Gone are the days when Bangkok was only known for its incessant traffic. Today this glitzy Asian capital is home to a thriving night scene that goes far beyond the notorious go-go bars. All types are catered for by the capital’s entertainment scene, with upscale Sukhumit, budget Khao San Road and naughty Patpong all drawing crowds.

Eating out

A great way to start your night out in Bangkok is to enjoy a nice meal with friend before checking out the city’s bars and dance floors. Thailand is world renowned for its spicy cuisine and no trip to the capital is complete without sampling the country’s most famous dishes. Many visitors eat around Sukhumvit Road, which has dozens of international and Thai eateries.

For convenience you can dine in any of the large shopping malls, most of which have mainstream chain restaurants serving American and Japanese style fare. Of course, you could splurge by visiting the five-star hotels in the city, where rooftop restaurants and upscale dining are paramount. The riverside is also a popular dining spot for its romantic waterfront restaurants. Recommended Bangkok restaurants

Pubs and bars

The bar scene in Bangkok is expansive and goes far beyond the girlie bars the city is known for. Naughty nightlife is on offer in Silom’s Patpong and Sukhumvit’s Soi Cowboy but there are also plenty of regular drinking holes across the city, meaning you can avoid this scene altogether if you prefer. Nana Entertainment Plaza is also notorious for its pretty Thai hostesses.

Sukhumvit’s Ekamai area is bursting with visitor-friendly bars from British and Irish styled pubs to those with pool tables and live music. Khao San is a cheaper drinking zone and comes alive at night with a vibrant bohemian crowd. You could also try the sophisticated bars housed in the city’s top hotels for something a bit different, with the rooftop bar at the Banyan Tree a popular choice. Recommended Bars in Bangkok

Live music and nightclubs

Those who enjoy late nights might be disappointed to discover most of the city’s nightlife winds down at 02:00 although you will find bars in Sukhumit and Khao San that stay open later. The city’s best dance floors can be found along Royal College Avenue and in Sukhumvit’s Ekamai area, where cutting-edge nightclubs with international DJs can be found.

The city’s top hotels all have great spots—some with fantastic view—where you can pass the evening in style. Live bands are also a mainstay feature of Thai bars and there are several farang-friendly spots that play a selection of both Thai and English language covers. Silom Soi 4 is a small strip lined with bars that draw a trendy crowd while Khao San Road’s clientele are mainly of the backpacker variety.

The city’s naughty nightclubs and strip joints can be found in Patpong, which also has dozens of regular bars, as well as at Nana Entertainment Plaza and along Soi Cowboy. More on Bangkok