8. Pigalle
Paris, France
What to anticipate: Paris’ Pigalle is an epicenter of debauchery with sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, cabarets, and many other, unpublishable X-rated adventures. In terms of seediness, Pigalle might take the cake. That said, prostitution is actually illegal, so it’s more about the strip clubs and live shows. Just be careful; many of Pigalle’s establishments have a rep as places where thugs bully tourists into handing over all their money.
What it’s going to costs: It’ll usually run you about $22 (€20) to get into a live sex show, and once inside, expect $22 (€20) drinks, as well. Don’t be surprised if the clubs randomly tack extra charges on to your credit card or if women try to pressure you into buying them drinks, which can end up running between $45-$110 (€30-€100) each. Yes, you just bought that nice lady a $138 Zima.
Be warned: If you can’t tell, it’s easy to get taken advantage of here. Clubs coax you in with no covers and promises of low-priced shows, but then lure you into buying things you didn’t even realize you were buying. Getting scammed, and possibly fearing for your life, is the norm.
Are you aware: The Pigalle is also home to some classier burlesque shows, most notably, the Moulin Rouge. It features full dinner service and, thankfully, less singing/more boobs than the movie musical of the same name.
eight. Soi Cowboy
Bangkok, Thailand?
What to expect: Soi Cowboy is not a government-designated “leisure zone,” so it’s one of the seedier red light districts in Thailand. While prostitution (and nude dancing) is illegal in Thailand, it’s tolerated and partially regulated. Most of the women working in the go-go bars (including the bartenders and waitresses) are available for a price; whether they say yes or not depends on a lot of factors — namely, how disgusting you are and how much coin you’re willing to drop. It’s customary to buy a drink for a lady if you’re interested, FYI. Sound familiar?
Just what it’s going to prices: If you leave the go-go bar with one of its employees, you have to pay a “bar fine,” usually around $15. From there you negotiate a rate directly with the woman for her services. Rates start around $45 for up to an hour but can extend to $125, you know, if you’d like her to stay the night and cuddle, or talk about why your GF left (go figure), or why you didn’t get that big promotion at work. Between the price of drinks, the bar fine, and the hourly rate, you’re looking at about $75 minimum.
Keep in mind: Don’t talk poorly about the Thai monarchy to folks in Thailand (even to sex workers) — doing so has landed some loud-mouth tourists in jail.
Did you know: Nightlife columnist Bernard Trink gave Soi its name, after the late T. G. “Cowboy” Edwards. He was a retired American airman who saucy Horgen escorts, in addition to often sporting a cowboy hat, opened one of the first bars there in 1977.
6. Parte Norte
Tijuana, Mexico
What to anticipate: Though the late-2000s saw multiple travel advisories about America’s favorite border city, it’s far safer today than it was a few years ago. La Coahuila — the main street of Zona Norte — is a few blocks off Avenida Revolucion and is lined with strip clubs (which, predictably, double as brothels) and young women waiting outside hotels waiting to escort you upstairs.
Just what it is going to pricing: On the street, you’ll pay about $25 plus $5 for “the room,” regardless of whether you’ve got a hotel to take them to or not. In the strip clubs, it’ll cost you more — anywhere from $50-$100.