I've spent most of the past two years trying the nightlife of various Asian cities, from Indonesia to Kazakhstan. I've written individual reports for most of them (see the tag Asia Nightlife), but I thought it could be useful to make a brief summary recapitulating everything I've learned.
Based on my travels, these are my 20 favorite cities for partying in Asia (I ranked them by order of preference):
Metro Manila
I spent three weeks in Metro Manila (Makati, Malate, Quezon City). It has become one of my favorite metropolises for nightlife due to several factors: Prices are affordable, nightclubs and bars abound, Filipinos are friendly and tourists are still rare.
Number of nightclubs: 25
For a complete review, you can read Saigon Nightlife.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Safety issues in low-class neighborhoods, traffic jams, slow internet, conservative society (Catholic), disappointing food
✅Easy to navigate nightlife, cheap prices, English is spoken everywhere, large diversity of entertainment venues, 24-hour casinos, fun dating.
Number of nightclubs: 25
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Cheap
Dating scene: 👍👍👍 (FilipinaCupid)
Where to party: Poblacion and Burgos Street in Makati, BGC (Bonifacio Global City), The Fort, Quezon City
Where to stay: Makati
For a complete review, you can read Manila Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars.
Saigon
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Saigon
I lived in Saigon for 8 months and I loved it. As the economic capital of Vietnam, it is one of the most happening and fastest-paced cities in Southeast Asia. It is also quite touristy and popular with young Westerners. Its nightlife could be perfect if only Vietnamese clubs were more welcoming toward foreigners.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Traffic jams, very hot during the intermediate season, some difficulties to communicate with Vietnamese, dangerous to walk around.
✅ Cheap. Diverse nightlife. Cosmopolitan city.
Number of nightclubs: 30+
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Low
Dating: 👍👍 (VietnamCupid) - Read my article 12 Best Dating Apps in Vietnam
Where to Party: District 1
Where to stay: Near Ben Thanh Market
For a complete review, you can read Saigon Nightlife.
Jakarta
In a nutshell:
⛔ Massive traffic jams, difficulties to walk around, 200% tax on alcohol, growing conservatism.
✅ Safe to visit, friendly people, modern clubs, hipster bars, off-the-beaten-track destination.
Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: High (10$ for a cocktail, 4$ for a beer, up to 25$ for an entrance in the best clubs)
Dating: 👍👍👍 (IndonesiaCupid) or Seeking.com (luxury dating)
Where to Party? SCBD, Mega Kuningan, Kemang
Where to stay? See my guide Where to Stay in Jakarta
For a complete review, you can read Jakarta Nightlife - Best Nightclubs and Bars.
For a complete review, you can read Bangkok Nightlife Guide.
Shanghai
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Bangkok
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Bangkok nightlife is eclectic. Whatever you are looking for, you'll find it there, from world-acclaimed cocktail bars to techno clubs.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Touristy, early curfew, lot of prostitution, some scams.
✅ Busy every night, foreigner-friendly, crazy, affordable prices, good food, easy to get around (even by public transportation), weed legal
Number of nightclubs: At least 30
Curfew: 1-2 AM
Prices: Average (5$ for a cocktail, 2$ for a beer, 15$ for an entrance in the best clubs)
Dating: 👍 (ThaiCupid)
Where to Party: RCA (nightclubs), Khaosan Road (backpacker), Thonglor (high-end), Sukhumvit (red light)
Where to stay: Near Asok BTS
For a complete review, you can read Bangkok Nightlife Guide.
Shanghai
As one of the fastest developing cities in the world, Shanghai is an amazing destination for extravagant parties. It is not a solo destination, though, as most nightclubs are geared towards bottle service. Perfect for a stag or a weekend with a group of friends.
Tip: Subscribe to a VPN service BEFORE arriving in China if you want to keep using Google, Facebook, etc. The most recommended for China is PureVPN.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Too many bottle clubs, rather expensive, daily annoyances from government restrictions.
✅ Huge diversity of clubs, easy to get around, small underground scene, interesting crowd of expats and locals
Tip: Subscribe to a VPN service BEFORE arriving in China if you want to keep using Google, Facebook, etc. The most recommended for China is PureVPN.
Number of nightclubs: 40
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Average (15-20$ for club entrance)
Dating: 👍👍
Where to Party: Hengshan road, Xintiandi
Where to stay: Near Shanghai Library Station
Taipei
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Few people would think about Taipei for a party weekend, and yet they are wrong. The Taiwan capital is home to a wild nightlife, with plenty of sophisticated nightclubs and bars. The locals are welcoming towards foreigners, the prices are reasonable, and you can go almost everywhere by foot.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Nightclubs are only happening on weekends and, to a lesser extent, on Wednesdays.
✅ Taiwanese are foreigner-friendly, prices are moderate (free flow nightclubs available), few tourists around, easy to get around.
Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: Moderate (free flow nightclubs available)
Meeting Girls: Moderate (Tinder)
Where to Party: ATT4FUN
Singapore
In a nutshell:
⛔ Too expensive, many bottle clubs
✅ Diversity (Indian clubs, Arab clubs, Chinese clubs, Western clubs, Thai clubs, etc), quality DJs, stylish venues, easy to get around, fun Ladies' nights (usually on Wednesdays)
Prices: High
Where to stay: Near Orchard MRT
For a complete review, you can read Singapore Nightlife Guide
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Dating: 👍👍
Where to Party: Chinatown, Clarke Quay
For a complete review, you can read Singapore Nightlife Guide
Hong Kong
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A world-class city with a plethora of bars and lounges. Some good clubs as well, very modern yet with a strong Chinese influence.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Expensive, limited nightlife on weekdays, small venues
✅ Cosmopolitan crowd, easy to get around, high-quality bar scene
Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 4-5 AM
Prices: Moderate to high
Meeting Girls: 👍
Where to Party: Lan Kwai Fong, Soho, Wanchai
Where to stay: Near MRT Central
Bali: Kuta to Canggu Area
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Bali nightlife is mostly located in the south of the island. Kuta is touristy, cheap and tacky, while Seminyak is more sophisticated and popular with long-term residents. Canggu is now the most trendy area, especially among young people and digital nomads. You can have a lot of fun, especially if you decide to rent a big villa for a crazy weekend with friends. After that, it can get a bit boring as you always see and meet the same people over and over.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Bali is surprisingly small and it can sometimes feel like a village.
✅ The diversity of clubs and bars (EDM, techno, Rn'B, etc), the holiday vibe, partying outside.
Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👍👍👍
Where to party: Jalan Berawa and Batu Bolong (Canggu), Jalan Kayu Aya and Petitenget (Seminyak) or near the 2002 bombing memorial (Kuta)
Where to stay: Near any of the streets above.
For a complete review, you can check: Where to Party in Bali: A Complete Nightlife Guide
Hanoi
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Hanoi is not very different from Saigon, to be honest. It is also very touristy and its nightlife is not as conservative as you would think.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Unbearable heat and humidity most of the year (from April to November), loud music in nightclubs, some tourist scams, conservative people
✅ Interesting city to visit, many young foreigners, very cheap (50 cents for a beer)
Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 3 AM
Prices: Low
Dating: 👍👍 (VietnamCupid)
Where to Party: Old Quarter, West Lake
Where to stay: Near the Saint Joseph Cathedral
For a complete review, you can read Hanoi Nightlife Guide
Almaty
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Almaty was a great surprise for me. I was initially just passing by while traveling in Central Asia but I ended up staying two weeks. The city is safe, pleasant (at least during spring) and cheap. It has an awesome and fun nightlife too, easily the best in the region.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Only happening on weekends, freezing temperatures in winter
✅ Cheap everything, interesting underground scene
Number of nightclubs: 15
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Cheap
Dating: 👍👍
Where to Party: Around the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and Gogol Street
Where to stay: Near Panfilovtsev Park
For a complete review, you can check: Almaty Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs
For a complete review, you can check: Almaty Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs
Phnom Penh
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Due to a mix of poverty and corruption, Phnom Penh's nightlife is still one of the craziest in Southeast Asia (though it has been tamed in recent years). It is a popular stop for sex tourists, especially the older and poorer ones. There is also a nascent upmarket and expat scene that is interesting enough for a weekend of clubbing.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Too much prostitution. The city is still underdeveloped, messy and dirty.
✅ Affordable prices. Laid-back vibe. Interesting city to visit as a tourist (temples, markets, museums).
Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 5-6 AM
Prices: Cheap
Dating: 👍
Where to party: Street 51 (Pasteur) or streets 104, 130, 136.
Where to stay: Near Lux Riverside or Sun & Moon Urban Hotel.
For a complete review, you can check Phnom Penh Nightlife.
For a complete review, you can check Phnom Penh Nightlife.
Phuket
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I wouldn't spend a week in Phuket, but for a short weekend, it is fun enough. Most of the nightlife is located in the coastal town of Patong, along Bangla street. You have a bit of everything, including some trendy nightclubs and dirty ping pong shows.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Lots of tourists (and not the best kind), prostitution, overcrowded beach, scams
✅ Everything walking distance, party every night, mixed crowd, reasonable prices
Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew: 5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👍. Try ThaiCupid.
Where to party: Bangla Road
Cebu
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Cebu is one of the richest and most populous cities in the Philippines. It is also the capital of a beautiful region, popular yet not overcrowded with tourists. Its nightlife is particularly recommended if you are hoping to find a pretty Asian girlfriend. Many Filipinas live there by themselves because they work in one of the numerous call centers or BPOs.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Becoming more touristy (especially among Koreans), rather small and provincial.
✅ Laid-back, cheap, plenty of tourist excursions nearby.
Number of nightclubs: 10
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Low
Dating: 👍👍 (FilipinaCupid)
Where to Party: Mango Square, Mango Avenue
Where to stay: Near Mango Square
For a complete review, you can check: Best Nightclubs in Cebu
Pattaya
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Pattaya does not have many equivalents in the world. The city has over a thousand bars and probably 10 times as many prostitutes. It is just a huge, 24/7, bordello for sex tourists from all over the world. If you are a regular tourist, you may be amused by it for a few nights, but after that, you'll be begging for a ticket back home.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Seedy atmosphere, very commercial, dirty beach.
✅ Can be a fun destination for a weekend
Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👎 (nearly impossible to meet a non-prostitute)
Where to party: Walking street, Soi LK Metro
Kuala Lumpur
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Kuala Lumpur nightlife is similar to that of Singapore in the sense that you have a huge diversity of venues. It is also cheaper. Unfortunately, I never had a really fun night out there, so I'm not a huge fan.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Conservative mentality, limited number of clubs
✅ Affordable, easy to get around, several party streets with different vibes
Number of nightclubs: 20
Curfew: 4 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👍
Where to Party: Petaling street, TREC, Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
Where to stay: Near Sungei Wang Plaza
For a complete review, you can check: KL Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs
Koh Samui - Koh Phangan
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I lived in Koh Phangan for about 6 months a few years ago. This gave me plenty of opportunities to try the famous Full Moon Party (and its sisters: Half Moon Party, Dark Moon Party, Jungle Party). It was not as wild as I was expecting and I quickly got tired of the backpacker crowd, but I still think it's worth trying.
For more sophisticated nights out, I also stopped a few times on the nearby island of Koh Samui. There are more proper nightclubs there (atmosphere similar to Phuket).
In a nutshell:
⛔ Fake alcohol, cost of living higher than on the mainland, a lot of very young male tourists, expensive hotels during full moon parties (book in advance).
✅ Great beaches, massive parties, easy to meet fellow travelers (in the 20-25 range)
Number of nightclubs: 5
Curfew: 5-6 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👍
Where to party: Haad Rin Beach (Koh Phangan), Chaweng (Koh Samui)
Where to stay: Haad Rin (Koh Phangan), Chaweng Walking Street (Koh Samui)
Vang Vieng
Even though Vang Vieng is only a tiny town in the middle of Laos, it used to have some of the craziest parties in Southeast Asia. A major reason for that was the availability of drugs. Things have changed in the past 5 years, unfortunately, after several tourists died. There is still a fun nightlife, split in a few open-air bars that attract young backpackers (Europeans and Koreans).
In a nutshell:
⛔ Small, low-class, repetitive, prices above than average.
✅ The best place to party in Laos, easy to get around, friendly vibe (very young)
Number of nightclubs: 3
Curfew: 3-7 AM
Prices: Low to moderate (as elsewhere in Laos)
Dating: 👍
Where to party: Start in Sakura Bar
Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai has a nightlife that caters to three types of visitors: Backpackers, Digital nomads, and local students.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Provincial, very early curfew, not many venues (mostly Thai live music).
✅ Cheap, interesting tourist sights in the city.
Number of nightclubs: 5
Curfew: 1 AM
Prices: Cheap
Dating: 👍👍
Where to party: Nimman (Thai area), Old City (tourist area), Loi Kroh (older foreigners)
Where to stay: Near Tha Phae Gate.
For a complete review, you can check: Chiang Mai Nightlife
For a complete review, you can check: Chiang Mai Nightlife
Gili Trawangan
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Gili Trawangan is the only Thai-style, backpacker party island in Indonesia. It's great if you want to meet people, drink cheap beers and try magic mushrooms. During the day, there isn't much to do apart from suntanning and diving.
In a nutshell:
⛔ Overcrowded. Accommodation is more expensive than in Bali.
✅ Beautiful beaches, all the bars are located on one strip by the pier.
Number of nightclubs: 4
Curfew: 5 AM
Prices: Average
Dating: 👍
Where to party: Between the Pier and Villa Ombak Hotel.
Where to stay: Backpackers: Stay in party hostels like Gili Castle or Broken Compass. If you have money, try Scallywags Resort instead.
For a complete review, you can check: Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Lombok
For a complete review, you can check: Gili Trawangan Nightlife - Lombok