Where to celebrate

Published on December 28, 2007

Bangkok's nightlife in is getting ready for a serious upgrade during New Year's Eve, when there will be boisterous celebrations in clubs, bars and public areas around town, which are stocking up fun, surprises and special shows for the festive occasion.

One hot spot that will be all the hotter come December 31 will be 808 club on RCA. The management does not promise fireworks but a pack of good live DJs for this weekend. Starting tonight with Philadelphia's DJ Cash Money, who brings his globally renowned hip-hop set down to Bangkok with support from SUM-1. Dubbed the world's greatest DJ by the DMC-Technics Hall of Fame, the superstar DJ broke out in the music scene in the early '80s with his underground hip-hop mix tapes. Living off his notoriety after two decades of successful DJing, Cash Money is regularly playing in clubs and festivals worldwide. Tickets are Bt350.

Tomorrow night, the King of Techno Laurent Garnier is back in town for a four-hour set. The French techno music producer and DJ is known for his broad stylistic range, his expansion from deep house to acid trance and jazzy tracks. Constantly releasing new studio materials, Garnier spends most of his time playing in prime clubs in Europe. Tickets are Bt550.

Stay tuned at 808 until the countdown on Monday, with an all-star line up including Brazil's DJ Marky and Gene Farris from the US. Marky will be performing an extended five-hour set covering house, techno, hip-hop, disco and old skool rave with legendary house DJ Farris who is doing a double feature to the act. Tickets are Bt750. The club is in RCA zone C. Bring your ID.

Night owls in the lower Sukhumvit area should check out Bed Supperclub for its sophisticated New Year treats. On Monday night, Bed Supperclub is putting on the "Blown Away" extravaganza boom to the party scene. Bed's resident DJs will grace the decks with their blast of tunes till the New Year comes. Entry is Bt1,000 inclusive of two drinks.

Bed Supperclub is on Sukhumvit Soi 11 (BTS: Nana). Call (02) 651 3537. Bring ID.

There's more clubbing to be enjoyed in venues scattered around Bangkok. Silom Road is one great spot to celebrate the New Year as it offers such variety and vivacious vibes. Club trotters should drop by Tapas Room Club in Silom Soi 4 for a chill-out live DJ set and relaxing atmosphere. The whole strip is lined up with small cosy bars including the white and swanky Cafe 4, Telephone Pub, the Balcony and the notorious Luminous (ID required). The narrow strip is a perfect spot to watch the celebration. Stay on until midnight when all the clubs on the street combine for a countdown party.

Or take a stroll down Silom Soi 2 for special shows by professional cross dresser performers. Don't miss DJ Station's special drag show from 11.30pm. Make sure to get there early to get a good spot in front of the stage. Admission is Bt200 with two drinks. No sandals allowed. Guests are asked to leave their bags at the soi entrance. ID is required.

The Phra Nakhon area is another excellent place to find a party. This nostalgic area is scattered with small, funky places to chill out in, enjoy drinks and watch the old town in festive ambience. Khao San Road is in full swing for the celebration from tonight until Monday. Squeeze yourself into tiny clubs like Suzie Pub for catchy tunes or enjoy special live acts from ones of Thailand's best ska and rock bands at Brick Bar. For a less hectic atmosphere, stroll along the lane and Rambuttri Road for an pleasant night out.

If Khao San doesn't feel like your neighbourhood, cross Rajdamnoen Avenue to Kok Wau junction where hip and funky bars like Pranakorn Bar and Tuksura are. Want to do it a retro style? Walk towards Banglamphu to Prasumeru Road and grab a seat at Ruay Rin Krin Chiva, a wooden house serving whisky smoothies with music from the '70s.

Manta Klangboonkrong