In many parts of Asia, “going clubbing” is not really the same as one might expect if he or she were to come from Europe or America. The difference is that many Asians tend to go to nightclubs and get bottle service at tables in places that often have very small or no dance floors. It’s more of a place to gather with friends or meet friends of friends.

That’s why Levels nightclub in Bangkok midway up Sukhumvit Soi 11 (read my other post on how to get around Bangkok if you’re confused about the location) is the place to be if you’re a foreigner. It’s designed more like nightclubs in America, with an okay-sized dance floor, a great mix of EDM, R&B, and even some live singers, you’ll be able to enjoy great music and an amped-up crowd night. Levels Club is frequented by a good mix of foreigners, expats, and rich Thais, and is generally regarded as one of the see-or-be-seen clubs in Bangkok.

It can get a little crowded later in the night, so it’s best to go around or slightly before 11pm if you don’t want to wait in line for too long. The club closes at 3am, but the crowd significantly thins out around 2am. There apparently used to be a lot of “underground” drinking areas that served alcohol after 2am, but there was a crackdown on these types of establishments, so now there are no more after-hours places in the area.

Drinks are a tad on the pricier side, with a Heineken costing about 250 baht ($7.60), which is still a little cheaper if you’re used to prices at American clubs. I forgot how much mixed drinks cost, but they are a bit more expensive than beer, I’m sure. 🙂

There’s an outside area that overlooks part of the city, but the club is not very high up, so the view isn’t the best, but it’s still not too bad. The outside area also has a bar that’s generally less crowded than the main dance floor bar.

The best thing about Asian clubs is that they let you get on stage later in the night after the performances are over. Usually it’s just the tourists that go up there, but it’s still a fantastically good time!

Besides the main dance floor, there’s also a smaller dance floor that’s much less crowded and plays more trance music. It’s a little bit hidden, but I think everyone eventually finds it. To get there, there’s a passageway to the left of the stage where you enter into a room. Going up the stairs in this room takes you to the upstairs VIP tables as well as the bathrooms, while going down the blue tunnel takes you to the other dance floor. Do not buy alcohol from the bar in this area, as they literally take forever to give you change for some reason.

My friend was able to get in with a paper photocopy of his passport, and they also accepted my California driver’s license. The legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old.