17 places 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.
8 years ago
See also: Where to drink Thai craft beers in Bangkok
Hair of the Dog
The latest serious beer bar in town sits in a tiny concrete room with surgical lighting and hospital beds that double as tables. The 13 beers on tap rotate regularly, but right now you can find Amager Shadow Pictures Double IPA, Modern Times Fortunate Island Wheat, De Molen Hel & Verdoemenis Stout and Modern Times Blazing World Amber Ale. Prices range from B220-430.
2/F, Mahatun Plaza, 888/26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-7589. Open daily 5pm-midnight. BTS Phloen Chit
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 now also a second, bigger branch at 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
Wishbeer Home Bar
After turning off the taps right at the end of last year, the craft beer-focused Wishbeer Home Bar has already found a new, bigger and more relaxing home, just a few steps from the original venue. The new space at the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 67 serves a dual purpose as an office and warehouse for the 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 somehow seems even less permanent than the last one, but it also packs a lot of raw character. Like before, you can expect a large range of brews on tap and by the bottle, including names like Brewdog, Bavaria, Evil Twin, Chouffe and Vedett.
Sukhumvit Soi 67, 02-650-2113. Open daily 5pm-1am
The Beer Cap
The original Beer Cap took over Cosmic Cafe’s spot on RCA, added craft beer to the live music, and then closed way, way too quickly. But now it's reopened in Thonglor—familiar territory for owner Chris Foo, the Bangkok beer mogul who's also behind Seen Space's Brew Beer & Ciders. Joining The Commons community mall, mark 2 of the bar has the same signature long bar covered with beer caps, but the brew selection is quite different. Unlike Brew's exhaustive range, 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).
355 Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2517
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
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
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
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
Brew, Beer & Cider
This Thonglor institution is a real haven for beer lovers, offering a staggering 400 imported labels at any given time, including 10 different draughts. The decor looks like a contemporary version of a western saloon, with upturned giant casks for tables as well as a few booths. We also like the laab tod (see here), which pairs along really well with any kind of booze you order. Branches at Asiatique and Sukhumvit Soi 11, too.
G/F, Seen Space, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2366
Let the Boy Die
The crumbling walls, hanging plants and warm lighting gives this shop-house bar a charming and homey vibe, perfect for a casual night out for some local brew amid a mix of indie-pop and live three-piece jazz. Here, you'll find a small selection of Thai-made home-brews on tap such as X Beer Sean Suk IPA, Triple Pearl white pearl alongside the owner's own brew Golden Coins. The drinking food is pretty hearty, so expect dishes like the Californian-inspired Dead Boy beef burger, which comes with blue cheese, mushroom, carrot and cabbage slaw and spicy mayo.
542 Luang Rd., 096-695-6281, 082-675-9673
I Hate Pigeons
Finally, a Sathorn Soi 1 bar with a bit of taste. 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 neighborhood amid an easygoing-yet-cool dive bar atmosphere. The bottles come from the city's familiar importers. Check the chalkboard above the bar for what’s in stock. 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
Changwon Express
Craft beer enthusiast Ted Ahn pairs craft beer with Korean food at his new restaurant and bar, Changwon Express, 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. Watch their Facebook for monthly beer pairing/tasting events.
37 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 092-251-8661. MRT Phetchaburi
Beer Belly
Probably 72 Courtyard's most easygoing opening, Beer Belly 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
Bottles of Beer
This friendly bottle shop-cum-bar has one of the best craft beer selections in Bangkok, at some of the best prices. The Singaporean owner wanted to create a place where people can feel comfortable just rocking up, pulling a few bottles from the fridge and kicking back. The beers come from all corners of the globe, from Japan's Hitachino to rarer finds like California's Heretic and Australia's Holgate, to name just a few. The best part? If you buy six bottles you get wholesale prices, which most often sit at B150-200—that's a steal compared to most bars in town. Adding to the community vibe, right outside you'll find street vendors whipping up a variety of Thai and Malaysian street food.
Sukhumvit Soi 34, 02-040-0473
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
Craft n' Roll
Craft n’ Roll began as a lifestyle website featuring stories about cute cafes, crafty local brands and beer. Then they developed their own weekend festival in Kanchanaburi featuring a long list of local brewers including My Beer Friend and Chit Beer. Now, the same team has found a permanent spot by the Chao Phraya River (where To-Sit Pier 92 used to be) to pour craft brews on tap alongside burgers in the cafe zone, as well as handmade products in shop zone. There are 10 taps on offer at the huge industrial, bare cement bar. Recent arrivals include Hardcore Apple Cider and Gateway IPA from Outlaw Brewing, Weizen Bock from Triple Pearl, Sauvignon Blanc Ale from Devanom Beer, Summer from Sandport, Oak aged ale and Raisa amber ale from Blaney’s, Taopiphop’s ale project, X Beer pale ale and White IPA from Happy New Beer.
113 Charansanitwong Soi 92, 098-260-9292
Where Do We Go
This oddly named bar is kind of like the younger brother of Craft n’ Roll. Its founders are part of the same team, but have switched from the riverside 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 their first week of opening, they had Sandport Summer Pine and Happy New Beer Thai Wit on the taps.
Ladprao-Wanghin, 094-548-2326
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