Must-see entertainment in Southeast Asia

  • SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 01:  Cambodian circus artists perform in front of a crowd of foreign tourists on July 1, 2015 during a performance of "Eclipse" at Phare - The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Phare Ponleu Salpak is an organization providing free education and artistic training to Cambodian children. Students in the organization's circus program often go on to careers performing both internationally and domestically at venues like Phare - The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap.  (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

    Phare the Cambodian Circus

    Siem Reap

    Cambodia's answer to Cirque du Soleil, Phare the Cambodian Circus is so much more than a conventional circus, with an emphasis on performance art and a…

  • Phare Ponleu Selpak

    Battambang

    Battambang's signature attraction is the internationally acclaimed circus (cirque nouveau) of this multi-arts centre for Cambodian children. Although it…

  • Mintha Theater

    Mandalay

    Colourfully costumed dancers perform around 10 dances from a larger repertoire. Some give human form to traditional stories of local folklore, while…

  • Myanmar Marionette Theater

    Mandalay

    At this puppet theatre, colourful marionettes expressively re-create snippets of traditional tales on a tiny stage. Occasionally a curtain is lifted so…

  • Indonesia, Bali, Kecak dancers in ceremonial dress and make up

    Kecak Dance

    Bukit Peninsula

    Although the performance obviously caters for tourists, the gorgeous setting at Pura Luhur Ulu Watu in a small amphitheatre in a leafy part of the grounds…

  • Ramayana Ballet

    Central Java

    Held at the outdoor theatre just west of the main Prambanan temple complex, the famous Ramayana Ballet is Java’s most spectacular dance-drama troupe. The…

  • Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre

    Chiang Mai

    For an interactive immersion in all things Lanna, this first-of-its-kind Khantoke dinner-theatre experience remains unparalleled in Thailand. Guests…

  • Rajadamnern Stadium

    Bangkok

    Rajadamnern Stadium is Bangkok’s oldest and most venerable venue for moo·ay tai (Thai boxing; also spelt muay Thai). Be sure to buy tickets from the…

  • Traditional Dance Show

    Phnom Penh

    For this must-see performance, put on daily by Cambodian Living Arts, artists come from CLA's incubator program and work on specific shows for up to two…

  • Sriwedari Theatre

    Solo

    The theatre in this vacant plot (formerly an amusement park now undergoing redevelopment) is the unlikely venue of one of the best shows in Java!…

  • Singapore Dance Theatre

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    This is the headquarters of Singapore's premier dance company, which keeps fans swooning with its repertoire of classic ballets and contemporary works,…

  • Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre

    Kuala Lumpur

    Part of the Sentul West regeneration project, this modernist performing-arts complex puts on a wide range of progressive theatrical events including…

  • Paradiso

    Ubud

    Sharing a building with the vegan Earth Cafe & Market, this surprisingly plush 150-seat cinema screens two films daily. The price of admission is…

  • Canteen

    George Town

    This shabby-chic bar in China House has an indie vibe and is one of George Town's most reliable live-music venues for jazz and rock. Gigs usually kick off…

  • Pura Taman Saraswati

    Ubud

    The beauty of the setting may distract you from the dancers, although at night you can’t see the lily pads and lotus flowers that are such an attraction…

  • Meta House

    Phnom Penh

    This German-run cultural centre screens art-house films, documentaries and shorts from Cambodia and around the world at its rooftop cinema. Films are…

  • North Gate Jazz Co-Op

    Chiang Mai

    This compact jazz club tends to pack in as many musicians as it does patrons, with local and visiting instrumentalists offering nightly sets and…

  • No Black Tie

    Kuala Lumpur

    Blink and you’d miss this small live-music venue, bar and bistro, hidden as it is behind a grove of bamboo. NBT, as it's known to its faithful patrons, is…

  • Pura Dalem Ubud

    Ubud

    This open-air venue in a temple compound has a flame-lit, carved-stone backdrop and is an evocative place to see a dance performance. Different companies…

  • Brick Bar

    Banglamphu

    This basement pub, a favourite destination in Bangkok for live music, hosts a nightly revolving cast of bands for an almost exclusively Thai crowd – many…

  • Merdekarya

    Malaysia

    Tap into the local music scene at this grungy, arty venue, which hosts concerts and open-mic nights (and shakes up a decent cocktail). Happy hour is…

  • Bamboo Bar

    Bangkok

    After more than 65 years of service, the Mandarin Oriental's Bamboo Bar remains one of the city's premier locales for live jazz. Guest vocalists are flown…

  • Binh Minh Jazz Club

    Hanoi

    This atmospheric venue tucked behind the Opera House is the place in Hanoi to catch live jazz. There’s a full bar, a food menu and high-quality gigs…

  • ASTI Bandung

    Bandung

    In the southern part of the city about 3km from the centre, this is a school for traditional Sundanese arts – music, dancing and pencak silat (martial…

  • Escape Bar

    Dalat

    Expect top-notch improvised covers of Hendrix, the Eagles, the Doors and other classics at this recently relocated live-music bar owned by blues guitarist…

  • Goethe Villa

    Yangon

    This German cultural organisation occupies a beautifully restored villa dating from the 1920s. Apart from language classes, the library and a cafe in the…

  • istana budaya national theatre, malaysia; Shutterstock ID 12199534; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Gillmore; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online-Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: 65050/ Online Design /LaurenGillmore/POI

    Istana Budaya

    Kuala Lumpur

    Large-scale drama and dance shows are staged here, as well as music performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and National Choir. The building's…

  • Moustache Brothers

    Mandalay

    This classic a-nyeint group became world famous in the 1990s when their jokes and rants against the Myanmar government brought them a string of prison…

  • VivaManila

    Manila

    Nonprofit VivaManila is an arts-and-culture organisation run by passionate locals who are on a mission to revive downtown Manila to its pre-war glory…

  • Singapore Symphony Orchestra

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    The neoclassical Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall is home to Singapore's well-respected flagship orchestra, which makes its performing home at the 1800…

  • Singapore Chinese Orchestra

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Using traditional instruments such as the liuqin, ruan and sanxian, the SCO treats listeners to classical Chinese concerts throughout the year. Concerts…

  • Chiang Mai Cabaret Show

    Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai's most eye-catching show is this nightly so-called 'ladyboy cabaret' in which cross-dresser and transgender performers wear carnival-style…

  • Prumsodun Ok & Natyarasa

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia's first gay dance company infuses Khmer classics with a contemporary (and LGBTQ+) spirit at its evocative performances in the Counterspace…

  • Sacred Dancers of Angkor

    Siem Reap

    There are countless apsara dance shows around Siem Reap, but only the Sacred Dancers of Angkor can claim royal patronage from HRH Princess Norodom Bopha…

  • CGV Grand Indonesia

    Jakarta

    If you've never had a VIP cinema experience, this is the place to do it. Gold class has a premium lounge, reclining chairs and waiter service (you can buy…

  • Cultural Center of the Philippines

    Manila

    Manila’s major cultural guns perform here, including Ballet Philippines, the nation’s premiere dance troupe; Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the nation…

  • Tago Jazz Cafe

    Manila

    A fantastic and intimate jazz lounge hidden off the grid in Quezon City. They put on top local musicians plus the occasional imported guest, and their…

  • Club Mwah!

    Manila

    The best of the city’s drag stage shows take place at the opulent Club Mwah!, an incredibly shiny, sparkly and simply fabulous place with obvious Las…

  • Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

    Kuala Lumpur

    Don’t miss the chance to attend a show at this gorgeous concert hall. The polished Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra plays here (usually Friday and…