• By GROVE
  • | Aug 27, 2015

Le Café des Stagiaires

Le Café des Stagiaires was founded by five college friends in Shanghai as part of their final school project back in 2011, this bar expanded to Bangkok in July this year. This charming bar-house on Sathorn Soi 12 offers a colorful and unpretentious atmosphere in which to start your night out (happy hours 4-8pm). To go with your drinks, try their choice of tasty tapas like frog legs with parsley and garlic (B120) and vegetable crostini with French anchovies (B150). 
Try: Mint Julep (Chivas Regal Extra mixed with sugar, lime and mint leaves, B340) or go with Chivas Regal Extra on the rocks (B260)
Where next: To keep up the lively vibe, take a three-minute walk around the block to another new French-operated (though Cuban-themed) bar, Revolucion on Sathorn Soi 10.
 
142/21 Sathorn Soi 12. 081-207-3077.  Facebook: Le Café des Stagiaires - Bangkok  
 

The Bar at The Peninsula Bangkok  

If you’re looking to spend an elegantly-styled night with a little privacy—and delicious craft cocktails to match—this could be the spot. Enjoy a classic Thai dinner at Thiptara while taking in the sunset over the Chao Phraya River, before heading upstairs to The Bar lounge on the ground floor for a few more drinks. Decked out with a very classic, art deco-evoking design, this bar’s just the place to pick a seat at the bar and ask the bartender to craft your drink according to your mood. 
Try: Extra Old Fashioned, a twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail with Chivas Regal Extra as the base spirit (B390) 
Where next: To continue your sophisticated evening, choose to stop next at either Vogue Lounge on Narathiwat Road or Cloud 47 on Silom Road for their breathtaking rooftop views.
 
G/F, The Peninsula, 333 Charoennakorn Rd., 02-626-1846. Open daily 5pm-1am.
 

Hanakaruta Sathorn

The modern Japanese izakaya on Sukhumvit Soi 39 has an equally moody second branch in the up-and-coming Sathorn Soi 10 neighborhood. This bigger venue not only serves good food and drinks but also offers private booths to let you and your friends party in your own space. Try their easy dishes like salmon avocado sushi roll (B210) and raw tuna carpaccio (B250), while selecting your poison from the wall-to-ceiling whiskey shelf that’s stocked with interesting bottles from all around the world. 
Try: The exclusive Chivas Regal Mizunara (B300), usually only available in Japan, served with an ice-ball. 
Where next: After a sizeable meal, you might need need some fresh air and a nice view at Skymoon Bar.         
 
Sathorn Soi 10, 085-061-7318. Mon-Sat 6pm-2am.  Facebook: HanakarutaSathorn SAKE Bar&Japanese Food 
 
Do Not Distrub

Kukkuuk Yakiniku Café / Do Not Disturb 

Situated on the second floor of night club Do Not Disturb, this Japanese-style grill and bar is a logical starting point for a night of dancing. Inside is decorated in a whimsical Japanese style reminiscent of cult film Always: Sunset on Third Street, while the outdoor cactus garden offers a breezy spot to fill up on Thai-Japanese fusion dishes like pad Thai with taraba crab (B350) and grilled ayu sweet fish (B220). 
Try: Their crafty cocktails which come with playful twists and Instagram-worthy presentation like Samurai (B360), a whisky-based drink served with smoked applewood chips.   
Where next: After a drink or three, head downstairs to Do Not Disturb to catch top local DJs spinning electronic tunes. Continue your drinking with Chivas Regal Extra at B2,400/bottle including free-flow mixers on weekdays. Also, don’t miss the chance to win a free trip to Ultra Japan EDM Festival this September, simply by opening two bottles of Chivas Regal Extra.           
 
Ekkamai Soi 7, 094-446-6269. Open Tue-Sun 8pm-1am. Facebook: Kukkuuk Yakiniku Café / DND Club