Soi Cowboy: Bangkok's Most Convenient Go-Go Strip

TL;DR

Soi Cowboy is Bangkok's most accessible go-go bar strip - a single street packed with bars just 5 minutes from a major transport and shopping area. Second only to Nana Plaza in scale. Best times are Thursday-Saturday 10pm-1am.

Quick Info

• Location: Single street off Sukhumvit Road near Asoke intersection
• Transport: 5min from Asoke BTS/Sukhumvit MRT (avoid taxis due to traffic)
• Hours: Regular bars 6pm+, go-go bars 8pm-2am
• Price Range: ฿฿-฿฿฿ (mid-high range)
• Crowd: Mostly tourists, busiest Thu-Sat
• Best For: Convenient night out, go-go bar hopping

Soi Cowboy is Bangkok's most convenient red-light district. Located right across from Terminal 21 shopping mall at one of the city's busiest intersections, it's impossible to miss - especially after 8pm when the massive "Soi Cowboy" neon sign lights up the street.

Getting There (And Why Transport Matters)

This is one of Bangkok's most traffic-heavy intersections. The area sees daily traffic jams, so avoid taxis or cars if you want to arrive on time. The BTS and MRT stations are just across the street - a 5-minute walk that beats sitting in traffic for 30 minutes.

The Strip Layout

Soi Cowboy is a straight street lined with bars on both sides. You can walk the entire length in just a few minutes, making it easy to scope out options or bar-hop throughout the night.

At the entrance, you'll find a couple of regular drinking bars with live music. The rest of the street is dominated by go-go bars - most with outdoor seating areas where you can drink in the open air and people-watch.

Go-go Bar Scene

Pricing:

• Your drinks: ~฿170
• Lady drinks: ~฿230
• Bar fines: ฿700-1,500 (some bars require minimum drinks)
• Short time: ฿3,500-4,000
• Long time: ฿5,000-8,000

Most bars are cash-only, but there's an ATM conveniently located in the middle of the soi for emergencies.

Timing Your Visit

Go-go bars open at 8pm but don't get busy until around 10pm. Early evening sees girls still arriving for work and customers finishing dinner elsewhere. Prime time runs 10pm-1am, with Thursday through Saturday being the busiest nights.

Note that Soi Cowboy closes earlier than Nana Plaza or Patpong - most bars shut down by 2am.

What's Nearby

Terminal 21 (5-minute walk): Massive shopping mall with each floor themed after a different country. Great for dinner before or shopping during the day.

Thermae Cafe (8-minute walk): The legendary freelancer pickup bar.

Wonder Massage (7-minute walk): Erotic massage option if you want to mix up the evening's activities.

What Soi Cowboy Offers

Soi Cowboy works best when convenience is your priority. It's the easiest red-light district to reach via public transport, and has solid go-go bar options without the overwhelming scale of Nana Plaza.

The outdoor seating at most bars gives it a more relaxed, social atmosphere compared to the indoor-heavy setups elsewhere. You can bar-hop easily, people-watch from the street, and leave quickly when you're done.

The main drawback is the earlier closing time - if you're looking for an all-night scene, you'll need to continue elsewhere.

Last updated: August 2025