Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia

  • Taman Ismail Marzuki

    Jakarta

    Jakarta's premier cultural centre has a great selection of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. Performances (such as Sundanese dance and gamelan…

  • Philippine Educational Theater Association

    Manila

    This ‘open’ theatre group does both comedy and tragedy, most of it original. Arguably Manila’s best troupe, but check whether performances are in English…

  • Fisherman Hut Music Station

    Ko Kut

    This semi-open-air stage and music venue hosts live music from local and visiting bands nightly in season. It's a fine initiative from music-loving locals…

  • KAMA Fish Island Arts Centre

    Kampot

    Founded by Julien Poulson of legendary band Cambodian Space Project, this social enterprise has moved into a large new creative space on the outskirts of…

  • Golden Karaweik palace reflecting on Kandawgyi lake looks like an ancient royal barge. Sunset time. Yangon, Myanmar ; Shutterstock ID 420418678; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Yangon images for city app POIs

    Karaweik Palace

    Yangon

    Although the buffet meal served here is universally slated, the stage inside this concrete replica of a Burmese royal barge is the only place in Yangon…

  • Taman Rekreasi Senaputra

    Malang

    Malang’s cultural and recreational park has a hectically busy swimming pool and children’s playground and some quirky events. Kuda lumping (horse trance)…

  • Sepang International Circuit

    Malaysia

    The Sepang Circuit, 60km south of Kuala Lumpur, is where Formula One holds the Malaysian Grand Prix. Tickets go for as little as RM93, though if you want…

  • Bangkok Screening Room

    Bangkok

    Bangkok has heaps of attractions that draw tourists in – great weather, fantastic bars, unbeatable food, low prices – but it's not known for being a…

  • Salon de Ning

    Manila

    Hidden away inside the luxurious Peninsula hotel, this is a 1930s Shanghai–style drinking den full of dark nooks and hidden spaces. Themes range from…

  • Shadow Puppet Theatre & Cinema Tuktuk

    Southern Laos

    Run by Frenchman Yves Bernard, this magical theatre next to the tourist office tells a story from the Ramayana with traditional shadow puppets, while on…

  • Necessary Stage

    Singapore

    Since the theatre's inception in 1987, artistic director Alvin Tan has collaborated with resident playwright Haresh Sharma to produce over 60 original…

  • Creatures of the Night

    Singapore

    If you're with kids, don’t miss Creatures of the Night, an interactive, 25-minute show whose stars includes otters, owls and a hyena. Seating is…

  • Toy Factory Productions

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Originally focused on puppetry, this bilingual (English and Mandarin) theatre company is now best known for its intercultural collaborations and envelope…

  • Sala Chalermkrung

    Chinatown

    This art-deco Bangkok landmark, a former cinema dating to 1933, is one of the few remaining places kŏhn (masked dance-drama based on stories from the…

  • Huan Soontaree

    Chiang Mai

    Thai tourists eagerly make the pilgrimage 8km north of town to this rustic restaurant in the hope of hearing the dulcet tones of its owner, Thai chanteuse…

  • Wild Rice

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Singapore's sexiest theatre group is based in Kerbau Rd but performs shows elsewhere in the city (as well as abroad). A mix of homegrown and foreign work,…

  • Sovanna Phum Arts Association

    Phnom Penh

    Regular traditional shadow-puppet performances and occasional classical dance and traditional drum shows are held here every Friday and Saturday night…

  • Pacuan Kuda

    Sumbawa

    Horse racing is held at least four times a year, in April or May, July, August and December, at the Desa Panda horse stadium, 12km west of town on the…

  • Bambu Stage

    Siem Reap

    Bambu Stage offers an eclectic variety of traditional entertainment, including a nightly shadow puppet show that weaves a historical tale of the Cambodian…

  • Island Life

    Siargao

    For Siargao's only cinema, and a unique and sweaty experience (air-con was supposedly in the works), head to this converted shack just outside GL. Popcorn…

  • City of Dreams

    Manila

    Here you'll find acres of gaming tables, variety shows and a branch of celebrity Japanese restaurant Nobu. Three high-end hotels, including a Nobu-branded…

  • Endless Summer

    Sentosa Island

    Hang with Singapore's sun-kissed party people at Endless Summer, W Singapore hotel's popular pool party. It's a fun, chilled-out session with no shortage…

  • Garavek Storytelling

    Luang Prabang

    Garavek means 'magical bird', and this enchanting hour-long show – comprising an old man dressed in tribal wear playing a haunting khene (Lao-style lyre)…

  • Timbrè X @ The Substation

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Young ones are content to queue for seats at this popular live-music venue, whose rotating roster features local bands and singer-songwriters playing…

  • Okada

    Manila

    Okada is the newest and most ambitious of Manila's three Vegas-style casinos, occupying 43 hectares of reclaimed Manila Bay waterfront. You'll spot the…

  • Going Om

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Right on Haji Lane, Going Om is a raffish, free-spirited cafe with nightly live music. It's an atmospheric spot, with candlelit tables, smooth acoustic…

  • Solaire

    Manila

    Vegas-style casino with 24-hour gambling and the impressive Theater at Solaire, which draws high-profile musicians, variety shows and Broadway productions…

  • T-Rex Family Karaoke

    Jakarta

    Despite the name, this is not a particularly family friendly place. Although kids are welcome, it can get pretty boozy. The dozens of private karaoke…

  • BluJaz Café

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Bohemian pub BluJaz is one of the best options in town for live music, with regular jazz jams, and other acts playing anything from blues to rockabilly…

  • Angkor Dynasty

    Siem Reap

    Move over Macau (and Las Vegas): the Angkor Dynasty show has come to town. This is an epic multimedia performance that tells the story of Angkor through…

  • NPA Explosive Detection Dogs

    Siem Reap

    Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has been training sniffer dogs to assist in landmine clearance in Cambodia and not had a single casualty to date. See these…

  • Chinese Theatre Circle

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Teahouse evenings organised by this nonprofit opera company are a wonderful, informal introduction to Chinese opera. Every Friday and Saturday at 8pm…

  • Bee

    Kuala Lumpur

    The stage at this chilled and popular cafe-bar is well used for various events, including live music, film screenings and open-mic nights. They also serve…

  • Queen's Cabaret

    Ko Tao

    Every night is different at this intimate bar where acts range from your standard Abba tributes to steamy topless crooners. If you're male and sitting…

  • New Cambodian Artists

    Siem Reap

    This small contemporary-dance theatre is set in a black box on the east side of the river and has been making a name for itself thanks to the innovative…

  • Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre

    Hanoi

    Concerts of traditional Vietnamese music are held in this intimate restored house in the Old Quarter. Ca tru is indigenous to the north of Vietnam, and…

  • Hood

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Inside the Bugis+ mall, Hood's street-art interior sets a youthful scene for nightly music jams with acts such as Rush Hour and Singapore Char Siew Baos…

  • Hard Rock Cafe

    Melaka City

    Occupying a prominent position next to the Melaka River at the heart of Chinatown, it's hard to ignore this global franchise's presence. If you're coming…

  • TheatreWorks

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    One of the more experimental theatre companies in Singapore, TheatreWorks is led by enigmatic artistic director Ong Keng Sen. A mix of fresh local work…

  • Comedy Masala

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Need a good belly laugh? Head to Hero's bar on a Tuesday night to watch comics from far and wide. The good times keep rolling with a live band once the…

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }