This exotic dance music sanctuary on quiet Sri Ayutthaya Road is the creation of the Club Astra team (a casualty of RCA's notoriously fickle crowds). And, frankly, with no other clubs nearby it's a venture rife with risk - Club Culture can succeed only on its own merits. Fortunately, being housed in a traditional Thai building (formerly a restaurant/theatre) complete with original fittings, mean these are considerable. For starters, there's the gabled and intricately carved teakwood entrance – a dramatic opener that continues with the ornate paneling of the foyer, right through to the motifs of the spacious, low-slung main room.
The dance floor is also superb, a blend of empty grooving space surrounded by the stand up tables so beloved of Thai clubbers. And the sound system kicks like a mistreated mule. Sofas at the back and a floor cushion lounge zone are a lazy clubber's dream - chill out without missing a beat. Most importantly of all the line-ups are hard to fault: international DJ's like Chicks on Speed and Ken Ishii spinning on weekends, local party organizers like Dude Sweet stepping up during the week. Add an infectious vibe courtesy of the friendly Thai/tourist crowds, and suddenly that risk of failure looks more like turning into unexpected success. Depending on the evening, admission rarely exceeds 500 baht, with a free drink thrown in. Some nights are free