COCONUTS HOT SPOT – Bangkok is huge. So huge, in fact, that there are probably many, many neighborhoods that you haven’t had the chance to explore. While Paradise Park and Seacon Square may be reason enough to head to the Srinakarin area if you’ve never been, there’s a new reason to get out of the downtown hoods for a bit: Material Concept Bar.
Situated on the soi behind Paradise Park Mall, this new bar brings some Thong Lor flair to the outskirts of Bangkok. The design principal is centered on playing with different materials, hence the moniker, “Material Concept.” Exposed brick walls and concrete floors certainly give you the newly popularized industrial feel, but that isn’t what impresses here – it’s the attention to detail in the finishing. It’s all the small things that no one notices if they are spared but that score huge points when they are done properly. The speakers are Bose, the metal tables and chairs outside don’t feel like they’re made of tin, the leather presidential couches shows some burnishing, and the lighting fixtures certainly aren’t from IKEA.
It’s also clear that ample consideration has been given to the drinks list; as notable Belgian beers like Kwak and Vedett grace its pages. There’s also a reasonable wine special: a buy-one-get-one deal on “Everyday White” and “Everyday Red”, two pedestrian California wines, but at roughly THB1000 for two bottles you could certainly do worse than to consider it. The wine special is great, but there’s the constant reminder you’re in Thailand when you see the entire bottle selection kept standing vertically to face the harsh lighting and heat near the entrance.
Material Concept is also riding the cocktail wave, there’s a good mix of interesting cocktails like the “Better Than Sweet” and old favorites such as the good ol’ Tequila Sunrise. And these also qualify for the buy-one-get-one deal, too.
Hit up the happy hour and save that extra baht for some good food. The menu is a predictable mix of Thai and Western food with the omnipresent fusion selection uniting the two, but that doesn’t mean it’s bland. The grub here is above average and it isn’t uncommon to see them throwing something new and interesting on the specials list.
