Bangkok's vibrant nightlife scene offers an infinite number of options to choose from - far too many to list here. For a quiet pint of ale and pot of beef stew, there are Irish and English-themed pubs, popular amongst homesick expatriates and sport junkies. Live music fans are also well catered for at a number of jazz, blues and rock venues. Alternatively, trendy bars and cocktail lounges attract the well-heeled and beautiful for slick drinks and cutting-edge design. Bangkok's legendary club scene and its international guest DJs offers excellent opportunities to party, whatever your persuasion.

The lively Silom / Sathorn commercial district is a throbbing nightlife centre. From so phisticated cocktail lounges to Patpong's glaring go-go bars, there's something for everyone. The city's gay scene is also busiest here, with the highest concentration of options centred around Silom Sois 2 & 4, and the sleazier Surawong Road.

Sukhumvit, Bangkok's major thoroughfare and its myriad adjoining sois, hosts many of the city's best nightspots. On Soi 11, Q Bar and Bed Supperclub (pp.88-89) lead the way in international-style nightlife. A more colourful side of Bangkok nightlife shines in Sukhumvit's two adult entertainment zones Nana Plaza (off Soi 4), and Soi Cowboy (bet Sois 21 & 23) - filled with neon-lit go-gos.

Other notable hot spots include Banglamphu, the backpacker enclave along legendary Khao San Road and the bohemian cafe/bar scene on Phra Athit Road. Northeast of the Sukhumvit area, Royal City Avenue - or RCA - is a lively strip of bars and clubs where hordes of young Thais congregate on weekends.

The Chao Phraya River has yet to live up to its true potential as a nightlife centre, however, many of the city's top hotels (The Oriental, Peninsula, Shangri-La, Millennium Hilton & Sheraton Royal Orchid) offer five-star cocktails, riverside. Alternatively, for birds-eye views of the river and high altitude cocktails..