Pattaya Soi 6 ‘Short Time’ Bars: Everything You Need to Know

Pattaya, a coastal city in Thailand, is famous for its vibrant nightlife, and Soi 6 – also known as Soi Yodsak – is one of its most iconic streets. Located between Beach Road and Second Road in northern Pattaya, this 340-meter stretch is world-renowned for its numerous ‘short time’ bars, establishments where visitors can spend a quick moment with a hostess in private rooms. This article guides you through how these bars operate, their prices, must-visit spots, and practical tips for an experience in this unique street.

What is a ‘Short Time’ Bar in Pattaya Soi 6?

A ‘short time’ bar is a type of establishment typical in tourist areas like Pattaya. At first glance, these places look like classic bars: an open facade, tables, music, and girls sitting or standing in front to attract customers. However, their uniqueness lies in the rooms located upstairs, intended for brief encounters – usually one to two hours – with a hostess for a fee. The term ‘short time’ refers to this limited duration, as opposed to ‘long time’ which implies an entire night.

Soi 6 concentrates about 70 to 80 bars of this type, each employing between 10 and 20 girls. These establishments often open from 1 or 2 PM and close around 1 or 2 AM. The atmosphere is straightforward: no frills or long preliminary discussions, everything is designed for a quick and uncomplicated experience. It’s a controversial but well-established aspect of Pattaya’s nightlife, attracting mainly male tourists and expats.

How Do ‘Short Time’ Bars Work?

The process is standardized and quite simple:

• Entry: You walk down Soi 6, and girls in front of each bar call out or greet you to invite you in. Some can be insistent, even lightly touching you to get your attention.
• Drinks: Once inside, you order a drink – a beer costs between 80 and 100 baht (2-2.50 €). You can buy a ‘lady drink’ (140-180 baht) for a girl to extend the conversation and get to know her better.
• Negotiation: If you want to go upstairs, you pay a ‘bar fine’ to the bar (300-500 baht), a fee that releases the girl from her service. Then, you discuss the price of the ‘short time’ directly with her, usually between 700 and 1,200 baht, depending on the bar and the girl’s popularity.
• Room: The girl leads you to a small room upstairs, often equipped with a single bed, a basic shower, and towels. Some rooms have shared amenities, while others are more private. The room cost is sometimes included in the ‘bar fine’, otherwise it’s an additional 300-400 baht.

The experience is quick and functional. The rooms are often basic – no luxury here – but they serve the main purpose of the place.

Popular Bars in Soi 6

Soi 6 is full of options, but some bars stand out for their reputation or atmosphere:

• Toy Box: A cozy bar popular with regulars for its ‘hands-on’ staff and intimate atmosphere. The girls are known for their warm welcome.
• Ruby Club: Located halfway down the street, it mixes open bar and air-conditioned spaces, with particularly sociable hostesses.
• Night Wish Bar: Run by an experienced team, this bar has gained popularity thanks to its recent renovation and the quality of its girls.
• Red Point Bar: Known for its friendly service and stable prices, it’s a solid choice for a first visit.
• Soho Bar: A slightly more sophisticated option, with a relaxed atmosphere and girls often highly rated by visitors.

Each bar has its personality, but the principle remains the same: drinks, company, and rooms available for a ‘short time’.

Prices and Budget to Expect

The costs in the “short time” bars of Soi 6 are affordable compared to other areas like Walking Street:

• Drink: 80-100 baht for a beer, 140-180 baht for a “lady drink”.
• Bar fine: 300-500 baht, depending on the time and the bar.
• Short time: 700-1,200 baht for the girl, paid directly to her after the service.
• Room: 300-400 baht if not included in the “bar fine”.

For a complete experience (beer, lady drink, bar fine, short time, and room), expect to spend about 1,500-2,000 baht (40-50 €). Prices may slightly increase during high season (November-February) or if you choose a very popular girl. Paying in cash is the norm, and it’s advised not to pay in advance to avoid disagreements.

Tips for visiting Soi 6

To enjoy Soi 6 without complications, follow these recommendations:

• Timing: The afternoon (3 PM – 7 PM) is ideal – the bars are well-filled, and the street is safer than late at night. After midnight, the atmosphere can become more chaotic.
• Respect: Be polite with the girls. A “sawasdee krub” (hello) and a friendly attitude facilitate interactions. If a girl refuses something, accept it without insisting.
• Safety: Keep your wallet and phone close to you. Thefts are rare in established bars, but it’s better to stay vigilant.
• Health: Condoms are often provided in the rooms, otherwise buy them at a 7-Eleven (50 baht per pack). Caution is advised, as the girls have multiple clients per day.
• Payment: Pay for drinks as you go to avoid mistakes on the bill. For “short time”, pay the girl after, not before.

Soi 6 can be intimidating for novices with its constant solicitations, but once you get used to it, the experience becomes smooth and predictable.

Why is Soi 6 so famous?

Soi 6 owes its fame to its unique concentration of “short time” bars and its straightforward atmosphere. Unlike Walking Street, where go-go bars focus on spectacle and glamour, Soi 6 is raw and direct – here, everything revolves around speed and accessibility. The girls, often less sophisticated than in go-go bars, attract with their simplicity and availability. The low cost and ease of access (no long negotiations) make it a popular spot for regulars and tourists looking for a no-frills experience.

The street also attracts a diverse crowd: British, Australian, European expats, and increasingly, Asians (Chinese, Koreans). This diversity adds to its energy, even if it remains less family-friendly than other areas of Pattaya.

A typical experience in Soi 6

Imagine yourself at 4 PM, walking down Soi 6 from Beach Road. The neon lights are turning on, girls are calling out to you with “Hello, handsome!” or “Come inside!”. You enter Toy Box, order a Chang (90 baht), and a girl sits next to you after a “lady drink” (150 baht). After a short chat, you pay the “bar fine” (400 baht) and go upstairs for a “short time” (1,000 baht). An hour later, you come back down, have a last beer, and leave with a smile. It’s quick, direct, and typical of Soi 6.

In conclusion, the “short time” bars of Pattaya Soi 6 offer a unique experience in the Thai nightlife scene. Accessible, affordable, and unpretentious, they attract those looking for simple and quick entertainment. With a bit of respect and caution, a visit to this famous street can be a memorable anecdote from your stay in Pattaya. So, are you ready to discover Soi 6?