As a young person who loves to party and explore, I've recently received many private messages from friends on social media asking how to find reliable and fun nightlife venues in unfamiliar cities. Today, I'll share my accumulated experience from partying across global cities and the nightlife guide websites that helped me avoid many detours. As a travel blogger who has visited countless cities, I can confidently say that following these guides will make every night of yours absolutely epic.
When it comes to nightlife, I must first recommend an amazing YouTuber - Reformatt. This guy's channel is literally paradise for nightclub enthusiasts, as he's covered nightclub cultures across global cities. From Amsterdam's underground electronic music scene to Tokyo's neon bars; from Paris's Champs-Élysées clubs to Taipei's creative cocktail bars, he explores everywhere with expertise.
Last month when I was in Hong Kong, I explored a hidden bar in an old building following his video. Honestly, if I hadn't seen his guide, I wouldn't have believed that such a sophisticated bar was hidden behind that rundown stairwell. The bartender was a charismatic older Hong Kong man who not only had excellent bartending skills but also loved chatting with customers. I ordered their signature "Oriental Pearl," and the bartender explained its inspiration, which combined traditional Chinese herbs with whiskey, creating a drink with remarkably rich layers.
While trendy spots are fun, I personally prefer lesser-known places that locals love. For instance, Berliner.Party, though only covering Berlin's nightlife, is incredibly detailed! It not only tells you each venue's operating hours and ticket prices but also describes queue situations at different times in detail. It even describes each club's doorman style, which is a lifesaver for getting into places like Berghain, known for strict selection.
My first Berghain experience was particularly interesting. Following the website's advice, I chose to queue at 8 AM on Sunday. While it was still dawn, I saw various avant-garde young people in line, some had been queuing since the previous night. I not only got in successfully but stayed until evening, experiencing 10 hours of Berlin's underground electronic music culture. Honestly, without doing homework beforehand, I probably wouldn't have even gotten through the door.
Speaking of deep experiences, GetYourGuide is truly impressive. Unlike other platforms that just list locations, it plans complete nightlife routes based on different interests and budgets. For example, its Amsterdam night tour guide plans everything clearly from 6 PM until 3 AM.
I followed this guide last year and wished I'd known about it sooner. Start with a specialty beer at a canalside café in the evening, then join a local expert-led walking tour of the Red Light District to learn about the area's centuries of history. Next, visit a jazz bar in a 17th-century building, enjoying live band performances while tasting Dutch specialties. The highlight is a canal night tour, sitting on an open-top boat, watching the lights shimmer on the water while sipping champagne - absolutely romantic.
Regarding Koh Samui, Thailand, many might think nightlife is just about partying on Chaweng Road's bar street. But according to The Nightlife Guide to Samui, you'll discover this small island's nightlife is far richer than imagined. I stayed there for a month last year and found different activities every night.
Monday nights at Lamai Beach's lounge bars, sitting on the sand listening to live music, toes buried in soft sand, watching the moon rise over the horizon. Tuesday nights at Bophut night market, shopping while eating local snacks - the mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream were amazing. Wednesday nights watching traditional Thai cultural performances, experiencing fire shows and Muay Thai demonstrations, feeling the most authentic Thai culture. Thursday nights at a cliff-top premium lounge, sipping cocktails while overlooking Chaweng Beach's night view. Friday nights at local pubs, singing Thai songs with locals - couldn't understand the lyrics but the atmosphere was incredible.
Whenever I think about my time in Samui, I feel it was so worthwhile. There weren't just party bars but many nighttime activities where you could truly understand local culture. Most memorable was meeting a group of backpackers from around the world at a seaside pub one night - we drank and chatted until dawn, went diving together the next day, and still keep in touch.
As a frequent user of these travel platforms, my advice is to learn to combine different platforms' advantages. For example, I usually use Wikitravel first to understand a city's overall situation, including transportation, safety conditions, and main nightlife areas. Then I research specific venues on professional nightlife websites.
When I went to Miami, I first learned from Wikitravel that South Beach is the main nightlife area and it's best to stay nearby because taxis are expensive at night. Then I researched each club's characteristics on specialized nightclub guide websites, learning which ones play electronic music, which play hip-hop, and which require advance promoter contact to enter. Finally, I checked booking websites for deals or packages.
The advantage of open platforms is that information updates very quickly - a new place opens today, and reviews might appear tomorrow. But professional platforms offer deeper content, like telling you a popular club actually has mediocre sound equipment unsuitable for true music enthusiasts. Or that a bar might look ordinary but has an exceptional bartender.
DesignMyNight is particularly useful in London. London's nightlife is truly rich, but advance planning and booking are essential for a good time. I remember wanting to visit a popular cocktail bar in Shoreditch once, only to discover at the door that weekend visits required advance reservations - the queue stretched to the street corner. I learned my lesson and now always book in advance for weekend visits through the platform.
The platform also recommends activities based on your preferences - if you like jazz, it sends updates about recent live jazz performances. If you like cocktails, it recommends cocktail workshops. I joined a secret bar hunt through this platform, leading a group through East London's alleys finding hidden bars, each with its own unique story and signature cocktails - a perfect nightlife experience.
For me, a city's nightlife often reveals its true face better than daytime attractions. Through these professional guide websites, you not only find fun places but more importantly understand local lifestyles and city culture.
Like in Berlin, you'll find many clubs housed in abandoned industrial buildings, reflecting the city's attitude toward history and spirit of innovation. In Tokyo, many bars are hidden in office buildings, showing Japanese people's subtle yet particular character. In Rio de Janeiro, samba halls operate all night, displaying Brazilians' passionate personality.
Each city has its unique nightlife culture, and these websites are like keys helping you unlock understanding of these cultures. I hope my sharing helps more people discover the charm of nightlife during travel.
By the way, if you've also used these websites or know other good travel guide websites, welcome to tell me in the comments. After all, the most reliable travel advice often comes from players with actual experience. Let's share together and discover more interesting nightlife experiences!
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