Pattaya GAY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019
Pattaya is a tourist town and holds a reputation for being a party city. Welcoming 13 million visitors a year, which is more than Bangkok, Pattaya must be doing something right. There are far more gay venues in Pattaya than anywhere else in Thailand, however there is a lack of dedicated gay night clubs. Pattaya is a party city that never sleeps. Asia’s city of sin.
Pattaya exists for its nightlife. While there are great things to do in the day time, the city doesn’t come alive until the sun goes down. Many people find themselves partying till dawn all too often. The photo above is from a new Thai nightclub frequented by many local gays. It’s called Sinlapin Issan. Make some local friends and get them to take you, it will be an experience. Be warned, you won’t see many foreigners here if any at all.
While not of interest to all gay travellers, Pattaya is world famous for its gay red light districts. There are more than 10 gogo bars and 40 boy bars in Pattaya overflowing with young men who want to meet you. The photo above is from X-Boyz gogo bar, located near Boyz Town. Be warned, gogo bars can be very expensive with some venues having drink prices over 300 baht.
Our information-packed guide to Gay Pattaya
Pattaya is a crazy place and the party never stops. While Bangkok clubs might close early, you can party till daylight in Asai’s city of sin. Pattaya generally attracts an older generation of gay traveler. There is also a large gay expat community. Having said this, there are still younger gay visitors who have a great time in Pattaya. Being a much smaller city than places like Bangkok, it’s fairly easy to get around to different parts of the city and explore different things.
There are 3 main gay areas in Pattaya. There is BoyzTown, Sunee Plaza and Jomtien Complex. There is also a gay club in north Pattaya, NAB Mens Club. Each area has its own feel and offers something different. Read on to find out more about these places. It is worth mentioning that a large part of Pattaya’s gay scene is centred around sex tourism. If that is something you don’t want to see, Pattaya is not a city for you.
Pattaya is chosen as a destination for gay travelers for a few reasons. The Jomtien area of Pattaya has a gay beach. Prices are much lower than other coastal and island destinations like Phuket. Getting here is very easy being only a 2-hour drive south of Bangkok.
When To Visit
Thailand’s High Season is November to February. The weather is usually cooler at this time of year. Expect more expensive hotels and crowds. April is also a busy time in Pattaya due to Songkran, Thailand’s new year celebration. May to September is a very hot and wet time of year. While prices may be lower, visitors should expect very wet weather and sticky high humidity.
From The Airports
Most visitors arrive via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. There are two main options for getting into Pattaya from here. The easiest is to pre-book a private car. They will wait for you at arrivals and drive you straight to your accommodation in Pattaya. This will cost between 1000-1200 Baht depending on the number of people and company you choose. We recommend Mike Pattaya Taxi. They are reliable and come highly recommended. This trip takes about 90 minutes.
The second option is to catch the Jomtien Bus from airport arrivals to Pattaya. It arrives just south of the city in Jomtien, about 3km from central Pattaya. This costs 130 baht and buses leave regularly. For more information see the Airport Bus Pattaya website.
If you arrive at Bangkok’s Don Muang airport, your best option is a private car. If you arrive at U-Tapao Airport south of Pattaya a taxi from the airport is the best option. There are also vans from here however they can be troublesome and take a long time doing many drops around the city.
Getting around the city of pattaya
Baht Bus / Songthaew
First time visitors to Thailand may find these scary, but they are the best way to get around. There are 3 main route these run. The most used is the Pattaya / Jomtien route. They cost 10 baht a trip. Simply hail one down, climb on and ring the bell when you want to get off. Hand the driver 10 baht though the passenger side window.
Taxi
Taxies are a nightmare in Pattaya. We would only advise using one if you have no other option. Drivers generally refuse to put on their meters and throw rip off quotes for even short trips. They are not well regulated here and generally, drivers rely on scamming tourists who don’t know any better. For this reason, you don’t see many around.
Motorbike Taxi
You will see Thai’s in orange vests on motorbikes waiting on almost every corner in Pattaya. These are motorbike taxis. Likely the most popular way for tourists and locals to get around the city. Agree on the price and destination before getting on the bike. Also, ask for a helmet. It’s illegal not to wear one and drivers will have one for you to borrow.
Grab Taxi
Grab Taxi is still quite new in Pattaya but it is working and there are usually a number of drivers around. Prices are slightly inflated, however, do end up being much cheaper than normal taxis. Download the GrabTaxi app from your phones app store.
Pattaya’s Best Areas to explore
Pattaya is famous for it’s night life. Day times can be quiet and relaxing as in most beach resorts. Here are the things you don’t want to miss.
Jomtien complex – gay area
The newest of the gay areas in Pattaya, Jomtien Complex has grown significantly in the last 6 years. There is now over 20 gay bar on one street buzzing with activity every night of the week. Each establishment has it’s own selling point, attracting crowds of expats and tourists alike. If you like Cabaret shows there are 2 bars for that, The Venue and M2M Bar & Cabaret. If you want to sit in the company of dozens of handsome bar boys and enjoy a drink, you are spoiled for choice. The best places for that would be @Home Bar, Sun Bar or Lucky Boys Bar. Want a game of pool? @Home Bar, Cocka2 Bar or L&N Bar will be for you. If you are a looking for gay only accommodation there are 2 options located right inside the complex. You can look at The Venue Residence or Poseidon Boutique Hotel. For a more in-depth look at Jomtien Complex, check out our full destination guide for Jomtien Complex here.
Boyz Town – gay area
Many would say Boyz Town is the ancestral home to gay Pattaya. It has however changed a lot over the last couple of years and a shadow of what it used to be. Having said that, it’s certainly still worth a visit to see what’s happening. You can stay in the heart of Boyz Town at the Ambiance Hotel. There is a nightly Cabaret show at Castro Show Bar. You can sit outside and watch the action up and down at the street at either Panomama Pub or Serene Bar. There is the famous male GoGo Bar Boyz Boyz Boyz, along with 2 other gogo bars, the best being Toy Boy. In 2019 the new live music venue Boyz Music opened in the old Cafe Royal location. It’s worth noting that drink prices in Boyz Town and significantly higher than other locations in Pattaya. For a more in-depth look a Boyz Town, check out our full destination guide for Boyz Town here.
sunee plaza – gay area
It was only 10 years ago that Sunee Plaza hosted over 50 gay bars and venues. Times have changed, and now there are only 10. While smaller than before, there is a lot of fun to be had in Sunee Plaza, or as the locals often call it, Soi Sunee. Sunee Plaza offers a very different atmosphere than other areas of Pattaya and is known for being a little “naughty”. The GoGo bars here are far more fun than other places in Thailand. Grabbing a beer at the famous Double Shot Bar is a great start to an evening here. As for GoGo Bars we recommend a stop at Winner Boy and also the raunchy bar Nice Boys. For a more in-depth look at Sunee Plaza, check out our full destination guide for Sunee Plaza here.
jomtien beach – dongtan gay beach
For almost 30 years, Jomtien; located 3km south of Pattaya city has had it’s very own gay beach. Visitors and expats alike spend there afternoons here enjoying the sea breeze, cheap food and beers and most importantly for some, the passing eye candy. We made a blog post about Dongtan gay beach a while back with directions and other useful information. You can read it here.
It may be useful to note if you are a beach person visiting Pattaya you may wish to find accommodation in Jomtien Complex as it’s located very close to the gay beach. We made a blog post about the best places to stay in Jomtien and you can read it by clicking here.
walking street
Loved by many, but hated by others, Walking Street is a crazy place indeed. Hundreds of bars and nightclubs and crowds of people to fill them. While nothing down here is designated as a gay venue, don’t think that local and visiting gays don’t spend time here. The nightclub Marine is often very busy with local gay boys. Walking street has a mix of bars and nightclubs. Happy hours can be cheap in the bars. Nightclubs are renowned for being very expensive with drinks costing more than in many western cities.
Many of the bars on Walking Street and the surrounding sois are girl bars and girl gogo bars. Even a few ladyboy bars if that’s your thing.
The Best Of pattaya’s Gay Scene
If your time is limited in Pattaya, these are the places we believe should not be missed.
Recommended Gay Bar
@ Home Bar
A busy popular gay bar in Jomtien Complex. Ran by a Scotsman and full of handsome Cambodian staff. Great prices and atmosphere.
Recommended Gay Club
NAB Mens Club
Thai style gay club. Standing tables, bottle service, sexy dance shows and more. Not cheap but a great experience with other afluent gay Thai men.
Recommended Gay Sauna
Sansuk Sauna
The only gay sauna in Pattaya, Sansuk offers a relaxing oasis for gay men. Dark rooms, sauna, pools and also accommodation options.
Recommended Gay Massage
SODA Massage
Popular massage shop located in Jomtien Complex. Large selection of attractive guys providing a range of massage services. Extras upon request.
Recommended Restaurant
Pattaya Beer Garden
Located on a pier with one of the best views in the city, expect reasonable priced and great food with an unbeatably atmosphere and views.
Recommended Hotel
Poseidon Boutique Hotel
Gay owned and located in the heart of Jomtien Complex gay scene. Fantastic restaurant on site with many more nearby. Close to the gay beach.
Where To Stay In Pattaya
Pattaya has a vast selection of gay and gay-friendly hotels. Here are our top picks!
Gay Hotels
The Venue Residence
Small hotel above gay cabaret bar
The Venue Residence is located in the heart of the gay bars in Jomtien Complex. Rooms are above the Cabaret show bar in this gay area of Pattaya. Great modern rooms, a pool and discounts in the bar for guests.
Baan Souy Resort
Luxury gay resort
Hugely popular with gay travellers and a real oasis in what can be a busy noisy city. Fantastic staff and facilities located in a quiet soi between Pattaya and Jomtien.
Poseidon Boutique Hotel
In the heart of Jomtien Complex gay bars
A fantastic small gay hotel in the middle of Jomtien’s gay bars. A very popular restaurant on site with many more located in the nearby area.
Jomtien Complex Hotels
The Agate Pattaya Boutique Resort
Gay-friendly luxury hotel with 2 swimming pools
The Agate is located in Jomtien Complex, a stone’s throw away from all the gay bars. Get a room with a balcony overlooking one of the two swimming pools here. One of the more luxury and relaxing hotel options in Jomtien.
Zing Resort & Spa
Budget hotel option next to the Jomtien gay bars
Hugely popular with gay travellers and a real oasis in what can be a busy noisy city. Fantastic staff and facilities located in a quiet soi between Pattaya and Jomtien.
East Suites
Very popular serviced apartments in the heart of the gay scene
You may struggle to book here as it really is one of the most popular options in the gay area of Jomtien, Pattaya. Large self-contained serviced apartments with balconies are more. A really great options if the confines of a hotel room isn’t for you.
Boyz Town Hotels
Ambiance Pattaya Hotel
In the center of the gay bars of Boyz Town
This used to be a gay-only hotel, but now opens it’s doors to other clientele. It’s still a great option for gay travellers as it is located literally in the centre of all the bars in Boyz Town. On site restaurant is good and the terrace is right on the gay street.
Copa Hotel
Budget gay hotel in the heart of Boyz Town
A budget option for gay travellers, stay in BoyzTown at this small hotel. Massage services offered on site in your room.
9 activities in Pattaya to fill your days
Want to do more than sit on a beach? Here are 9 of the best ways to keep your days fun filled in Pattaya.
Nong Nooch Botanical Garden
A beautiful destination full of wonder, animals and one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. A short drive from Pattaya but a fantastic day out.
Wat Phra Khao Yai
Also known as Big Buddha Hill, take a walk up the hill to this amazing temple, with it’s huge stairway flanked by dragons.
Khao Chi Chan
Known in English as Buddha Mountain, Khao Chi Chan is the biggest engraving of Buddha in the world. Engraved in 1996 to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 50th year on the throne.
Pattaya Floating Market
To best experience, one of many floating markets in Thailand be sure to hire a small boat to take a look around and buy some souvenirs.
Koh Larn
This popular island is located only 7 km from Pattaya. Boats leave several times a day. The far side of Koh Larn has some fantastic beaches if you fancy an adventure getting there.
Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary
You won’t be riding elephants here. An ethical sanctuary where you can interact with these beautiful animals. Please do not ride elephant’s in Thailand.
Sanctuary Of Truth
One of the most breathtaking temples in Thailand. It’s still under construction and it’s said it will never be finished, so be ready to wear a hard hat!
Pattaya Shooting Park
Tick one off your bucket list and go shooting at Pattaya’s world-class outdoor shooting range.
EasyKart Pattaya
Feeling competitive? Go racing at EasyKart. With 2 tracks and more than 50 go-karts there is lots of fun to be had here. Centrally located towards the end of walking street.
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