The Speakeasy

The 1920s-inspired bar located on the 24th and 25th floor of the boutique Hotel Muse in Lang Suan is like something out of prohibitian-era TV series Boardwalk Empire. With authentic cocktails, including takes on forgotten classics like Sazerac 1838 (B350) and Old Fashioned (B350), The Speakeasy rolls out a classy atmosphere to match the 180-degree urban view. Head there this week before the 25th floor closes for renovations from Jul 10-Aug 12; though the cute 24th floor balcony will remain open during this time.

Above Eleven

The latest rooftop bar and restaurant to emerge on the Sukhumvit Soi 11 party strip, Above Eleven serves Peruvian-Japanese fusion fare, known as Nikkei cuisine, along with a refreshing list of cocktails made from Peruvian Pisco. The bar provides a peaceful space in the heart of the city, decked out with wooden seats surrounded by fake grass and a large glass wall that allows you to, again, embrace the 180-degree view.

amBar

A good compromise. Girls can let their guys catch all the big match action at Beer Vault on the ground floor, while they head up to the 8th floor to kick back by the poolside at amBar. Enjoy a few tasty cocktails or beers with friends while soaking up the chill house tunes, before reuniting for a post-game cocktail (with special deals every day).

Blue Sky Bar

Now that Central Ladprao is once again a hot shopping destination, the Blue Sky Bar up on the 24th floor of the Centara Grand is well worth returning to for nice and affordable cocktails in their alfresco zone. This month, the bar also offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on standard drinks during happy hours from 10-11pm.

Playground

OK, it’s not on a roof, but it is cute and new. Months ago we mentioned that as part of the Sofitel Silom’s rebranding as Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, the longstanding V9 would become Scarlett Wine Bar and Restaurant. And rounding out the new additions, along with gourmet burger joint 25 Degrees, is a lobby bar called Playground, which is nicely decked out in an industrial style. A long dark wooden table fills the first floor, with the mezzanine laid out with white sofas and old-fashioned bric-a-brac. It’s as good place a place as any to hide from the match action, a refreshing cocktail in hand.

1994

Proud. Four-piece rock band influenced by the likes of The Cure, U2 and The Police.

Crub. Britpop-inspired act featuring one of the founders of Smallroom Records, Rungroj Uptampotiwat, and DJ Suharit Siamwala. Influenced by UK acts like The Smiths, Pink Floyd and The Stone Roses.

Bakery Music, regarded by some as Thailand’s first indie record label, launches with their debut release, alt-rock act Moderndog’s self-titled album. The company eventually abandoned its indie roots for more mainstream success, but it did inspire the creation of more indie labels like Dojo City with bands such as Triump Kingdom and Project H.

1995

Following the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, the Seattle sound finally takes a foothold in Bangkok as Bakery Music unveils “queen of grunge” Ornaree Chularatana and her debut album Natural High.

Joey Boy releases his first self-titled album which introduces hip hop culture to Bangkok. The album has since sold over a million copies nationwide.

Bakery Music founder Zomkiat AriyaChaipani breathes a little electronic pop into the scene with his album Zequence. It includes the hit “Tang Ork,” which also marks the debut of another rising soul and funk artist, Yokee Playboy.

1997

No one can match the success of rock n’ roll act Loso whose debut album Losociety is littered with hits like “I Wanna Love You.” Frontman Sek later became the first Thai artist invited to perform at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival in 2005.

1998

Alt-metal band Sillyfools, comprising Toe (vocals), Ton (guitar), Toey (drums) and Rang (bass), build on the success of their first EP, released on Bakery Music in 1995, joining Grammy to launch their first full-length album, I.Q. After this album, Toey quits the band to be replaced by Tor, and later founds Siam Pai Rock Records.

With The Verve’s Urban Hymns dominating the UK charts in the early part of the year, Siam Secret Service roll out “Kae Nun,” a Britpop-inspired indie anthem that proves extremely popular with local listeners. The band started off as Arai Jah led by Tul Waitoonkiat. When he leaves to study abroad, the rest of the band enlist a new vocalist, Krish, and change their name. Tul returns three years later and they release a solitary album, The Downtown Symphony, under their old moniker.

1999

End of an Era. GT Magazine (Generation Terrorist), run by DJ Seed Norasate Mudkong, was the only local magazine to cover alternative music from around the world from 1994-1999.

2000

American hip hop-inspired Thaitanium release their debut album AA along with the AA Crew, a special collaboration with Joey Boy.

Fat Radio launches, becoming the only music station to play and support Bangkok’s indie music scene.

Around the same time, groundbreaking indie website coolvoice.com arrives on the scene. Among other initiatives, it’s responsible for the Limousine series of compilation albums, first launched in 2002 by founder Amonpong Tavillarp. The records spark Bangkokians’ growing interest in electronic pop by the likes of Funky Wah Wah, Kinappers, Casinotone and The Peach Band.

A Day Magazine emerges, stepping into the considerable void left by GT Magazine.

Smallroom Records is founded by members of Crub and Proud. Their first release, the Smallroom 001 compilation, introduces cutting-edge indie acts like Stylish Nonsense, Moor and Greasy Café. Pop-rockers 4-Tao-Ter become the first artist to release a full-length album, The Love Boat, on the label, followed by Death of a Salesman.

2001

Pop group Armchair release their first album, Pastel Mood, with a more bossanova-tinged sound than what they later become known for.

Former frontman of Crub, Ooh Wasit Mookdavijit, joins with his friends to form Day Tripper.

American country-inspired Sib-Lor, led by Hugo Chulachak Chakrabongse, make a splash with their debut self-titled album.

2002

Music Bug, under the umbrella of GMM Grammy, give birth to alt-rock heavyweights Bodyslam. The band are later recognized as Most Popular Thai Band at the MTV Asia Awards in 2006 and Best Rock Band at the following year’s Season Awards.

Smooth rockers Flure join the Bakery Music roster, arriving on the scene with their first hit, “Rueng Deaw.”

2003

Two members of Araijah, Tul and Pump, form a new band, Apartmentkhunpa, which blends blues, funk and hard rock on their debut album, Bangkok Love Story.

The 2003 edition of A Day Magazine’s series of compilation albums, where all songs are called “A Day,” first launched in 2001, features artists like Bodyslam, Buahima and Monotone Group. The free compilation will only last four volumes in all, finishing in 2005.

Scrubb feature on A Day Album One (another compilation from the magazine that is on sale, not attached free) with their single “Rong Lean,” which they follow up by releasing their debut album …SSS… 2004

2004

While the indie music scene is ruled by pop outfits like Friday I’m In Love and Two Day Ago Kids from 2004-2005, this year sees the return of a more alternative sound, exemplified by Smallroom Records’ naughty four-piece Slur.

You’ve probably tried molecular gastronomy, with its flavored foams and bead-shaped jellies, but how about infusing your cocktails with a little quaffable chemistry? The trend, although a few years old worldwide, is just starting to pick up real steam in Bangkok—and mixologists are already doubting its future.

W XYZ Bar is one of a new breed of places that apply scientific smoke and mirrors, not to your food but your drinks, all in the name of molecular mixology. Perhaps Bangkok’s first dedicated molecular cocktail bar, it’s manned by the youthful Passapong Phetpradit who designs the drinks himself. His signature drink, Heaven on Earth, is served in a Champagne flute, smoking like a wizard’s potion. It’s served with a strawberry coated in candy that pops in your mouth. Bite into the strawberry, sip and let your senses go into overload.

“Science brings something new to cocktails,” says Passapong. “For me, a cocktail is like a painting and molecular mixology just gives another dimension to the art. Molecular techniques interact with all five of our senses.”

These high-wire acts come with more issues than just fixing a decent martini, though. Even pros like Karn Liangsrisuk, who took second place in the 2012 Bacardi Bartending Contest representing the Shangri La Hotel and reached the top 10 contestants in the Diageo Reserve World Class Thailand 2011, would rather avoid them altogether.

“I like my cocktails to be simple. Molecular cocktails are too strong and too scientific for me,” he says. “The idea of bringing in the science just seems to eliminate the classic elements and charm of every ingredient. Change is good but molecular mixology requires such precise measures and is very technical—it’s just not for me.”
Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn, the man behind the cocktails at Roof by Muse Thonglor, thinks molecular cocktails are fun, but mostly just a question of appearances.

“Molecular mixology provides a wealth of options when it comes to drink presentation. But it’s probably just another fad. How long it stays around depends on how well mixologists can keep pushing the boundaries without losing the original character of a particular cocktail,” Ronnaporn says. “It’s not just about adopting new techniques. You have to make things more delicious.”

Even Passapong, of W XYZ, agrees it will be challenging to keep people hooked. “Molecular mixology is just like any other trend. It won’t stay fashionable without constant reinvention. So you have to keep striving for more,” he says.

Ronnaporn sees the future in using unique ingredients that haven’t been seen in cocktails before, like Indian gooseberry cough medicine. Karn, too, is focusing on flavor. His recipes for restaurants like Whale’s Belly, Bouchot and The Local use ingredients like safflower and the pungent sator bean. He’s also been keeping an eye on the worldwide mixology trends replacing molecular techniques.

“Right now,” he says, “it’s all about barrel aged-cocktails and I’ve been running around Bangkok in search of woods that will give different notes and flavors.”

Whatever comes next, barmen are clearly going to stay in the spotlight, as their research and hard work is the one thing that will never get tired. “Sometimes even having the finest ingredients doesn’t mean something will work. You’ve got to keep learning. Study others but don’t copy, as trends always come and go,”
says Karn.

Expert Advice: Drinks that Can’t Go (Too) Wrong

Passapong Phetpradit

Manager on Duty at W XYZ Bar

“I’ll admit that I don’t really like drinking cocktails that often, but if I find myself at an awful bar then gin and tonic, vodka with Kahlua, or rum and coke are all at the top of my list.”

Karn Liangsrisuk

Escapade Burgers & Shakes co-owner

“Beer is the safest option, but if you want to look cool then maybe ask the bartender to drop some cranberry juice in vodka.”

Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn

Business Development Director and Mixologist at Maven Company

“I’d say a Mai Tai is the safest but if that’s not your thing, take a look at the liquor shelf. Maybe go for something like Malibu with pineapple juice. You’ll probably end up crying about the tiny amount of alcohol in your drink, anyway.”

Essentials

W XYZ Bar Aloft Hotel, 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-207-7000. Open Sun-Wed 12pm-midnight; Thu-Sat 12pm-2am
Escapade Burgers & Shakes, 112 Phra Artit Rd., 081-406-3773.  Open daily 11am-midnight
Roof by Muse, 159/8 Thonglor Soi 10, 089-988-5995. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-2am