The slide from trend to cliche is a subtle one, and whether or not Bangkok’s nightlife scene has had enough of gimmicky “secret bars,” people keep opening them.
Tucked past a fire exit in an upscale mixed-use project off Soi Sukhumvit 39, Bar 335 serves sleek and competent cocktails that aim at innovation but may appeal most to those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
Created by sole proprietor Throntan “Pae” Siriwittayacharoen, formerly found behind the bars at Thonglor joints – Thaipioka and Liberation – the bar’s hope rests on word of mouth, as there’s neither sign nor apparent marketing effort.
Named after Pae’s favorite Larry Carlton song, Room 335, Bar 335 kinda popped out of nowhere recently inside a minimally lit space just past an escalator on the ground floor of Metropole 39. Minimalism of the Japanese variety, Pae says, drove the concept which best suits his lifestyle and personality.
“Less is more. That’s just it” Pae said, succinctly.
Signature cocktails are twists on the classics under occasional rotation depending upon Pae’s whim.
The most popular cocktail ordered by customers, according to Pae, is the New York Lemon Cream (THB360). The drink takes updates of the New York Sour by replacing bourbon whiskey with gin before adding clarified milk mixed with homemade limoncello.
The glass is topped with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, creating layers of colors between the achromatic gin lingering in the depths and the red-hued wine floating on top – a potent combination for the eye and tongue alike.
In Bangkok, we never tire of tropical summer drinks. Another star of the bar, thus, is the Late Night Coconut (THB380) which offers all the the palm fruit’s good notes – fresh, toasty, creamy and semi-sweet – thanks to rum, clarified coconut cream and coconut water.
Then there’s the Tequila Dirty Fizz (THB360), a new fix for gin fizz traditionalists which adds tequila, brine, syrup, lime, soda and herbaceous, aromatic seepweed leaves.
Other than the drinks, the venue has a DJ grooving fusion jazz, R&B, funk, soft rock and more on Fridays.
Though we are personally nostalgic for signs directing people into venues, Phrom Phong completionists or those who love riddles should give this place a once-over.
Bar 335 is located on the ground floor of the Metropole Residence on Soi Phrom Si 1, a subsoi running between sois Sukhumvit 39 and 49. It’s open 7pm to 2am every day except Sundays.
FIND IT:
Bar 335
G floor, Metropole Residence
Opens 7pm-2am, Mon-Sat
Soi Phrom Si 1, Soi Sukhumvit 39, Wattana, Bangkok
Phone: +6692 545 6419
BTS: Phrom Phong
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