It’s Aug 2023. And yes, the bar that’s opposite ZAG is still pushy about buying staff drinks. Worse, their same drinks cost 3X more than yours. When asked, they said it’s staff price and it’s not shown on menu. What nonsense! It’s the act that’s annoying. I didn’t bother to argue & paid & leave. Won’t go again!

I was in Phuket for the first time in 2006. Back then, people still had fun throughout the Paradise Complex. Mostly nice staff and very reasonable prices. The last time I was in Phuket was in 2021 and everything has changed very negatively. I have never seen a place with more rats. Whole hordes could be observed, especially in the evening and night hours, mostly in the vicinity of snack stands, carelessly throwing their rubbish on the ground. Many rats are probably so well fed that just looking at them sends shivers down your spine. All the "scene bars" are not particularly clean either. And the staff is absolutely pushy. You get spoken to constantly. There is no chance of being alone for a while. In some restaurants the waiter brings a drink for themselves and takes a seat next to you without being asked. Often it doesn't take long and you have to resist a grip.

Their motive is to fleece you for as much as they can get. If single expect a muscle boy to walk up to talk to you, suddenly by chance the waiter is there asking you if you want to buy drinks for both. Yes, you can say no but it’s more the decency and motive behind their moves. If you want to watch the show, watch from another adjacent bar and then move on to the other ones like boat bar later. Show is repetitive.

As most of the reviews here I have to say the same: Boring shows, Expensive drinks, they try only to get all of your money. Very rude staff, actually is the worst experience I ever had and I am really well traveled.. The drinks are bad and expensive for Thai standards. The waiters will ask you for tips and if you don't tip or don't tip them enough (as they think) the will be extremely rude.. Is a tourist trap Avoid the place..

I have holiday in Phuket regularly and go to ZAG each time. It is the best gay bar in Patong / Phuket. I am surprised to read the negative comments on this page because I have not experienced any of this and neither has anyone I know who has been there. I've always found the staff to be fun and friendly; the place gets a good variety of customers from all over the world. It's good having the noisy nightclub side and the relaxed chill-out area. I do agree with the toilet attendant comment... I don't think it's necessary, it's not the Hilton Hotel..! I just avoid him and don't feel obligated to leave a tip.

It really was a mixed experience. The majority of the drag was very good. However, the waiters and dancers want to take you for all the Bhat you have. Interestingly, they leave Thai customers alone and focus only on the foreign customers who tip well. Do: enjoy the music and the performance outside Don't: go into the venue itself because that is where you get cheated. Don't: buy drinks for the staff (charged @ 200 Bhat, "Mon" {gay for pay} told me the prices were inflated and that they keep a ticketed commission to exchange for cash. When you want to see the manager the buck is passed a lot, nobody knows where he is (he's upstairs). It was part of our honeymoon, it didn't mess it up; but, the staff knowing that it was our honeymoon still decided to cheat us. I don't think I really need to say anything else. The heterosexual staff are in it for the money, they don't purport otherwise; but the LGBT staff should really be ashamed of themselves 1) for cheating those who have struggled as they have and 2) for not adhering to one the tenets of their own religion (Buddhism) i.e. not to lie. So, my advice, if you've read this review and still want to go, feel free but leave after the show. If you want to be abused by supposed allies and other LGBT members stay after the show and go inside.

very rude people... today on 28 July 2019 I just went to bathroom at zag club.. the guy started to do some so called massage when I was washing my hands without me asking to do it.. then asked for 100 baht for massage!!! I ignored him and he started to swearing.. very shocking..I suggest the club manager to be more careful about hiring staff or they will lose customers and get bad reviews I will never go to the this place unless I want to be treated same way again just for peeing

Went to ZAG.. has was told 80 baht, got inside and the price shot up.. When you go outside to tell them, they laugh and swear in your face!! There are other bars.. this one has turned into a large club, and it’s there to get as much money from you as possible!! Many other bars with better and cheaper drinks!

Perhaps the best gay bar in Phuket. The show is really long, like 'very very long' but there's enough variety in the acts and 3 times the drag show will be stopped for an interval with male models (who don't dance), followed by real club dancing by young male, mostly good-looking performers. I went 6 nights to that place and had only positive experiences with the waiters and also with the male dancers who, when they're not on stage, serve as hosts; they are really fun. Just buy them a drink and you'll see. ;-)

A waiter was so sweet and so handsome and he wore a white shirt. He cleaned the counter by the DJ and I am sorry I did not chat with him much. I would love to see him when I return.

I’m a part of the queer community, so of course I was very excited to be a part of the gay scenes for a night in Phuket. I must say I am somewhat disappointed. Overall I had an okay experience but the experience I had at Zab Bar left a foul taste in my mouth. I went to the ladies room and asked my friend to grab me a beer while I was using it and would pay when I got back. Conveniently the waiter was bringing the beer and bill as I was walking back to the table. I pulled out my money and he automatically asked to keep the change for a tip. I told him no that I would like my change back. (The change amount back was a little close to half the amount of the beer). He brought me my change back and i gave him the amount that seemed appropriate as a tip. (Which was more than what you would give as an American tip for a beer - I live in Vegas and have worked in the industry so I know.) He looked at the tip and literally handed it back to me and said no. He then continued to walk down where the pretty boys were at on the street and talk crap about me and the amount I gave him as a tip. He did this once and literally pointed at me and then 10 minutes later did it again to another pretty boy. Sorry hun, you literally handed me my beer and didn’t even interact with me and asked me for my change that was a little more than half of my beers cost for your tip. And when I did attempt to leave you a tip you acted like you were too good for it. I would say this is the worst experience I’ve ever had in a gay establishment and I’m a world traveler.

Disappointing .... only drag queen shows ... no gogo boys seem like they target the women market more than gays. I don't mind drag queen dance but certainly it's not what we only want to see as gay visitors.

Fomos ao Zag as 5 noites que estivemos em Patong. A fachada do edifício é fantástica. E o espaço com a esplanada e interior é agradável. Basicamente, é um espaço de shows. Começam no exterior e depois as pessoas são encaminhadas para o interior. O primeiro começa às 22h30 mas até por volta das 3 da manhã há muitos, muitos, muitos shows. Para quem gosta é fantástico mas para quem como nós não é fã de shows, torna-se um pouco exagerado. Mas como indiquei, o espaço é assim e claro, vai e fica quem quer. A música é muito boa. No final da noite quando já não havia show e se podia dançar um pouco no espaço limitado (o interior está cheio de mesas, uma vez que o objectivo não é dançar), sabia muito bem! Os funcionários têm como único objectivo vender bebidas. Somente isso. O ataque é constante e mesmo sabendo que nós éramos pessoas que consumiamos, estavam constantemente a perguntar se queriamos mais. Chegavam a perguntar connosco com a bebida a meio. Foi a situação que mais nos incomodou porque chega a um ponto que é mesmo irritante e incomodativo. Mas no geral estava-se bem no bar. Alternando entre o interior e exterior e bebendo uns copos e fazendo por se divertir, divertimo-nos sempre! :) têm uma promoção até às 22h30 que é de aproveitar: 3 cervejas por 200BTH. Somos um casal e bebemos rápido. Dava para pedir 2 baldes e compensa para começar a noite! ;)

Guys some are OK straight and so many cross dressers bad cabaret. But it looked like people there enjoyed but why you want to see a transvestites lip-singing.

We arrived at 10pm - there was a show outside that soon moved inside. The drinks are cheap but extremely watered down. The waiters also expect tips and will be pushy about it. The music is also way too loud. The club itself isn't for dancing. People mostly stand around tables and watch the show, which is always going on. Their show alternates between a cabaret show and bringing a lineup of attractive gogo boys out on stage - the gogo boys just stand there. At around 12:40 am they brought out guys in underwear who were actually dancing, but weren't attractive. The club started emptying around this time

Recently it's the best gay bar in Phuket. Very nice atmosphere. The staff is polite and not pushy, the shows are very good and entertaining, drink prices are very reasonable. Will come back again for sure.

Like the rest of Patong, this bar is in decline....drinks are Sydney prices (expensive) and extremely rude waiter...if u don't tip, he throws your change on the floor...music is also way too loud.... when u see customers wearing ear plugs...u would think DJ would turn music down...disappointing place now....golden era has gone

Hi all. Due to the current restrictions on celebratory activities in Thailand, all clubs and bars are currently closing at 1am. So get out early if you are looking for a drink and a dance. Recommend going out at 9 or 10pm so you get a few hours dancing before closing time xx.

During our 8 night stay we have been out to Paradise complex every night and checked out all of the shows. Zag bar definitely has the best shows and the hottest dancers. Can't resist going back again tonight.

Nice place but the music is much too loud to stay long there. I don't like the music itself. Too "basic", some more rhythm would welcome, some disco for example : nobody dances.

I was having a drink and watching the show and when I finished of drinking I was pushed to leave the bar because I didn't want to have one more drink.

Someone please tell me why must the music be so loud and why all the competition between bars? can't we all get along?

Went to this club the last few days. Good music. The Chinese guy wearing the wing is awesome. Fall in love with him and continuously bought him drinks for 2 nights. I will miss him. And I will come back to this club just for him. :)

My friend and I first went to this club on March 22nd (Grand Opening). It was our first day in Phuket. The dancers were wearing these wings (VSM used to wear them) The music was great. We went there every night since then because the waiters (especially Tony) are very friendly and I met someone special there. shhhh.. 55555... I wont ever forget this place. It brings me a special memory... Gosh!!! Met lots of nice people too. !!