Phra Khanong isn’t exactly known for being the place you get dressed up to hit the wine bars, but that’s changing with Maria Bar, the neighborhood’s chic new dating and hangout spot to swirl your wine and sip cocktails (with a little bit of religion thrown into the mix).

Sure, natty wine bars have been popping up over the last few years, and a lot of them (mostly to their credit) are a lot more laid back. Here, Maria Bar gives drinkers a chance to get a little extra and exclusviely serves conventional wine.

Photo: Wine cellar / Maria Bar

The owners at Maria Bar are particularly interested in wine's connections to western culture and religion, something evident in the design: Corithian columns, pleated curtains, stone bar table tops. And, if you think that’s overkill, even their wine cellar is inspired by a confessional—forgive us, father. 

When it comes to drinks, the 2019 Château de Bel-air Lalande-de-pomerol is a medium body red wine made from a complex mix of orange peel, fruit tea, hazelnut and berries. But if you’re more for white wine, the Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Premier Cru 'Montmain' 2020 offers a glass of spicy floral flavors with zesty notes and aromatic toasted almonds.

Photo: Blessing / Maria Bar

Keeping on theme and on-the-nose, their signature cocktail Blessing is exactly that—especially with their photogenic sunset hues. This one is for those who enjoy a sweet cocktail. 

Photo: The Last Drinker / Maria Bar

The Last Drinker takes after da Vinci’s Last Supper painting, an ideal cocktail if you like something bittersweet and punchy or for when you want to betray your friends to the Romans. It’s concocted with butterfly pea infused tequila, grapefruit, zingy lemon juice, and some Himalayan black salt on the rim. 

Photo: food menu / Maria Bar

For sides to go with your bites, the crowd favorite Friend's Triple Dip consists of three types of fries and three types of in-house sauce that comes in a portion perfect for sharing. Another hearty classic is the cacio e pepe cheesy and peppery pasta featuring prosciutto chips and extra grilled peppers on the side, for that Thai style heat.

4/F, 1511/1-4, Sukhumvit Rd., Watthana, Bangkok 10110, 062-595-6417, Open Tues-Thurs 6-11:30pm; Fri-Sun 6pm-1am.