on these streets runs late. Bars are not really full until 11pm or midnight. Some carry on until 3 or 4am. The BTS stops around midnight, so if you plan to stay out, factor in a Grab ride home.

The go-go strip

Soi Twilight / Soi Pratuchai runs roughly parallel to Soi 4 and is the go-go bar area. These venues work differently from a regular bar. You pay for drinks, performers dance on a stage, and individual performers can be hired to leave with you for a set fee. The format is commercial and transactional. Some visitors find it interesting as an experience; others find it uncomfortable. Both reactions are reasonable. There is no pressure to do anything other than drink if you go in, and you can leave any time.

Go-go bars are generally darker, louder, and more aggressively touted than the Soi 4 bars. Touts outside will invite you in. You are not obliged to go, and a polite no is sufficient.

The bars

    • 18 Pub & Karaoke — Located behind the Rattanakosin Hotel, this small, relaxed karaoke bar and pub is friendly and accessible. The service is efficient, the atmosphere relaxed.
    • 4 sport's bar — Small, laid-back, straight-friendly bar where you can enjoy watching live broadcasts of your favourite sports on large TV screens, including football, tennis and golf.
    • [venue:adam -407] — One of the first bars in the Saphan Kwai area, relocated to Soi 20 just down from Stax. Friendly staff, mostly karaoke but usually have a good selection of cute hosts.
    • APP Pub — Live band, great music and drag show all in one! Very crowded and the drinks are affordable, the crowd is mostly Thai.
    • [venue:banana-bar -408] — This is one of two similar, welcoming bars on either side of Soi Pratuchai, as you enter from Suriwong Road. Both Banana Bar and Hot Male Bar opposite are perfectly located for a drink before you drop into Dick’s or Maxi’s for a meal or before you venture into a go go bar for the boy of your dreams.
    • BAS Boutique Bar — BAS is a great little bar towards the end of Soi 4, Perfect for small get-togethers and those looking for a less busy spot.
    • [venue:be-high -420] — This long standing go-go bar in the Saphan Kwai area is not palatial by any means but has lots of cute guys and lots of smiles.
    • BEARBIE — While the chubs and bears are so cuddly and adorable, BEARBIE is, without a doubt, the #1 bear bar in Thailand. Bears (both Asian and Western)
    • Bearbie — From the former crew at iChub comes this modern and warm club right in the heart of Bangkok's gay scene. A cozy den for pandas, bears and their admirers.
    • [venue:boys-bangkok -421] — Located under Dream Boy, large bar with large central stage with good visibility from all the seating. Lots of dancers, also have shows (shared with Dream Boy upstairs) every night at .
    • Centralworld 8Th Floor — hosts the opening party of the gCircuit
    • Club Cafe — MEN'S club. Hotttt guys Moroccan-styled, chill-out bar with a relaxed atmosphere enhanced by water underneath the glass floor.
    • Connections Bar — Great prices, awesome waiters, good beer and atmosphere!! on Silom Soi 4, located right next to The Stranger Bar.
    • Dick's Cafe — This classy, gay oasis opened in Duangthawee Plaza more than a decade ago. Superb decor is Casablanca-Tropical-Moderno. A cozy and friendly place to take a break from the heat of the day or from bar hopping in this swinging nightlife area. Great food at the lowest prices in gay Bangkok. Owned by the Tarntawan Place management. Best place to hang out for a dinner or a beer around 8pm or 9pm just before hitting all the gogo bars on "Soi Twilight". Sit outside for a view directly on the Soi...
    • [venue:dick’s-cafe-bangkok-2568] — Dick's Bar is an island of sanity in a soi otherwise filled with boy bars. Here you can have drinks (fruit shakes, tea, coffee, alcohol) and Thai food, served simply by friendly men.
    • Disco Disco — Boogie the Night Away Part of the Silom Soi 2 gay nightlife enclave, Disco Disco is a less crowded -- but just as dancey -- alternative to DJ Station.
    • DJ Station — Pop music & drag shows DJ is the main attraction of Silom Soi 2, an enclave of gay bars and clubs next to each other. Half Westerners and half Thai boys, this club has all the pop music your little gay heart can handle. Not to mention a disco ball, light show and music videos. Just avoid the third floor, the restroom and lack of ventilation make for a stinky situation.
    • DRAG FRIDAY NIGHT — The amazing queen Pangina Heals along with her sister queen shows off every Friday night. Together with your favorite music by Dj Steven G. Nice track and decent facilities considering it's large size and the fact that it is not used that often. Large events (NASCAR, Indy Car etc.) make full use of the facilities. The large restrooms under the grandstand are worth the hike if you are up around turn 3-5 And want to avoid port-o-potty on a hot summer day.
    • DRAGALICIOUS MONDAYS — Start your Monday with stress free and full happiness night with Mama M Stranger serving you with our Dragalicious party together with the juicy and delicious queen Pangina Heals.
    • [venue:dream-boy -422] — This ever popular bar has a very large central dance stage. Lots of dancers, also has shows (shared with Boys Bangkok downstairs) every night at 10:30 PM and 12:15 PM. Drink prices: first drink during first show 300 Baht; all other drinks 260 Baht. 500 Baht off fee.

Practical notes

Drinks are cheap — 80 to 150 baht for a beer is standard, slightly more for cocktails. Some bars operate a two-drink minimum during quiet periods. Cover charges are uncommon on regular nights but may apply for special events.

The Sala Daeng BTS station is the entry point for the whole area. Turn left out of the station and follow Silom Road a short distance to reach the sois. The walk takes under five minutes.

For the full Bangkok picture, see the Gay Bangkok Guide.