A break from the high-end hotel rooftop bars, this venue has equally stunning views of the central business district but in a rough-and-ready environment. Prices are reasonable by any standard, but for a rooftop venue they’re downright cheap. While the jugs of draught Singha (B320) and Absolut vodka cocktails (starting B250) are great, the same can’t be said for the food. Give the main dishes a miss and instead opt for fried bar snacks. 

 

 

With the departure of Baan Thonglor 21, cheap drinks on this street are now seriously few and far between. While a few shop-house restaurants will still sell you a B100 small bottle of Singha, Fat Gut’z is now your best bet for a comfortable, well-priced bar. The buy-one-get-one-free deal on draught Heineken runs for two hours every night (6-8pm), cutting the price per 280ml glass down to just B100. Not bad at all for this neighborhood. 

 

 

You don’t normally associate Ashley Sutton (Maggie Choo’s, The Iron Fairies) with cheap. But the designer’s latest venture, a Thai restaurant that’s Blade Runner meets Indiana Jones, does cocktails that exceed their B220 price tag in looks and potency. Do note, they are very fruity; try the tropical Two Smiles, a potent blend of Tres Magueyes blanco teuqila, orange liqueur, passion fruit, fresh lime juice, kaffir leaf, served in a glass rimmed with chili, sugar and salt.

 

 

A glass of red or white wine will set you back just B90 at this makeshift shop-house bar. Yes, they pour it from a foil bag and not a bottle, but at that price, we’re not complaining. Beerlao at B120 a bottle (while it lasts), a friendly crowd, some great alternative DJ acts and free film screenings make Jam a firm favorite both on weeknights and weekends.

 

 

You need to get there early, but make happy hour and this premium sake bar is comfortably the cheapest drinking spot around Phloen Chit. Until 7pm, three 150ml sake carafes will set you back just B550 (B990 after 7pm). There are deals on bites, too, but Ogu Ogu is not one for Japanese food fanatics. Those who like to raise a glass in a polished atmosphere will find much to love, though. 

 

 

This spacious dive bar could not be more different from the high-rise luxury condos and former-It-spot restaurants that surround it. Your best bet is to order a bottle. Go ghetto with 300ml of Sang Som for a measly B260––enough to see you through the evening without opening your wallet again. A soundtrack that remains firmly stuck on 90s Britpop might not suit everyone, but guarantees some good drunken singalongs.