Bangkok has been named the world's best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.

The ranking was based on a survey of more than 24,000 residents in 150 cities, alongside views from more than 100 Time Out editors and city experts. It assessed nightlife quality and affordability, community, and whether a city feels exciting, lively, diverse, welcoming and safe after dark.

Survey puts Bangkok at the top

Some 73% of Bangkok respondents described the city's nightlife as either "good" or "amazing", according to Time Out. The same proportion said it was easy to find connection and community in the capital.

Time Out's expert panel gave Bangkok a 95% approval score. The city was also eighth in Time Out's wider list of the world's best cities for 2026, and second among Asian cities.

The top 10 nightlife cities were:

Bangkok, Thailand

Berlin, Germany

New York City, US

Melbourne, Australia

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Medellin, Colombia

Johannesburg, South Africa

Brighton, UK

Beijing, China

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bars, clubs and food after midnight

Time Out pointed to Bangkok's breadth of after-dark choices, from major clubs and rooftop bars to small neighbourhood cocktail venues, roadside drinking spots and late-night food stalls. LGBTQ+ venues were also among the attractions cited.

The guide singled out the Soi Nana area, where venues include G.O.D, Tep Bar and Ba Hao. Sing Sing Theater was also highlighted, along with newer rooftop venues: ÆTHER, on the 44th floor of Dusit Central Park, and Sato San, on the 32nd floor of Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong.

Silom and street food add to the appeal

Late-night food was another part of Bangkok's appeal, Time Out said. It noted that people can move between rooftop venues, local bars and street-food stalls serving dishes such as pad kaphrao well into the night.

Silom was highlighted for its LGBTQ+-friendly nightlife scene. For newcomers, that variety may make Bangkok easier to explore than cities where bars, restaurants and clubs are concentrated in separate areas, although visitors should still make their own arrangements for getting back to their accommodation after a night out.

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29 August 2026

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No surprise. The mystery is why Bangkok was previously rated as low as thirteenth.

https://www.timeout.com/travel/best-cities-for-nightlife-2026

Here's a Time Out article on the Top 20. Interesting list, highlights for me are the inclusion of some of the more dangerous cities in the world (J'burg & Sao Paulo), and some of the safest (Singapore & Hong Kong). And Beijing on it too? I'd never have thought that they'd get a mention on this.

12 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

No surprise. The mystery is why Bangkok was previously rated as low as thirteenth.

No brown envelope 🤷🏼

Bangkok does have an amazing nightlife, and there's always somewhere new to experience.

Surprised Shanghai not on the list, but I guess it's so spread out it's quite challenging to have a good night out.

But Brighton? Must have changed since I was last there.

1 minute ago, Kinnock said:

Bangkok does have an amazing nightlife, and there's always somewhere new to experience.

Surprised Shanghai not on the list, but I guess it's so spread out it's quite challenging to have a good night out.

But Brighton? Must have changed since I was last there.

Yes, it is probably the disparate nature of Shanghai, and also despite excellent restaurants it does not seem to have a bar and club scene that's very hedonistic, being a communist ruled city.

I'm also shocked Brighton is on that list. Bangkok deserves top spot clearly, most exciting city on earth.

I wonder if the fires are factored in ?