Gay Bars Pattaya

Dongtan Beach
Around the point from Pattaya Beach is another stretch of beach, Dongtan Beach, affectionately known as ‘the gay beach.’ It stretches all the way to the police box at Jomtien and then becomes Jomtien Beach.

Along the beach are beach chairs, mostly under large umbrellas to protect guests from the sun. The going rate for a chair is 100 baht, beachfront or 50 baht, to sit closer to the street. The beach chair lots are numbered, and the gay area is from around lot 11 to lot 25. Lot 25 has rainbow flags all around, signaling the start of the mini gayborhood.

You can order food and drink (including beer), get a pedicure or a massage, and watch the handsome shirtless local boy play in the ocean. Some of the attractive boys work in the massage shops in the Jomtien Complex (see below) and are looking for additional ‘work’ if you happen to be in the mood. The going rate is around 3,000 baht (around $80) if you would like them to accompany you back to your hotel.

Dongtan Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the Jomtien Complex. Along the way, as you turn the corner in front of the police box, there are a number of bars on the main road. Most are straight bars, but there are a couple of gay ones.

Jomtien Complex
The Jomtien Complex, also known as Jomtien Walking Street or Supertown, is now the prominent gayborhood of Pattaya and a must-visit for every gay traveler to the area. It’s two blocks of bars, restaurants, and massage shops, all catering to gay men. There are three entrances to the complex, so keep walking until you’re in the center.

For those familiar with Silom Soi 4 in Bangkok, the bar vibe here is the same; many line the three sois with street-facing chairs and tables. The bars are full of expats, visitors, and handsome Thai boys. Money boys also frequent the bars, so be ready to buy them a drink if you’re looking for some company.

There are over 30 bars in this small hub, possibly the most concentrated number of gay bars anywhere in the world. Bars come and go here rather frequently; some close during low season only to rebrand themselves for high season. However, a few bars have been open for many years, such as Cocka2. ? Bar, Boy Gaga, Bubu’s, and @Home Bar.

There are three cabaret show bars: The Venue and M2M, which offer one show per night beginning at 10 pm, and The Palace, which has two shows a week. Another bar, Dragon Club Lounge, has rebranded into a dance club with shows on Friday and Saturday nights around 11.30 pm.

Around ten massage shops are scattered around, one of the most popular being Soda. These are all famous for ‘rub and tug’ or more, with the minimum tip being 1,000 baht ($28). Also located in the complex is the official Thailand Massage by the Blind, which offers work for blind people. This isn’t a gay massage shop; the massages are professional, with no happy endings provided. Most massage shops open just before lunch and close around midnight.

There are numerous restaurants in the complex. Poseidon, a seafood restaurant at the top of the main soi, is for those who enjoy fine dining. On the other hand, Dolce Vita is a German restaurant that offers nightly promotions and deals. It’s also right in the center of the action, so a table on the terrace lets you see all the street activity before choosing which bar to visit. Dick’s Cafe in the third soi serves home-style Thai food. There are burger bars, bakeries, Indian, French, and pizza available in other restaurants.

Boyztown
Boyztown in Pattaya Central was the place to go for the best go-go-boy shows in Thailand. COVID hit the gayborhood really hard, and while it’s slowly rebuilding, it’s taking time.

There are a few bars left from pre-COVID days, and more are opening. Similar to the bars in the Jomtien Complex, you can sit and drink alone or spend time with a money boy. The bars are in a strip next to Pattaya Soi 13/4. Panorama Pub, Serene Bar, Castro, and Toy Boys can all be found there.

Two go-go-style show bars are operating in Pattaya Soi 13/3: X-Boys and Dreamboys. With the government ban on sex shows, the bars are geared more toward the guest taking the boy home, although if you’re lucky, you may see a full sex show at X-Boys.

If you want to spend a few hours with a sexy guy, head to one of these bars. The boys stand around on a stage in speedos with a number pinned on them. Tell the waiter the number of the guy you fancy, and he’ll come and sit with you. Buy him a drink and negotiate a price, and then you go back to your hotel.

Sunee Plaza
Sunee Plaza, also in Pattaya Town, was one of the vibiest gayborhoods in the area. The expansion of Muslim Town right next door has seen a lot of Shisha bars moving into the area and pushing the gay venues out. COVID took out a few more.

There are 4 bars there: Winnerboy, Corner Bar, Nice Boys, and Rainbow Bar. Like Boyztown, the emphasis here is on ‘boy,’ young guys looking to make some extra money. This is the place to go if you want to hook up for a price. Some of the guys look very young; if you’re unsure, ask to see their ID. There are strict laws in Thailand for sex with minors, so don’t get accidentally caught out.

Of all the gayborhoods, Sunee Plaza is the seediest, and it’s best to take precautions if you go there, like keeping your money hidden on your person and don’t walk down any back streets that aren’t well-lit.