10 great reasons to hit Bangkok’s bars
There’s never been a more exciting time to drink in this city.
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Marcel
1. Thonglor and Ekkamai are Finally Getting Some Competition
The u-bend of stylish bars and restaurants near Chong Nonsi is finally living up to its reputation thanks to the arrival of three new French-leaning bars. Marcel (Sathorn Soi 10, 02- 635-3533) serves French cuisine a casual atmosphere; Revolucion Cocktails (50 Sathorn Soi 10, 02-235-4823) is the Bangkok outpost of a Shanghai-born tapas and cocktail bar; and the latest arrival, Le Cafe des Stagiaires (142/21 Sathorn Soi 12, 081-207-3077), also hails from Shanghai but has a younger, college vibe.
2. Rooftop Bars that Actually Make Sense for Locals.
Sure, everyone knows Bangkok is famous for its high-rise rooftop bars, but it’s not every day you want to dress up after a long tiring day at work. You’re in luck, though, thanks to choices like Red Sky at Centara Grand at CentralWorld (55/F, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama 1 Rd., 02-100-6255) and the always-trending Long Table on Sukhumvit Soi 16 (25/F, Column Building, 48 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-302-2557), which both offer great views and drinks amid a relatively casual atmosphere. If you prefer a live band with your city views, you really shouldn’t miss Cloud 47 (47/F, United Center, Silom Rd., 091-889-9600).
Tep Bar
3. Great New Bars that Feel Really Thai
Tapping into Thai culture, the recently opened Tep Bar (69-71 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd., 098-467-2944) has joined Studio Lam (Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661) to specialize in home-infused ya dong (herb-infused Thai moonshine) as well as Thai roots tunes. While molam provides the soundtrack at Studio Lam, Tep Bar plays host to luk krung orchestral bands every day.
Jam
4. We Have More Talented Local Bands to Watch
Our music scene is packed with new and exciting bands, meaning you can pretty much catch a rocking live gig every weekend. This Friday (Oct 9), one of BK’s best new bands to watch, W Map, will perform their experimental trip-hop sounds at Jam (41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833).
Cloud 47
5. Khao San’s Cover Bands
If you want to keep things simple while drinking to Britpop anthems, Khao San is still the best place in town. One long-standing venue (despite a name change at some point) is hidden in the alley connecting Khao San and Rambutree. 999 West (Khao San Rd., 02-629-3992) offers all the standard choices of booze, plus live bands performing pop and alternative rock daily.
Waterside Restaurant
6. You Don’t Even Need to Drive into Town Anymore
There’s life beyond Sukhumvit and Silom-Sathorn. For some authentic Thai food overlooking a pond dotted with lotus flowers, head to Waterside Restaurant Bangkok (13/16 Moo 9, Praditmanutham Rd., 02-943-9496)—it even offers karaoke for later in the night. Over in Ratchada, Lizm (Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-913-9880) epitomizes the joys of Thai-style clubbing: massive space, live band, pocket-friendly prices. Not that it’s shabby, either: The huge central Eiffel Tower adds a bit of Las Vegas glamor to the proceedings. Boasting Modernist decor, Demaze Bar & Bistro (Ladphrao Rd., 087-962-6462) sees its central swimming pool surrounded by low, minimal seating. And if you’re looking for a solid dancing spot, EDM music has also made its way to Ramintra at the brand new Noxs Bangkok (Ekamai-Ramintra Rd., 02-539-2000) located behind Ramintra’s live music spot, 66 Station (Ekamai-Ramintra Rd., 090-515-6666). Read our story online at URL, to get the exact location.
1881 by Water Library
7. You Can Now Drink in a Mall
The opening of Groove at CentraWorld last year has made drinking in a mall the cool thing to do. Now after work you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in Thonglor or Ekkamai’s notorious traffic—you can get the equivalent feeling right next to your office. 1881 by Water Library (Groove@CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-613-1778) is one of our favorite choices for tailor-made cocktails, while if you’re after wine and a chat, Wine I Love You (081-921-2016) is just around the corner.
Whiteline
8. Art Galleries-slash-Bars
Now you can admire some art with a drink in hand. The latest hybrid openings around town include U Baan (Si Phraya Rd., 098-364-4475) and Whiteline (Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117), an alternative, six-story space tucked among massage parlors. If you’re more interested in the art than the drink, then there are several less party-focused new spaces as well, among them Schemata Gallery (1/F, Liberty Tower, Thonglor, 088-088-8066) and 56th Studio (9-11 Green Connect, Sukhumvit Soi 31), which tailors its drinks according to the theme of each exhibition.
Namsaah Bottling Trust
9. Bars For Ladies
What’s better than gathering your besties for some good food and drink in an awesome setting? Set in a 100-year-old house painted bright pink, Namsaah Bottling Trust (401 Silom Soi 7, 02-636-6622) just oozes nostalgia and charm jazzed up by a playful pop edge in the decor’s kitschy palette. The bar has just launched their new weekly La Femme night where ladies cam enjoy buy-one-get-one-free on the Krung Thep Cosmo from 9pm-late every Thursday.
66 Satation
10. You Don’t Need to Worry about Drunk Driving Anymore
You know about Uber, GrabTaxi and all that. But did you know you can get a personal driver driving you and your car home safely for free? U Drink I Drive (For more information, call 091-080-9108 or visit www.udrinkidrive.co.th) offers a special promotion with Chivas Regal Extra in selected bars around Bangkok from the city center’s live music bars like Muse Thonglor to way out on Ramintra at Noxs Bangkok and 66 Station (See No. 6) or Ratchada’s Lizm (See No. 6).
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