Chinatown welcomes new bar with wine focus, ‘Independence’

Bar-hopping through Chinatown has a new stop – and it specializes in wines. 

Opening in early May, Independence Bar welcomes patrons with graffiti-covered walls, easy-going vibes and well-stocked booze shelves. Forget the typical fancy cocktail bars, you’ll feel like you’re drinking in an abandoned building with graffiti-covered walls — a dark, grungy vibe with an unfinished feel.

Patrons should expect a variety of wines from traditional, natural, fortified, vermouth, and, of course, wine-based cocktails.

Ignore the snobbish wine rituals you may know. Independence Bar wants you to connect with wine without all the formality — so you don’t have to pretend to know what you’re talking about when you swirl your glasses. The menu follows the very same concept, offering a twist to the mainstream classic cocktails you already know.

Grab a Madeira Tonic (THB360), a sweet, refreshingly fizzy drink made from Portuguese fortified wine Barbeito Madeira and Thai-made floral tonic Nammon with chrysanthemum honey and orange peel — a perfect drink for a wine cocktail newbie. Another twist to the classics is the Daiquiri De Jerez (THB400), a rum-based cocktail with Equipo Navazos Fino Sherry, lime, and sugar.

There’s also the PX Americano (THB360) that replaces the usual Campari with the gently bitter aperitif Sacred Rosehip Cup Soda, mixed with Equipo Navazos Casa Del Inca PX 2015 and orange peel. They also sell bottles, starting at THB1,700 to THB2,500.

The owners are familiar faces from Asia Today, Teens of Thailand, Tax, and Black King Bar. Last week, the venue hosted guest shifts from New Delhi and Singapore.

Independence Bar is located on Maitri Chit Road a few minutes on foot from MRT Hua Lamphong. 

FIND IT:

Independence Bar
687, Maitri Chit Road, Pom Prap Sattru Pha
Opens 6pm to midnight daily

This story originally appeared in BK.