The buzz: Leo Sebag (of Kad Kokoa) and his close friend Louis Calderon have opened CALM  Bar and Guinguette, a leafy, casual perfect-for-day-drinking spot in Phrom Phong just steps from Haoma. For those curious, CALM is an acronym for comme a la maison ("like home” in French).

 

The vibe: The word guinguette means a drinking spot that also serves as a restaurant and dance venue, usually found in the suburbs in France, and that’s exactly what Leo and Louis were going for. Big leafy trees, outdoor alfresco drinking area with hammocks, and cheap beers on tap—a nice contrast to Bangkok’s snobby mixology scene. A DJ booth can be found in front of the bright pink CALM sign and the pink beer van is a permanent fixture. 

 

The drinks and food: Don’t go to this place expecting top-tier mixology, but if you feel like a mixed drink, Leo created a few for cocktail lovers. Night Cap (B290) mixes pineapple rum with cold brew coffee, maple syrup, orange, and tonic, a strong, refreshing summer-in-a-glass drink. Try their version of a negroni (B280) that swaps Campari for a Nardini Bitter, making it less bitter. This may be the spot that sells the cheapest craft beer you’ll find in Bangkok, and the space is perfect for a nice, cold pint. A glass (350ml) of The People pilsner will only set you back B140, and you can grab a pint (470ml) of Brewdog Punk IPA for B350. The food menu will grow in the future, but right now you need to try their homemade fries. Yes, everyone brags about their homemade fries—but these are really special (B150). Other comfort dishes include barbecue hanger steak (B590) and a mixed platter of cheese and cold cuts (B400).

 

Why we’d come back: While the mixology culture plays an important role in Bangkok’s growing and competitive drinking scene, it’s nice to have a casual spot where you can just hang out and day-drink in the garden among the trees and good tunes. Bangkok definitely needs more casual, outdoor, day-drinking spot.