Walking Street

Walking Street is at the south end of Beach Road in South Pattaya, in the Walking Street district. It runs about half a kilometer and is pedestrian-only after dark. Bali Hai Pier is at the far end, where ferries leave for Koh Larn. Yellow Massage, Wine Village and Dicey Reily Irish Pub are nearby.

Half a kilometer of gogos, clubs and beer bars, with neon and touts everywhere. Dozens of gogo bars are listed inside, including Airport Club, Angelwitch, Baccara, Candyshop, Caramel and Heaven Above, plus clubs such as Insomnia and Lucifer. It is Pattaya's big-night strip.

It closes to traffic in the evening and gets busy later at night, with the clubs staying open later than bars elsewhere in town. After-hours clubs such as Insomnia keep going until close to dawn. Check on the night, since hours change, and VIP members see the current opening times.

Walking Street is the spectacle, with the most gogos and clubs, plus the most touts. LK Metro is the regulars' choice, friendlier and less touristy. If you want one night of the big show, go to Walking Street, and if you want an easier, repeatable evening, choose LK Metro.

Check every bill before you pay, however tired you are. Ask for the price before you order and count the chits against your drinks. Ignore touts promising shows upstairs, keep your phone in a front pocket and do not argue with staff or locals. Book a Grab or take a shared pickup truck home.

Both are pedestrian nightlife strips that close to traffic in the evening. Walking Street is bigger, with more gogo bars and clubs and a crowd that is there mainly for the nightlife. Bangla Road is shorter and more of a mixed party street. Phuket adds the beach; Pattaya adds the sheer number of bars.

Bali Hai Pier is at the southern end, where ferries and speedboats leave for Koh Larn. Yellow Massage, Oring Massage, Wine Village, Dicey Reily Irish Pub, Bodega Bar and The Swan are close. Seafood restaurants and live-music bars fill the gaps, so you can eat before the shows.

Walk it end to end first to see the options, then choose two or three bars rather than every one. Settle each tab as you go, set a cash limit and keep the rest at the hotel. Tip dancers directly, and finish at an after-hours club such as Insomnia if you are still going.