Nana Plaza – Bangkok
For go-go bars Nana Plaza used to run a close second to Soi Cowboy. But over the past five years there is little evidence than any money has been spent to upgrade this downmarket area that is largely patronised by middle-aged or elderly expats who have neither the energy nor the money to seek-out anything better.
Nana Plaza is a courtyard comprising three floors of mostly non-descript bars staffed by people who can’t get a job anywhere else, except perhaps at the even dirtier and more depressing area known as Washington Square.
There are of course a few exceptions, and in particular Carnival Bar where, night after night, a staunch crew of girls provide terrific entertainment by mounting and being thrown off a mechanical bucking bronco, apparently the only one of its kind in Bangkok. Customers are invited to join in, and many do.
To get to Carnival, visitors have to walk up the escalator that broke down in June 2007, but the climb is worth the effort. Drinks are no more here than anywhere else in Nana Plaza, but which are noticeably higher than in Soi Cowboy or Patpong.
An imminent increase in ground rents at Nana Plaza will probably lead to the further dilapidation or final closure of several bars.
The nearest BTS Skytrain is Nana (E3). Exit 4 brings you down in the right direction to walk about 400 metres to the entertainment zone.