22 bars in Bangkok to drink beer. And only beer.
There’s never been more choice and better quality brews in Bangkok. Here’s your best bet on where to find them.
6 years ago
See also: The ultimate guide to every legal Thai craft beer
Beer Belly
Probably 72 Courtyard's most easygoing opening takes over the large space on the right-hand side of the complex's ground floor and boasts of a hefty 20 beers on tap. These range from Leo (B180/pint) and Asahi (B260/pint) to La Chouffe (B420/pint) and L’Olmaia LA5 (B480/pint). Bottled Thai craft beers like Chalawan (B180) and Phuket Beer (B180) are also available alongside East-meets-West drinking snacks like pork wontons (B140) and barbecue ribs (B320). There's bar seating and tables outside for when the weather's fine, while inside has larger spaces suitable for playing games like jenga, chess and even beer pong—all available on the house. You'll also find a pool table, ping pong table and a dartboard.
G/F, 72 Courtyard, 72 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-392-7770. Open daily 5pm-2am
The Beer Cap
This long bar covered with beer caps serves beers on the ground-floor of The Commons community mall. The Beer Cap focuses on more niche craft beers, both on tap and by the bottle. When we last visited, there were six beers on tap: BrewDog Punk IPA (B160/260 per pint/half-pint), Holgate (B220), Chainbreaker White IPA (B240), Epic Escape IPA (B220), Epic Mid Mountain mid ale (B220) and Limburgse Witte (B140/240).
The Commons, 355 Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2517. Open daily 11am-1am
The Beer Bridge
The restaurant offers some 100 labels, including the likes of Deschutes Chainbreaker and Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar on tap at B300 for 500ml. The pub grub, courtesy of chef Chalee Kader of Surface, features the likes of fried pork knuckle (B690), braised pork orecchiette (B340) and laab moo tod (deep-fried minced pork with chilies and mints, B90).
1/F, Portico, 31 Soi Lang Suan, 02-652-1979. Open daily 8am-midnight
Bottles of Beer / Bottles of Booze
This friendly bottle shop-slash-bar has one of the best craft beer selections in the city. What’s more, a big proportion of the bottles are from local breweries that you won’t find many places. Grab a slightly fruity Stone Head Koh Kong pale ale from the fridge and join the international crowd of regulars at the communal counter. And don’t forget to get the Thai drinking snacks like fried, sundried pork (B100), or even half a roast chicken (B130) from the vendor out front. There’s a B50 surcharge for every brew you buy to drink inside, but order up any six bottles (doesn’t have to be the same stuff) and they’ll waive it. If you’re not down with the communal seating downstairs, there’s some private tables up on the mezzanine too. Note: there's a new second branch on Narathiwas Soi 3.
Bottles of Beer, Sukhumvit Soi 34, 02-040-0473. Open daily 5pm-12:30am
Bottles of Booze, 198 Narathiwas Soi 3, 02-040-0473. BTS Chong Nonsi
Brew, Beer & Cider
The Thonglor institution may have closed, but the Soi 11 follow-up is still going strong. Here, you can find some 300 imported bottles from familiar importers Beervana, Brewdog, Hopsession and more.
30 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-255-5532. Open daily 11-2am
Brewski NEW!
This beer bar offers 30th-floor views of Sukhumvit. Along with a free and easy party atmosphere, Brewski offers an international selection of beers in three glass sizes—100ml for tasting, 250ml for half pint, and 470ml for full pint—with choices ranging from American craft beers to Belgian classics. There's also a decent selection of ciders (try the Zeffer Crisp Green Apple Cider from New Zealand) and Thai-style bar munchies like sai krok Isaan (Thai-style pork sausages with fresh chilli, ginger and peanuts).
30/F, Radisson Blu Plaza, 489 Sukhumvit Soi 27, 02-302-3333. Open daily 5pm-1am
Changwon Express
Craft beer enthusiast Ted Ahn pairs craft beer with Korean food at his restaurant-slash-bar, located right next to MRT Petchaburi. The dishes here focus on Mexican-Korean fusion like the must-try Kimchi Taco (B200/three tacos), a choice of crispy corn taco shell or soft tortilla filled with slightly sweet beef or pork bulgogi (grilled seasoned meat) topped with kimchi instead of salsa. Other Korean staples are also available at pocket-friendly price tags. Rotating craft beers both on tap and by the bottle include Brew Dog, Evil Twin and Stone. Do try their self-made beers, Asoke Pale Ale and Chao Phraya Stout, too.
37 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 092-251-8661. MRT Phetchaburi. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight
Craft
The semi-outdoor stall exclusively sells craft beers, with 20 labels on tap rotating monthly and 50 bottled varieties. Expect familiar names like Deschutes, Rogue and Anderson Valley, with a particular focus on hoppy, high-alcohol-content IPAs. One of our picks, The Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose (starting at B260 per glass), is made from an ancient German recipe and has a unique salty-grapefruit like flavor. There’s also a second branch on Silom next to Whisgars Silom.
16 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-661-3220. Open daily 2pm-12am. BTS Asoke
G/F, Holiday Inn Silom, 981 Silom Rd. Open daily noon-midnight
Dok Kaew House Bar NEW!
Taking over an 80-year-old, two-story house out the back of Phaya Thai, Dok Kaew House Bar () not only boasts arguably the best selection of local craft brews this side of town, but also some excellent Thai food—to go with a few creepy claims that the house is haunted. Pick from an ever-rotating list of beers like Taopiphop Ale Project’s Hurtster Saison (B180), Yodbeer’s Bearnana Wit (B180) and Outlaw Brewing’s Outlaw Mosaic IPA (B180). Fiery food faves include leng (pork bone served with spicy soup, B130) and sai yaang (grilled pig’s intestines, B100) served with a tamarind-heavy jaew sauce.
71 Rama 6 Soi 28, 096-886-4101. Open daily daily 5pm-midnight
Golden Coins NEW!
Local brewer Pipatnapon “Piek” Pumpo runs this six-tap craft beer bar that exclusively serves strains of Piek’s own Golden Coins beer. The bare-brick space in Ekamai Mall also dishes out some perfect drinking food: pulled pork burgers, fish and chips and pork knuckle. Piek launched Golden Coins back in 2011, making it one of Bangkok’s original craft beers. Unlike some of the expat beer bars around town, this one pulls in a big local crowd.
Ekamai Mall, Ekkamai Soi 10, 082-675-9673. Open daily 5pm-midnight
Hair of the Dog
After great success at its first home in Phloen Chit, the asylum-themed bar opened its second spot in Phrom Phong in 2016. It stays true to the original’s dark, mysterious atmosphere like something from a horror film, though there’s one difference here: they sell plenty of bottles. On top of 13 rotating taps, they stock up to 200 labels of craft beer from around the world, priced from B150-1,400 and you get 20 percent off of your first bottle you buy to take home.
2/F, Mahatun Plaza, 888/26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-7589. Open daily 5pm-midnight. BTS Phloen Chit
593/27 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 02-258-1461. Open daily 5pm-midnight
HOBs
Bangkok’s very first beer-centric bar seems to open new branches every other month. Our favorite is probably on the second floor of the Rain Hill community mall on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 47. With every outlet sporting its own unique concept, the HOBs here is decked out to have the look and feel of a train station. Expect all the classic beers on tap, with a few added bottles, including a number of craft beers.
Rain Hill, Sukhumvit Soi 47, 02-261-7739. Open daily 11-1am
Aree Garden, 62 Rama 6 Soi 30, 02-617-1600
La Villa Aree, 356 Phahon Yothin Rd., 02-613-0572
Int Rama 3, 982 Rama 3 Rd., 02-682-6400
522/3 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-392-3513
Nawamin Festival Walk, 297 Prasertmanukrit Rd., 02-907-0934-5
I Hate Pigeons
Run by two former members of the Spicy Disc band The Messenger, the bizarrely named I Hate Pigeons brings the craft beer craze to this expat-heavy Sathorn Soi 1 neighborhood amid an easygoing-yet-cool dive bar atmosphere. Here, they categorize brews according to mouthfeel, especially helpful for those new to the craft beer game. Hoppy picks include Lervig’s Hoppy Joe (B265) and Brewdog’s Punk IPA (B265), while full-bodied brews span Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale (B265) to Lervig Konrads Stout (B295).
34/2 Sathorn Soi 1 (Sribumphen), 097-234-8067. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-1am
Let the Girl Kill NEW!
Some good news for those mourning the loss of Let the Boy Die. One of the original partners at the Old Town haunt has teamed up with some friends to transform a Charoenkrung shophouse into a similarly hyperlocal craft beer bar. In fact, the six partners at Let the Girl Kill are behind some of the city’s most buzzing craft breweries in town: Mickleheim, Serious Panda, The Circus, War Hops, Goose Beer and Beer Kaab. The eight taps rotate regularly in order to showcase new names on the market. Prices are dirt-cheap, too: Goose Beer at B160/bottle or B180/pint or Circus’s India Pale Weizen at B180/bottle or B200/pint. They also sell a delicious root beer (B100/bottle) from RITS, and bar snacks like fried shrimp wontons (B140).
747 Charoenkrung Rd., 080-599-6177. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight
Mash NEW!
Silom’s Soi Convent finally has the chilled-out craft beer bar it has been waiting for. Sixteen rotating taps store both Thai and international craft beers at Mash, including the must-try Devanom (brewed by the Ungsriwong brothers who also own Thailand’s first ever hops farm, B210). Burgers, barbecue and bar grub fill the menu, as designed by the CIA grad owners. Don't miss the American burger (B295), a thick brioche bun with a juicy freshly-ground 150g patty, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon.
Soi Convent, 089-692-5666. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight. BTS Sala Daeng
Mikkeller
This microbrewery originated in Denmark and is renowned as one of the world’s first “gypsy” microbrewers, which means they produce unique beers around the world in other people’s breweries. Now located in a spacey house with garden in Ekkamai Soi 10, they are recognized for their experimental approach, limited batches and for challenging expectations.
26 Ekkamai Soi 10, 02-381-9891. Open daily 5pm-midnight
O’Glee
Situated on Ari Soi 1, this is not your average Irish bar. The decor is rustic enough, with a few industrial twists in the form of nicely-designed steel and wood table sets, but the beer selection is quite possibly the best this side of town. Highlight bottles including Mikkeller’s Not Just Another Wit (B305/330ml) and Hoppy Joe amber ale (B245/330ml).
Ari Soi 1, 02-619-5354. Open daily 5:30pm-midnight. BTS Ari
Pijiu Bar NEW!
All dark woods, vintage signage and spare lighting, this Chinatown beer bar swings to the sounds of upbeat piano jazz while pouring craft beers like Los Locos Mexican lager and Tuatara Weiz Guy Hefeweizen at some of the best prices in town. In thr fridge you'll find beers from the top local craft brewers like Happy New Beer. Line your stomach with Chinese cold-cut platters, Sichuan chicken knuckles and dried goat meat.
16 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight
Sugar House Cafe
This earthy cafe-cum-bar in Ladphrao goes for a bit of everything, thanks to six owners with backgrounds as diverse as patisserie chef, architect and beer brewer. Local craft beers are the real highlight. One of the partners is behind Jo+ Beer, a Chiang Khan-based brewer. But now you don’t need to travel all the way to Northeastern Thailand, as Jo+ Beer can be found on four out of the six taps: Wheat 90 hitz (B160), Chocolate Stout (B160), Smells like IPA (B180) and Amber Ale (B160). Other options sometimes include Outlaw’s Blondie pale ale (B160) and Happy New Beer’s Hardcore IPA (B180). There's also Asahi on tap, along with imported bottles like Hoegaarden, Hitachino, Corona and Kirin (from B80).
298/2 Lad Phrao Soi 101, 095-789-6593. Open daily midday-midnight
Taproom NEW!
Located amid the greenery of Sukhumvit Soi 26, Taproom's selling point comes in the form of 26 rotating taps pouring premium brews from around the world. That means names like BrewDog, Stone, Coronado, Bear Republic, Hitachino, Flying Dog, EvilTwin, Heretic and Speakeasy. Every time a keg finishes (almost everyday), you can expect something new to be hooked up to the tap. The environment is friendly, weekdays see live acoustic bands take the stage, and come the weekend the place kicks into party atmosphere with DJs. There's another branch in Ari, too.
51 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 087-460-2626. Open daily 5pm-midnight
Casa Lapin, Noble Reform Condo, 2/9 Phahon Yothin Soi 7, 02-116-3308
Where Do We Go
This oddly named bar brings craft brews to the trending streets of Ladphrao. Where Do We Go is a tiny, loft-style bare cement room that’s decked out with huge wooden furniture and hanging bulbs. Four taps are available here and beers rotate after each barrel runs out, so check their Facebook page or chalkboard on every visit. On our last visit, they had Sandport Summer Pine and Happy New Beer Thai Wit on the taps.
Ladprao-Wanghin, 094-548-2326. Open daily 6pm-midnight
Wishbeer Home Bar
This giant warehouse serves a dual purpose as its owners online beer delivery website, leaving the gym-like space in the middle as a bar. With its scuffed flooring and furniture strewn about the place, the venue is as easygoing as they come, and the selection of brews is vast. Whether by bottle or draft, enjoy trending beer labels like Brewdog, Bavaria, Evil Twin, Chouffe and Vedett with a regular crowd of local hops enthusiasts.
Sukhumvit Soi 67, 02-650-2113. Open daily 8am-midnight
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