The buzz: Red lanterns, neon signage and patterned tiles are no longer the preserve of Yaowarat’s new wave of hip bars, thanks to Ninetails Bar & Booster, which brings the trend for all things moody and Chinese to Ladprao. 

The decor: This two-story shop-house opposite Union Mall evokes lonely Hong Kong nights circa the 1980s. Take shelter from the endless traffic outside amid tasteful Chinese cliches: upturned oil-paper umbrellas and wooden bird cages dangle from the ceiling and intricate lattice-work lines the walls alongside hand fans and a mural of a moody seductress. This being Ladprao, there are also a couple of stools and a mic set up for acoustic duos near the entrance. 

The drinks and food: True to theme, the cocktails come laden with ingredients like plum, tea and chrysanthemum—try the deceptively smooth Ninetails Poison (hazelnut syrup, dark rum and Chinese tea, B180) or potent Curse of the Golden Flower (chrysanthemum juice, gin and vodka, B180). To eat, there are twisted Chinese snacks like spicy green beans (B150), plated up with bacon and cheese, fried rice speckled with crispy mullet fish, bacon and Chinese sausage (B140) and yum saam grob (crispy pork and mullet with prawns and cashew nuts in a sweet and sour sauce, B180). The stir-fry of lychee and pork (B140) is an intriguing blend of sweet and savory, too. 

The music: Fridays and Saturdays see live pop covers from 9pm onwards. Otherwise, expect old-school international and Thai hits from the '80s-'00s that don't quite do the mood justice.