How to look the part at Bangkok's best whisky bars
At these stylish whisky bars, looking the part is half the fun. The other half? It’s in your glass.
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8 years ago
Black Amber Social Club
The look: Thonglor’s super-stylish Black Amber Barber Shop & Tattoo has expanded across the road with a full-on gentlemen’s whisky bar and networking spot. Situated on the first floor of this three-story house, this bar’s handsome cabinet-of-curiosities- inspired decor features plenty of leather and suede as well as the owner’s private collection of exotic decorative items, from alligator skulls and an ostrich skeleton to a clown model.
Wear this: Head up to Toast Bespoke on the second floor for a custom- made suit with a little attitude.
Drink this: Whisky is the main focus, here. The shelves are filled with familiar bottles like The Glenlivet, Jameson and Chivas Regal 12. Prices, rather reasonably, start from B200 a glass or try the Chival Regal Whisky flight consisting of Chivas Regal 12 years, Chivas Regal Extra and Chivas Regal 18 years (B540).
160/17 Thonglor Soi 6, 092-276- 2772. Open daily 6pm-1am. Facebook: blackambersocialclub
Whisgars Ploenchit
The style: This true speakeasy is located at the back of a plaza up a tiny staircase and features plenty of leather couches, while there’s also a new zone with vintage rounded high tables giving more of a club vibe.
Wear this: To keep your cigar in pristine condition, try the custom leather carry cases made by Container (available at The Selected, 3/F, Siam Center).
Drink this: The highlights are over 100 single malts and cigars. Get there between 4-8pm for the selection of rotating specials at B180/glass like The Glenlivet and Smokehead Islay.
2/F, Mahatun Building, Phloen Chit Rd. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 2pm-2am. Facebook: Whisgarsploenchit
Manhattan Bar
The look: Located on the second floor of the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, next to the hotel’s popular New York Steak House, the narrow space is more than a hotel bar thanks to purple and gray lounge chairs that add a touch of playfulness to the acres of dark wood and framed black and white photographs.
Wear this: Classic with a twist. Dress as neatly as possible to go with the gentlemen’s bar vibe, but don’t forget to enliven your suit with a unique pocket square. Try Kamui Lim Fine Arts & Decor.
Drink this: Try their signature Manhattan (bourbon and sweet vermouth, B400) or go for something solid and simple like Chivas Regal Extra on the rocks (B450 by the glass).
2/F, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700 ext. 4230. Open daily 5:30pm-1am
1881 by Water Library
The style: Water Library’s gastro barat this breezy, partly open-air mall is inspired by a 19th-century steam power plant while the cocktails are all about inventive concoctions using home-infused spirits. This space offers a drink-friendly atmosphere that is perfect for an after-work hang out.
Wear this: Luxury swag, but avoid the cliched H or LV belts. Try some woven leather accessories from Bottega Veneta (available at M/F, Siam Paragon) instead.
Drink this: Water Library is one of the best places to get good cocktails. Order something from their classic list like the newly launched XO Fashioned (Chivas Regal Extra, cinnamon syrup and Peychaud’s bitter, garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange peel, B380).
Groove@CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd. 02-613-1778. Open daily 10-1am. Facebook: 1881 by Water Library
S’mores
The style: Run by the same team as Cafe de Tu, this elegant and spacious restaurant has a striking position on the second floor for Groove at CentralWorld and an equally striking American hunting lodge vibe. The food focuses on classic Western dishes, backed up by a creative drink list that’s big on whisky.
Wear this: Denim’s the way to go here but it has to be the best quality. Go check out multi-label store American Rag Cie (G/F, CentralWorld) for jeans from BLK DNM and Italian shades from Illesteva.
Drink this: The mixology consultants of Vice Versa have created a list that’s highly creative. Try their Scottish Recipe of Old Fashioned made with Chivas Regal 18, cinnamon syrup, Angostura bitters, Ricard mist and anis (B370).
2/F, Groove@CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-613-1271. Open daily 11am-1am. Facebook: S’mores Bangkok
She Bar
The style: Located in the middle of Thonglor’s busiest nightlife strip, She Bar is a great spot for spicy Thai dishes, whisky deals and live music daily. The bar is very laid back with a spacey outdoor area, with a removable roof so you don’t need to worry about the upcoming rainy season.
Wear this: The removable roof might save you from the rain but doesn’t offer much protection for your suede loafers. Head across the road to gentleman’s shoe specialist Mango Mojito for a suede protector spray.
Drink this: A shared bottle of whisky really fits the character of this place, especially thanks to charming deals on Chivas Regal Extra at B1,990 (from B2,290) per bottle every Tuesday.
522/3 Penny’s Balcony, Thonglor 16, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-714-7642. Mon 4pm-12:30am and Tue-Sun 11am-12:30am Facebook: She Bar
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