Walking Street is a 700-meter-long street that starts at the southernmost end of Pattaya Beach Road and finishes at Bali Hai Pier. Including the approximate 500 meters of side streets (sois) between Walking Street and 2nd Road, there’s a total distance of about 1.2 kilometers, populated mainly by various nightlife venues.
Just look for the Walking Street Sign (photo above), that’s where Pattaya Beach Road ends, and Walking Street begins.
Walking Street is so-called because, under normal circumstances, the street is closed to traffic from approximately 6 PM until the early hours of the morning
Walking Street is the most famous entertainment and adult nightlife zone in Pattaya. As advertised by the bright neon signs, Walking Street is home to many of Pattaya’s most popular Agogo bars, discos, and nightclubs.
With its canopy of vivid neon signs, the bar girls, the sexy shows, and due to its fame (or infamy), Walking Street is not only one of Pattaya’s premier nightlife hubs—it’s very much a tourist attraction in its own right.
Even by day (photo above), before the neon lights flicker to life and the party starts, it’s well worth a walk down the most famous and possibly most photogenic street in Pattaya.
Please note: Although it’s still as bright and vibrant as ever, most of the overhead signage has been removed and replaced an assortment of vertical signs and LED displays.
What’s on Walking Street?
Besides gogo bars, discos, and nightclubs, Walking Street is also home to numerous open-style beer bars, live music venues, restaurants, fast-food outlets, tailor shops, convenience stores, cannabis cafes, and some of the most popular girl friendly hotels in Pattaya.
Walking Street Agogo Bars
Walking Street is home to more Agogo bars than any other nightlife zone in Pattaya.
What goes on in Walking Street gogo bars varies from one gogo to another. Dance routines are the norm in all gogo bars, but some put on shows and even side attractions.
Walking Street Beer Bars
There are countless open-style bars in Walking Street, on the street side, side streets, and multi-bar beer bar complexes.
They are some of the most chilled-out and cheapest places to drink on Walking Street. Great places to meet girls or just watch life on Walking Street go by.
Discos and Nightclubs on Walking Street
There are several nightclubs and discos on Walking Street, most notably Marine, Lucifer, Insomnia, and 808. Most have DJs or live music. You will find they mainly have a very relaxed dress code, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable, some might insist on trousers, and some will turn you away if you’re wearing singlets, sandals, and flip-flops.
Walking Street’s nightclubs and discos are “the place” for foreigners to dance and party until late. They are also popular with Thais. Discos and nightclubs open their doors at various times during the evening, mainly between 7 and 10 PM, and close according to current legal closing times, usually between 12 AM and 1 AM.
Walking Street Seafood Restaurants
On the west side (seafront) of Walking Street are some very popular seafood restaurants, most notably Nang Nual, King Seafood, and The Lobster Pot. Each one has a terrace built over the sea where you can dine and enjoy the view of Pattaya Bay.
From experience, I can tell you if you can get a seat close to the water’s edge at Nang Nual, it’s a great place to watch the Pattaya New Year fireworks.
Walking Street Prices
Compared to other nightlife zones such as Soi 7 & 8, Soi 6, and the nightlife zones in the vicinity of Soi Buakhao, Walking Street is generally more expensive.
There are happy hours and drinks deals like elsewhere in Pattaya, but if you end up buying drinks for the girls (lady drinks) in gogo bars, you will pay 150–200 baht, maybe even more.
Best Time to Visit Walking Street
You will find bars open from midday, even before. The majority of gogo bars open in the evening between 6 PM and 8 PM, and nightclubs and discos open anywhere between 7 and 10 PM.
The Future of Walking Street
Due to the questionable legality of Walking Street’s waterfront buildings, the future of Walking Street has been in jeopardy, on and off, for many years.