Bangkok's best small bars
The city's top 10 tiny drinking holes.
9 years ago
Junker & Bar
Mixologist Bard Passapong’s Suan Plu bar packs in a real mixed crowd. The renovated shop-house is as easy-going as they come, dominated by DIY touches, from the makeshift décor to the limited edition booze (ask for Bard’s nightly special). Try their food too, like the Australian wagyu beef burger (with tomato relish, cheddar cheese and bacon, B190).
454 Suan Plu Soi 1. 085-100-3608. Open Tue-Sun noon-midnight
Photo: Christian Hogue
Salt Smoke
The latest opening from the team behind Salt and Aree Bar is a miniscule burger and beer joint located in what used to be the owners’ clothes shop. The bare-bones space offers up a short list of burgers headed by the WTF (wagyu beef, foie gras, tomato, bacon and “homemade” sauce, B280). The place seats about 10 people, so roll up those sleeves as you knock back a bottle of Phuket Beer (B100) or Estrella (B590 for a large bottle).
Piyawan Bldg., Ari Soi 1. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight. BTS Ari
Adhere 13
While Phra Athit bars come and go, this institution just keeps on giving. With live blues and jazz belted out by energetic musicians every night, the place gets packed out early. It seats 20 but you’ll have to squeeze in tight, beer in hand.
13 Samsen Rd., Phranakorn, 09-769-4613. Open daily 6pm-midnight
Jam
This two-year-old bar makes for a hip, slightly grungy refuge in an unlikely residential setting. One of the busiest players in Bangkok’s art and culture scene, it’s forged a real community vibe through regular exhibitions, gigs, garage sales and the weekly cult movie night. Oh, and a glass of red or white wine will set you back just B90.
41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-545-1833. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight. BTS Surasak
WTF
This small venue really kick-started the city’s bar and gallery trend. Head upstairs to check out the latest exhibition, prop up the bar by ordering a bottle of Beerlao (B140) or do as the cool crowd do and stand outside in the alley, where they occasionally hold block parties, too.
7 Sukhumvit Soi 51. 02-662-6246. BTS Thong Lo
Studio Lam
The latest addition to the super-hip Sukhumvit Soi 51 (see WTF, above) airs global beats with quality drinks. Named after DJ Maft Sai’s new Zudrangma Records spin-off, the space may look fairly basic, bearing the remnants of an old Japanese restaurant that used to be there, but the star of the show is a specially designed custom tube sound system which pumps out everything
from molam to acid jazz. The bar also boasts the most exciting list of ya dong in the city.
Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661 Open Tue-Sun 6pm-1am. BTS Thong Lo
Jazz Happens
Another great place to catch live jazz, this little boutique venue is owned by one of Thailand’s most prominent pianists, Nu Vudthivichai. It showcases the skills of a wide range of performers, from contestants on The Voice to students and graduates of Silpakorn Jazz Faculty.
Phra Athit Rd., 02-282-9934. Open daily 7pm-1am
Dickinson’s Culture Café
If you still get misty-eyed about Club Culture, you’re not alone. The good news is the owners’ Dickinson’s Culture Café is still going strong in Phra Athit. Here, the focus is on dance music—from trance to tech house, with the occasional live band. Do as the tourists do and order a cocktail bucket (B350).
64 Phra Athit Rd., 089-497-8422. Open Mon-Fri noon-1am and sat-Sun 5pm-1am
Soulbar
Tucked in a small shop-house down in the old Talad Noi neighhborhood, this simple but tastefully turned out bar plays host to live soul and funk bands every Tue-Sat. If the crammed band room is too jumping for you, there’s a more laidback lounge and terrace upstairs. Drop by for the daily happy hours (6-8pm)—our pick is the Summer Beer (mint chocolate kombucha and half a
pint of draft beer, B160).
945 Charoenkrung Rd., 095-521-1541. Mon-Sat 8am-midnight
El Chiringuito
Is it a restaurant? Is it a tapas bar? No, not really. This slim shop-house in Yaowarat sometimes serves tortillas and sandwiches, sometimes hosts exhibition on its second floor, and usually-but-not-always serves up a mean gin-tonic. You’re just well advised to call ahead or visit when there’s an event. The place itself is worth the visit, all reclaimed wooden furniture and old posters, but is closed until January.
221 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd., 086-340-4791. Open Thu-Sat 6pm-midnight. MRT Hua Lamphong
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