People familiar with Bangkok or looking for a visit know some of the most famous and infamous nightlife spots in Bangkok. The best known is Patpong, which dates back to the 1960s and was popular with licensed soldiers from the Vietnam War. Also well known are Nana Plaza just off Sukhumvit Road on Soi 4 (Soi Nana) and Soi Cowboy.
In fact, there are several other entertainment areas that have become more popular over the years, such as Ratchadapisek Road, Rama IX Road, RCA (Royal City Avenue), Soi Thonglor, and Soi Ekhamai.
But there is one place that is not on the maps of most information sources: Washington Square (and the surrounding area).
Washington Square faces the south side of Sukhumvit Road between Sukhumvit Soi 22 and Sukhumvit Soi 24, closer to the former than the latter.
Washington Square is actually a precinct with three elongated buildings, cheek by chin, occupying much of the center, with a path running all four sides, the path framed by a row of buildings. The square can be entered directly from Sukhumvit Road via a short drive to the inner road or from Sukhumvit Soi 22 directly opposite the Regency Park Hotel, about a hundred meters from Sukhumvit Road.
The Plaza is quite a curious place. There are several bars, including two that also serve food, some that only serve drinks and others that are more restaurant than bar. There are some bars that cater to the Japanese. Nestled just in the northwest corner of the square is even a gay bar, but for most of the square’s patrons, it may be on another planet as well. There are also several massage parlors. There are several companies located here, including a printer and a travel agency. The center of the three buildings side by side used to house a movie theater, but now offers a large pool-facing bar on the ground floor with a “ladyboy” cabaret show upstairs in the auditorium.
The largest group of regulars in the square, and it is largely the place of regulars, is American, although many other nationalities are represented, especially Canadian, British, Australian and New Zealand, but with many others represented by at least one or two people. For the most part, Square’s regulars (a group nicknamed “Squaronians”) are a slightly older group and almost entirely male.
The west-facing bar-only places and two of the bars that also serve food are not for the faint of heart as they can be quite raunchy. Not always, but sometimes. The same applies to all exclusive drink venues. When they are quiet, they are great places to relax, whether you want to sit alone and listen to music or watch TV (all places have both) or strike up a conversation with other customers or employees. Of course, if you like fuss, you can find it too. Drink prices are particularly competitive, especially when compared to hotel bars and bars in well-known locations. In all, there are about a dozzen places that cater mainly to Westerners.
Along Sukhumvit Soi 22 is the occasional bar, plus a small block of (mostly) bars across the soi from Washington Square and a little further down. All of them are oriented to the west and have numerous regulars.
This is a good area to get acquainted with the resident expat lifestyle which is very different from corporate expats. Most of the people in this area are full-time * and * long-term, they don’t rotate after a tour back to their home country. Many have Thai wives and some have children. A significant number are retired (including some retired US military). The largest work group is made up of people from the oil or construction sector (often related to oil) as field workers.
A British writer living in the area once wrote an article describing the square’s regulars as “men with thousand-meter gazes,” and that’s a good metaphor. Newcomers are always welcome, but Squaronians like to get a feel for them (and don’t tolerate fools at all – gladly don’t mind!).
I should point out that while I am a very Squaronian (and have been for over a decade), I have no business interests anywhere in Washington Square. Sometimes they ask me why I write about it frequently.
It is worth a look and is close to the Skytrain station at The Emporium, as well as a little further from Asoke station; the hike is easy from either one. Allow about four to five minutes from The Emporium station and about eight to ten minutes from Asoke.
