House of Heals – A look inside Pangina Heals’ Bangkok bar
What’s better than a gay bar in Bangkok? Why, a gay bar in Bangkok run by Asia’s single-most in-demand and fabulous drag queen, of course! The aptly named House of Heals is a passion project by Thailand’s iconic Pangina Heals (Pan Pan Narkprasert), known as the host of Drag Race Thailand as well as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World!
And as any fan of Pangina’s would know, when the legendary drag star commits to a new business venture, it’s gotta be done right: with that in mind, it’s high time to take a closer look at House of Heals…
The set-up of House of Heals
The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival is that House of Heals is actually attached to the chic, five-starred Renaissance Hotel near Bangkok’s Chit Lom BTS station – well, that’s aside from the super-sized pink and silver stiletto greeting guests at the entrance, ready for a rather Instagrammable pic!
The inside, meanwhile, features a stylish bar, a stage for performances, a silver pole surrounded by bar tables and glittering DJ desk alongside sleek designer sofas, all under the light of a rotating disco ball, pink lasers and wall-mounted neon fixtures. In short: House of Heals is a show-stopper.
The general vibe
Think stylish, think glamorous, think over-the-top fabulous, and you’re nearly there: while far from formal or conservative, this LGBTQ+ venue is no place for flip flops and yoga pants (have you ever seen a drag queen rock a comfortable look?). Guests are encouraged to make an effort and scrub up nicely!
That’s not to say you have to put on a show… House of Heals is all about inviting each and every party-goer to freely express and celebrate themselves. There’s a zero-tolerance policy on aggression or hate speech of any kind, and you can really feel the love and a sense of community in this very special place.
Theme nights at House of Heals
House of Heals is open from Wednesday to Monday, and the popular gay venue offers a little something for every taste. Visitors from abroad who want to experience Thailand’s incredibly sophisticated art of drag would be well advised to visit on Wednesday, Fridays or Sundays, when the girls come out to play and the focus is really on them…
If you’re looking for live music instead, head down to the House on Monday or Thursday, the former also being an open-mic night with plenty of laughter and entertainment. Saturdays are probably the most popular nights to go, and see both live music as well as drag queens take to the stage – if you didn’t have plans before, now you do!
Why LGBTQ+ travellers should visit
There are so many reasons to check out this fabulous place, and one of them is certainly the chance to meet Pangina, who frequently wows the audience with her legendary performances, herself. But House of Heals is also a great place to meet both fellow travellers, as well as locals, and make friends.
Ultimately, the venue is all about fun, fierceness and connection. Although House of Heals only opened in 2020, it’s quickly becoming one of Bangkok’s top nightlife venues for the queer community and our allies… Plus, it’s so spectacularly and outrageously entertaining of a space, it’s got to be seen to be believed!
Photography courtesy of House of Heals