LK Metro

Overview and Location

LK Metro is a compact entertainment complex tucked into a short, L-shaped lane running between Soi Buakhao and Second Road in central Pattaya. The complex sits adjacent to The Avenue shopping mall, roughly 500 meters inland from Beach Road. It's small enough to walk the entire loop in five minutes, but packed tightly enough with beer bars and go-go bars to keep visitors occupied for an entire evening.

Think of LK Metro as a concentrated, lower-key version of Walking Street. It draws a regular crowd of expats and repeat visitors who find Walking Street too loud, too crowded, or too expensive. The atmosphere is more intimate and less aggressive than Pattaya's main strip. Workers in the bars tend to be less pushy, prices are lower, and the whole scene feels like it's operating at a lower volume. That doesn't mean it's quiet; on a busy Saturday night, the narrow lane fills up and the music from competing bars blends into a wall of sound. But the scale is human in a way that Walking Street isn't.

Legal Status

LK Metro operates under the same legal framework as the rest of Pattaya's entertainment industry. Prostitution is illegal under Thai law, and the bars here are licensed as entertainment venues. The distinction between "entertainment" and "prostitution" is the same legal fiction that operates across the country. Bar fines, lady drinks, and the go-go bar model all function identically to Walking Street, just at a smaller scale.

Closing time at LK Metro is officially 1 AM, which is earlier than Walking Street's 2 AM allowance. This is enforced with varying consistency. During crackdown periods, bars close on time or even earlier. On relaxed nights, some venues push past 1 AM by a half hour or more. The go-go bars tend to follow closing rules more strictly than the open-air beer bars, which have less visibility from the street.

Periodic police visits happen but are typically brief and focused on licensing compliance rather than the nature of the entertainment. Officers walk through, check that venues have proper licenses displayed, and move on.

Costs and Pricing

LK Metro's pricing sits below Walking Street but above Soi 6, making it Pattaya's mid-range entertainment option.

Drinks: Beer at go-go bars costs 120-180 THB per bottle. Local brands (Chang, Leo) sit at the lower end, while imports (Heineken, Tiger) run higher. Beer bars along the lane charge 80-150 THB for draft and bottled beer. Happy hour deals at some beer bars drop prices to 69-89 THB. Cocktails and spirits at go-go bars run 150-250 THB.

Lady drinks: The standard lady drink at LK Metro go-go bars costs 150-250 THB, with most venues settling around 195 THB. Beer bar lady drinks are slightly cheaper at 130-180 THB. Workers will ask for lady drinks after sitting with you for a few minutes. This is standard practice, not a scam, but you're under no obligation to keep buying.

Bar fines: Go-go bar fines at LK Metro run 1,000-1,500 THB. This is the fee paid to the bar for the worker to leave. Total short-time costs (bar fine plus the worker's fee) typically come to 2,000-2,500 THB. Long-time arrangements (overnight) run 3,000-4,000 THB total. Beer bar fines are lower, around 500-800 THB, with total costs of 1,500-2,500 THB.

Food: The complex itself has limited food options, but Soi Buakhao (a two-minute walk) is lined with restaurants. Thai food runs 80-150 THB per dish. Western meals at expat-oriented restaurants cost 150-350 THB. Street vendors on Soi Buakhao sell grilled meats and papaya salad for 40-80 THB.

Transport: A baht bus from Beach Road or Walking Street to the Soi Buakhao area costs 10-20 THB. Grab from Walking Street to LK Metro runs about 60-100 THB. Motorbike taxis from nearby spots charge 30-50 THB.

Street-Level Detail

Entering LK Metro from the Soi Buakhao side, you walk into a narrow lane lined on both sides with open-air beer bars. Stools line the bar counters, TVs show sports, and workers sit with customers or call out greetings as you pass. This first stretch is casual and low-pressure. You can sit, have a beer, and watch the foot traffic without any commitment.

The lane bends to the right and opens into the go-go bar section. Champagne A Go Go is the oldest and most established venue in the complex, running for years with a consistent lineup and party atmosphere. The music is loud and the place gets packed on busy nights. Kink Pattaya is a newer addition with a two-story layout; the ground floor operates as a standard go-go bar with dancers, while the upper floor features themed shows. The decor leans into a BDSM aesthetic. XS, part of the Dolls group, has built a reputation for having one of the stronger lineups in the complex. Sugar Sugar and Lady Love A Go Go are other regular fixtures.

Queen Club rounds out the go-go section. The bar turnover on LK Metro is higher than on Walking Street, so specific venues come and go. The layout stays consistent: beer bars on the outer edges, go-go bars in the central loop.

The Second Road exit puts you onto a busy thoroughfare with songthaew (baht bus) access and easy Grab pickup. The whole complex is well-lit, with enough foot traffic to feel safe even late at night.

Safety

LK Metro is one of Pattaya's safer entertainment areas. The compact layout means there are always people around, and the bar staff and security know the regulars. The atmosphere is more neighborhood bar than tourist trap, which discourages the most aggressive scams.

Standard Pattaya precautions still apply. Don't carry more cash than you need for the evening. Keep your phone in a front pocket, not on the bar counter. Drink spiking is possible anywhere, so watch your glass. The bouncers at go-go bars don't tolerate trouble from customers; if you cause a scene, you'll be removed quickly and without much discussion. Stay calm and composed at all times.

Use Grab for transport home. The Soi Buakhao area has motorbike taxi stands, but late-night pricing is unpredictable and a Grab booking locks in the fare. If you're walking back to a hotel on Second Road or Beach Road, stick to well-lit streets. The short walk from LK Metro to The Avenue mall area is fine at any hour.

Cultural Context

LK Metro's character reflects the Soi Buakhao expat community. The regulars here are long-term Pattaya residents, retired foreigners, and repeat visitors who've outgrown the Walking Street circus. The pace is slower and the social dynamics are different. Workers and customers often know each other by name. Some visitors return to the same bar and the same workers trip after trip.

This familiarity creates a more relaxed environment, but it can also create complications. The line between a commercial transaction and a genuine relationship gets blurry when you're a regular somewhere. Workers are professionals operating in a commercial environment, regardless of how friendly the rapport becomes. Setting clear expectations protects everyone involved.

Standard Thai etiquette applies. Don't raise your voice, don't grab workers, and don't argue with staff over prices. If a bill seems wrong, point it out calmly. Tipping 100-200 THB for good service at a beer bar is appreciated but not mandatory. Go-go bar performers are usually tipped 20-50 THB when they dance near your seat.

Scam Warnings

Inflated short-time pricing: During peak season or busy nights, some workers quote rates well above the going rate to newcomers. Knowing the typical price range (2,000-2,500 THB total at go-go bars) gives you a reference point. There's nothing wrong with declining and moving to another venue.

Motorbike taxi overcharging: Motorbike taxis near the Second Road exit sometimes charge 100-200 THB for a trip that should cost 30-50 THB. Agree on the price before getting on, or use Grab.

Short-changing on beer bar bills: Some open-air beer bars calculate bills by hand rather than using a POS system. Errors happen in both directions, but they tend to favor the house. Count your drinks and verify the bill.

Nearby Areas

LK Metro sits at the heart of Pattaya's inland entertainment zone. Soi Buakhao, the street running along its western edge, is a long strip of bars, restaurants, and shops that serves as the backbone of the local expat scene. The area around the Soi Buakhao/Soi Diana intersection is particularly active, with beer bars, Thai food stalls, and a few small clubs.

Walking Street is about 1.5 kilometers south, a 20-minute walk or a quick baht bus ride along Second Road. Soi 6, Pattaya's most active daytime bar street, sits about 1 kilometer north. The Avenue mall, directly adjacent to LK Metro, has restaurants, a cinema, and air-conditioned shopping if you need a break from the heat.

Meeting People Nearby

Soi Buakhao's conventional bars and restaurants are better for casual socializing than the go-go bars. Pub quiz nights, live music, and sports broadcasts draw mixed crowds of expats and tourists. Soi Made In Thailand, a small lane off Soi Buakhao, has Thai-run bars with a more local feel. For daytime social options, the Terminal 21 mall food court and the Jomtien beach club scene offer alternatives to the bar district. See the main Pattaya city guide for more on dating apps and expat community resources.

Best Times

• 9:30 PM to midnight is the sweet spot for go-go bars; earlier is too empty, later is close to closing
• Late afternoon to early evening works for beer bars, which open earlier and have a relaxed happy hour vibe
• Friday and Saturday are the busiest nights
• Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the quietest, with some beer bars running drink promotions to pull customers
• High season (November to February) brings the most visitors and the best lineups at go-go bars
• Low season (June to October) is quieter but prices may be more negotiable

What Not to Do

• Do not grab workers or touch anyone without clear consent
• Do not take photos or videos inside go-go bars; staff will confiscate your phone or ask you to leave
• Do not argue loudly with bar staff or security over prices; calmly point out errors or just leave
• Do not carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive watches or jewelry
• Do not assume a friendly conversation means a lower price; LK Metro is a commercial environment
• Do not leave your drink unattended, even at casual beer bars
• Do not engage with anyone who appears underage; report concerns to tourist police at 1155
• Do not use or carry illegal drugs; Pattaya police conduct random checks on foreigners