Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
By Francesca Francis
Francesca Francis looks at the options Bangkok offers the fairer sex looking for a night out on the town.
When the working day is done,
Oh, girls, they wanna have fu-un,
Oh, girls, just wanna have fun...
The night is young and you and your girlfriends are looking to paint the town red. What are your options? Are there venues in Bangkok where women, single or otherwise, can let their hair down? A place to unwind without unwanted advances from father figures?
For long Bangkok nightlife has pandered to every wish and command of its male denizens, providing instant gratification in every which way. A few years ago, a "Ladies Only" sign outside a bar would have been unheard of. Today there are two, and there are quite a few venues that advertise “ladies nights”, some offering free entrance, others giving away free drinks. So where can the fairer sex go on a night out on the town?
First up there is Zeta (02-203-0994) at RCA, that lays claim to the title of "first and most authentic all-girl bar in town". The strict no-boy rule applies to male being in every avatar; even gay men and drag queens are also barred from spoiling the fun. The all-female staff and the funky modern décor has made it a hit with women from all walks of life. Turning up the heat nightly is the all-girl band Mr Sister band, while a female DJ fills in the breaks with a mix of hip hop and chartbusters.
Buoyed by Zeta's success, the owners opened Shela (02-254 6463) on Sarasin Road. This slick two-storey all-girl pub and restaurant serves up a variety of delicious Thai dishes, tasty cocktails, while an in-house band and popular local artists provide nightly entertainment.
These two venues provide a funky party atmosphere for members of the fairer sex looking to get away from it all, especially unwanted male attention.
A variety of other venues now also pander to women clientele with designated ladies nights. While not exclusively for womenfolk, they do offer free entrance to venues, and in some cases even free drinks and food.
Wednesday night is good night to round up your gang and head over to Witch's Tavern (02-391-9791) on Thonglor. This unique pub is located in a split-level Victorian-style building. The street-level area features comfy sofas and a band that plays nightly, while the upper level houses a wine bar and pool table. In addition some of Bangkok's best pub food and unique cocktails, ladies can enjoy unlimited amounts of gin, whisky and rum, all for free from 5pm to 9pm.
A short distance from Witch's Tavern is Escudo in Dutchess Plaza. This bar situated on the fourth floor popular with the teen crowd, but offers a great ambience to party in. Here too Wednesday is ladies night and it is open bar from 9pm to 11pm.
Across town off Silom Road is Coyote on Convent (02-631-2325), a Mexican restaurant and bar. The two-level venue features Mexican Adobe-style décor, South-West American Cuisine, the largest collection of tequilas in the Kingdom, and serves over 75 different margaritas. From 6pm-8pm, every Wednesday and 10pm-12pm on Saturdays, ladies are treated to house margaritas.
Coyote On Convent not your style, then head down over to restaurant-cum-lounge bar Hu'u (02-676-6677) at The Ascott on Sathorn. This hotspot sports a minimalist décor, serves up contemporary cuisine and 150 specialist cocktails, and an eclectic blend of downtempo, lounge and acid jazz. Come Wednesdays and ladies get a sweet deal with three free drinks before 10pm and two free drinks from 10pm to midnight.
Dancefloor addicts can shake their booty either on Wednesdays at Q Bar (02-252-3274), Mondays at CM2 (02-209-8888), Thursdays at 87 Plus (02-690-9999) or Wednesdays and Sundays at Narcissus (02-258-4805). All of them offer top DJs, music of all hues, innovative cocktails and a place to socialise. But other than a free entry to the venue, don't expect anything else.
So next time you and your friends decide to go out on the town in Bangkok, you know which places to hit. You can stick with one venue, try out a few, or all of them to make it a night to remember, or forget!
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