B.A.D. Guide 2023

2023

BANGKOK’S BEST BARS, DRINKS, AND CLUBS

EDITOR’S LETTER:

We’re back. We’re BAD. It wasn’t even a year ago that most bars in this city were shuttered— capricious opening hours, crackdowns, staff shortages, no tourists. Now, just look at this city.

The last BAD (Bangkok After Dark) Awards took place in 2019. Now, Bangkok is knocking them back like it doesn’t even remember the bad old days.

Recognizing outstanding bars and clubs, the BAD Awards is decided by the staff of BK Magazine and a panel of carefully chosen voters plucked from the city’s nightlife scene. As Bangkok’s only homegrown, English-language nightlife awards, we’re pleased to welcome so many new bars and clubs, but we’re even happier to see so many familiar faces.

BK is seeing a lot of trends that came out of that Covid crucible—hyper-focused ingredients, creativity, and a focus on style and history. The speakeasy has never been more popular, though perhaps not as softly spoken as it once was. Areas known for the staid and tried-and-true are venturing further into the realm of fun, and former party hubs are learning to grow up. All of this in just a few years.

Yes, we’re back. We’re glad you are too.

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

BK EDITORIAL

Managing Director Dietrich Neu

Managing Editor Tyler Roney

Deputy Editor Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj

Senior Writer Porpor Leelasestaporn

Art Director Wirankan Saiyasombut

GROVE: COCONUTS BRAND STUDIO

Senior Brand Editor Julianne Greco

Associate Thai Editor Pakvipa Rimdusit

Branded Content Writer Moe Thet War

Senior Project Manager

Sirinart Panyasricharoen

Senior Account Manager Hafiz Rasid

Senior Digital Account Manager Nuttajuk

Kittichailuk

Art Director Tan Kar Liang

Senior Graphic Designer Umporn Jiaranai

Production Manager Komkrit Klinkaeo

Head of Business Development

Elizabeth Chua

Senior Business Development Managers

Piti Rungrojanaluck, Sophia Ong

Business Development Manager

Chalida Anuwattanawong

Publisher, Printer, and Editor

Tara Rattanaphas

BK MAGAZINE IS A COCONUTS MEDIA PUBLICATION

Chairman Byron Perry

General Manager Vim Shanmugam

Head of Operations & Talent Clarissa Cortes

COVER PHOTO: Opium Bar

Advertise with us at advertising@coconuts.co

WHERE TO FIND US!

Coconuts BK Limited 111 Room 5A, 5th Floor We Space Building, Soi Thonglor 5Khlong Tan Neua, Wattana Bangkok, 10110 Tel: 02-041-5755

Email: info@bkmagazine.com

WINNER

Opium

422, Vanich Soi 1, Samphanthawong, 082-979-3950. Open Mon 5pm-midnight; Thu-Sun 5pm-midnight.

Sitting above Thai-Chinese dining spot Potong, Opium Bar transforms an opium-smoking den once belonging to Pitchaya “Pam” Utarntham’s ancestors into a dynamic, ever-changing, and ambitious space that defies and reworks patrons’ perceptions.

Here, reality is not what it seems as head bartender

Matteo Cadeddu and his supervisor Arnon Hoontrakul extract the essence of each ingredient and elevate them to another plane. The results are what they ambitiously dub “liquid surreality,” a mix between fact and fantasy. The taste, smell, and texture of each drink are precisely executed and categorized according to taste profiles—which is a big help for uninitiated and indecisive drinkers.

The Hiyajiru, for example, takes on the concept drawn from the famous chilled soup from the Miyzaki region of Japan, an AV (adult version) of everyone’s

favorite summer bowl, seeing junmai sake blended with wasabi and smoked in oatwood. The Bananalada, meanwhile, is a resourceful take on stolen ingredients from Pam’s kitchen, mixing Evan Williams Black Label with corn husk syrup and citrus and finishing with banana foam. For over a year, this venue has collected accolades, including Giffard’s West Cup Asia Selection 2022, with Mattheo’s award-winning drink On The Way, mixing mezcal, roselle, citrus, and naked malt to create a multi-layered drink.

The food is of a quality rarely found in Bangkok bars, like the Wild Kiss, which sees grilled pork tongue skewers with caramelized exteriors saturated and tenderized with perilla seeds and finished with tangy sauce, giving each cube a satisfying flavor.

With a big menu and an emphasis on style, Opium melds history, innovation, and execution to make it one of the most exciting bars in recent years.

WINNER

Mahaniyom

2/F, 100 Mahaseth, 100 Maha Set Rd., 061-664-6588. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight. After the closure of Backstage in Thonglor in December, 2019, Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn and Chennarong “Jan” Bhumitchitr of Find the Locker Room made a swift comeback with this bar specializing in resourceful cocktails. Situated above nose-to-tail restaurant 100 Mahaseth, Mahaniyom mirrors the concept, using all parts of the selected ingredients and transforming them into unique concoctions.

Opium

422, Vanich Soi 1, Samphanthawong, 082-979-3950. Open Mon 5pm-midnight; Thu-Sun 5pm-midnight. One thing that always impresses at this Chinese-themed bar perched atop Potong is its unlimited, evolving growth potential. The bar boasts a 20-page menu divided into specific taste profiles, and you could easily walk in one day to find those old drinks swapped out for an entirely new batch. Opium is new, and it stays new.

Untitled

171, Thonglor Soi 10, (Opposite Don Don Donki). Open daily 7pm-late.

The team behind Soi Nana’s coolest establishments (Teens of Thailand, Asia Today, etc.) made this their first bar in Thonglor. Untitled is disguised as a pawnshop and they’re doing a very good job at it. It’s a slice of sarcasm in the expensive Thonglor neighborhood, in which you might need to pawn a thing or two to have a nice time. For the drinks, they focus on exotic ingredients and unheard of combinations.

Independence

687, Maitri Chit Rd., 084-005-2298. Open daily 7pm-late. An old motorcycle repair shop has been renovated by the folks behind Teens of Thailand into the most unpretentious spot for oenophiles. Aiming to connect patrons to wine-drinking culture without all the formality, Independence offers a twist on the mainstream classic cocktails you already know. Grab the Madeira Tonic, a sweet, refreshingly fizzy drink made from Portuguese fortified wine Barbeito Madeira and Thai-made floral tonic Nammon with chrysanthemum honey and orange peel.

WINNER

Bar Yard

Located on the 40th floor of Langsuan’s swanky Kimpton Maa-Lai, this rooftop garden-slash-bar promises a bright, breezy space filled with leafy, bamboo-clad decor. It’s not just a place for after-work drinks and taking a selfie with the skyline (but, yeah, it’s definitely good for that); this is one of the few rooftop hotel bars that actually elevates to a party atmosphere, with regular DJs rolling in and out and themed nights that bring out the wild side of locals and the jet set.

40/F, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Soi Ton Son, 02-056-9999. Open Mon-Sun 4pm-late.

Tichuca

46/F, T-One Building, Sukhumvit Soi 40, 065-878-5562. Open daily 5pm-midnight.

Set on the 46th floor atop the T-One building conveniently located next to BTS Thonglor, this tribal-vibe rooftop bar brings the fun with their cheesy mainstream pop for you to drunkenly sing along and easy-to-understand Tiki cocktails. This is one huge jungle rooftop. There are also levels for you to climb up and get 360-degree views of the city.

Above Eleven

32/F, Fraser Suites, 38/8 Sukhumvit Rd., 083-542-1111. Open daily 6pm-late.

The altitude isn’t the only thing that’s elevated at this Peruvian rooftop experience on the 32nd floor of the Fraser Suites. Here, the drinks and especially the food—both inspired by creative takes on Nikkei tastes—are a cut above what you normally expect at a rooftop space. There’s a long open bar in the center and tree-shaped lamps that lend a chill, hang-out vibe to this venue. But don’t be fooled: Above Eleven can party.

Sky Beach

78/F, The Standard, King Power Mahanakhon, 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd., 02-085-8888. Open daily 10am-midnight. This rooftop bar is arguably the highest rooftop bar in Thailand on the 78th floor of the Mahanakhon building. You’d think it’d come with ridiculously unreasonable prices given the wow-factor and the address, but the cocktails here are set in the B300 range, which is frankly shocking. They regularly host some wild full moon parties as well. After all, this is as close to the moon as you can get in this city.

BEST DIVE BARS

Fatty’s Bar and Diner

WINNER

Whether you’re there for the company or the tunes, this Din Daeng dive is unstoppable. Helmed by Wisconsin’s own Matthew Fischer, this down-home spot of American fare and craft brew has been wowing regulars for more than a decade. When it gets late—whether they’re playing folk and college rock or tearing up the block with a hip-hop party—Fatty’s brings the heat with both its wings and roving performers on the “stage” by the door.

598/66 Asoke-Din Daeng Rd., 02-245-2965. Open Tue-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-10pm.

41, Charoen Rat Soi 1, 093-592-9902. Open Wed-Thu 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 6pm-late; Sun 6pm-midnight. This beloved spot beneath the highway disappeared during Covid but came roaring back in 2022 as a resurrected art and live music spot putting on everything from local hip-hop and heavy metal to “bathroom karaoke” and gaming competitions. There aren’t many places to sit here, but if you go to Jam, you go to get a little messy. From the psychedelic show on stage to the band-sticker-addled walls and 420 roof, it’s hard to remember how Bangkok ever went without Jam.

Jam 12x12

810/22, Thara Rom Soi 2, 094-260-4713. Open Tues-Sat 5pm-late. This place might be on the hipster side of dive, but it’s not trying to be cool. It just is. Expect a homey setting of couches and other mix-and-match furnishings and a well-stocked wooden bar with some surprisingly inventive cocktails. With a rotating roster of DJs spinning on the regular, 12x12 sometimes rides the line between dive and club—but this is a neighborhood bar so remember to keep your voice down when you’re outside.

F Orange

1112/4, Sukhumvit Rd., 081-874-6123. Open Tue-Sun 9pm-late. Cool and crowded, F Orange is Phra Khanong’s favorite dive. Come here for diverse live music, a young-andready-to-party crowd, and a unique vibe. The first feeling you’re going to get when you walk into F Orange is “What is this place?” That’s a good question, and we don’t have an answer. The experimental, slap-dash charm of this tiny bar serving simple cocktails and beer transforms depending on who is on stage, but it’s always friendly and accessible.

WINNER

Beam

1/F, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55 , 02-392-7750. Open Wed-Sat 9pm-late.

Before Beam, when Bangkokians wanted to dance they’d have to head over to RCA or Silom. In 2016, Thonglor welcomed this boxy dance bunker and it changed our partying culture forever. Though Beam’s young patrons can make some feel a little old, the venue still offers a proper warehouse-style dancing space, music that doesn’t make you cringe, a proper sound system with laser art, and a much nicer crowd than you get at most clubs.

Sing Sing Theater

45, Sukhumvit Soi 45, 063-225-1331. Open Tues-Sat 9pm-late. Who hasn’t ended their night at Sing Sing? This perennial clubbing favorite from the minds behind Iron Balls, Gigi, and more is unchallenged for a reliable good time. With a revolving door of DJs and new talent always in the wings, the emphasis at Sing Sing is very much on a big, sexy party atmosphere. One of the few clubbing venues that can cater to the grown-ups with a chic, dark atmosphere and party pedigree, Bangkok just wouldn’t be the same without Sing Sing.

Thaipioka

G/F, Salil Hotel, Thonglor Soi 1, 02-662-6787. Open daily 7pm-late. Though opened as a hidden, fancy cocktail bar where you’d go to drink quietly, Thaipioka has somehow transformed into a fun, packed nightclub post-Covid. You still have the option to grab a table and sip a cocktail or two, but we pull up at 11pm on a Friday night, squeeze through the heavy wooden door, grab a vodka soda, and dance away among the hi-so and urban overseas-graduates.

Havana Social

1/1, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 080-467-7409. Open daily 6pm-late. Velvety chairs, tiled floors, stained glass doors—where else can you go for a full-on taste of Latin America clubbing in Bangkok if it’s not Sukhumvit Soi 11’s Havana Social? They were among the first in Bangkok to drop reggaeton beats before it was cool. If you don’t know how to dance to their style of music, they occasionally host free salsa classes—just make sure you drink enough rum.

BEST COCKTAIL MENU WINNER

Mahaniyom

Mahaniyom’s cocktails are resourceful and sustainable, as Ronnaporn “Nueng” Kanivichaporn deconstructs the ingredients to the molecular level, leaving no part behind. The fizzy, refreshing Pineapple sees the fruit’s leaves dehydrated into powder and blended with vermouth and spice, while the rinds are fermented into tepache; Cow, on the other hand, takes on medium rare steak with brandy blended with brown butter and peppercorn finished with beef fat, red wine, and blue cheese bubbles.

2/F, 100 Mahaseth, 100 Maha Set Rd., 061-664-6588. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight.

Find The Locker Room

After using the Past, Present, and Future cocktail motif from day one, in 2022 this speakeasy pioneer launched their first new drink concept in five years: Time Capsule. The Time Capsule Volume 1 is inspired by the ’60s-’80s and is separated into three categories: fashion, toys, and music. You’ll get to see cocktails inspired by things like Mary Quant’s hot pants in the ’70s or the ’80s Magic 8-Ball. These creatively delectable creations are an exciting new way to engage with pop-culture history.

Lennon’s

Rosewood Bangkok’s sky-high bar Lennon’s launched its sustainable cocktail menu in November 2022 in collaboration with a host of the city’s best niche alcohol companies: reusable alcohol bottles from Ecospirits, infusions made from Kosapan Distillery liquor, and Sea’s Kombucha for many of the mixes. The fully sustainable menu shines with an attention to detail and thoughtfulness that’s hard to come by—one drink even includes re-carbonated Champagne from leftover hotel parties.

Tax

695-697

Rd., 061-917-9719,

Born amidst the pandemic as a response to the lack of financial support from the government, this venue transforms alcohol from other usages into vinegar, creating offbeat cocktails specializing in the ingredient. Here, Thai soy sauce brand Maggi is blended into a tangy mixture of gin, cumin, orange, and pink peppercorn—a nod to Thais’ favorite breakfast—while Black Sticky Rice sees a blend of Irish whiskey infused with Phayao’s black sticky rice, bitter tea, and wild honey.

406, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 098-287-1898. Open daily 6pm-late.

30/F, Rosewood Bangkok, 1041/38 Ploen Chit Rd., 02-080-0030. Open Tue-Sat 6pm-midnight.

Maitri Chit

Open daily 7pm-late.

BEST BEER BARS WINNER

Mikkeller

26, Ekkamai Soi 10, 082-283-1274. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 11am-midnight. It should be no surprise that one of Bangkok’s oldest craft beer heavyweights still tops the list of the city’s best beer bars. Between the gargantuan beer list sourced from 17 countries, the food menu, weekly deals, and beer-focused tasting events, the ’50s-era Thai house on Ekkamai Soi 10 that Mikkeller calls home feels more like a craft beer embassy than a humble bar and restaurant. Serving from 30 taps and a startlingly diverse range of bottles, Mikkeller is home to people who care about beer and friends just enjoying the green, open space.

Hair of the Dog

2/F, Mahatun Plaza, 888/26 Ploen Chit Rd., 02 650 7589. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight.

What do you think of when you think of craft beer? That’s right, a morgue. The design here is striking to say the least, but in between the mortuary slabs sits one of Bangkok’s best selections of taps, featuring roundthe-world craft brews, ’80s movies on the TV, and rock/metal providing the tone. This place takes beer seriously and host tastings for the craft beer aficionado. There are two locations, with the OG location in Ploen Chit, and the larger two-storey space in Phrom Phong that will also mix you some fun gin drinks and bring you brekkie from Breakfast Story.

Duke of Beerington

G/F, SK Tower, 858 Sukhumvit Rd., 092-887-7141. Open Tue-Sun 11am-2pm, 5-11pm.

This humble craft beer dwelling sits just a couple steps from BTS Thong Lo, but we suspect it doesn’t get many random walk-ins. The space is nearly invisible from the mouth of the small soi, but brave your way past the nearby izakaya into SK Tower and you’ll find it. Inside, scant seating is forgiven by a 100-strong craft beer selection that updates almost daily—a must visit for Bangkok beer heads.

Chitbeer

219/266, Baan Suan Palm, Koh Kret, 089-799-1123. Open Sat-Sun noon-9pm.

For this one, you might need a designated driver. Just north of Nonthaburi, this stilt-bar brewpub hub has been the best reason to visit Koh Kret for over a decade. Found on a river island, Chitbeer looks out over the quiet Chaophraya of Bangkok’s north, providing a lowkey nightlife oasis—but they take their beer seriously. Bangkokians should note, though, that the new year brought a fresh iteration, Chit Hole, closer to downtown.

BEST WINE BARS WINNER

Mod Kaew

1041/21, Ploen Chit Rd., 082-096-0281. Open Tue-Sat 5pm-midnight.

Before Mod Kaew, the wine culture in Bangkok was snobby and mostly for the older folks drinking any old Burgundy red. Mod Kaew changed the game entirely with their easygoing and unpretentious vibe. Stocking only natural wines, which make your wine experience even more funky and unpredictable, this spot drops the boundaries and whatever preconceptions you had about wine. As an added bonus, their food menu supports local talent by rotating chefs.

No Bar Wine Bar

128, 10 Phahon Yothin Soi 2, 080-329-5964. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-midnight.

Tucked away in Phahon Yothin Soi 2, this cozy, casual bar is Ari’s solution to the natty wine craze. Boasting a wide selection of natural wines—over 30 labels rotating weekly—the bar offers a cool, relaxed atmosphere where you can join in with friends and colleagues while enjoying vino available both by the glass and by the bottle.

Swirl

G/F, Civic Park, Thonglor Soi 13, 062-051-4848, Open daily 2pm-11pm.

Run by boutique wine importer Riesling & Co, this wine-bar-slash-restaurant in Thonglor Soi 13 offers arguably one of the best and most affordable wine selections in Bangkok. Here, you get to explore selections of fine and rare wines from Germany, France, Italy, and Luxembourg. Order some of their Italian-Japanese inspired dishes to pair up with your drink.

Madi

1113, Charoenkrung Rd., 089-014-6016, Open Thu-Sun 6pm-midnight. This chic, minimalistic cafe in Charoenkrung Soi 43 may serve caffeine concoctions and sweet treats by day, but when the sun goes down its alter ego as a casual wine bar comes to life. Every Thu-Sun, you can participate in an intimate wine tasting with a wide selection of natural wine and some hard-to-find labels. The place also doubles as an art exhibition space, showcasing skilled and emerging new wave local artists.

BEST LIVE MUSIC BARS

Black Cabin

WINNER

33, 1 Rama 4 Rd., 081-599-9365. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight. Hidden behind grungy brick walls, this is where you will find unsung local talent playing some of Bangkok’s best live music—showcasing everything from soul and funk to Brit rock and beyond. Keep on the lookout for special nights that pay tribute to different genres, like hits from Y2K—the best pop from your walkman in the 2000s—or British radio hits like Kings of Leon, Radiohead, and Incubus. Dark, chic, and sharp, Black Cabin also packs in good drink deals.

Speakerbox

1000, 40 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), Open Wed-Sun 7:30pm-late. For the music lover, Speakerbox eschews pomp but doesn’t sacrifice quality. This is a bar where you can find local favorites and new voices—as well as occasional overseas acts who know that real live music comes raw. It can be chill, artistic, or rowdy, but the staff are accommodating and the drinks, like the venue, are uncomplicated and fun. This dive is at the sharp edge of live music in Bangkok.

The Woodshed

24/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-262-0762, 097-235-8286. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-midnight.

True to its name, Woodshed’s ambiance is dark and gloomily potent, a thing to be imbibed more than enjoyed. A few strings of dim fairy lights give the impression of candlelit outdoors, a look completed by the old and still living tree that’s smack in the middle of the bar. While there are a million jazz bars in Bangkok, not many of them (or not that we’ve heard of) play New Orleans jazz, but you can find that here every Wed and Thu.

De Commune

1-2/F, 469 Phra Sumen Rd., 093-117-1123. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-late. After having moved from Thonglor to Phra Sumen Road, De Commune got way cooler and more artsy. From hosting music that can’t quite be defined (live synthesizers to low-fi soul and beyond) to hosting a chef’s table dinner for up-and-coming local chefs, De Commune has reinvigorated the underground scene, and it’s hard to imagine the city without it.

BEST HOTEL BARS

The Loft

WINNER

While most sky-high hotel bars think they can just have a great view and that’s enough for the selfie-snapping public—and that’s often true—this is not the case at The Loft. A breathtaking view from the 56th floor above Bangkok is paired together with a stellar cocktail menu created by the Italian bar manager Michele Montauti. With the glittering view, the quality of drinks, and the glamor and style of the mirrored bar and bronze staircase, The Loft is a stylish crown on this hotel brand’s Bangkok property.

56/F, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, 151 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-846-8888. Open daily 5-11pm.

BKK Social Club

Four Seasons Bangkok, 300/1 Charoen Krung Rd., 02-032-0888. Open daily 5pm-midnight. Plaudits are nothing new for this venue. World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 ranks this space as the 14th best bar in the world—and it was a new entry. Located at the Four Seasons, bar-goers can take advantage of their world-class quality of service and the cocktails led by Berliner bar manager Philip Bischoff, previously at Singapore’s decorated Manhattan Bar. BKK Social Club spans the globe, drawing inspiration from Buenos Aires.

Lennon’s

30/F, Rosewood Bangkok, 1041/38 Ploen Chit Rd., 02-080-0030. Open Wed-Sat 6pm-midnight.

Lennon’s feels like a billionaire’s version of a vinyl bar—part Tokyo record bar, part recording studio. Set on the 30th floor of the Rosewood Bangkok, the venue boasts over 6,000 vinyl records visitors can browse, play, and even buy. This year, it unveiled a game-changing eco-cocktail menu on top of its signature drinks named after disco legends like Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer.

The Bar at The House on Sathorn

106, Sathorn Rd., 02-344-4025. Open Open Mon-Thu 2:30pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 2:30pm-late; Sun 2:30pm-midnight.

Before Covid, no one thought about the cocktail bar at The House on Sathorn, certainly not as a destination for cocktail lovers. Francesco Moretti—you may have tried his drinks at Vogue Lounge or Sinnerman—has taken over the bar and brings quality drinks and an exceptionally fun vibe, transforming what once was a generic hotel bar into an upbeat cocktail bar with regular guest shifts.

BEST COCKTAIL BARS

Mahaniyom

WINNER

Forget what you think you know about innovative drinks. This bar—part Thai-Rococo, part disco—transforms every flavor imaginable (and a few unimaginable) into creative, resourceful cocktails. The brains behind this chic bar are none other than Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn and Chennarong “Jan” Bhumitchitr, formerly at Find the Locker Room and the now-closed Backstage Bar. The drinks here deconstruct ingredients from something as traditional as pineapple to more challenging cocktails made from squid and wagyu beef—all couched in a comfortable but exciting vibe.

2/F, 100 Mahaseth, 100 Maha Set Rd., 061-664-6588. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight.

Vesper

10/15, Convent Rd., 02-235-2777. Open daily 5:30pm-late.

You don’t know Bangkok’s cocktail scene if you don’t know Vesper. The Convent Road staple has been a perennial feature of the BAD Awards and Asia’s 50 Best Bars since their inception. Vesper has managed to stay at the cutting edge of Bangkok’s drink scene largely by a willingness to reinvent itself year after year through a seemingly endless blitzkrieg of new menus, concepts, and renovations that continue to help the bar build on its strengths.

Opium

If we’re talking about the sheer variety of cocktails and drinks, Opium Bar easily comes out among the top places on any list you will see thanks to an impressively large drink menu that rotates seasonally and is categorized to fit every taste, including aperitifs, digestifs, and classic cocktails. With the celebrity chef Pitchaya “Pam” Utarntham’s culinary expertise, the bar also promises otherworldly tastes—a mix of fact, fantasy, and a celebration of how complex flavors can be.

Tropic City

672/65, Charoenkrung Soi 28, 097-242-2890. Open daily 7pm-late. If you’re bored of the typical Bangkok cocktail culture, this is the place for you—think of bright neon flamingos on the wall with a DJ booth spinning house and whatever else gets people dancing. Cocktails are tropical and fruity, but they are super strong (we repeat, they really are strong). A tiki bar ranking 24th best bar by World’s 50 Best Bars, Tropic City really knows how to have fun and gathers the coolest Hawaiian-shirt-wearing people in Bangkok.

422, Vanich Soi 1, Samphanthawong, 082-979-3950. Open Mon 5pm-midnight; Thu-Sun 5pm-midnight.

BEST THEME BARS

Playroom

WINNER

2/F, 359/2, Sukhumvit Soi 63, 080-278-7808, Open daily 6pm-late.

If you’re a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey, chances are you’re going to enjoy every sip and vibe at this bar. Sitting above upscale French restaurant Stage, this speakeasy in Ekkamai is for the kinky, with mysterious red hues and dramatic curved gold accents, not to mention naughty S&M decor items like chains and wearable handcuffs. The drinks also follow the concept with some sexy names and illustrations like All Night, Virgin or Not, and Mr. Grey.

1112/24, Soi Sukhumvit Plus, 064-949-9744. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-late. With all the ’80s vibes a retro gamer could hope for, you’ll know the theme of Arcadia Barcade before ever walking inside. With arcade machines handmade by owner Todd Ruiz of Coconuts Bangkok, drop a coin and get to Tekken-ing or head to the face-to-face machine for co-op and competition. If you prefer to game soused, visit the beer fridge for a few craft brews or a kratom soda. Climb up to the rooftop for games, movies, and events.

Arcadia Barcade Something Wicked

629, Sukhumvit Soi 8, 02-103-1574. Open Wed-Sun 7pm-late. Bangkok’s only voodoo bar emerged from the Covid gloom in February of 2022, bringing cocktails (potions) made on a ouija board, frog noises on the porch, and bedazzled skulls and voodoo dolls under the gaze of Baron Samedi. Something Wicked is found behind a blood red door squeezed between shophouses in On Nut. Inside, blues play over black woods and red sofas. The unusual design of this hot new swamp spot comes from the macabre mind behind Hair of the Dog.

House of Heals

33/F, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, 518/8 Ploen Chit Rd., 099-336-6262. Open Wed-Mon 8pm-late. If you’re looking for somewhere to let loose, dance, and sing your head off, then this drag showbar is the place for you. Run by legendary drag queen and Drag Race Thailand host Pangina Heals (Pan Pan Narkprasert), this boisterous spot is all about creating a fun, safe space for all, complete with dramatic spotlights and quirky decor with a backdrop of drag shows by big local names and DJs.

BEST DESIGN

WINNER

Opium

Perched above the busiest road in Sampeng, this century-old Chinese opium-smoking den has been transformed into a swanky cocktail lounge that offers a judicious blend between the old and new. Inside the private Black Jade Room space, the quintessential gold-painted peonies glide across black, polished walls juxtaposing traces of the ancient. The rooftop area, which used to be the family’s stargazing hall, now dubs as a small botanical garden for the restaurant and offers a vantage overlooking Chinatown.

422, Vanich Soi 1, Samphanthawong, 082-979-3950. Open Mon 5pm-midnight; Thu-Sun 5pm-midnight.

Untitled

171, Thonglor Soi 10, (Opposite Don Don Donki). Open daily 7pm-late. Forget Bangkok, you’ll feel as if you’re in Kowloon walking up to Untitled thanks to the flashy lights advertising money exchanges and pawnshops. A smattering of fake jewelry greets guests as they walk through the door—a bit of neighborhood sarcasm we’ll let you decipher on your own. Past the boisterous facade inside are swooping copper bars and sleek leather chairs that drop the pawnshop pretense.

Independence

687, Maitri Chit Rd., 084-005-2298. Open daily 7pm-late. Independence makes you feel like you’re drinking in an abandoned building with graffiti-covered walls—a dark, grungy vibe with an unfinished feel. It looks lackadaisical but also hard to recreate. The mastermind behind this design is Gunn Leehasuwan, and his other outstanding designs include the big shark hanging from the ceiling at Asia Today and the pawnshop bar Untitled.

Philtration

Step inside the basement of this century-old heritage house and sneak past the hidden doorway to reveal a mixture of shiny art deco curves harmonizing with gritty, bare concrete walls. The cocktails here are said to be inspired by Moh Mee—a late 19th-century doctor famous for concocting herbal Chinese medicine—and many of the design elements seem to draw on this story as well, which is why much of the old house remains untouched.

2, Kasem San Soi 3, 092-282-9005. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-late; Sun 6pm-midnight.

BEST ALFRESCO BARS

Zuma

WINNER

G/F, The St. Regis, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-111-8999. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-late; Sun 11am-3:30pm, 6pm-midnight.

There’s nowhere else in Bangkok where you can pretend like you’re drinking in a (very hi-so) cave, surrounded by stone walls in an open-air space—that’s one of the things that makes Zuma our favorite alfresco drinking spot. Of course, the newly launched Japanese garden cocktail menu also makes this venue special. When you’re done with drinking in the open-air, you can head back inside for some Japanese fusion dishes. If you find yourself there on a Sunday, it’s an unmissable brunch.

The Deck

15, Sukhumvit Soi 20, 095-239-0805. Open daily 7am-midnight.

It’s like a tropical Balinese oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle with two-floors and a deck looking out on Phrom Phong traffic. A bar this size and quality right in the middle of the city is not something that comes along often in Bangkok, so take advantage of it by joining outside for a bottle of wine and occasional good tunes among the plants. The food menu is also impressive, filling comfort food.

Blue Parrot

21/1, Soi Meksawat, Yen Akat Rd., 065-114-6910. Open daily 11:30am-midnight.

Even though the new location in Yen Akart is slightly smaller than their old Sathorn venue, the pool and vibe here are still super inviting—especially if you want to start drinking at lunch while sitting out in the garden. Blue Parrot looks like something plucked straight out of Phuket and squeezed inside the pandemonium of Bangkok. Just kick back on a sunbed or in a mini cabana and that’s your afternoon sorted.

Hemingway’s

23, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-653-3900. Open daily 9am-late. Though the inside and upstairs are well served, the real fun happens behind the greenery of the outside area at Hemingway’s. Moved from its old location a few sois down, nowadays Hemingway’s is Soi 11 institution, a reliable spot for high-end pub food, easily crafted drinks, and open-air camaraderie. The music is usually a little new wave for the bar’s namesake Papa, but the vibe here is inevitably a laid-back, all-day hideaway from the hurly burly and turns into a party as the sun goes down.

BEST PUBS WINNER

Londoner Brew Pub

Why this spot over the cacophony of British pubs that haunt the tourist districts? The Londoner has been shelling out pints and pub food since 1997, making it one of Bangkok’s oldest microbreweries—and it’s made a lot of friends along the way. Here, it’s about more than just a pint and a pie; it’s whiskey and cigar nights, craft beer-battered fish and chips, and a communal space for indulging in pub food from Chef Yao built on quality meat from abroad. The location is a bit far from the Sukhumvit crowd, but it’s better for that.

1178, Phatthanakan Rd., 02-022-8025. Open Mon-Fri 10am-midnight; Sat-Sun 9am-midnight.

The Old English

1033, Sukhumvit Soi 53/1 (BTS Thong Lo), 02-392-3361. Open daily 8am-late. A thousand beer bellies trembled when The Old English Pub opposite Thonglor 5 closed in 2022, but, not to fear, the bar quickly moved to a smaller space closer to the Thonglor BTS. The outside is a little louder than it used to be, but the wings are still crispy, the interior still inviting, and the beer is still cheap—an unbelievable B45 a pint at the right time. Also known for their “adult” milkshakes, the Old English Pub has been a staple sports bar in Thonglor since 2018.

Ekamai Beer House

56-56/1, Ekkamai Soi 2, 02-714-3924. Open daily 11:30am-late. A lot of nights start and end in Ekamai Beer House. If you don’t like what’s going on, go to another floor. With 20 taps and a respectable selection of beers, the venue boasts three floors, with the third featuring pool, shuffleboard, and plenty of TVs for the sports fans. You’ll find live music on the first floor several days a week along with good pub fare and one of the best roast dinners in town on Sundays. Get a pint in your hand, and explore the company of the space.

Royal Oak

595/10, Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 02-662-1650. Open daily 9am-midnight. You won’t find fancy pub food here or a particularly wide selection of beers—but it is fun. In addition to the obligatory TVs and daily happy hours, this spot hosts regular comedy from The Comedy Club Bangkok upstairs and a serious quiz night. Similarly, it’s well situated on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1 within easy walking distance of something a bit more specialized like Hair of the Dog. Either way, when the other bars are winding down, Royal Oak’s outdoor area buzzes with music and attitude.

Thanachot “Ong” Lohanimit

Thanachot “Ong” Lohanimit is the 26-year-old head bartender at Find The Locker Room and has been with the bar for almost five years. While the Time Capsule Volume 1 menu was a team effort, Ong took the cue from beverage director Ping Charoensri, researching and working with other bartenders to refine the flavors.

He has been interested in bartending since he was in university and started taking gigs mixing drinks at events in Bangkok before landing a position at Find The Locker Room. In 2022, he was one of the finalists at Diageo World Class Thailand and won the Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship.

Once very shy, bartending changed his life. In the future, he dreams of having his own bar but not until he travels to learn more about other drinking cultures first. While you might not see him behind the bar too much these days at Find The Locker Room, he’s there to greet you and make sure you feel welcome.

The Bar at The House on Sathorn

If you haven’t been to The House on Sathorn for a while, go now because this venue is well and truly back on the Sathorn drinking scene. The bar was joined by Francesco Moretti, previously at Sinnerman, who started his training at Michelin-starred chef JeanClaude Brugel’s Sea Lounge in Monaco when he was 18 and has been mixing drinks all over Europe, America, and Asia ever since.

His new cocktail menu is inspired by the four different eras of The House on Sathorn, which boasts

a fascinating history. To taste the space when it was a Russian Embassy or an ultra-luxurious hotel in the 1920s, Moretti has crafted four cocktails and a mocktail as well as a few snacks inspired by each era.

On top of all that, a litany of guest shifts have made this spot an exciting place to watch, and the music is not the generic hotel lounge tunes or jazz like other hotel bars. The venue has transformed from a forgotten destination into an upbeat space with occasional late night dancing.

Pick a random movie and drink in the cinema while you watch.

Continue at this craft beer bar and grab some burgers for dinner before your night starts.

Move next door to one of the best cocktail bars in town.

1 Doc Club and Pub

2 Mash

3 Vesper

Take your boozey journey to another fun cocktail bar with a lot of history.

While their fire show can be a little bit scary, once you’re drunk enough, go dance.

If you’re still in a mood to party late, this is a secret spot that gets lively after midnight.

4 The Bar at The House on Sathorn

5 Revolucion

6 Samphan

YEN

Pop in at 5pm for some Korean fried chicken and craft beer at this recently expanded bar near the steps

Just a few hundred meters away, you’ll find that the classic cocktail game in this space is strong in more ways than one.

1 Changwon Express

of the Petchaburi MRT.

Q&A

3 Abandoned Mansion

Head over the Sukhumvit to this (literally) underground high-end bar in the basement of The Coach Boutique Hotel.

SUKHUMVIT 23

SOI SAWADDEE

SUKHUMVIT 19

SOI SAWADDEE

Climb out and up to the 37th floor and grab a glass of refreshing G&T from an impressive list of gin.

A bottle of wine and craft spirits pairs well with live jazz music at this cozy hotspot filled with strings of fairy lights.

Dance hard to techno beats before calling it a night at this dark, popular nightlife mainstay.

4 A Bar

5 The Woodshed

6 Sing Sing Theater

KHLONG

SAEP

1 Yoshibar

Start your night at this casual sake bar—though their sake menu is anything but casual—and grab some Japanese bar bites for dinner at this cozy space.

Modern-Day Culture

2

This vinyl-only bar is a Bangkok hipster’s wet dream—speakeasy, vinyl, and you can ask bartenders to create a drink just for you.

3 The Bar Vagabond

Here you’ll find one of the most underrated whiskey collections in the city, along with creative whiskeybased cocktails.

EKKAMAI 10

EKKAMAI 6

4 Find The Locker Room

While the cocktails are the reason to be here, did you know they serve even yummier dim sum all night? Fuel up on some Chinese bites before you start dancing.

Depending on your style of music and how you want to vibe for the night, choose between the futuristic lasers at Beam or 12x12 for a dive playing tunes your Shazam is no good for.

If you’re still in the mood to party, Woodball is the last stop for a lot of nights. You’re sure to leave with a story.

5 Beam or 12x12

6 Woodball

PLOEN CHIT-LANGSUAN

3

1 Bar Yard

Catch sunset and dinner at this casual and pseudo-tropical rooftop bar atop the 40th floor of the plush Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.

2 Firefly

Move next door to the ground floor of the Sindhorn Kempinski for jazzy tunes, elevated bar bites, and classy cocktails.

SOI LANG SUAN 1

SOI LANG SUAN 2

3 Crimson Room

Keep the jazz theme going with the roaring ‘20s cabaret-style style at this classy venue with classier cocktails.

SOI TON SON

LANG SUAN RD.

THE ROYAL BANGKOK SPORT CLUB

BTS CHIT LOM

BTS RATCHADAMRI

4 Hair of the Dog

The OG Hair of the Dog location in Mahatun Plaza gives you goth vibes and some of the best craft brew in town.

5 Lennon’s

Dance to music played on vinyl while enjoying a sustainable cocktail menu that’s good for the environment at the luxe Rosewood Bangkok.

Mod Kaew

Finish the night at this fun, vibrant natural wine bar that gets rowdy on weekends for a nightcap.

6

Start drinking in the afternoon by the riverside along with some Thai comfort dishes at this beloved dive bar—as long as the river’s not too high.

Tropic City

This vibrant neon-lit bar serves one of the best fruity-but-very-strong cocktails in town, paired with good tunes.

1 Jack’s Bar

2 Siwilai Sound Club

A New York City jazz club crossed with a Tokyo-style vinyl bar comes with a Thai twist playing jazz tunes ideal for dates.

3

This seductive bar with a mysterious vibe resembling NYC’s subway with its graffiti-covered walls, fluorescent lights, and raw design gets dancey late at night.

A last cocktail stop before grabbing a late bite in Chinatown to combat the morning hangover.

Take a walk and finish out your night dancing at this indie and electronic underground spot, offering amazing acoustics for a big crowd.

4 Independence

5 Opium

6 De Commune

CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

6 PHRASUMEN RD .

4

MRT WATMANGKON MRT HUA LAMPHONG

Mojjo Rooftop Lounge Bar

As one of Bangkok’s hippest Latin American-insipired sky bars, Mojjo gets (and keeps) the party going with its combination of authentic Mexican fare, an array of unique signature cocktails all carefully crafted by their in-house mixologists, and a neverending soundtrack of Latin American tunes. Come for the sweeping 32nd-floor views, stay for the mouthwatering food and drinks that are as vibrant as the buzzing atmosphere.

32nd Floor, SKYVIEW Hotel

Bangkok, 12 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-011-1111. Open daily 5:30pm-12:30am

OG Kratom

Several OG Kratom products, including their signature kratom sodas and exportquality powders, can be found on the shelves of various bars and dispensaries throughout Thailand. As the country’s leading kratom brand, their core mission is to conceptualize and produce the highestquality kratom-infuse products. To get a look at their full catalog in person, head on over to their Bangkok-based flagship store located next to MRT Ratchadaphisek.

410/37 Ratchadaphisek Road, Samsen nok, Huai Khwang, 098-260-3297. Open Monday to Saturday 12:30pm-5:30pm

Stella

Hidden inside Capella Bangkok, Stella’s boudoir atmosphere offers customers front row seats to an exquisite experience. Under the leadership of Bar Manager Song Terbsiri and Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Constans, the menu is filled with creative concoctions and decadent desserts that pay homage to notable women in the global bar scene. Additionally, there is a constant rotation of Bangkok’s top entertainers to delight guests with nightly sultry performances.

300/2 Charoenkrung Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, 02-098388, 065-998-4674. Open daily 6pm-midnight

Waldorf Astoria

Quietly hidden at the end of a palatial marble double staircase atop the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, The Cham pagne Bar is one of the city’s most opulent speakeasies. With sweeping views outside and a selection of wines, in-house crafted cocktails, and (of course) exquisite champagnes that are available by either the glass or bottle, The Champagne Bar is ready to welcome guests for a perfect ritzy night out.

Level 57, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok 02-846-8888 5:00 pm until late (Friday and Saturday only)

Ms.Jigger

Named after the fabled welltraveled muse, Ms.Jigger offers a narrative-led cocktail experience paired with Italian fare. Narrative Cocktail Chapter 2: The Tales of Thailand tells the story of Ms. Jigger’s voyage through Thailand via a carefully curated cocktail menu that’s styled after a map of the country, featuring premium concoctions like the Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Koh Pha Ngan. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, 78 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, 02-056-9999. Open Monday to Friday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30 pm-midnight, and Saturday to Sunday 11:30am-midnight

Zuma

Zuma, a contemporary Japanese izakaya that’s housed in an elegant dining room in the St. Regis hotel, is a crowd favorite thanks to its open kitchen and delicious modern Japanese menu. Kickstart your evening with one (or more!) drinks from their exquisite Japanese Garden cocktail menu, or bring the whole family to enjoy one of the city’s best Sunday brunches.

Ground floor of the St. Regis Hotel, 159 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, 02-111-8999. Open Monday to Thursday 11:30am-3pm and 6pm-1am, Friday to Saturday 11am-3:30pm and 6pm-2am, Sunday 11am3:30pm and 6pm-midnight.

Vana Nava Sky

Located up on the 27th floor, Vana Nava Sky proudly (and literally) stands tall as Hua Hin’s highest rooftop bar. Floor-toceiling windows separate the indoor booths and lounge seating from the outdoor Sky Deck tables — although both areas provide breathtaking panoramic views. Guests can expect nightly resident DJ’s, a gastro-pub menu filled with contemporary fusion dishes that blend Japanese, Thai, and western cuisines, and a distinctive cocktail menu concocted by a team of expert mixologists.

27th Floor, Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, 129/129 Petchkasem Road, Nong Kae, Hua Hin, 032-809-949. Open daily 5pm-Midnight.

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