Cosmic Café

RCA Block C, Rama 9 Rd., 081-304-6907 Open daily 7:30pm-2am. www.facebook.com/cosmiccafe.bk
It’s kind of grungy but we still love Cosmic Cafe for its unerring commitment to live music. The line-up is fresh and new, ranging from acts by the young indie record labels Parinam Music and Lemon Factory which are featured in the weekly event, Outside-In, live every Friday. Their regular live bands cover post-rock, britpop and more.

Parking Toys

Ramindra Soi 14, Kasetnawamind Rd., 02-907-2228. Open daily 6pm-2am. www.facebook.com/groups/parkingtoys
Don’t be put off by this place’s inconvenient location—it might be on the outskirts of Bangkok but Parking Toys is well worth the drive, thanks to its nightly line up of great live music. It draws in diverse crowds from Fat Radio DJs to neighborhood music aficionados drawn by the eclectic musical styles on offer, ranging from electronic to rockabilly and jazz. And you don’t have to worry about dressing up because no one here really cares.

Club Culture

Ratchadamnoen Klang Rd., 08-9497-8422. Open Fri-Sat 7pm-2am. www.club-culture-bkk.com
Club Culture continues its worthy ambition of offering a platform for the most exciting local acts and some truly cutting edge international indie music. Since its move from Sri Ayutthaya, it is now set in a crumbling four story shophouse that’s all heroin chic: bare concrete beams and creaking stairs. The club regularly hosts the popular Popscene Indie Night by the Thai-British band The Standards that plays alongside lots of local indie groups.

Motorcycle Emptiness Bar

Ramkhamhaeng Soi 39, Town in Town Rd., 089-780-9946. Open Mon-Thu 8pm-12:45am, Fri-Sat 8pm-2am. www.facebook.com/motorcycle.emptiness.bar
Also far from the center of town, this grungy bar is set in a former motorcycle repair garage and takes its name from a Manic Street Preachers song. It’s the go-to joint for live music enthusiasts as they feature bands from indie record labels, many of whom are still working on their debut albums. Their six night line-up can range from indie pioneers like Stylish Nonsense or Day Tripper (now Ooh & The Ballyhoo) and inter guests like Pussy & The Learjets.

Stu-fe

33/1 Soi Farm Wattana, Rama 4 Rd., 02-712-0375. Open daily 5pm-1am. www.facebook.com/mystufe
The brainchild of indie pop band Monotone, Stu-fe was one of the city’s first bar-slash-restaurants set in a vintage house. Apart from the ultra chill vibe and yummy food, this place scores big in terms of the music, which leans heavily towards Brit pop and indie. If you’re lucky, you might get to hear the members of Monotone and friends crank out some hits, and Stu-fe also doubles as a home base for today’s artists like ukulele king Singto Numchok.

Fish

3/F, Cosmic Café, RCA Block C, Rama 9 Rd., Open daily 7:30pm-2am. www.facebook.com/cosmiccafe.bk
If DJs and turntables interest you more, just climb up to the third floor of Cosmic Cafe. Fish is now very popular for the diversity of its electronic spins. Expect parties from favorite organizers like Club Soma, Dudesweet and Trasher, plus other theme nights like dubstep from Jiving Tribe, indie rock from DJ Tul Apartmentkhunpa and monthly hip hop from Japanese DJ Toru.

Nospace Gallery

21/108, RCA Block D, 084-134-1184. www.nospacebkk.com. Open for exhibitions on Wed-Sun 11am-7pm, the bar is open Wed-Sun 11-1am
Apart from dedicating its white room wall to progressive art exhibitions, Nospace Gallery also hosts regular music events. Truly extending the musical experience, their guests feature noise makers and other experimental musicians, a rare sights in our fair city. The bands vary: Jin Matuthamtada, Space 360, Noah’s Tape and even Malaysian group, Free Deserters.

WTF

7 Sukhumvit Soi 51. 02-662-6246. Open daily from 6pm-1am. www.facebook.com/wtf.bangkok
This warm, European-style café serves solid cocktails and plays host to good DJs. This year their indie cachet went up leaps and bounds when they brought the Brooklyn trio Vivian Girls and followed that packed show with British indie Justin Grounds soon after. Not to mention their hipster next-door neighbor DJ Maft Sai who throws his popular molam night Isaan Dancehall here. They are also the home of the very popular Bangkok Poetry Night. Stay up to date with their fast-changing line-ups at www.wtfbangkok.com