The buzz: Ms. Jigger, the Kimpton Maa-Lai hotel’s cosmopolitan cocktail bar and restaurant, is easily found tucked within the hotel’s gleaming lobby. Fans of the hotel’s always-packed Bar Yard—plus those with a soft spot for Italian cuisine and quirky yet classy cocktails—already have this place on their shortlist.

The vibe: Step through the vanilla-colored curtains, and you’ll be greeted with debonair, wood-clad decor. The space exudes an air of exclusivity and sophistication tailor-made for a Friday night out, a la “Sex and the City.” The marble tables, white leather chairs, and hardwood floors ooze class—with a little visual warning that this place is best fit for dignified grown-ups. Lining the bar’s back shelves, or the “Spirits Library,” is a collection of bespoke, single-batch, and rare spirits, while taking center stage is a floor-to-ceiling wine cooler well-stocked with organic, biodynamic, and Italian wines. 

The food: Pretend you’re in Italy with a bruschetta starter of homemade ricotta spianata Romana (B290), toasted sourdough bread slathered with housemade ricotta cheese, spicy salami, and freshly chopped parsley. Then move on to the toothsome meatballs with spicy tomato sauce and pecorino cheese (B320) or the arancini funghi selvatici e tartufo (B390), with three crispy nibbles of risotto rice with wild mushrooms and black truffle. For pizza, opt for the hand-tossed, 24-month parma ham (B470), served with rich mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and salty slices of parma ham. Heartier dishes include the lamb rack (B720), cooked medium with an herb crust, roasted potatoes, sauteed spinach, and mustard sauce.

The drinks: The cocktail menu appears as a vintage map detailing the narrative behind each creation. The Terra Abruzzo (B340) is an aromatic blend of Alpine gin, pine liqueur, green chartreuse, rosemary, and raspberry oleo. For something light and refreshing, try the Nuitee a Paris (B370), a floral concoction of cognac, elderflower liqueur, and lemon. The Divine Proportions (B420), on the other hand, is a stronger, spruced-up Negroni mixed with Italian bitters. You can also opt for a range of classic cocktails, customarily offered either shaken (lighter, usually with citrus) or stirred (heavy on the spirits).

The crowd: Well-heeled fad-hoppers going for the ’gram, and truly cultured ladies and gents. 

Why we’d come back: Whether you want to dress up and feel fancy with your hi-so date or just have some fun at happy hour, this is the place to start your classy nocturnal escapade. Veerabhatr Sriyananda