BANGKOK BAR

WTF Gallery & Café

A collaboration between an art curator, a hip hotelier and a photojournalist, WTF is actually a hybrid bar and exhibition space that’s incredibly popular with Bangkok’s creative expats and local hipsters.

The buzz: Question: What do you get it you put an art curator, a hotelier (responsible for Phuket Town’s very cool 346 Gallery & Cafe) and a photojournalist together? Answer: a hybrid bar and exhibtion space that could just be the coolest thing in Bangkok since the now closed Raindogs (minus the grunge).

The décor: Split over three stories, the ground floor of this typical shophouse sees a small corner bar with retro touches like old movie posters, an old-school bench seat and flowery tiles. Unlike other so-called bar-slash-galleries, WTF is actually serious about art, with the two upper levels dedicated to exhibitions. If the debut exhibition is anything to go by, WTF will be a major player on the local scene.

The music: Something like Gilles Peterson’s show on BBC Radio 1: an eclectic mix of soul, hip hop, house, jazz, Afro and Latin.

The price: Cocktails B130-220, a selection of wines B180/glass and some great bottles around B1,100. Tapas starts from B60-B200, Thai-style drinking food from B60-B120.

The crowd: Based on the owners’ pedigrees, we’re expecting a journo and arty crowd: faces from FCCT, the defunct Raindogs, art openings... Will the jaded Thong Lor hipsters join in the fun?

Why you’ll come back: Thong Lor is too mainstream for you and you’re looking for a low-key, arty hangout with some soul.

Venue Details
Address: WTF Gallery & Café, 7 Sukhumvit Soi 51, Bangkok,
Phone: 02-662-6246
Website: www.wtfbangkok.com
Open since: April, 2010
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight
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