Saxophone

3/8 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-245-3592. BTS Victory Monument. www.saxophonepub.com Open daily 6pm-1:30am
Just two years younger than Brown Sugar, Saxophone is Bangkok’s other jazz institution. Big names like Koh Mr. Saxman (every Mon), or reggae group T-Bone (every Fri) make regular appearances but talented young musicians like the Rhythm Nation Band also get to share the stage.

Brown Sugar

469 Prasumen Rd. 087-112-7774. www.facebook.com/brownsugar.bkk Open daily 6pm-1am
Bangkok’s original venue for blues and jazz music, Brown Sugar recently moved from Sarasin to Prasumen Road. Live music is still on offer daily with regular appearances by veterans like Chai Blues and younger faces like Mellow Motif. International acts like Dira Sugandi, Valtinho Anastacio and Lewis Pragasam also drop by now and then.

Jazz Happen Bar

62 Phra Arthit Rd., 02-282-9934, 084-450-0505. Open daily from 7pm-12:30am.
Apart from the view of Phra Sumen fort and the retro charm of Phra Arthit Road, this bar serves up quality jazz, most of it delivered by the professors and students from the Faculty of Jazz at Silapakorn University.

Fat Gut’z

1/F, Grass, 264 Thong Lor Soi 12, 02-714-9832. Open 6pm-2am
While not blessed with a lot of space, this 50s speakeasy-inspired hole-in-the-wall still manages to squeeze in a band which plays bluesy numbers well into the night. Come early as the place gets packed fast during the weekends. While you’re there, don’t forget to sample their specialty fish and chips, which are among the best in town.

Nothing but the Blues

141 Thong Lor Soi 13, Sukhumvit Rd., 084-033-5228. Open Tue-Sun 7pm-midnight
The youngest blues and jazz spot in town, Nothing but the Blues, is like a younger Brown Sugar—and it’s right in the middle of Soi Thonglor. Owned by a group of jazz musicians, the bar is not only their own personal stage, it’s also open for jam sessions every last Sunday of the month.