Silom Soi 2/1 (the small alley between Silom 2 and Soi Thaniya), Utopia Map, 02-234-0459, email. Richard (formerly of Telephone Pub) and his partners have opened a new night spot with charming and friendly staff, and soft 70s music so that people can converse. Menu features both Thai and western menu. Open nightly starting at 6pm. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"@Richards would have to be one of the nicest and friendliest bars in Silom. Soi 4 is fine for farang watching farang, but if you want to come to a neighbourhood bar with the cutest, friendliest, sexiest staff with REAL Thai smiles who are interested in YOU, not just your money, then @Richards is the place. Good food and drinks and Ton mixes a really mean cocktail." -- muliama, Jul 9, 2009

231/16 Sarasin, Chitlom, Utopia Map, 02-253-4433, email. Gays now dominate the Sarasin strip. 70's Bar is perhaps the busiest gay bar in Bangkok, as crowded as DJ Station, but hyper hip and trendy. There's another gay club next door to it with even louder, trance music.

86-88 Silom Soi, Utopia Map, 02-235-5891, email. The Fun Pub of Soi 4. Great value including discounted House Drinks and nightly happy hours make this a popular place for locals and visitors to eat and drink. An informal, friendly atmosphere outside, air-conditioned bar and dining area inside. Karaoke, Internet and video games upstairs. The Balcony is a must visit venue that has garnered a Metro Magazine High Fives Award. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"Spent a little time at Balcony, late Sat night. Cute staff. There's a nice little patio out front. I didn't go upstairs, but apparently there's dancing and karaoke. I had a drink at the bar, and was getting ready to move on when a good-looking Thai guy started a conversation with me. A good place to chill out with a drink." -- cyrc_84, Jan 29, 2010

Silom Soi 2, 086-978-5221. One of the many small clubs in this busy alley, it catches the spillover from DJ Station and provides a chill out space for those needing a dance break or just some breathing room.

Soi Bratuchai, Surawong Rd, Utopia Map, 02-637-0078, email. This classy, gay oasis opened in Duangthawee Plaza more than a decade ago. Superb decor is Casablanca-Tropical-Moderno. A cozy and friendly place to take a break from the heat of the day or from bar hopping in this swinging nightlife area. Great food at the lowest prices in gay Bangkok. Owned by the Tarntawan Place management. Open daily from 10:30am-2am.

Silom Soi 2, Utopia Map, 02-234-6151. Funky design and catches the spillover from DJ Station. Benches out front to cool off on and watch the crowd.

Silom Soi 2 (across from DJ Station) Utopia Map. Popular chill-out space to take a break from the dance floor at DJ or just to ogle the crowd. Metro Magazine awarded Expresso its "Best Gay Bar" award for 2001.

Silom Soi 2/1 (the small alley between Silom 2 and Soi Thaniya), Utopia Map, 086-614-3644, email. Nightly entertainment.

Silom Soi 2, Utopia Map, 02-233-3247. Long-running space serves a primarily Asian crowd who enjoy the live music and pub atmosphere. Very popular among upwardly mobile, young Thai gays and their friends.

Silom Soi 4, Utopia Map, 02-234-3279, email. World-famous gay pub. Favorite spot for food drinks and people-watching on Soi 4. 2/F bar has cozy party seating; 3/F is a video cocktail lounge. Utopia Member Discount

PHAHONYOTHIN -- Samsen, Victory Monument, Phahonyothin, Phayathai, Saphan Kwai, Chatuchak

Chatuchak (near Or Tor Kor). One of several Thai disco clubs next to each other in the market area. Jam packed with mostly young Thai university students every night of the week. The nightly party extends outside with tables and music. It almost has a street party atmosphere.

Chatuchak (near Or Tor Kor). One of several Thai disco clubs next to each other in the market area. Jam packed with mostly young Thai university students every night of the week. The nightly party extends outside with tables and music. It almost has a street party atmosphere.

Kamphaengphet Rd, Chatuchak, 02-272-4775. Long-running hang-out for trendy young Thai gays. One of Metro Magazine's Top Three Gay Bars. If someone likes you they may slip a piece of candy into your hand when you're not looking. Thai-style fun -- crowded, loud, and tipsy.

Kamphangphet Rd, Chatuchak, 081-313-6543. Thai-Thai music club.

RAMKHAMHAENG

2/F 3161 Ramkhamhaeng Rd (between Soi 81 and Soi 83), 02-732-2360. Thai-Thai music pub.

Lamsalee gay zone, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 89/2, 02-378-4345. Thai-Thai club popular with young gays and university students.

Lamsalee gay zone, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 89/2, 089-444-9669. Thai-Thai club. Young crowd, lots of university students.

62-64 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24, Utopia Map, 02-319-6772. Local style Thai country music pub featuring drag, lip-sync, cabaret, fashion and handsome man shows. Local crowd.

Lamsalee gay zone, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 89/2, 081-503-5398. Late night gay spot for the young Thai-Thai crowd. Cabaret shows.

02-314-4864 ext. 1, 081-268-7930. Another Ramkhamhaeng in-your-face homo hangout.

Lamsalee gay zone, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 89/2, Utopia Map, 081-442-9472. Thai style disco-pub attracting a local and student crowd late at night.

Ramkamhaeng Soi 24, 02-319-8340. One of the many little gay venues opening near Ramkhamhaeng University. Expect very Thai style entertainment, young crowd, pop beats and Thai conversation (if you can even hear each other). Lerrrttt khaaa! (faaabulous).

Lamsalee gay zone, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 89/2, 086-733-8273. Another Thai-style club attracting locals and university students.

RATTANAKHOSIN -- Grand Palace, Khao San Rd

Tanao Rd and Rachadamneon Rd (at the Kok Wau intersection), 089-748-0212. Thai-Thai club near Sa-Ke disco.

Asia Hotel, Utopia Map, reservations: 02-261-6355, 02-216-8937. Excellent Broadway-style drag review spiced with Asian flavor. Two shows nightly. Superb ancient Khmer dance tableau.

252/5 Soi 18, Ratchadapisek Rd, 02-692-8202. Three shows nightly.

Silom Soi 4, Utopia Map, 02-226-6368, email. Latest dance club to inhabit the former Rome Club/Divine premises. Fantastic show combining the guys from Jupiter and the gals from Freeman (sometimes the dancers literally drop from the ceiling). The crowd are trendy Thai and expats and show up for the show which is just after midnight.

Silom Soi 2, Utopia Map, 02-266-4029. Bangkok's gay dance club. Jam-packed nightly. Cabaret show.

Comments from Utopians:

"Visited DJ Station a couple of times while on vacation recently. I went on a Sun night (cover: B$100 with one drink), just before 11pm, and the place was dead. There was a drag show scheduled for 11:30pm. By the time the show started, the place was INSANELY packed! Awesome show. Afterwards, people start dancing. Gays of all ages and nationalities. Visited again on a Fri night (cover B$200 with two drinks) and the place was jam-packed again." -- cyrc_84, Jan 29, 2010

"Definitely the first club to check out if you want hot guys all in one place. Fri nights are PACKED and Sun night, not overly crowded, but still a lot of guys. Seems to be very popular and on Sun night they had about 5 drag performances and they were really good, too! The music is Top 40 mixes which definitely appealed to the crowd. The venue is big: two levels with bars on each one." -- aznccsf21, Mar 25, 2009

Small alley between Silom Soi 2 and Soi Thaniya, Utopia Map. The former Freeman is reborn as "Guys On Display". Happening afterhours club.

RATTANAKHOSIN -- Grand Palace, Khao San Rd

Tanao Rd and Rachadamneon Rd (at the Kok Wau intersection), Utopia Map, 089-748-0212. Pronounced "Sa-gay". Extremely popular club for young Thai gays. Almost totally local crowd.

RAMKHAMHAENG

Royal City Avenue (opposite the 7-11), 02-203-0490. Located in the once-trendy strip of themed nightclubs. Young local crowd.

2 Ramkamhaeng Soi 18 (near Ramkamhaeng University), 02-319-8248. Gay anthems to dance to, shows, model contests. Super popular with young Thai gays.

Onnut Soi 37, 02-320-0944.

2/F 82 Silom Soi 4, Utopia Map, 02-632-8446, email. From the former crew at iChub comes this modern and warm club right in the heart of Bangkok's gay scene. A cozy den for pandas, bears and their admirers.

2/F Patpong Soi 2, Suriwong Rd. A small, relaxed karaoke pub. The people are friendly, no pressure. A large selection of songs to choose from.

Suriwong Rd (opposite Soi Thaniya). No frills, inexpensive and working-class Thai karaoke dive. Fun and friendly.

2/F above Super Lex bar in Silom Soi 6, Utopia Map, 02-233-3247. Thai crowd.

Silom Soi 10. Open air café and indoor karaoke lounge with a lo-so/funky crowd spiced with matronly ladyboys and Patpong leftovers. No Black Label here, it's Spey Royale and "My Way" until closing.

104 Silom Soi 4 (above Sphinx), Utopia Map, 02-234-7249, email. Popular, upscale karaoke club with plush surroundings in a stylish atmosphere. Some serious singers and celebs visit here.

RATTANAKHOSIN -- Grand Palace, Khao San Rd

Radjamgnoen Soi (behind the Ratanakosin Hotel), off Radjamgnoen Avenue, 081-493-8670, 081-615-0898.

SUKHUMVIT -- Sukhumvit, Thonglor, Ekkamai

Sukhumvit 8. A small, relaxed place with two floors and gay customers. The manager is Khun Num.

32/19 Sukhumvit Soi 21, Utopia Map, 02-258-4311, 02-259-2230. Classy, comfortable and fun. Handsome Thai customers in their 20's and 30's. Supposedly started by Thai airline crew. Attracts superb singers who may be heard in the more private second floor lounge.

OTHER AREAS

Soi Petburi 32, 02-655-4669. Small, friendly gay place with snacks, drinks, and young local crowd. Owner Santi provides a warm welcome.