Soi Cowboy in Bangkok

Soi Cowboy was named after the cowboy hat-wearing African-American who opened the first bar here in the early 1970s. This red-light district has a more laid-back, carnival-like feel to it than Patpong or Nana Plaza. Flashing neon lights up a colourful streetscape of 20 or so go-go bars that line its sides. Don't be shy, it's pretty easygoing and open-minded, entry is always free and drink prices are fixed.

Soi Cowboy is just next to Terminal 21, a very popular new shopping mall, so just cross the street and see it for yourself or use Terminal 21 as an excuse to have a quick peek. You might not see this again anywhere else in the world!

Soi Cowboy go-go bars – what's it like inside?

Each go-go bar in Soi Cowboy is brightly lit and colourful, playing loud music, offering lines of seats typically arranged in tiers around a UV-lit central stage. Another row of stools is available directly around the stage, but first-timers tend to sit in the back. Bars usually close around 2.30am, but it's not unusual to see them open until 3am. Weekends can be really busy, especially in the most popular ones such as Tilac or Baccara.

Soi Cowboy is fairly straightforward, no traps or scams, so just sit and order a drink: expect to pay 100 to 150 baht, which is rather fair. Staff members might sit next to you and ask for a drink, but rarely in a pushy way. If you want to enjoy your new friend's company, it's a nice gesture to buy her one and it’s not too crazily expensive.

Baccara

Baccara may be the last go-go bar in the street of Soi Cowboy, but it's also one of the most popular. Unfortunately, because of its popularity, it’s often difficult to find an empty seat.

This go-go bar is bright, clean and even offers a non-smoking space downstairs – a good option for most visitors. No less than 3 elevated rows of sofas around the room add to a slightly cramped feeling. Baccara has a mixed clientele but it has become a draw among Japanese guests over the years.

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 7 pm to 3 am

Deja Vu Bar

Deja Vu is a fun bar in Soi Cowboy with a typical design – a long high stage with poles accommodating up to 8 dancers and a transparent ceiling above. The staff members are mostly friendly, not pushy and can often engage in a good chat in English – going beyond the mundane conversation starters, "What's your name?", "Where you come from?" and "You buy me a drink?"

Location: 4/45 Soi Cowboy, Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 pm to 3 am, Sundays from 8 pm to midnight

Kiss

Kiss is a nice bar but is perhaps among the most expensive in Soi Cowboy, with local beers and draft beer available. Take advantage of their rather short happy hour that's usually from 7pm to 8.30pm. About 8 dancers perform on a multilevel stage, surrounded by 2 rows of comfortable red sofas.

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 7 pm to 3 am

Phone: +66 (0)2 258 7711

Midnite Bar

Midnite Bar is a cool go-go bar but is often considered as pricey as its sister bar, Kiss. Even so, you can opt for the cheapest but the lightest draft beer here. The place is actually nice and well maintained with a central stage and 2 rows of sofas around the room.

Location: 4/30 Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 pm to 3 am

Phone: +66 (0)2 258 7711

Sahara

Sahara was one of the flashiest go-go bars in Soi Cowboy but eventually closed and merged with its sister bar, Kiss. It used to draw in guests to its large white room that's brighter with a more creative design than average bars in the strip.

Up to 10 dancers would usually perform on a multi-level stage lit from underneath. As the sister of Kiss, prices here tend to be as high, both for beers and ladies' drinks.

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 pm to 3 am

Phone: +66 (0)2 258 7711

Shark

Shark is a 2-level go-go bar with a classic layout downstairs – a central elongated stage with a small rotating platform and a transparent ceiling above. Well, it probably used to be transparent! Prices are normal but if you are an early bird you can take advantage of their Happy Hour deals from 4.30pm to 8pm (applies to ladies’ drinks, too!).

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 pm to 3 am

Spice Girls Club

Spice Girls is one of the smallest bars on Soi Cowboy, with only a few dancers entertaining patrons who happen to be curious and dropping in to see what it's all about. Drinks here are priced on par with other bars along the strip, but it does regularly put on a few special shows.

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 pm to 3 am

Phone: +66 (0)2 525 5030

Suzie Wong

Suzie Wong is a familiar name and has a similar look to the famous Suzy Wong in Patong (Phuket), but the 2 are not actually related. The interior is not as Chinese as you would expect from its name.

With a centre stage, dimmed light and loud music, Suzie Wong uses a very traditional layout and has seriously ageing sofas around the room. Drink prices are slightly higher than in other bars (beers and tequila shots available). Ladies’ drinks cost the same as customers’ drinks and a detailed bill is brought to you with each drink.

Location: 4/13 Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 6 pm to 3 am

Phone: +66 (0)87 109 2406

Tilac Bar

Bigger, brighter and newer are the first words that come to mind when stepping inside the very popular Tilac Bar. Obviously, a great deal of effort was invested in the layout, room design and lighting, even featuring large screen set on sports channels.

A bar counter surrounds the large main central stage and 6 smaller stages are distributed around the room, with an average of 15 to 20 dancers performing at any given time. The beer prices here are fair and the venue is very popular and gets busy in the late hours.

Location: Soi Cowboy, 23 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 7 pm to 3 am

Soi Cowboy - enjoy go-go bar hopping in Bangkok

Soi Cowboy is just opposite the Terminal 21 mall and is less than 100 metres from Sukhumvit Road, between Asoke Road and Sukhumvit Soi 23. The nearest Skytrain station that you can find is Asoke or MRT station Sukhumvit.

Go-go bars on the left side of Soi Cowboy are Country Road, Deja Vu, Tilac, Kiss, Afterskool, The Doll House, ShadowBar, Midnite, Shark, and Baccara. On the opposite side, you can find Rio Club, Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar, Moonshine Joint, Jungle Jim Pub, Suzie Wong, Spice Girls, Cowboy 2, Dundee, Toy Bar, Lucky Star, Rawhide, and Cocktail Club.