Thailand has the best nightlife in Southeast Asia, with Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui all offering good options to party. All of these areas have high counts of girly bars, where sex, as well as beer, is for sale, plus you will also find good expat-centric watering holes and nightclubs.
Indonesia is second to Thailand for nightlife, with Bali having a mass of bars and clubs at Kuta. For adult entertainment, Angeles City is equal in popularity to Thailand’s naughty spots. Despite its sterile look, Singapore also has a good amount of drinking options, while the Philippines has Boracay Island and Manila. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are not considered party destinations.
Pattaya, Thailand
A sex tourist destination if there ever was one, Pattaya is wall-to-wall girlie bars. The Walking Street area, down at the beach, and Pattaya Soi 6 are the main entertainment zones where there is everything from standard go-go and beer bars to transvestite-only places and huge discos.
Red-light Bangkok, Thailand
Good for all types is the seedy side of the Thai capital. Patpong market is the original seedy area lying just off of Silom Road, where you can enjoy market shopping followed by go-go bars, beer bars, pubs and nightclubs. The other two main naughty areas are Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, both on Sukhumvit Road.
Phuket, Thailand
Slightly more upmarket than Bangkok and Pattaya is Phuket’s Patong Beach. It is loaded with bars along the famous, bustling Soi Bangla and has the raunchiest nightlife on the island. North and south of here are quieter beaches with easier going bars and live music venues.
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
The most popular beach on the tropical island of Bali has the best nightlife on the island. While a bit base and tacky in places, Kuta also has a decent range of quality nightclubs on Jalan Legian. Poppies Lane II has rows of close-knit bars with crowds of visiting Australians the norm.
Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand
Chaweng Beach has the best of Koh Samui’s nightlife. Partying goes from the restaurants on the beach at sundown to a mass of beer bars with typical girly action and loads of nightclubs just across the road. Koh Samui is more expensive for drinking and clubbing than Phuket and Pattaya.
Full Moon Party, Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
The Full Moon Party is a massive all-night rave on the main beach of Hat Rin on the island of Koh Pha Ngan. It happens once a month during the full moon and is typically loaded with young folk letting their hair down. Not carrying wads of cash, staying away from drugs and not getting too drunk is advised!
Singapore
Geylang and the Quays have the best nightlife action in Singapore. Geylang is the main red-light district, with brothels and beer bars galore, along with a large night market. The Quays area down at the riverside – Boat, Clarke and Robertson quays – is much more upmarket, appealing to the expat crowd as well as visitors.
Angeles City, Philippines
The ‘Entertainment Capital of Central Luzon’ may not be everyone’s cup of tea but those looking for adult entertainment will want to stop by. Fields Avenue is the main hub of action, lined as it is with go-go bars and nightclubs, but there is plenty going on all across Balibago district, from karaoke to live music.
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
The Philippines’ best known island holiday destination, and its best known beach on Boracay, is a good place to party. The best party action is at the bars and clubs around boat stations 1 and 2, with boat station 3 being more relaxed.
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia’s up-and-coming tourist base, widely referred to as Snookyville, has some great beaches as well as a burgeoning night scene. Most are your typical hole-in-the-wall type bars with working girls hanging off of aging expats, although there are some fun places on Serendipity Beach, nonetheless.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City easily has Vietnam’s best night action. The compact downtown area has the best of it, with Pham Ngu Lao and Dong Du Street being the best bet for late night drinking and partying. Be aware that much of the city closes down by midnight.