Shoot computer-generated monsters at VR1

VR1 sits on Thonglor and lets people try their hand at the HTC Vive—a virtual reality headset that turns the room you’re in into a make-believe computer-generated space.  Plug in and try your hand at shooting games, horror simulators and culinary challenges. Though HTC Vive is the main system on offer, they do have Oculus and Playstation VR systems, too. The price is B650 for the first hour, and goes down to B550 for every hour after that. The cafe itself—white brick, fake grass terrace, Tolix chairs—dishes out fries and edamame (B100-120), beers (from B100) and soft drinks.

2/F, Aneckvanich Bldg., 154/2 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 080-288-2777. Open daily noon-midnight. BTS Thong Lo

Get lost in Mazes at Escape Hunt

As you can probably guess, Escape Hunt pits you and your friends to escape a battery of indoor mazes and puzzles. There are a total of three games on offer split over six rooms, each of similar difficulty levels but requiring different skills. The games range from Blackmail in the Bedroom (our pick), the Legend of Naga and Lost in the City of Angels. Walk-ins have a surcharge of 10 percent, so book online for discounts. Bring more people for cheaper prices, too: 2 players (B900 per person), 3 players (B800 per person), 4 players (B700 per person) and the maximum 5 players (B600 per person).

B2 Level, 399 Interchange Bldg., Sukhumvit Rd., 02-611-2828. Open daily 9:30am-8.30pm (last game at 7pm). BTS Asoke.

Watch your dog act a fool at this dog-friendly cafe

You guessed it, The Running Dog is a dog-friendly cafe (don’t actually give your dog coffee, please) in the cutest of Japanese style. Bring your four legged friend to run and play around in a garden while you eat lemon meringue tart (B150) or strawberry cheesecake (B150) with a cup of caramel macchiato (B120) blended from three different local beans.

55 Sathorn Soi 10, 02-077-6144. Open daily 7am-10pm. BTS Chong Nonsi

Break a leg at this massive trampoline park

Bounce Thailand claims to be the Asia’s biggest jumping spot at a size of 5,600 sq meters on the fifth floor of The Street Ratchada. Here you’ll find the Bounce Fit zone for exercising, Mini Bounce for kids, and the Free Jumping zone for simply having some fun on huge trampolines and practicing some pro moves. Prices start from B390 per 1 hour (B290 for kids). Minimum age allowed is three years old and maximum weight of 120kg.

5/F, The Street Ratchada, New Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-014-2446. Open daily 10am-10pm. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre

Go for a family pasta night at Jamie’s Italian

As far as Western food is concerned, Italian restaurants are basically the number-one choice for family nights out. Jamie’s Italian, the restaurant franchise of British celeb chef Jamie Oliver arrived in Bangkok at the end of 2016, and offers a range of homey, down-to-earth food ripe for easy family nights. The Bangkok branch just released a new menu to boot, focusing on local produce. Grab a slice of the Truffle shuffle pizza (B420), with salami and black truffle with white sauce, balsamic onions and a free-range egg on top of a pizza base, or sharing basket of sweet potato fries (B120), made of orange sweet potatoes. There’s stuff for munchkins, too (all B250 with a drink and salad), like margherita pizzas, baby beef burgers, fish stews.

G/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-255-5222. Open daily 11:30am-10pm. BTS National Stadium

Rain laser-death upon your enemies at Siam Laser Games

Siam Laser Games is found in the basement of Novotel Bangkok in Siam Square. At an impressive 1,300 sq meters, the center offers two different courses: Lava-Castle and Ocean-Forest. If you are going in a big group, the two courses can be connected to create one huge venue for up to 56 people. Gather your troops and join an epic battle for B250/person/game until the end of October. After that, the student price is B300/person for the first game (B500/person/2 games) and adult price B350/person/game (B600/person/2 games).  

B/F, Novotel Bangkok, Siam Square Soi 6, 02-209-8888. Open Mon-Thu noon-11pm; Fri noon-11:45pm; Sat 11am-11:45pm; Sun 11am-11pm. BTS Siam

All-new seasonal menu at Jamie’s Italian

Jamie’s Italian at Siam Discovery is kicking off the new year with a fresh and tasty start. Enjoy a whole host of delicious new dishes – from starters and pasta dishes to main courses, kids’ mains and drinks – in a Bangkok-only seasonal menu highlighting local produce.

Highlight dishes include:

Cured & crispy fish signature plank (B1,295) with specially sourced cured salmon, roasted shellfish, crab & avocado bruschetta & yuzu mayo.

Truffle shuffle pizza (B420) with salami and black truffle with white sauce, balsamic onions and a free-range egg on top of a pizza base.

Spicy eggplant and chicken peperonata pizzas (B360 each).

Super green veggie burger (B525) with chickpeas, beans and six-seeds, topped with balsamic onions, ricotta cheese.

Kids Menu (B250, includes salad and drink)

Secret Seven Gnocchi, margherita pizza, Baby Beef Burger, Fantastic Fish Stew, Five-a-Day Picnic Box and Happy Chicken Lollipops.

Start the new year well and make time to enjoy the new dishes at Jamie’s Italian on G/F, Siam Discovery. Open daily from 11:30am–10:00pm. Advance reservations are available at www.jamiesitalian.co.th or by calling 02-255-5222, or simply walk in.