Everyone’s certainly heard about the famous red light district in Amsterdam, but did you know there are many other infamous red light districts?
In today’s article I’ll share with you the dirty details of the most storied places in the world where sex workers and drugs linger no matter what time of day it is. These areas are often known for the city’s vibrant nightlife, such as the energetic atmosphere of Bangkok’s Patpong district.
Additionally, some have evolved into a diverse entertainment center, like Hamburg’s Reeperbahn, which offers a mix of adult establishments, theaters, and music venues.
Introduction to Red Light Districts
Red light districts are the beating heart of a city’s underground culture, offering a tantalizing mix of adult entertainment, nightlife, and sometimes even a touch of danger. These areas are often shrouded in mystery and taboo, attracting curious travelers from around the globe. Whether you’re looking to explore the infamous red light districts of Europe, the bustling streets of Asia, or the vibrant scenes in the Americas, each district offers a unique cultural experience that you won’t find anywhere else. So, buckle up as we dive into the world’s most storied red light districts, where sex, drugs, and rock and roll are just the beginning.
What are Red Light Districts?
Red light districts are specialized areas within cities that cater to adult audiences and their vices of choice. I break down the exact meaning on this page.
These districts are synonymous with sex, drugs, and a nightlife that never seems to sleep. Often considered taboo, they attract curious travelers looking to experience something out of the ordinary. From the neon-lit streets of Asia to the historic alleys of Europe, red light districts offer a unique cultural experience that can’t be replicated in one’s home country. Whether you’re there to explore trendy cocktail bars, enjoy the artistic and cultural scene, or simply soak in the city’s vibrant nightlife, these districts have something for everyone.
Infamous Red Light Districts
De Wallen
You’ve certainly heard of this one, even if you didn’t know it was called De Wallen. This is the one in Amsterdam that basically put these types of areas on the map. It is firmly on the top spot of the best red light districts in the world due to the city’s historical charm alongside its sheer popularity and history alone.
With government support and regulation, this is about as clean as it gets. It’s a safe zone where prostitutes are protected and looked after from rowdy tourists who may not have the best manners. You can find them showing their goods in floor to ceiling windows and start negotiating what you want at any time.
According to Thrillist, prices go for about $55 for a 15 minute romp. You can negotiate, of course. It’s also recommended to be ready to go once the door opens and be upfront about what you want, or you could get taken advantage of or have a subpar experience.
There’s also a Museum dedicated to prostitution which makes visiting Amsterdam’s red light area not only a dingy experience, but a cultural scene as well!
I made a guide and best times to visit in case you are interested.
Zona Norte, Tijuana
This isn’t my video, but it shows a good amount of the areas in the Zona Norte in Tijuana I’ll be talking about so it’s worth sharing.
Looking for cheap drugs, loads of crime, danger at every corner, and horny Latina women? Look no further than just across the border from San Diego in Tijuana, Mexico. The Zona Norte is mostly known for it’s prostitution, and in addition to street walkers, you’ll find a few places frequented by males looking for companions.
Hong Kong Bar is a classic strip club with multiple floors and stages. Buy any woman a drink and get a lap dance anywhere you want, or bring them to a room for an extra fee and do whatever you please. The women get a kickback from the bar for every drink you buy them, and you’ll even find the “Coronitas” here, which are the 7 ounce beers made by Corona that you can slam very quickly.
Adelita Bar is on the South Side of Calle Coahuilla and has ladies of the night lurking around looking for companionship and commissions from the drinks you buy them. It’s the largest brothel in Tijuana.
Petty crimes are common here, as is being shaken down by local police for crimes you didn’t commit. Some people opine that you should argue with them and ask them to take you to a judge, which can quiet them up as it’s mandatory in Mexico and without evidence, it’s impossible to be convicted. However, I go with the “smile and suck it up” stance and pay any small bribe to quickly move on with my night. Some may call that an “a$$hole tax” for being somewhere I shouldn’t be, and I’m totally fine with that. Be very careful in this dangerous red light district and in all areas of Mexico in general.
The Gringo Gulch Zona Roja – San Jose Costa Rica
I used to be a regular at the zona roja in San Jose, Costa Rica. While it may not get as much credit and fanfare as others on this list, it’s something that was made famous when tourism boomed in the 1980’s to Costa Rica. Thanks to the internet boom in subsequent years, as well as plausible deniability that males would claim they were going on a fishing trip, many males looking for erotic flings with Latinas descended on San Jose.
While brothels are illegal in Costa Rica, there are many low budget ones operating under a “pension” license. These are mainly in the Zona Roja and consist of Nicaraguan women, Dominicans, and more impoverished Costa Rican women. Starting at around $12, your money goes a long way here.
There are other options more near the Parque Morazon. This includes street walkers, which you have to be careful of since many are trans (unless you are into that) and establishments catering to Americans. The infamous Hotel Del Rey shut down recently and lost it’s title as the epicenter of prostitution in Costa Rica, but there are other venues where mid to high end women hang out at including Hotel Taormina and The Sportsmen’s Lodge.
Many casinos and dive bars also exist in this area where anything goes. While it’s been cleaned up and is becoming lesser traveled, it holds a special place in my heart due to the massive amount of time I spent in Costa Rica and specifically in San Jose. There are other adult entertainment venues in the forms of strip clubs and even disco’s where ladies of the night hang out in San Jose.
Street crime, including pick pockets, are pretty rampant, so dress down and watch your surroundings. I made a full expose on Costa Rica Sex Do’s and Don’ts that you should read if this is a place on your deviant bucket list.
Reeperbahn – Hamburg, Germany’s Famous Red Light District
The red light street you’ll find about as diverse as any other is known as the Reeperbahn, a diverse entertainment center. This is in Hamburg, Germany and you’ll find everything from night clubs, bars, restaurants, and discos in this area.
Even more on the down and dirty side, you’ll find sex shops, brothels, and strip clubs. Street prostitution is legal during certain hours of the day. This blogger called it the “most sinful mile in the world.”
There is a huge number of music venues and theaters which make this area very unique and tourism-friendly.
The COVID 19 pandemic had a major affect on Germany, as they took the stance of shutting everything down for a very long time, which unfortunately decimated the Reeperbahn. Many of the businesses were forced to close.
Patpong Market, Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand owns multiple spots on this list because well, it’s Thailand. And things are just different in Thailand!
We’ve all seen the movie “The Hangover 2” and know what kind of trouble the guys got into here. That was an actual depiction of what goes down in Bangkok, and today we’ll focus on the PatPong Market. This energetic night market offers nightlife venues and the city’s vibrant nightlife that few have a hard time turning down.
This is a very tourist-facing area that has been declared an official entertainment zone by the government. And let me tell you, entertainment venues are a plenty here! There’s a weird vibe of sex for sale coupled with a market featuring overpriced goods, but what makes this different is the live shows where women engage in stunts that would make the Jackass cast cringe. If you want to leave a strip club with a woman, you can pay the venue a “bar fine” and do just that. There’s also massage parlors and salons which offer the same experience.
You have to be careful when it comes to drugs. Police will extort you if they catch you with them and can resort to violence if they feel you are escalating the situation.
Go go bars are popular, as are the sex show bars. Be careful, as these are usually catering to tourism and you can expect an inflated drink bill at establishments like this.
Walking Street – Pattaya,Thailand
If you have a lot of cash, anything goes over at Walking Street. This is the red light capital of Southeast Asia. There is very little government regulation or intervention when things go down over years.
This area heats up around midnight, and like I said, anything goes. There is live music on the streets and you can buy a beer for around $3 and soak it all in. Street performers, women of the night, and even a great local food scene make this a unique venue. The district’s daytime beach allure offers a serene and inviting atmosphere, which transitions into a vibrant nightlife filled with entertainment options.
Soi Cowboy – Bangkok, Thailand
If you are into go go bars on top of one another with women offering ping pong shows to live sex shows, this is your area. This area basically put Bangkok on the map in the 1970’s when an African-American veteran named T.J. Edwards started the whole thing when he opened a bar. This is the real “sin city.”
Unlike Patpong, it’s not an official red light district and does not have any government protection. It does get shut down occasionally due to this, but chances are, you’ll see the city’s vibrant nightlife before that happens.
One cool thing about here is you can negotiate to take anyone home. The bartenders, waitresses, whatever you want. Just be ready to pay a fee to the venue and negotiate with the woman in advance of doing so.
Honorable Mention Red Light Districts
Here’s a list of some of the other areas that can be intriguing. Each article has photos and cites sources that talk about how rampant the sex and drugs can be in each area.
The Lives of Sex Workers
Sex workers are the backbone of red light districts, and their lives are as complex as the districts themselves. These individuals often face challenging working conditions and safety concerns, but they also find ways to support themselves and their families through their work. The experiences of sex workers can vary greatly depending on the specific district and location, making their stories both diverse and multifaceted.
Working Conditions and Safety
The working conditions and safety of sex workers in red light districts can range from relatively safe and regulated environments (Amsterdam) to more precarious and dangerous situations like Mexico. In some districts, like De Wallen in Amsterdam, sex workers benefit from government regulation and support. Here, sex workers operate in glass-panelled cabins along the canals, undergo regular health checks, and follow strict safety protocols, making it one of the safer red light districts in the world.
On the other hand, in places like Zona Norte in Tijuana, Mexico, sex workers often face more challenging conditions. The lack of regulation and the prevalence of crime make it a dangerous red light district. Sex workers here may work in cramped and unsanitary conditions, and they are more vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and health risks.
Despite these challenges, many sex workers in red light districts manage to earn a living and support their families. Their lives are a testament to resilience and adaptability, navigating the complexities of their work environments while striving for better conditions and safety.