The Thermae Bar & Coffee House, commonly just referred as the Thermae is one of the oldest pickup bars in Bangkok. Originally opened in 1968, it was was made popular by the troops on R&R from Vietnam and has been serving punters ever since. Things have changed a bit and these days the place caters mostly to an Asian clientele from Japan and Korea though you’ll always have some westerners around. The Thermae is a quieter place, there are no live bands or loud music and the drinks are reasonably priced at around 80-100 THB. I suggest to arrive before 10pm though as the bar can fill up quickly and seating become hard to find. All the girl coming in here are freelancers but the atmosphere is very relaxed, you are never pressured by any girls.
House rules are they are not allowed to approach the customers on their own, unless you stare straight at them and try to make eye contact so it is more like a lineup in a soapy massage parlor than your average pickup bar. You will see the girls stand around the center bar and in the back like in the picture below waiting for you to pass by and invite them for a chat or a drink.
The Thermae is located between between soi 13 and 15 on Sukhumvit Road, if you’ve been to Bangkok before and walked from Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy you most likely passed in front of it many times without knowing it.
Freelancers: 99%, Dinks: Local beer at around 100 THB
