As night falls, the Watergate Market is a joyous scene with countless interesting places to visit. Whether you're looking for a cheap student bar with an upbeat vibe, a swanky rooftop restaurant, live theater or a late-night club, everything is available. Although this area of Bangkok has a bad reputation, when you look back at the occasional humble karaoke bar, you'll find that Watergate Market is home to a variety of night owls. ? One thing's for sure, the nightlife at Watergate Market is definitely as varied and selective as the shopping it's known for, and following the guidance of our top 10 list of must-do's is sure to make your visit worthwhile.
1.?The Rock Pub The Rock Pub is known as Bangkok's best rock bar, and is definitely the place to go for those who like strong guitar music and a later start to their nightlife. It's been open for a long time, and although it opens around 20:00 every day, it doesn't really get going until late at night, as the first band to play each night rarely hits the stage before 22:30. Rock Pub is an independent bar that opened its doors 25 years ago, not to be confused with the Hard Rock Cafe. In recent years, some of the more famous international alternative rock bands such as Dragon Power and Take Him Down have graced the stage, while still welcoming foreign wunderkinds as well as bands in the heavy metal, trash rock, screamo, and other hard rock genres. The stage is still open to foreign wunderkinds as well as capitalists with a flair for heavy metal, trash rock, screamo, and all sorts of other hard rock music. It's just a short walk from Exit 4 of the Ratchathewi BTS station.
2. The Rooftop Bar at Baiyoke Tower If you're looking to have dinner or a drink on top of Thailand's tallest building, the bar at Baiyoke Tower's Sky Hotel is the place to be. Touted as the perfect choice for travelers looking for a bird's eye view of the capital, this rooftop bar offers a wide range of beers, wines and cocktails while enjoying breathtaking views of Bangkok. ? The Flyer Tower is located in the heart of the Watergate Market area and the rooftop bar is located on the 83rd floor of the Flyer Tower. For those wishing to just take in the view without enjoying a meal or drink, head to the Bhaiyoke Skyscraper Observation Deck (400-600 baht). Entry to the rooftop bar is free, but you may need to purchase a drink (from around 400 baht). Formal dress is recommended (no shorts and flip-flops, please), otherwise you will not be admitted. 3. Coco Walk Bangkok's Coco Walk is an interesting alleyway, shrouded in the hazy shadow of the Ratchathewi BTS station, and lined with a variety of Thai-style pubs, perfect for door-to-door bar hopping in the Watergate Market area. When it comes to Thai, you're bound to think of live bands at night, cheap beer (often served in tower containers), spicy and savory pub grub, and lots of friendly locals to pass by. Coco Walk has much more to offer than just cheap prices and a laid-back environment. Many of the bars have free pool tables, as well as a variety of live entertainment, hookah pipes, and even a skateboard ramp (skate café). Follow the road down from Rachathewi BTS station exit 4 and look for the old 'Coco Walk' sign. Most bars open around 17:00 and stay open until after midnight. 4. Red Sky Red Sky sits atop the Centara Grand hotel, the most popular shopping center in Central World. This majestic rooftop bar is ideally situated as a perfect place to relax after browsing the stores of Watergate Market, and offers a breathtaking view of the Bangkok skyline as the sun goes down, a view you will never forget.The Red Sky rooftop bar can be easily accessed through either Watergate Market in the north or Siam in the south, and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of these two shopping districts. The main centerpiece of the bar is a majestic archway, whose view is even more majestic and beautiful as night falls and the lights come on. At Red Sky, while the fine international cuisine and the beer, wine and cocktails may be a little pricey, you are in a luxurious environment, high up on the 55th floor in the heart of Bangkok, and you will definitely get your money's worth.5. Playhouse Cabaret Playhouse Cabaret is a popular siren show that takes place in the old Asia Hotel near the center of Bangkok's Watergate Market district. "Homey" and "siren" don't usually have anything to do with each other, especially when it comes to Bangkok's nightlife. However, Playhouse Cabaret focuses more on beautiful stage and costume design and great shows than on the glitz and glamour, so it's definitely a place for the whole family to go***. The nightly shows run twice a night (20:15 and 21:45) and feature around 10 well-rehearsed and varied programs, with favorites such as Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Swan Lake. With a wide range of dance styles and costumes, you can watch the stunning sirens perform ballet, tap, street and other contemporary dances. The show lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and tickets start at 1,000 baht.
6. Walk Bar at Centara Watergate Pavillion The Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel has opened its own rooftop bar, following in the footsteps of its predecessor at Central World. Although Walk Bar is only 21 stories high, the views are still incredible, especially from Watergate Market looking out over Bangkok's tallest building near the Paiyok Skyscraper. The spacious open-air lounge offers a variety of seating options including comfortable sofas at the bar and more intimate tables for two around the edges overlooking the street. The Walk Bar offers a fine selection of snacks and food, as well as an extensive cocktail menu, including its signature Tom Yam cocktail, which is made with vodka, lemon juice, galangal, arrow-leaf orange and lemongrass. Enter the Centara Watergate Pavillion and take the elevator to the top (21st floor) to reach the Walk Bar. 7. Sapphire Bar at The Sukosol Sapphire Bar opened in 2012 as part of the Siam City Hotel (later the Sukosol Sapphire Bar). Sapphire Bar at The Sukosol opened in 2012 as part of the renovation program of the Siam City Hotel (later renamed The Sukosol). Located in the hotel lobby, the bar is stylish and follows the 'speakeasy' theme of the 1920s, in keeping with the hotel's jazz-inspired design. The bar is spacious and well-designed, with blue vases on every table, classic furniture and a funky mirrored ceiling. Enjoy a lazy jazz soundtrack while savoring delicious tapas and imaginative cocktails from 17:00-19:00 daily, and Sapphire Bar also offers the ultimate in luxury 'Afternoon Tea for Two' from 14:00-18:00. 8. Bossy Club Bossy Club, Bossy Disco or just "Bossy" on Soi Si Ayutthaya epitomizes Bangkok's raucous nightlife. Some people are attracted by the women who start gathering here after midnight, some stumble upon the place, and some come just because the cab drivers think they want to (they usually drive you here for free because they get a cut of your 300-400 baht entrance fee). ? The club is dimly lit, smoky and the loud music lets you know that you're not here to talk, but to enjoy the dancing and the drinks. The crowd is mainly Western men and Thai women, but there are occasional exceptions to this unwritten rule. You'll find Bossy Club in Soi Si Ayutthaya off Ratchaprarop Road - although most cab drivers around Watergate Market or Sukhumvit know their way around. 9. Henry J Beans Bar and Grill This classic all-American bar and restaurant is perfect for a visit after all the stores in Watergate Market, and is located in the Amari Watergate Hotel across from the big shopping center on Petchaburi Road. Definitely the best time to visit is when they open their doors for their buy-one-get-one-free happy hour (17:30-19:00), and live bands also take to the stage from 21:00 onwards from Thursday to Saturday evenings. The spacious space is decorated with American posters, artwork and memorabilia, and with plenty of old wooden furniture and high bar stools, the overall feel of the place is worthy of an Irish pub. Henry J Beans Bar and Grill also serves a delightful selection of pub classics such as burgers, barbecue and juicy ribs, which you can enjoy while watching live events or playing pool in the designated gaming area. You can find it under the Amari Watergate Hotel across from Platinum Fashion Mall.10. Platinum Lounge Located in the popular Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam, the Platinum Lounge is a contemporary hotel bar with stunning views of the Watergate Market. It is a contemporary hotel bar with a great view of the market and live music in the evenings. The bar's smart décor is enhanced by huge panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. During the day, the sunlight streams in, creating the perfect opportunity to photograph the bustling street below. You'll find a variety of tapas on the menu, as well as an international à la carte menu. Pattinam Lounge caters to hotel guests, but, similar to most Bangkok hotels, you can still enjoy a delicious meal here even if you're not staying at the hotel. That said, it's also a great place to relax after a shopping spree when you're done with the stores around the Watergate Market area. There is also live music from Tuesday to Sunday after 19:00. ?