Have not been back to BKK since 1997 and I am guessing that my info is completely outdated. I see from my initial research that NANA is the place to be.

When I was there in '97 PATPONG was ... I think ... where it was at.

Does PATPONG Rd even register anymore? I am only going to have a weekend there 11/11-13 so I want to make sure I do it right.

Thanks,

The Pong is a shadow of what it was in the 90's. Pay a visit by all means but don't expect to find what you did before. Club Electric Blue on Patpong II may be the best club there now and it did not exist when you last visited. King Castle I and II are still decent but not anywhere near what they were. Safari is crap now . The upstairs sex bars are worthless and very expensive. The old Lipstick and Firecat bars rocked -- alas no longer.

NEP and to a lesser extent Soi Cowboy are the places for go gos for sure.

Wow .. that was quick. Thank you very much. I used to stay at the Montien hotel there and new the Manager well. He led me to King Castle and I was very happy with selection. He also led me to a great BJ Bar that was more towards the hotel. Guess I need to reserach a little more.

Thanks again

Just happened to be on line and saw your question.
He took you to Star of Light on PP2 I'll wager. Used to be by far the best BJ bar in BKK. It sucks now but not in a good way !! Old hags and fuglies.

The Montien is not guest friendly at all. I used to stay at the Tawana Ramada right up the street. A bit older but at least they never hassled you about pooying.

Stick with the Sukhumvit area . Do not stay in Pong area . Very tough travel to NEP as taxis are restricted at night as to where they can go or pick up passengers on Silom which before was the quickest way to NEP. Now you have to take a huge circular route by taxi or take the skytrain - which unfortunately does not run after midnight.

Everything KM said about Patpong is spot on. I get there about once a week and the places to go are Club Electric Blue, King's Castle I, II and Camelot Castle. Most of the other places aren't worth a visit. Those mentioned above, though, make it well worth the trip, in my opinion.

Manos.

Regarding PATPONG, I second that. Khun Mor's assessment was spot on. In the Pong some guys like King's I & King's II, but a lot prefer Camelot Castle, which actually have a fair amount of lookers. Electric Blue is becoming popular too. The Pong is a far cry from the late 90's and the expansion of the night market has hindered the bar scene even more. The whole of the Pong sadly oozes desperation and the Thai aggressiveness prevails. SAFARI was a terrific little bar, lined with stunners, but the Superstar DJ Mark (Thai/American) has left. Under new ownership they have destroyed the place! All my old haunts like Pussy Galore totally suck now as they are full of Fugly BG's. Even Soi Cowboy is a much better option than the Pong. The Pong needs a major strategy overhaul, but sadly IMO it won't ever happen. Prepare to be shocked because Patpong is shocking!

PATPONG is now more like a freaky tourist trap as the night market is a bigger attraction than the "Freak Show" inside the second level show bars. There are only three or four bars left worth visiting and even then they are nothing in comparison to the top bars in NANA PLAZA.

Lower Sukhumvit is where the best nightlife action is contained. They are some excellent Hotels too with a variety of star ratings.You can choose a simple place like NANA HOTEL or the very grand LANDMARK or JW MARRIOTT. Recent Trip Reports will also give you the info you need, because a lot of new Hotels have emerged.

Despite SOI COWBOY not having the amount of sexy babes that NANA PLAZA has it is a place where you can relax. IMO Soi Cowboy offers the best "Happy Hours" and is therefore a good location to begin your evening. SUZI WONGS and SHEBAS boast live lesbian shows. SHARK BAR had a number of hotties last time I visited. SOI COWBOY is in another league to the Go-Go Bars of NANA PLAZA, but quite a good place to start your evening. Some SOI COWBOY bars are open as early as 6.00-6.30pm. Check it out early.

NANA PLAZA is simply the best for Go-Go Bars in the whole of BKK. Nothing comes even close in terms of attractive girls. RAINBOW 4 have an abundance of hotties with 200+ Dancers in one bar alone! RB-4 is still the top Go-Go Bar in Thailand for quality and quantity of sexy babes. RB-1 and RB-2 also house many hotties and now PLAY SKOOL has emerged as a hot spot too. The two HOLLYWOOD BARS (Floor 3 NEP) are endeavouring to make a come back but are a shadow of the mighty bars that they once were. ANGELWITCH boast the most professional Shows that Thailand has ever seen. A superb team of choreographers work tirelessly to transcend ANGELWITCH into "Bangkok Broadway". With the addition of BIG DOGS and THE BIG MANGO there are two excellent beer bars to chill out in. THE BIG MANGO offer free Wi-Fi on a laptop at the bar, and one of the best burgers in BKK.

Thank you very much for the guidance. It is very much appreciated. I am in town for only about 48 Hours so I want to make sure I get the most out of my time there.

I keep hearing about a lot of different hotels including the NANA of course, but I was thinking of something a little more upscale that is still "understanding". You mentioned the Marriott and the Landmark .. What about the MAJESTIC GRAND?

Thanks Again

One other place that can be fun early in the evening is soi 33. Go early, get drinks during happy hour.

The Office is a good place to start around 5, most of them open by 6 or so. Hang an hour or two then head to Nana

Yes, I agree with Whitty, The Office is still a good place to hang out between say 5pm-8pm. Also, GULLIVER'S inside Soi 5 just past Foodland.

Don't forget that Manos has a beer bar in the QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA (inside Soi 22). Send Manos a personal message just before your trip.

I hear good reports about MAJESTIC SUITES which is further past LANDMARK closer to the corner of Soi Nana. Prices look reasonable starting at just over 1,000 baht.

I'm not a travel agent but we have put several good options forward to you...Good luck!

Actually ...you all have been a tremendous help. Very much appreciated.

Dave: hope to swing by and introduce myself when i am there at thanksgiving, I tried last time when i was in town but you weren't in. One of these days I will buy you a drink, i appreciate all of the info that you share.

Whitty, that's surprising! You must have visited on one of the rare occasions when I took a night off. Never mind catch you next time...

Cheers,

Dave.

Hi Lawoux,

This board is very good for supplying information for guys. Like I said, have a read through the recent Trip Reports there will be loads of valuable info contained within...

I think i was there too early, lol

again, thanks!