Viva Aviv

For dads who: Are retired seafarers who don’t eat much.
The scene: With a cool river breeze and a pirate-themed interior, this is a place for dads who haven’t lost touch with their inner child and still read comic books. Aside from the gimmicks, you can expect stiff cocktails by the Flow team from Hyde & Seek.
The food: Try their recommended Four Cheesons pizza (B225). It’s not a big meal place but there are some very manly options like A Knife, A Fork, A Plate Full of Pork (pork rillette, wild boar pâté, grain mustard and bread, B180) and beef & bleu pizza (sliced fillet, bleu cheese, and demi glacé on semolina crust with béchamel, B225)
The drink: Try the Piña Colasi (Appleton Jamaican rum, fresh pineapple, orange and black pepper syrup, citrus and fresh young coconut foam B250). Want to get dad super drunk for less? Show up early for their special price happy hour (4-8pm) on wine (B199) and cocktails (B199).
B/F, River City Shopping Complex, 23 Yotha Rd., 02-639-6305. Open daily 11am-11pm

Viu

For dads who: Like to be seen and have deep pockets.
The scene: The impressive views over Bangkok and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club are sure to impress Dad (and hopefully inspire him to pick up the check). Lots of red and cream leather couches, dark wood and ceiling beams, but the terrace zone is slightly more laid back with wicker chairs and leather cushions. Book in advance.
The food: Get deep with your dad over a Seafood Plateau (a traditional seafood tower of oysters, crab, lobster, and more, B2,800 for two) or something more macho like BBQ pork ribs with mashed potato and gravy (B420).
The drinks: Of course, you should have the St. Regis’ take on the Bloody Mary: the Siam Mary comes with ingredients like lemongrass and chili (B290).
12/F, St. Regis Hotel Bangkok, 159 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-207-7777. Open daily 6am-11am, 12pm-4pm, and 6pm-11pm (last order 10.30pm)

New York Steakhouse

For dads who: Do Frank Sinatra on karaoke and are very serious.
The scene: A Rat Pack-esque steakhouse, with its oversized, dark leather chairs and heavy-duty wooden tables. The knives look like hacksaws and the ubiquitous bull heads just can’t be more masculine.
The food: Certified, U.S. Angus beef steak served by USDA cuts. Get the juicy NY strip loin (B2,350/16oz), served on an old-school platter.
The drinks: Wash it all down with a nice, tannic bottle of Chateau Clerc Milon (B12,000) or if you’re feeling cheap, Robert Mondavi (B4,900) is also recommended. But if Dad watches Mad Men, he knows to stick to martinis (B199).
2/F, JW Marriott Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700. Open daily 6-11pm

Tenkaichi Yakiton Yakitori Nagiya

For dads who: Like to tell off-color jokes over sake shots and want to be your buddy.
The scene: Lanterns hanging from ropes, Japanese kitsch plastered all over the wooden bar/kitchen, thunderous bellows from the all-male kitchen as patrons come and go, steam rising from the yakitori grill. The izakaya (tavern) mood is perfect for you and Dad to wrap your ties around your heads and get pass-out drunk.
The food: Go for the signature dish, nabe, a hot pot that comes with a variety of ingredients, such as our favorite, the motsunabe (B680 for two, B1,360 for four), which is made of wagyu beef offal. There’s also the tasty oroshi harami niniku nose (tender beef with white radish and garlic, B80) or yakitoshi (skewered, grilled meats, mostly B30 a piece).
The drinks: Everything here goes great with drinks so order pints of draft Asahi or cups of shochu (the menu has two pages of the Japanese liquor by the glass, B200-320, and some B1,200 bottles, too).
Nihonmachi 105, 115 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-2790. Open 5pm-midnight

Tawandang Brewhouse

For dads who: Embarrass you at parties and get bored easily.
The scene: A simple combination of beer, food, and lots of bawdy entertainment. The vibe here is laid-back with king-sized oak barrel seats and luk thung tunes that’ll have you both singing along by the end of the night. It is also packed with comedy shows, live bands and nightly cabaret.
The food: Get meaty, greasy, manly dishes like the pork knuckle (B380) and pla krapong tod numpla (deep fried seabass with fish sauce B380).
The drinks: You can’t miss the giant beer barrel shaped dome of this longtime favorite. Three kinds of beer are brewed onsite—weizen, lager, and dunkel (B95 baht for a small, B520 for 2 liters, and 780 for a tower).
462/61 Rama 3 Rd., 02-678-1114-6. Open daily 5pm-1am. www.tawandang.co.th

Yim Yim

For dads who: Like to talk about their father’s father (and Chinese work ethics).
The scene: A boisterous dining scene that your dad will fit right into. The decrepit décor with small and dark windows in this untidy room should be full of other half-Chinese dads on this occasion.
The food: You are bound to be a member of the Shark Fin Free Club so steer him away from this outdated broth in favor of the ham with goat skin (B200), raw fish with peanut sauce (B200 for small), and hua pla puek (fish head soup with taro B300 for small).
The drinks: Regular beers are available but just bring your own whiskey, like everyone else.
89 Yaowarat Rd., 02-224-2205. Open daily 11am-2:30pm and 5pm-11pm