Cockatoo is a long-standing ladyboy bar in Bangkok. It was the only go go bar of its kind on the famous Soi Cowboy strip until Shadow Bar opened. Over the years this place has gained somewhat of a reputation. There are many ladyboy venues in the city these days. But Cockatoo is somewhat unique.
The Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar is also quite popular. Soi Cowboy may not have recovered its full draw since Thailand reopened to tourists. Nana Plaza seems to be going full steam. But a little something could still be missing from Soi Cowboy.
That doesn’t mean that Soi Cowboy is a ghost town. The top bars on the strip can still draw in a crowd. For whatever reason Cockatoo seems to be one of the most successful. It draws in a lot of customers. Or at least a lot in relation to its size.
Cockatoo is the not the roomiest of venues in Bangkok by any means. The place utilizes an elongated and rather narrow space. The large elevated stage in the middle doesn’t leave a lot of room for seating along the walls. It is not uncommon to find several of the seats filled at prime time. In such a tight place this really gives it all a full feeling.
Cockatoo vs the competition
A few things make Cockatoo stand out from other ladyboy bars. The first is that the place is a straight up agogo. There have long been ladyboy go go bars in Nana Plaza. With the exception of the post-op filled Straps those bars have always operated somewhat differently than the go go bars staffed by women. Cockatoo looks like any “regular” go go bar. The only real difference is that some of the dancers have penises.
Another unique quality of Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar is the femininity of the employees. Other ladyboys bars tend to have a mix of staff with some looking rather masculine. I’ve seen ladyboys in some bars who look like they could bench press more weight than me. At Cockatoo the staff consists entirely of “lady-like” ladyboys. If you have seen the women at Hello Ladyboy then you will know what to expect.
Some of the ladyboys working at Cockatoo have had their penises removed. Others utilize hormones. All seem to have a masterful grasp of hair and makeup. Many of the people working here are made up better than the top talent at some of the nearby all-female go go bars. I have to imagine that this is part of the allure.
Staff, prices and summary
There are just a handful of ladyboys working in Cockatoo. In previous years there would be as many as three dozen ladyboys in the bar at any given time. As mentioned earlier this area has not totally recovered from the events of the last few years. The bikini and dress-clad dancers do more gesturing than dancing when on stage. When not on stage they seem to do more begging than anything.
Prices at Cockatoo are a little on the high side. That seems to be true of nearly everything these days. But it is especially evident here. So is the pressure to buy drinks. From the moment you enter the bar you are hounded to buy drinks for yourself and the ladyboys in the bar. It is not intimidating. It is simply annoying.
I cannot speak to the service at Cockatoo. While I am a dedicated sex industry researcher and reporter I am not sexually attracted to ladyboys. What I know is based on what I have learned from the people who work here and some of their customers. This go go bar operates on a barfine system like all the others. After paying a barfine, customers who choose to take a ladyboy out the bar (or upstairs to a private room) also give a direct payment to their temporary date.
Things like kissing, touching and oral are common between staff and paying customers. Full service is standard for the ladyboys on staff here too. Though some Cockatoo employees are limited by their preferences or abilities. Ladyboys here describe themselves as top, bottom or versatile. Those without penises and those with penises that do not get hard cannot “top” or give anal sex to their customers. The versatile ladyboys both give and take. It is somewhat more involved than “woman only” go go bars because of this.
I have covered ladyboy venues in Thailand for many years. I am not an expert on this facet of the commercial sex industry. Still I recognize that ladyboys make up a vital component of the adult entertainment scene in Bangkok. It was with that in mind that I took another look at Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar. Based on what I saw I would give the place an average score of two-and-a-half stars. 
Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar. Soi Cowboy, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Click here for a map. Open every day from 7:00 PM until 2:00 AM. Phone: +66 02-258-1125.
