These 5 Red Light Districts Are Among the Best in the World

Red Light Districts Are Among the Best in the World

Is visiting the world’s best red light districts on your bucket list?

It might be a sightseeing trip or you might be looking for a one-of-a-kind date. Either way, you should be aware of what you’re in for.

Let’s look at 5 of the best red light districts in the world and what you need to know about each of them.

Best Red Light Districts in Bangkok

Bangkok’s Soi Cowboy and Patpong red light districts are well-known, partly by reputation and partly from stereotypes in movies like The Hangover 2. Sex work in Bangkok falls in a bit of a gray area. It’s not legal but it’s tolerated, up to a point.

Up until about 20 years ago, the laws around prostitution targeted the sex workers themselves, not their customers. That changed with the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act in 1996, which made soliciting sex illegal.

Which is a roundabout way of saying be careful how you act when visiting Bangkok’s red light districts. You could find yourself in trouble with the law if you cross the line.

Most clubs and bars in Bangkok have strict drink minimums and high priced drinks so prepare yourself, especially if you’re a foreigner and an obvious target. The staff can be aggressive and put the pressure on to separate you from your money.

Paris, The City of Love

Paris is known as the city of love. That brings out thoughts of couples hand-in-hand, strolling the streets or gazing up at the Eiffel Tower.

But that’s not the only type of love you’ll find in Paris. You’ll also find love for sale in its red light districts.

Rue Saint-Denis and Pigalle are the two districts in Paris where you can have some fun. And while they’re generally tolerated by the law, you do need to keep a few things in mind.

Sex work is generally tolerated in Paris but that doesn’t mean it’s legal. It is, in fact, illegal and you can get yourself into trouble if you’re not careful. One of the fastest ways to get on the wrong side of the law is to openly solicit sex workers so be careful what you ask for and whom you’re asking.

There are a lot of raucous bars and clubs, especially in Pigalle, the better known Paris red light district. This can be fun but things can get out of hand quickly so make sure you keep your wits about you.

Pigalle is also home to the original Moulin Rouge so it can be an interesting place to visit even if you’re not in the market for sex. If you’ve seen the movie of the same name, keep in mind that the real thing has a lot more skin and a lot less singing.

Nevada – The Home of Legal Prostitution in the USA

Nevada has a reputation as the only place in the United States that sex work is legal but that’s not the case. Prostitution is legal in parts of the state, but it varies from county-to-county.

Clark County is one of the places that prostitution is not legal. Las Vegas is located in Clark County, so it’s something to keep in mind when you’re visiting Sin City. What happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas but if you get caught soliciting sex in town, you might find yourself staying longer than expected too.

And not in a good way.

Sex work is only legal in counties with less than 700,000 people in Nevada. Because of this, brothels are usually in out-of-way places which means they’re not in typical red light districts.

While there are plenty of strip clubs, sex shops, and massage parlors in Las Vegas, they’re spread out all over the place. There’s no single district where you can find it all.

Jolly Old England

London isn’t as well-known for its red light districts as many other cities, but just because it isn’t as high-profile doesn’t mean it’s without its charms.

Soho is the part of London best known for its “services”. It’s been around since the 1960s and the red light district is still going strong but has shrunk considerably over the years. Like many other RLDs, gentrification has gradually crept in and put the squeeze on the sex business.

Sex workers in Soho bill themselves as “models.” When you walk down the streets, you’ll find open doors with signs outside advertising the models. When you go inside, you’re either met by a prostitute or a maid who runs the flat.

They might ask you to come back in five if the model is occupied with a client or they might invite you inside to wait. It can be a little uncomfortable to pass another client on your way in or out and get an impromptu “review” of the quality of service.

Amsterdam – The Sex Capital of the World

De Wallen in Amsterdam is generally considered to be the sex capital of the world. The top of the food chain when ranking red light districts. New laws put in place twenty years ago helped clean things up and for the most part, Amsterdam is one of the best red light districts in the world.

So much so that a large portion of the tourists who visit are really only there to see it. They have no intention of enjoying the wares for sale.

Even though it has a good reputation, there are some things to be careful of in Amsterdam. For one, pictures aren’t allowed. It’s second nature to pull out your phone to snap a picture when you see something interesting but do that in De Wallen and you might find someone grabbing your phone out of your hand and smashing it.

Watch for pickpockets, they prey on all the tourists walking around the streets of Amsterdam. Keep your valuables secure and well-hidden if you’re wandering the streets.

If you are planning to check out what’s available to you in Amsterdam, you need to know about the “blue light special.”

Women who are open for business in Amsterdam will have a red light in their window but occasionally you’ll see a blue light. The blue light means you’ll be hooking up with a transexual.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But it might be a little surprising if you don’t know it’s coming.

Know What You’re Getting Yourself Into

These red light districts might be popular destinations but it’s important to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Something as simple as your body language can cause offense in other countries. How much trouble could you get yourself into when you go looking for sex?

Even the best red light districts could be dangerous if you’re not careful. It could be as simple as getting suckered into overpaying for what you’re getting. But you could also find yourself in danger of getting hurt.

If you’re planning to visit any of these districts, read up on them first. These trips can be a good way to relieve some stress but a little bit of knowledge will help you stay out of trouble.

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