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Bangkok, Thailand, has been called everything from the Venice of the East to the Capital of Sin, but only recently has it been raising eyebrows as a cosmopolitan destination. The mantra "anything goes," once applied only to the city's naughty nightlife, now extends to everything from shopping and art to hotels and spas. Add a karma-driven culture and relaxed views on sexuality and gender and you have a gay mecca in the making.
Bangkok, Thailand, has been called everything from the Venice of the East to the Capital of Sin, but only recently has it been raising eyebrows as a cosmopolitan destination. The mantra "anything goes," once applied only to the city's naughty nightlife, now extends to everything from shopping and art to hotels and spas. Add a karma-driven culture and relaxed views on sexuality and gender and you have a gay mecca in the making.
While there's no gay neighborhood per se, two crowded alleys in the area of Bangrak host the lion's share of happening gay bars and clubs at night, and during the day the expat-filled Sukhumvit is where you'll spend most of your time. This seething metropolis may seem intimidating, but it's also wonderfully accessible. It's an urban explorer's paradise.
STREET GUIDE
THE DRINK
The Balcony 86-88 Silom Soi 4; 66-2-235 -5891 BalconyPub.com One might start a bar crawl along the tourist-friendly Silom Soi 4 at this publike bar and restaurant with a top floor where you can survey all the freewheeling Western tourists and their temporary Thai boyfriends.
THE GROOVE
DJ Station Silom Soi 2, Bangrak; 66-2-266-4029 DJ-Station.com This is the crown jewel of Soi 2. Young Thais and a handful of Westerners flock to this multilevel dance club on weekends, especially during festivals where colorful costumes are de rigueur.
G.O.D. 60/18-21 Silom Soi 2/1, Bangrak; 66-2-632-8033 A former cabaret, this club's tradition of showmanship lives on in drag shows and go-go boys (hence the name "Guys on Display") who dance to progressive house music on three floors, the top of which is notorious for its active darkroom.
THE BED
Old Bangkok Inn 609 Pra Sumen; 66-2-629-1787 OldBangkokInn.com Eschew the isolated and gargantuan five-star resorts for the rustic Old Bangkok Inn, located in a converted teahouse. Situated in the city's historic center, the inn has a series of calm, green-friendly rooms filled with Thai and Burmese antiques, native teak, silk and ceramics.
The Metropolitan 27 South Sathorn Rd.; 66-2-625-3333 Metropolitan.como.bz/bangkok Filled with natural colors and plenty of polished wood surfaces, the design favors calm and Western minimalism over easy Buddha cliches. Much like its popular sister locale in London, this is home away from home for the creative Western jet set. In keeping with the exclusive vibe, the sultry Met Bar lounge is for hotel guests only.
THE BITE
Spring and Summer 199 Soi Sukhumvit 49; 66-2-392-2747-8 SpringNSummer.com Join the offspring of local elite in one of these two adjacent postwar residences, the facades of which have been replaced with glass to form Spring, a contemporary Thai restaurant, and Summer, a chocolate cafe/bar. Or sit outside on the lawn for a leisurely drink.
Bed Supperclub 26 Soi Sukhumvit 11; 66-2-651-3537 BedSupperclub.com Nibble on Thai fusion while lounging on sleek cushions in this all-white, ultra-mod cylindrical design marvel; stay past dessert when this multilevel space converts into a popular dance club that plays house and electronica.
THE THREADS
Playground! 818 Soi Sukhumvit 55; 66-2-714-7888 PlaygroundStore.co.th This stark multilevel department store is ground zero for design and youth culture. Finely curated housewares, books, gifts and small furniture sit adjacent to hard-to-find independent fashion, including totes from Rotterdam's Vlieger & Vandam and vibrant threads from Paris' April77.
Siam Center/Discovery/Paragon 989 Rama 1 Rd.; 66-2-658-1000-19 SiamCenter.co.th These new and renovated malls include the city's best boutiques, from Japanese gift shop Loft, bursting with anime-inspired wares, to the Zen-like Panta, selling modern eco-friendly decor in rattan, earthenware and silk.
THE KNEAD
Babylon 34 Soi Nandha, South Sathon Rd. Soi 1 ; 66-2-679-7984 BabylonBangkok.com When queens reminisce about the opulent bathhouses of old, you can direct them here. Picture a four-star hotel instead of a seedy hole-in-the-wall. When was the last time you heard live jazz, ate a decent meal or saw an art exhibit before cruising the showers?
Originally published in OUT May 2008, issue 174
