On Oct 18, Thailand’s craft beer kings, Beervana, are throwing a Happy Beer Day Block Party to celebrate their second anniversary in business with El Osito and La Monita. Be sure to get there between 6-8pm for the free-flow beer, tapas and sandwiches. But if you make it down earlier, there’s plenty more worth checking out in the neighborhood.

The recently opened Mercury Ville shopping mall is home to Veganerie (4/F, corner of Soi Langsuan), a healthy new cafe that’s very strict about using dairy-free and egg-free products. The big surprise: it actually tastes darn good, particularly the carrot cake (B85 or B450 for a pound) and not-too-sweet chocolate chip soft baked cookies (B45).

3. MASTER CLASS

Don’t be put off by the grandeur of Central Embassy—it’s home to some great places to eat, and is also way less crowded than Siam Paragon. Chief among them is Siwilai x Rocket Coffeebar (5/F). The coffee is excellent and the brunch menu just as satisfying as the original Sathorn branch.

5. READ THROUGH

Not afraid to mix your drink? Before El Osito, head to the premium sake bar Ogu Ogu (G/F, Park Ventures), which runs special deals on both liquor and Japanese food. Unti 7pm, three different 150ml sake carafes will set you back just B550 (B990 after 7pm).