Think a night out going gay in Bangkok means heading to Silom?
That might be the epicentre of Bangkok’s gay scene, but there’s plenty to be seen on and around Sukhumvit, too.
For all of Bangkok’s unique and beautiful LGBTQ people and their friends, here’s where to head…
G-Spot pool parties
Gay entertainment organiser G-Spot Entertainment runs regular pool parties at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Phrom Phong’s Sukhumvit Soi 26.
Though they tend to come and go, if you can catch them when they’re on a run then they take place every month, generally on the first Saturday – check here for details of G-Spot’s latest events, which also span venues in Silom.
If a friendly, welcoming atmosphere of hunky guys around a gorgeous pool is your idea of a good time, these are the parties to be at.
They’re a regular hangout for Bangkok’s model community, so you’ll be drinking with some of the capital’s most attractive people. To top it all off, drag superstar Pangina Heals – the face of gay Silom nightlife spots like Maggie Choo’s and Stranger – is frequently part of the line-up, with her winning act and plenty of poolside games to keep things lively.
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In fact, you only need to take a look at the post-event photos on the organisers’ Facebook page for an idea of how raucous it gets – expect plenty of shots of mysteriously coloured liquor being semi-forcefully poured down partygoers’ throats, and others taking shots that are suggestively lodged in the vicinity of a guy’s, ahem, you-know-what.
Inter Mustache’s House Bar
Tucked into a discreet side-street just off Sukhumvit Soi 10, along from Nana, you’ll find one of a very small number of dedicated gay bars in the Sukhumvit area.
Inter Mustache doubles up as a go-go bar but, even if that’s not what you’re after, it’s an intimate venue popular with a mostly Thai crowd for a spot of karaoke and a few cocktails. If your waiter just happens to be a hot gay guy, then so much the better, right?
Other similar karaoke options include Jet Set (daily, 7pm-1am; 32/19 Sukhumvit Soi 21; 02-258-4311).
Inter Mustache’s House Bar: daily, 9pm-2am; 23/12 Sukhumvit Soi 10; 081-346-8821; www.gthai.net/intermustache (Link NSFW!)
Trasher parties
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Though Trasher parties take place all over Bangkok, they regularly pop up at the (now-closed) Sonic Ekkamai nightclub and other spots in Sukhumvit, and that’s reason enough for us to include them in this guide to all that’s gay about our favourite neighbourhoods.
They’re not exclusively gay-targeted, either, but there’s inevitably a strong gay following for these events thanks to the combination of retro pop trash that’s so awful it’s amazing, some totally out-there outfits, and what can feel like a world record attempt to get more wasted than anyone has ever managed.
Expect throwback-themed nights that take you back to the good old days of ‘90s pop and plenty more – find out what’s on Trasher’s line-up here.
Massage – innocent or otherwise
Massage spas are on every street corner in Bangkok, and if it’s Thailand’s infamous happy ending that you’re searching for then you’ve just about as much choice for where to find it.
But while the biggest cluster of massage spas dedicated specifically to gay men is in and around the Silom and Sathorn areas, Sukhumvit also packs in a few hidden venues.
Whether you’re just looking for a straight-up massage to release the pressure in your knotted muscles, or you’re after something a little naughtier, spots like Hero (daily, 3pm-midnight; 65 Sukhumvit Soi 11; 02-251-1033) can provide the service you need.
They have numerous attractive male therapists of various body types for you to choose from, and an extensive menu of treatments to leave you thoroughly relaxed, rejuvenated and – ahem – satisfied, in every sense of the word. Hero also packs in a gym and steam room.
Other spots worth of a mention include Banana (daily, 12pm-midnight; 24/14 Sukhumvit Soi 23; 081-902-7800), Jey Spa (daily, 1pm-3am; 15/1 15 Sukhumvit Soi 41; 02-258-8889), and Urban Male Massage (daily, 1-10pm; 24/6 Sukhumvit Soi 23; 083-728-6969).
Tapas Cafe
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Though it doesn’t sell itself as a gay venue, and attracts a mostly straight crowd, Nana’s branch of gay-owned Tapas – just along from the infamous Cheap Charlie’s – is the sister of the still operating branch on Bangkok’s gay nightlife mecca Silom Soi 4, which goes by the name of Spanish On 4 and has an accompanying bar and club.
The Nana restaurant has an extensive menu of authentic Spanish tapas dishes, plus a wide range of wine and sangria, and there’s seating available both inside the restaurant and in an al fresco setting out on this lively side alley.
Daily, 12-11.30pm; 1/25 Sukhumvit Soi 11; 02-651-2947
What’s your favourite gay Sukhumvit hot spot?
Featured image is by Ludovic Bertron and is used under a Creative Commons licence: CC-BY-2.0
