PHUKET -- area code (66-76)

• The Flying Handbag
  Paradise Complex, email. A fun bar with decor featuring fabulous handbags. British owner.
• J&B Bar
  141/15 Rath-U-Thit Rd, Paradise Complex, email. A small, discreet bar with cozy ambience located along the main entrance leading to the Paradise Complex. A friendly place to meet with locals or visitors or to chill out with your group of friends.
• James Dean Bar and Guesthouse
  188/22 Likit Plaza Sai Sam, email. James Dean Bar has been a gay social bar in Patong Beach since 1991. They are now in a new and 4th location, outside of the Paradise Complex and ever so lovely and quiet. Take a break from Patong's hustle and bustle and say hello to Phaithoon and Joel. Utopia Member Discount
• Maya City
  182 Viset Rd, Moo 2, 087-276-1257, email. Owned by a gay couple and also gay-managed, this bar features pleasant surroundings, good music and cabaret show with dancing after midnight. Utopia Member Discount

  Sundowners Bar and Guesthouse 125/10 Rat-U-Thit Rd, 083-301-4036, email. Gay bar and guesthouse situated on the exit road in the Royal Paradise Complex in the best possible location, central and convenient to everything. Ten minutes walk to the beach. Friendly staff. Two floors: G/F terrace bar with Wi-Fi and pool table. 1/F aircon live sports bar and terrace bar looking down onto the soi. Large selection of beers, fine wine, cocktails and champagne for any special occasion. The sports bar can be booked for private functions.

• Time Bar and Bed Patong
  125/12 Raj-U-thit Rd, 089-724-8497, email. This gay and lesbian-friendly bar, opened in 1999, is located in the heart of the gay district. From its humble beginnings, the owners intent was to create a fun, relaxing and nurturing environment that would attract Thai locals and foreign visitors from all parts of the globe. Enjoy a drink with your loved one or that special person. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Most of the bars and clubs are friendly and happening. The best to start your bar-hopping are from Connect café and end up at Boat Bar. Orchid bar is lovely and has friendly staff. For those who love karaoke, Chic Bar is the place. Kiss Club is good for music and crowd." -- bbox, Aug 2, 2010

  "I agree 100 percent with the positive review of Chic Bar, which sets a high standard, but I'd like to put in my two cents' worth for Orchid, which is immediately opposite and has softer lighting. In fact the whole look is softer -- if you like macho 'beardies,' head for Chic, but if you prefer something a little less masculine, Orchid might be better. Both places are great, anyway, adding a touch of class to what can sometimes seem like a vulgar brawl." -- Oluanpi, Jun 23, 2010

  "For a gay bar...nothing compares to Chic Bar...a brand new lounge bar at Paradise Complex. The setting and ambience is cozy, warm and trendy. I really love sitting there for a couple of drinks before burning my calories dancing at Kiss Bar or Boat Bar. The real assets of this lounge are the super cute, friendly staffs. They are really into details. Kiss has great music...great cocktails...fabulous drag queens (one of them looks like Lady Gaga) who perform twice a night. It's the most happening club now." -- b1shonen, Mar 19, 2010

• Simon Cabaret
  100/6-8 Moo 4, Patong, 076-342-115 FAX 076-321-437. Huge, extravagant drag theater. Shows nightly.
• Tangmo Club
  Paradise Complex, email. Lip-synch, dance and variety show featuring handsome guys and gorgeous transgender performers. Khun Tangmo's club has been in operation more than a decade. Show twice nightly.

• Boat Bar
  Royal Paradise Complex (just down from Connect), 076-341-237, email. Very popular late night gay dance club. Dim second floor offers some romantic seclusion. Trendy design and good music. Cabaret shows.
• Fire Island Disco
  Royal Paradise Hotel, Paradise Complex, email.
• Galaxy
  Soi Sunset. Opened by the owners of Simon Cafe. Mixed club but lots of gay clientele. Best after 2am.

• B & W
  Paradise Complex Soi 3.
• Marn Ya
  Paradise Complex Soi 5 (opposite My Way).
• Phuket Amazing Pub and Karaoke (mixed)
  70/117 Rat-U-Thit Rd, Paradise Complex. This mixed place gets swinging when the bars close.
• Twilight Karaoke
  Paradise Complex Soi 4.