The Best Nightclubs in Bangkok

The Best Nightclubs in Bangkok

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The Thai capital of Bangkok is known for its varying shades of nightlife. The fact is though, it does have some excellent, legit dance clubs.

Many of these clubs have and do features some of the top DJs from around the world, and you’ll never consider it difficult to find a place in which to spend the wee hours partying and dancing the night away, as the nightlife in the city is always buzzing.

In recent decades the push has been towards the establishment of what might be considered the ‘mega-club’ mentality, in a bid to set trends while catering to both trendy locals and visitors from across the globe.

Eventually though, some people will start moving away from that particular experience and maybe start searching for something a little more ‘underground’ – and they won’t be disappointed in Bangkok, either.

Although it is largely away from the eyes of the mainstream, as you can pretty much find diverse forms of over or underground dance-inspiring musical movement in Bangkok   like the fairly recent wave of EDM flooding the city, along with classic hip hop beats and even drum ’n’ bass.

There’ll be fun-loving crowds in any premier Bangkok clubbing destination, and, it is worth finding out which clubs feature big-name artists as there have been plenty here.

Although venues and names change constantly in the city, there are still some of the top, more longstanding clubs in particular areas to consider, like those over at the famed party venue RCA (Royal City Avenue), and others on Sukhumvit, like ‘Glow’. Another more recently ‘happening’ area of the city is Thong lor, which also now has its share of both mainstream and underground-style clubs.

So here is a selection of some of the best nightclubs in Bangkok, just to provide an insight into how the capital city’s diverse nightlife scene is looking. Wherever you choose to spend your evening though, you are guaranteed a good night out with all the Bangkok dance clubs have to offer.

1. Levels

For the full-on, big party experience head on down to Levels Club. This is another of the hip and happening venues not only in the Sukhumvit area (which is pretty vast) but on Soi 11. This is another one of Bangkok’s hottest party spots.

This is a ‘cut-up’ venue that offers 3 distinct party zones under one roof. Which combine certain aspects of a terraced bar, an impressive lounge, and a cubic clubbing room.

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Up on the 6th floor, and with its own elevator, the club proffers a relaxed, open-air bar area, from which to witness inspiring views of Bangkok’s evening cityscape. There are usually a few special events line up in Levels, with international DJs.

The first room in Levels is a classy, opulent affair with high ceilings and a circular, central bar area. The music ranges from commercial, to party, to pop and hip-hop, often fusing them together. Live MCs keep the crowd involved between DJ sets.

You can sit at the booths lining the walls in the lounge by buying a top-shelf bottle at Levels Club. The vibe in the lounge is on the international side for a nightclub in Bangkok. This means space and leg room for dancing and floating around, European-style.

There’s another room that can be accessed via a walkway, and is noticeably darker, and sparser, with scatterings of standing tables for drinks. Bass-heavy EDM music is the norm here, as is a laser show. Some big names have played here before including US House legend Todd Terry.

According to a growing clubland trend, Levels also hosts themed events like Playboy Mansion, for instance.

Levels Club at Aloft Bangkok is located on Sukhumvit Soi 11, around 750 metres north of Nana BTS Station.

Location: 6th Floor, Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11, 35 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 10pm to late

Phone: +66 (0)82 308 3246

2. Sing Sing

Sing Sing Theater is absolutely considered as one of the hottest and trendiest clubs opening its doors right now. The scenario is one of a 1930s Shanghai fantasy that is a clever and intriguing combination of theatre and dance club.

This is a fantastic nightclub with an elegant, well thought out interior perfect for eccentric Bangkokians.

Far Eastern aesthetics, form the backdrop, with intricate patterns, enlivened by scores of lanterns hanging from the ceiling amidst a plethora of mystical dragon imagery.

Apparently concept parties are the coming big thing at Sing Sing too, with themes like Underwater or Carnival being completely immersive experiences and a whole lot of fun. So you get the gist.

There are 2 bars downstairs, and a central dance floor which is sometimes also a host for other performances. The dance floor’s overhanging balcony adds to the ambience of the place completely.

The music at Sing Sing is quite wide-ranging compared to most clubs in the capital. To put that into further perspective, a host of well-loved and critically acclaimed international DJ acts such as the UK’s Gilles Peterson and France’s deep house artist Kilngande have played at this club.

A downtempo mood via a live act or even a dance performance is what usually happens sometime between 8pm and10pm, making Sing Sing a draw at this time for after-dinner crowds. .

Sing Sing Theatre quite simply lays new ground somewhere between nightclub, theatre and bar, and playing regular host to the cream of international talent on a monthly basis. For socialising, dancing, or both, this place has quickly become one of the most popular party venues in Bangkok.

Sing Sing Theater is on Soi 45 Sukhumvit Road, halfway between the Phrom Phong and Thong Lo BTS Skytrain Stations.

Location: Sukhumvit 45 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9pm to 2am (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +66 (0)63 225 1331

3. Onyx

Starting off an EDM RCA experience at one of the well-established night time strips of entertainment for young people in Bangkok, RCA, we can find one of the currently most popular venues in the form of Onyx.

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Here you are likely to encounter well-dressed young locals looking to get some EDM, with a smattering of foreigners doing their damndest to look like they are in an underground rave in Europe.

EDM has slowly been taking over Bangkok dancefloors for the last decade or so, and there is now plenty of it in RCA.

Onyx is a 2,000-capacity club that is one of the most popular, and has an impressive sound and lighting system.

Being one of the largest clubs in Bangkok, and with a huge dancefloor, it is no wonder that hordes of revellers come here every week to get on down in a crowd.

European-inspired high ceilings and an LED screen behind the main DJ booth give a nod towards some of Opium’s influences. The club was actually the first in Bangkok to rank as one of the best in the world in DJ Magazine.

Location: Royal City Avenue, 9 Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

Open: Daily from 9 pm to 2 am

Phone: +66 (0)81 645 1166

4. Insanity Nightclub in Bangkok

Staying with the theme of big party, international-class clubbing venues that rock bass-heavy EDM, welcome to Insanity. This place has its share of house party anthems, and plays host to regular appearances by top international DJs.

The DJs play from an elevated booth highly reminiscent of clubs in Europe. One side of the club hosts a row of VIP Booths complete with views of the dancefloor. You might want to consider booking if you ever fancy one of these, and there are actually several packages available on the club’s website.

Insanity is also one of Bangkok’s largest venues, occupying a massive, hangar-like room with lasers that form part of an impressive lighting system. There are also the obligatory podium dancers dotted somewhere in the vicinity of a huge, central dance floor.

The DJs play from an elevated booth reminiscent of European clubs. On the far side of the club, a row of VIP Booths offers an exclusive clubbing experience with views of the dance floor. If you want to reserve these tables, you can choose from several packages available on their website.

In the trendy area of Sukhumvit Soi 11, Insanity Nightclub is usually a late closer, so the atmosphere tends to reach a pinnacle sometime late, usually after 11pm, when it is at its busiest.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 10pm to late

Phone: +66 (0)82 731 8885

5. The Club at Koi

The Club at Koi Bangkok is a sophisticated nightclub and lounge experience very much on the side of glamour.

This might be one of the reasons why it has become a favourite hang-out for the young and affluent of Bangkok – basically, dress to impress.

With dance floors, bars, an open-air terrace with top views of central Bangkok, the service ensures that each group of guests has a private elevator up to the top floors, and a personal escort who then takes them toward their chosen preferred area.

The Club is host to an impressive entrance, comprising candlelit corridor through heavy drapes-style scenarios, with dance podiums on various tiers greeting guests.

The layout and atmosphere here is very ‘loungey’ in terms of it being a club. It has seating areas to accommodate large groups, and a decent-sized dance floor surrounds the DJ booth.

The Club at Koi Bangkok has an impressive sound and lighting system, and there tend to be variations in styles of music depending on the night. There are various musically-themed nights in effect such as ‘Wednesdays ladies’ nights’, with hip-hop classics as a party line. Then Thursday is house night, and weekends are reserved for anything from party pop to R’n’B – and the crowd is dancing.

Located in Sathorn Square Building, The Club at Koi Bangkok is about 300 metres southwest of the Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain Station on the Silom Line.

Location: 39FL, Sathorn Square Building, 98 North Sathon Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 9pm to 2am (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Phone: +66 (0)2 108 2005

6. Route 66

While you are down the RCA end of town, don’t forget that Route 66 Nightclub in Bangkok is a fairly long-established venue known for its weekend celebrations.

This is another huge club area which has diverse playlist. Anything that sounds good in a club scenario like Hip-Hop, dance-pop, and R&B, with different zones of music on offer including local bands playing western and Thai hits.

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The weekend is the place to hit Route 66 if you are looking for house, trance, electronic dance music, and smatterings of Thai pop, when there are extra rooms to accommodate the sounds.

Not surprisingly this place is hugely popular with university students due to its diverse musical policy and fun atmosphere. This is Thai-style clubbing where people usually arrive in groups, find a table, and order a bottle off the top shelf. Don’t expect to find any tables available after 10pm on weekends though.

Location: 29/33 – 48 Royal City Avenue Building, Rama 9 Road, Bang Pa Pi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

Open: Daily from 9pm to 2am

Phone: +66 (0)2 203 0407

7. Glow

Of course there will always be newer and more inspiringly-themed, innovate nightclubs opening up in the trendy nightlife areas of Bangkok.

But some, like Glow have played a prominent role in the Bangkok underground dance club scene for many years now, and continue to do so. Glow has a faithful following, although it constantly attracts new-comers.

There are plenty of international DJ superstars and live music evenings to be had at Glow, which plays host to its own Funktion-One sound system, which adds to the underground vibe gives the club that European feel. This is a place for primarily dancing and enjoying the vibe rather than being seen, which does set Glow aside from some of the other clubs. Not to be missed really if you want to say you’ve been clubbing in Bangkok.

ADDRESS: 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok, 10110
TEL: 086 614 3355

HOURS: Daily 9:30pm-3am

WEBSITE: facebook.com

8. Violett

Thonglor has been the party central for young, affluent Thais for a few years now, which means it has already seen its share clubs come and go, constantly being replaced with newer, trendier, and more intimate venues.

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Currently one of the most packed venues is Violett, which could be described as something of a mecca for underground-style clubbing in the city.

The décor is cool and industrial, complete with fog and neon lighting, and again there is that European club feel rather than anything specifically Bangkok. The music policy is largely full-on techno and trance, and there is a regular run of live DJs sets from international DJs.

There are 2 levels in Violett, deep sound systems and subtle light shows, as well as a “**** the mainstream” sign above the entrance.

ADDRESS: 141 The Third Place Building, Thonglor Soi 10, Bangkok, 10110

PHONE: +66 95 393 8858

WEBSITE: facebook.com