Baccara, Soi Cowboy - A Shadow of Former Glory
TL;DR
Baccara was once Soi Cowboy's hottest go-go bar with 100+ ladies but has declined significantly post-COVID. Now 20-30 ladies max, 3rd floor closed. Still has unique 3-floor layout with see-through floors and outdoor seating. Good for drinks and atmosphere, but manage expectations.
Quick Info
- Location: 2nd from last end of Soi Cowboy
- Hours: 8pm-2am
- Pricing: ฿4k short time, ฿7k long time, bar fine ~฿700-1k
- Drinks: From ฿190, 2-drink minimum before bar fine
- Floors: 3 levels (3rd floor currently closed)
- Crowd: International with good Asian representation
- Best For: Drinks, atmosphere, unique layout experience
Baccara has a story to tell, and unfortunately, it's one of decline. Before COVID, this was the undisputed king of Soi Cowboy - the most crowded, most popular go-go bar with the highest quality lineup of over 100 ladies in rotation during prime time.
The Glory Days vs. Reality
Pre-COVID, Baccara was where you'd find 8-9 lookers among 100+ ladies rotating through the stages during busy nights (Thursday-Saturday, 10pm-1am). It was the hottest spot in Soi Cowboy, packed with energy and options.
Today's reality is quite different. During my most recent visit in early 2025, there were maybe 30+ ladies at most. The 3rd floor appears permanently closed due to insufficient numbers to fill it. I'm not sure what happened - possibly management changed hands or other factors, but it's far from its heyday.
The Unique Layout
Despite the reduced lineup, Baccara still has its distinctive 3-floor layout that sets it apart from other Soi Cowboy bars. The center sections of floors 2 and 3 are see-through, so you can see some action on the floor above from below - an interesting design element that remains intact.
Floor 1: Central elevated stage surrounded by counters and benches extending to the walls. Drinks bar at the back, toilet at back right side. No smoking allowed.
Floor 2: Used to be where ladies went topless during rotation - this wasn't happening during my last visit, though it might still occur for certain groups. Smoking allowed here.
Floor 3: Currently appears closed due to low numbers.
You're free to move between floors with your drink, so you can check out level 1 then head upstairs and grab a seat.
Pricing & Policies
- Short time: ฿4,000
- Long time: ฿7,000
- Bar fine: ฿700-800 (late 2023), likely ~฿1,000 now
- Drinks: From ฿190
- 2-drink minimum before you can bar fine a lady
Current Atmosphere
The staff remain friendly, and it's still a nice place to hang out and drink at Soi Cowboy. There's outdoor seating if you want some air, and the multi-floor layout gives it character that most other bars lack.
The crowd is international with a good number of Asians, maintaining its appeal to diverse customers.
Managing Expectations
Here's the key point: if you've been to Baccara before COVID and come with those expectations, you'll be sorely disappointed. The energy, numbers, and selection that made it legendary simply aren't there anymore.
However, if you approach it as a decent bar with unique architecture and reasonable pricing rather than expecting the former glory, it can still be an enjoyable stop.
Why I Still Go
Despite the decline, I still drop by every now and then when I'm at Soi Cowboy. The layout is interesting, the atmosphere is relaxed, and sometimes nostalgia draws you back to see if things have improved.
Last updated: August 2025