Alcazar Cabaret – A candid review of ladyboy shows in Pattaya
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I don’t think there’s a place more synonymous with ladyboys than Pattaya, Thailand.
It’s not that there’s nothing else of substance for tourism there, but that the “Thai Sin City” has become the focal point of this particular subculture in the land of smiles.
By the way, ladyboy, or kathoey, is NOT a derogatory term in Thailand. Transgender people enjoy constitutional protection, and although they face difficulties socially, they are generally accepted. In Pattaya, one can say they are even celebrated.
That’s how it feels with all the cabarets running shows continuously in the city. Seeing one of those cabaret ladyboy shows has become a must-do activity in Pattaya.
So I visited one – the Alcazar Cabaret Show in particular. Going with lower expectations, I was ultimately pleasantly surprised. Here’s my honest review revealing the pros and cons, so you can decide if you might enjoy it too!
What is the Alcazar Cabaret Show?
Alcazar is a cabaret show that has been running continuously since 1981. It’s famous worldwide, set in a theater of over 1200 seats, and employing over 400 performers.
All of them are either ladyboys or males with body modifications.
The show lasts 70 minutes and consists of 17 performances (songs), many of which thematically focus on a particular country. These include Russia and India (popular due to the large influx of these international tourists in Pattaya), Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, and, of course, Thailand.
The show is not sleazy! As a matter of fact, it’s quite family-friendly and does not include anything erotic or otherwise inappropriate.
Note, however, that some of the outfits are quite revealing, so if you’re far on the conservative side, you’ve been warned.
Here are the concrete pros and cons as I saw the show:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Amazing outfits. | – Not real singing, just lip-sync. |
| + Gorgeous people. | – May not be as enjoyable if your seat is far from the stage. |
| + Enchanting stage and décor. | – The “dancing” was more akin to a fashion show than professional. With small exceptions, the dances were dull. |
| + A celebration of diversity and grace. | – Some performers looked visibly bored and unenthusiastic. Of course, they have to do it 4 times every single day, but it affects the experience. |
A few rules to keep in mind:
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the theater. It’s rude to eat during a performance anyway.
- There is no minimum age requirement, though I don’t believe you should bring kids under 7, especially given the loud music.
- There’s no dress code; however, it’s not appropriate to enter in your beachwear.
- Taking pictures and videos during the show is strictly prohibited.
Some of the performers go outside the theater between the shows, and you can take a picture with them for 100 THB. Extra income, I guess, but be wary of scammy practices.
Namely, it’s 100 THB per model, per picture. Two pictures with 3 models will have them asking for 600 THB. They can be quite aggressive as touts too! An unfortunate bad side of the business. I’d just avoid and look from a distance.
Tickets, Times, Location
Alcazar Cabaret performs 4 times every day: at 17:00, 18:30, 20:00, and 21:30.
The theater is located at 78/14 on 2nd Road, Pattaya, which is very convenient for anyone who stays in the touristy areas of the city or near the beach. It’s a walkable distance from many places, though you can also take one of the public songtheaws that run northbound on the one-way 2nd road, costing 15 THB, paid to the driver after disembarking.
You can buy tickets at the theater’s ticket box, from one of the numerous travel agents in Pattaya, or online.
There are two types of tickets: VIP (900 THB) and VVIP (1800 THB). I’ve seen the VIP tickets listed on the street for as little as 700 THB – I guess they get some discounts for being a reseller, or it’s for the seats very far back, which are not “VIP” at all, in my opinion.
On the other hand, on the official website, you can book only a VVIP ticket.
The easiest way to get tickets is to book them via Klook. You can select either ticket type, and there is no markup in the pricing. It’s also easy to cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance, in case your plans change.
I booked my VIP tickets via Klook, after which I exchanged the voucher I received in the email confirmation for paper tickets at the box office just minutes before the show. My seats were in the third row with perfect visibility of the stage.
Other famous ladyboy shows in Pattaya
Pattaya is world-famous for its ladyboys and cabaret shows. There are several in the city, all performing daily.
Is Alcazar the best one? I actually don’t know, I haven’t been to the others to compare. But Alcazar grabbed my attention when researching with its stellar reviews and long-time history. I wasn’t disappointed.
Perhaps the next best-known cabaret is Tiffany’s Show. Reportedly, the performers are “prettier” as they are selected by a beauty pageant. Pretty sure that’s in the eyes of the beholder, though.
Objectively, Tiffany’s costs nearly double, the show lasts just 5 minutes longer (75 vs 70 minutes), and, from my research, it is more about display and extravagance, whereas Alcazar focuses more on music and themes.
The last cabaret in Pattaya I’d like to mention is the Colosseum Show. It is similar to Alcazar, a tad cheaper (800 THB for the regular ticket), and is convenient if you’re staying in the southern areas of Pattaya or near Jomtien Beach. Other than that, it is a very similar experience to the Alcazar Cabaret.
Are ladyboy cabaret shows in Pattaya worth it?
They are not otherworldly but showcase an important slice of Thai culture. The price tag is high, relative to the standard in Thailand (you can buy ~18 meals for the price of a regular ticket).
If you can appreciate the exuberance, striking visuals, and amazing costumes, you will enjoy the Alcazar show.
If you seek musical-theater-style entertainment with beautiful singing and a detailed plot, you will likely be disappointed.
Is it worth it is relative. The Alcazar Show is one of the most unique things I’ve seen in Thailand, so my answer is a yes, even with its various flaws.