Where to quench your after-hours thirst in Bangkok

Bangkok’s reputation as a city of sin means a lot of tourists are left scratching their heads when almost all of the city’s bars and clubs start politely ushering out their customers around the 1:45 a.m. mark.

But a handful of the Bangkok's late-night establishments manages to escape enforcement of the government’s official 2 a.m. curfew -- most nights, anyway -- and party people head to these places when they feel that need to draw out the fun. 

More on CNNGo: The complete guide to Bangkok nightlife

Tapas

Arguably the most respectable looking establishment of this lot, Tapas is within walking distance of infamous Patpong Road.

The place has a bit of an indoor cabana club vibe and the color scheme is strong on the browns. 

An international crowds fill the two (and occasionally three) floors of the joint. DJs spin Latin, house and hip-hop. 

Tapas won’t stay open as late as the others on this list, tending to close down around 3 a.m.

BTS: Saladaeng. 114/17-18 Silom Soi 4. www.tapasroom.net. +66 (0)2 234 4737

Mixx

Located in the basement of the President Tower Arcade at the InterContinental Hotel right in the heart of Bangkok, Mixx aims to attract class –- that means no shorts and no sandals.

The crowd again is cosmopolitan. Open until 5 a.m., occasionally until 6 a.m., the cover charge on weekends is 300 baht with one drink but free the rest of the week, when Mixx estimates it still draws a crowd of around 200-300 people.

Mixx has two rooms, one playing hip hop and R & B, the other sticking to house. Wednesday is ladies' night, with men paying the weekend cover charge while women not only get in free but get three free drinks. 

973 Chitlom Road, at the intersection of Thanon Ratchadamri and Thanon Phloen Chit/Rama I. +66 (0)2 656 0382.

Club Insomnia/Scratch Dog

Club Insomnia, like Mixx, has a thriving Pattaya branch as well. Again, there's a 300-baht cover charge, and a diverse mix of people on Insomnia's red-lit high-domed dance floor. 

The same can be said of funnily named and even more hilariously logoed Scratch Dog, although this club appears slightly more upscale than Insomnia.

Both places will stay open into the sunlit hours of the morning and the drinks are cheaper than in Mixx. 

 

Insomnia: Sukhumvit soi 12. +66 (0)2 653 2923. Scratch Dog: Sukhumvit Soi 20 in the basement of the Windsor Hotel.

WIP

WIP, or WIP 168, can be a little hard to find. It’s on Thong Lor, one of Bangkok’s trendiest roads, but you basically need to head under the bridge that goes over the Khlong San Saeb canal at the end of the street to get there.

The building that houses it is a shopping mall that, in the late hours of the night when customers start showing up, is reminiscent of a Chernobyl relic. But you can rely on a thumping beat to guide you to the party.

Again, no shorts and open-toed shoes for the patrons, who are mostly Thai. Neon lights and hookah smoke is prominent. Music is a mixture of hip-hop and house. Cover is 200 baht, which also gets you one beer.

Soi Thong Lo 55, Liberty Building, near intersection with Phetchaburi Road. 

Narz

Narz, formerly Narcissus, is basically three clubs in one, with massive speakers thumping out hip-hop, house and trance. Best of all, there's no cover charge.

There’s almost always a large group of late-night revelers on the main stage of the club's three dance floors, which include eight bars spread over four floors.

Sukhumvit Soi 23, www.narzclubbangkok.net. +66 (0)2 258 4805

Wong’s

The legendary Wong’s Place looks pretty dull from the outside. Inside is a Bangkok expat landmark that will stay open until the last customer finishes his or her last drink.

It’s the only non-club on this list; you’ll be hard-pressed to dance in the tiny, packed space.

The playlist also diverges from the Bangkok late-night standard, veering instead towards old-time rock and pop.

27/3 Soi Sribamphen, Rama 4 Road, Yannawa +66 (0)81 901 0235

More on CNNGo: The legend of Wong's Place