Sukhumvit Nightlife: Who’s Keeping It Alive?

[123Stodg]

I don’t know about you lot, but since Covid ended, I’ve noticed a massive shift in the type of crowd now haunting Sukhumvit’s nightlife. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that without a few key groups propping it up, the whole scene might collapse faster than a plastic patio chair under a heavy bloke.

 

When I first landed here decades ago, Sukhumvit was the go-to spot for Western expats and tourists: Aussies, Yanks, Brits, Germans, and the odd Scandinavian sweating their way through the heat. They were the backbone of the nightlife, packing out Soi 4 and Soi 11 like clockwork. It was a good giggle. These days? I’d estimate they’re barely 20% of the crowd. The other 80%? A melting pot of Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese punters.

 

And here’s the kicker: Indians alone probably make up two-thirds of the crowd on certain sois. Walk down Nana or Soi 11 now, and it’s a completely different vibe. What started as a playground tailored for Western tastes has shifted into something distinctly Asian-centric. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just fascinating to watch how the balance of power (and wallets) has changed. Are we watching Sukhumvit morph into something new and sustainable, or is it just clinging to whichever crowd happens to have the deepest pockets right now? Throw in the explosion of weed shops over the last few years, and it’s like stepping into a completely different universe.

 

So what happens if even one of these major financial pillars, say the Indians or Arabs, stops showing up? Does the whole thing come crashing down? Let’s be real: Sukhumvit’s nightlife already feels like it’s teetering on a fragile dynamic. With sky-high prices and waning appeal for many of the old crowd, it just doesn’t have the same draw anymore. Sure, the bars, clubs, and streets still buzz, but would it all go belly-up if those propping it up decided to take their wallets elsewhere?

 

What’s your take? Have you noticed the shift? And where do you think the nightlife would end up if some of these groups suddenly disappeared?

[Nemises]

4 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

A melting pot of Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese punters.

 

And here’s the kicker: Indians alone probably make up two-thirds of the crowd on certain sois

Not just Sukhumvit.
 

You need to get out more.

[ChaiyaTH]

Since they did the scam inflation prices I simply moved to other areas in Bangkok. Same for entertainment, I started going to the Thai venues where they apparently can still offer you a gogo with the same alcohol for a fraction of the price, so clearly it is not 'inflation'.

I only still like to visit the irish pub in cowboy for a cider once a in a while but that's about it.

[ChaiyaTH]

12 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Not just Sukhumvit.
 

You need to get out more.

True the issue of fewer people is everywhere, even on islands where all housing is booked, restaurants and bars look scarily empty most of the time. Does still have the difference of pricing and offers tho.

[Yagoda]

Im there once a month and have been going down there for almost 40 years now, there were always Indians and Africans and always will be.

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

48 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

When I first landed here decades ago

Yes, things were different at that time. No SkyTrain, no mobile phones, no social media, and 500B for sexy time.

I think there are many factors, and they all work together.

 

And obviously many other areas and many people also changed significantly. 

[dddave]

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

[Yagoda]

19 minutes ago, dddave said:

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

Great memories.

[mokwit]

59 minutes ago, dddave said:

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

oh man, you should have been here in the nineties [insert decade prior]

 

Seems to me it all stopped on a dime in 2005.

[Jonathan Swift]

I think you summed it up quite well. Additionally, there are a lot of Israelis up North in Pai, I mean a LOT. This may start trickling down to this area. The ones I've spoken to are nice enough, but not very exciting. Maybe they won't be seen in that neighborhood. I noticed the radical change when Prayuth intervened and eliminated all the fun sidewalk bar/vendors. I had so much fun there when I first came in 2013, that made me so sad. But everything changes, and it will always be so, especially in Thailand. 

[Dewey]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Since they did the scam inflation prices I simply moved to other areas in Bangkok. Same for entertainment, I started going to the Thai venues where they apparently can still offer you a gogo with the same alcohol for a fraction of the price, so clearly it is not 'inflation'.

I only still like to visit the irish pub in cowboy for a cider once a in a while but that's about it.

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

[ChaiyaTH]

5 minutes ago, Dewey said:

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

Not telling of course.. sorry.

[Purdey]

Ee ba gum, we didnt have these luxuries like bar stools...

[Dewey]

40 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Not telling of course.. sorry.

Even in PM ? 🙂

[saintdomingo]

Are the Indians spending money.?

Or any of the others

?

[RSD1]

2 hours ago, Dewey said:

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

The truth is, there aren’t really any other Bangkok nightlife spots where foreign tourists and expats still gather in significant numbers.
 

Silom used to be a big party hub: late-night discos in Patpong and the small bars in Soi 4, but that scene has mostly fizzled out.

 

Khao San Road is still going strong, but let’s be honest: it’s loud, chaotic, and full of young backpackers. Always has been. The crowd is 90% tourists, and it’s more about cheap booze and bucket cocktails than anything else. I don’t really count it as part of Bangkok’s proper nightlife scene.

 

You could mention Thonglor and Ekkamai, but those spots are more geared towards locals, with only the occasional foreigner in sight. As for RCA? Who even knows these days, does anyone still go there?