5 new bars in Bangkok offering unique twists on classic cocktails
Old favorites, new tweaks.
Brought to you by Chivas Regal Extra8 years ago
Rabbit Hole
The buzz: This speakeasy-style bar serves craft cocktails amid a hip, Thonglor vibe—ideal for a pre-dance drink.
The decor: Step inside this three-story shop-house and you’ll find a charming, dimly-lit, narrow bar with a huge rose gold booze rack behind a marble bar. With its plentiful bar seating, the first floor has all the atmosphere of a serious drinking establishment, while upstairs sees more quiet corners for group gatherings—and an extra bar, so you won’t be kept waiting too long. The slowly-changing lighting adds to the intimate mood.
The bar: Two veteran bartenders—Suwincha “Chacha” Singsuwan and Naphat “Yod” Natchachon—man the space, cranking out classic drinks with technical twists and infusions. There’s plenty of variation on the spirit shelves, with a good number of Scotch, American and Japanese whiskeys available by the glass or bottle.
Try this: The Chivas Mojito (B320) uses Chivas Regal 12 as its base instead of rum for a complex twist that’s augmented by unique honey notes.
125 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (between Thonglor soi 5 and 7), 081-822-3392. Open daily Tue-Sun 7pm-2am. Facebook: Rabbit Hole
Havana Social
The buzz: This new Soi 11 arrival is hidden away down a little alley almost opposite Above Eleven. Locate the old phonebooth
(labeled “Telefono”) and call ahead for the night’s access code.
The decor: This is Cuban pastiche done right, with shuttered windows, spare lighting and crumbling walls giving off a convincingly clandestine feel. The room is carefully decked out with mid-century bric-a-brac sourced around town, with thematic details in the form of colorful cement tiles, a faded mural and even a dangling clothes wire.
The bar: To go with the Cuban theme, rum dominates the shelves along with some other handpicked brown spirits. The cocktail list is split into two sections: classic and experimental, dubbed Pre- and Post-Revolution as well as signature Daiquiris, featuring creative flourishes courtesy of Joseph Boroski.
Try this: Aside from the crafty cocktails, here you can also enjoy rare-find bottles of Scotch like The Glenlivet 15 Years (B550) and The Glenlivet 18 Years (B750).
Sukhumvit Soi 11, call 087-066-7711 for the entrance code, Open daily 6pm-2am. Facebook: Havana Social
Teens of Thailand
The buzz: This small but stylish bar down in Chinatown is all about the drinks.
The decor: Hidden behind an ominous wooden door, this small, dimly-lit room is like something Wong Kar Wai might conjure up. Much of the shop-house’s original architecture remains, with vintage Thai furniture scattered around the place, encouraging interaction more than sticking to your seat.
The bar: Manned by Niks Anuman-Rajadhon (Vice Versa Cocktails and Drink Academy), this bar claims to be Bangkok’s first gin bar—and it shows with the vast selection of bottles. Alongside good old Beefeater 24, you’ll find bottles like the must-try Hanami gin (the house pour). Niks changes his drink list every day, which means you might also get new spirits, too.
Try this: The special Pineapple Express is a tropical drink that mixes Beefeater 24 with pineapple-lemongrass syrup, fresh lime, basil and absinthe.
76 Soi Nana, Charoen Krung Rd., 081-443- 378, Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight. Facebook: Teens of Thailand
Bricks & Bone
The buzz: Need to skip Sukhumvit sometimes? This Rama 9 bar claims to be Bangkok’s first dedicated bourbon bar and also does a solid list of BBQ dishes.
The decor: The long, narrow black box looks more like a cafe than a bar with its standard industrial decor: white-washed bricks, vintage bulbs, custom-made wood furniture and piping. The central bar shows of the extensive range of booze.
The bar: Run mainly by Nitikorn “Tao” Thanataweekool and Kanisorn “Top” Pookavanuch, bartenders from Vice Versa and the Drinks Academy, the bar focuses heavily on bourbon and plenty of rare-find bottles. Aside from the five signature cocktails based on bourbon, the bartenders also specialize in forgotten classics that are rare in Bangkok. Alternatively, you can have them up whip up something to your liking.
Try this: As this is probably the only bar in Bangkok that serves hot cocktails, make sure you try their suitably named Hot Rod, which combines Chivas Regal Extra with brown sugar, spice syrup and fresh herbs.
2 Rama 9 Soi 41, 091-040-5174, Open daily 5pm-midnight. Facebook: Bricks & Bone
Chicon
The buzz: If you’re a fan of Sathorn’s casual European-style bar Le Cafe Des Stagiaires, head up to the third floor for more proper bistro bites and even more cocktails.
The decor: The 50s modernism apparent in the wood-panelled walls and the smooth, curved lines of the chairs is muted by elegantly-dressed tables complete with stemware and tablecloths.
The bar: Not only is the food menu completely different from the first floor bar, but the restaurant also has its own petite craft cocktail-centric bar manned by Nopadon “Bom“ Thansongla (of Vice Versa fame), where customers can enjoy custom-made drinks. For those who don’t know where to start, there are also six signature cocktails based on various different spirits.
Try this: Monsieur Bom (B340) is a classic Old-Fashioned-style drink based on Chivas Regal Extra and sweetened with vermouth, port wine and a dash of bitters with torched cinnamon, anise, clove and orange peel on the side.
2/F, Le Cafe des Stagiaires, 142/21 Sathorn Soi 12, 062-445-0445. Open Tue-Sat 7-10pm. Facebook: Chicon
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