Bangkok’s bounding back to life and has new nightlife offerings to justify heading out into its resurgent traffic.
While a few bars bid farewell following months of lockdown, others are sprouting up to take their place, from mid-Sukhumvit to Lat Phrao, Khaosan, and Chinatown.
Here are a variety of places to grab a stool and try a glass of something new. Of course, current regulations say people can only drink booze until 11pm, and new places are more likely to be enforcing that.
Not for New Year’s Eve at least, when everyone (with a restaurant license) can stay open until 1am.
Bar Scofflaws
After opening Bar 335 in Phrom Phong and Tichuca Rooftop Bar in Thonglor, Thorntan “Pae” Siriwittayacharoen moved on to launch a new cocktail bar further in Ekkamai with two other friends. Inspired by the term that was coined during the Prohibition Era, the bar follows a speakeasy theme by hiding behind a wall. It rotates drinks every two month, serving signature cocktails under three concepts: Farm, Anti Classic, and Co2+.
The bar opens from 6pm daily with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mischa Cheap
Looking for an excuse to revisit the disappointingly “revamped” Khaosan Road? This indie bar by Dudesweet’s Pongsuang “Note” Kunprasop is a new draw for partygoers and music fans alike. DJs will spin Thursday, Friday and Saturday while 8pm on Wednesday is movie time. Live music and some grub will be available soon. More details are available online.
Mischa Cheap opens 4pm to 11pm every day except Monday.
OFTR Bar
Two years after opening Mutual Bar, Bad Genius director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya and friends have a new cocktail joint in Soi Sukhumvit 31 with a New York vibe and vow to “always serve a good trip.” Try signature drinks like smoked tea bourbon-based WKW, Pattaya Sour and Wrong Island Iced Tea.
OFTR Bar opens at 5pm every day.
Where Bar
Up in the Lat Phrao area is a new cocktail bar that has just opened its doors. Where Bar occupies a renovated 40-year-old building in Soi Lat Phrao 71 where bartenders shake drinks inspired by classic films, foreign cities and historic events such as Notting Hill and the Apollo 11 moon landing.
The bar opens at 6pm but is closed Monday.
Pennant Thonglor
Hidden behind wood-paneled walls beside The Strand condo, Pennant Thonglor is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night with tapas and surf n’ turf dishes all day long.
Pennant Thonglor opens at 11am daily.
Gaginang
The Chinoise theme trend continues at a new rooftop bar with a view of the old quarter. The kitchen also has some Chinese eats to complement the drinks.
Gaginang is open 3pm until 11pm every day except Monday and Tuesday.
Midsummer Night’s Dream
After hosting a flea market to help Bangkok’s bartenders stay afloat, this bar above the Wynn Wood Florist Studio in Thonglor serves drinks with creative twists across three floors. Musicians with pedigrees in pop, jazz, and soul perform Wednesday through Saturday.
Midsummer Night’s Dream is open 6pm until late every day.
Freaking Out the Neighborhood
Like good music? Have You Heard?, the indie promoter behind the Maho Rasop music fest, has opened a new space just off Soi Sukhumvit 36. For now, their outdoor garden hangout is hosting events involving live music, pop up markets, barbecue, and boxes of vinyl to hunt through. They’re putting the final touches on an indoor vinyl listening bar for record babies to spin right round as they sip “affordable” cocktails surrounded by a quality sound system. Expect it to open next month.
