The ambitious art space takes over the entire W District with its first art festival, opening at 5:30pm on Nov 28. Modeled after the Rio Carnival, it will feature a celebrity auction for children’s charities, body painting, video art and workshops, as well as live Brazilian music and martial arts/dance performances, all a few minutes’ walk from BTS Phra Khanong. The festival continues through Jan 18, offering over 400 pieces of affordable art and special live art performances every weekend. Check out the full list of activities at ow.ly/EnsLH

Situated just around the corner from HOF, this very minimalist, very cool little gallery and café draws in an eclectic crowd thanks to its regular music and art events which spotlight the city’s vibrant street culture. We recommend dropping by for a drip coffee or a Beerlao and talking to the friendly, street-savvy owners. Take note: the next exhibition, Kamlang Kia Kaja, opens on Dec 6, featuring street art by Cambodian artists Lisa Mam and Peap Tae.  

The charming izakaya is said to be the only one in Bangkok that serves up traditional dishes from the Okinawa district of Japan (think tofu and seaweed, among other Japanese staples). Popular orders include: Kinjo shabu, Okinawa soba, Rafute Okinawan-style glazed pork and goya Okinawa (bitter melon stir-fried in Okinawan sauce). Its second floor, known as Livecube, provides space for very intimate gigs. 

For flavors a little closer to home, drop by Phra Khanong market for an alternative dining experience. Known as Little Burma thanks to its large Burmese community, you will be able to find a few well-known Burmese eateries, such as Mona Burmese food stall and Burmese Noodles by Dao Giri. Local favorites include mohinga (kanomjeen soup noodles) and lahpet thohk (Burmese somtam). 

If you don’t want the party to end, give this brand new rooftop nightclub a try. Dubbing itself Bangkok’s “first high-rise nightclub,” the décor’s a little bare but the views make up for that. The party starts nightly at 9:30pm, with house and EDM music from guest DJs on selected evenings. You can also crash for cheap at the stylish Beat Hotel (above, www.beathotelbangkok.com), situated inside W District, with 54 rooms designed and decorated by local artists such as Lolay (see Last Word, page 47), P7, Oh + Futon, Jeep,  the late Mamafaka and Suntur. Rates range from B1,999 for a Siamese Twin room to B3,500 for a Double Trouble Plus Studio Suite Room. Five percent discount if you book online from now through Jan 31.