Echoing the prohibition era of Shanghai is a new cocktail bar in Bangkok’s hip Ari neighborhood – a watering hole named Honest Mistake that’s hidden in plain sight.
How to find it? Stroll down a dimly lit alley and into a “pawn shop” where you give THB300 to a lady dressed in a qipao. She’ll hand over a key you’ll then take up a narrow set of stairs to the third floor. That’s where you’ll find this hidden, swanky bar.
Having opened its door earlier in February this year, Honest Mistake hearkens back to 1930s-1940s Shanghai. The red neon-lit bar is surrounded by plush chairs with a vintage mahjong table as the centerpiece of the room. Live music and guest DJ will play every Friday and Saturday.
Within the bar’s extensive list of drinks, the highlights are the Negroni-inspired Ang Mhor (gin, bael, Aperol, Carpano Bianco and bitters, THB340), the Peach Don’t Bluff (whisky, peach puree, peach liqueur, lime, banana and egg whites, TH360) and the Honesty (tequila Reposado, Islay whisky, chocolate, banana and bitters, THB380).
Rum enthusiasts can go for the Hor Nang Lohm (rum, Midori, pandan, coriander, coconut and lime, THB340) and Mi Mi (rum, cinnamon, mixed juice, yuzu and bitters, THB340).
Fans of chilled glasses of G&T will be happy to see the craft gin and tonic varieties offered here. The barmen use gins that are spruced up with with herbal infusions such as lotus root, roselle and tea olive. Each infused gin is paired with a different kind of tonic so that the flavors fully complement one another.
The cocktail bar is inside Aqua lifestyle shopping mall on Phahonyothin Road and can be reached by foot from either BTS Saphan Kwai or BTS Ari.
FIND IT:
Honest Mistake is at 488, Aqua Lifestyle Mall, Phahonyothin Rd, Phaya Thai, Bangkok
Open 7pm to late Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
Phone: +6662-490-5126
BTS: Saphan Kwai (or Ari)
