Heartbroken? Doomed to be alone? Well, hey, the calendar may not be the boss but it’s a great day for a pity party.
St. Valentine is also the patron saint of epilepsy and beekeeping, so what does that nerd know anyway? Drown your sorrows. Maybe even meet a kindred, lonely spirit.
Can Bangkok be enjoyed single? I set out to find out.
Here, we gather some of the best bars where the drinks and honeytrap bartenders can mend your hurting heart.
OFTR Bar
Why: If you love director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya’s new film One for the Road, this is for you. He decided to bring that movie alive with a bar tie-in referencing its plot and full of heavy cinematic references to the Wong Kar Wai-produced movie stirring equal parts romance and regret.
The drinks: Each signature cocktail at OFTR has its own cameo in the 2021 film as tributes to the characters’ past romances. Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn from Backstage bar lent his expertise to design these cinematic drinks. Noona’s Tears (THB360) takes on Italian Sparkling wine Divici Prosecco blended with ST Germain elderflower liqueur while the strong yaa dong Dragon’s Dick (THB280) arrives in the most comical way: two scoops of dragon fruit and a tiny cucumber in the middle – yep, you guessed it. Our favorite, however, is New York Sour in New York City, a bourbon-based cocktail with a burst of sweetness from sour apple Pucker, mellowing eggwhite foam, and white wine. It’s also topped with a spoonful of caramelized sugar that lends a crunchy texture to sipping.
OFTR Bar. 245/11 Ground Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 31 (Sawasdee). 5pm-11pm, Tue-Sun. 02-004-2429. Reservations via Facebook.
The White House Bangkok
Why: While this is not exactly a bar, head bartender Kei Sawada is more than enough reason for anyone to spend their hard-earned baht there. For those who don’t know him, Sawada was a legendary figure from Japanese alcohol showroom and bar Salon Du Japonisant. Now, he’s teamed up with Latvian chef Aleksandrs Nasikailov for Khlong Toei’s latest fine-dining establishment The White House Bangkok where he brings his unique spin and Japanese techniques for creative cocktails – both for pairing with food (THB1,500 for eight glasses) and by the glass.
Drinks: Sawada’s cocktail creations are still classics with a twist. The only difference from his days at Salon Du Japonisant is how he blends cultural uniqueness with the power of science. Here, Sawada uses cutting-edge technology like the rotary evaporator (he claims that there are only eight places in Bangkok that use this equipment) to lend the unique flavors in his cocktails: sadashi and miso gin or wasabi whiskey sour. When asked which drinks he would recommend for those with broken hearts, Sawada laughingly replied, “F*ck Valentine,” and then mixed up something off the menu. His Bitter Negroni sees the ultra-luxury grape liquor Ruby Roman, mixed with housemade grapefruit campari, tonka bean rum, and earl gray whiskey. The drink also has chocolate crumbles to add more bitterness.
The White House. Soi Sukhumvit 16, Khlong Toei. 7pm-11pm, Tue-Sun. 097-694-9898.
Opium Bar
Why: It’s another hidden jade in historic Chinatown. Sitting above chef Pam Utarntam’s Thai-Chinese fine-dining, Opium Bar used to be her great-grandfather’s opium den and was renovated with modern charm while keeping its structure intact. Upscale as it is, you’ll find that the drinks are surprisingly affordable – at least cheaper than some of the places around Thonglor and Phrom Phong.
The drinks: Choose from a 15-page cocktail menu – yes, we counted them. On our last visit, we asked head bartender Matteo Cadeddu to make something sweet. His FF (THB360), gin-based cocktail whose appearance can dub as dessert just fine, sees gorgonzola blue cheese and the subtle sweetness from opium fig cordial and cacao nibs. To add the final touch to the drink, Cadeddu puts the glass inside the smoker box for a distinct aroma.
Opium Bar. 422, Soi Vanich 1, Samphanthawong. 5pm-midnight, Wed-Sun. 082-979-3950
Asia Today
Why: Though the place is a little cramped and tucked away in one of those sub-sois in Soi Nana, this Chinatown bar is exquisitely charming with its unique creative spin on Thai local ingredients. Head there and sit at the stools at the side of the bar for more privacy. The founder, Nicks Anuman-Rajadhon, also made a cameo of Netflix’s latest series Midnight Asia.
The drinks: This month’s special cocktails (THB440) are all about wild honey. We tried the Eastern Honey, made with a mix of gin and wild honey and citrus, which arrived in a yellow cup made from beeswax. Kiattikoon “Toon” Auengkum, head bartender of Asia Today, is also more than happy to customize your drinks based on how broken you are, too.
Asia Today, 35 Soi Maitri Chit. 6pm-11pm, Tue-Sun. 097-134-4704. (ATK Testing required, THB100.)
008 Bar
Why: This Thonglor speakeasy is every boy’s dream lounge. It’s pricey, sure, but 008 Bar also has one of the most nuanced cocktails in town, which guarantee to make your mouth sing – and scream when the bill arrives.
The drinks: The mysterious location needs mysterious concept drinks. On our last visit, they were all about Sherlock Holmes. We tried A Study in Scarlet (THB420), a fancy vodka-based cocktail with maraschino liqueur, grenadine syrup, and a slice of peach. We also love 7th of July (THB420), a mix Scotch whiskey, French herbal liqueur, and lady gray tea, topped with a chocolate bar for more depth of flavor in every sip you take
008 Bar. 11/F, Akyra Hotel, Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor). 6pm-11pm daily. 02-392-8959.
Find the Locker Room
Why: Do you need somewhere to cry where no one will see you? Then this Thonglor speakeasy bar is a perfect spot. True, it’s not hidden or private anymore, but the bartenders there are very attentive and are willing to lend their ears to all of your past fiery passions.
Drinks: How do you move on after a bad ending? This bar has the right glass for you. The Happy Endings (THB430) is a fresh take on the rum-based El Presidente, featuring blueberry wine jam, Frangelico, creme brulee syrup, and Greek Yogurt.
Find The Locker Room, 406 Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor). 5pm-11pm daily. 098-287-1898
