Refreshing ingredients, modern techniques and incredible spirits to match, the cocktail bar scene in Bangkok will absolutely blow your mind. Here are seven bars that you must try when you head to this city next.
7 Bars for the Best Cocktails in Bangkok
#FindTheLockerRoom
This hidden speakeasy has just made it into Asia’s Top 100 bars this year. Debuting at No. 78, this bar is situated in the middle of a bustling street in Thong Lor. But, it is so hidden away that you actually might not find it, even if you’re using maps! So, you’ve got to do the old school thing – ask someone. Once you find it, you have to open steel gym lockers to enter the bar and it’s all upwards from there. The menu takes you through time, with dimly-lit spaces and candle light adding to the ambience. The cocktails inspired from various decades — from the ’60s to the ’90s–are sure to catch your attention.
What makes it special?
#FindTheLockerRoom is the brainchild of four prominent names in Asia’s cocktail industry — Colin Chia from Nutmeg & Clove in Singapore, Hidetsugu Ueno from Bar High Five in Tokyo, Nick Wu from East End in Taipei, and Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn from Backstage Cocktail Bar in Bangkok.
What should you order?
Everything! The drinks are a riff on the past, present and future of cocktails — each redefining some classics and some new.
Ruchira Recommends:
The Cheese Platter, Gin, Raspberry Jam, Cheese Foam, Parmesan dust and a cracker.
Good to know
Opens daily from 6pm. Reservations recommended
406 Soi Sukhumvit 55, Sukhumvit Road, Thonglor
Asia Today
Located in a dark alleyway at Yaowarat, China Town, Asia Today is a tiny bar with a missable logo. But, don’t! A look inside the quaint bar showcases a post modernesque vibe that promises you a good time. Currently at No. 68 on Asia’s Top 100 bars, you’ll see a shark’s dummy hanging from the ceiling and a sign that says, “This Bar is Better than Teens of Thailand” — a tongue-in-cheek reference to their sister bar, Teens of Thailand, across the road. Don’t forget to chat up with the bartenders to get to know all the fabulous ingredients that go into their drinks. Get a sneak peek into their museum-like first floor that houses some intense shrubs, brines and other ingredients that feature in the cocktails.
What makes it special?
The bar focuses on creating cocktails with lesser-known ingredients from Thailand, and 13 variants of honey that have been sourced from different parts of the country. The best part? You can even buy the honey from the honey library!
What should you order?
The Pickled Elephant Garlic is a savoury cocktail that has a lovely kick from the brine of a pickled garlic.
Ruchira Recommends:
Eastern Honey Bee. This gin-based cocktail comprises of wild Apis cerana honey, lime, and wild honey foam — all served in a beeswax mug.
Good to know
Opens daily from 07:00 pm to midnight; weekends: 07:00 pm to 1:00 am
35 soi Rammaitree, Rama IV road, Pom Prab
Opium Bar
Named as the Best New Bar of 2022 and No. 59 on Asia’s Top 50 Bars for 2023, Opium has a cult following. Situated above Chef Pam’s POTONG, a Thai-Chinese fine-dining restaurant in China Town, this bar draws inspiration from an opium smoking den with vintage decor and some contemporary touches. Don’t be deterred by the super narrow lift that goes up and down at snail’s pace. Instead, go to the 4th and 5th floors to get a feel of how fantastic this bar is.
What makes it special?
Opium is a cross between an elegant New York Bar with the spirit of a late night hangout of China Town. With a 17-page menu and 100 cocktails to choose from, Liquid Surreality, the bar program, will suprise you with its theatrics and thought that has gone into creating this fantastic space.
What should you order?
If you’re going with a larger group of four to five people, try their bottled cocktails served in a porthole diffuser. These offerings come in a wide variety of ingredients and flavours to suit your taste.
Ruchira Recommends:
Each cocktail is better than the previous one! But if you’re here for just one cocktail, try the Kaminari Zoku — a whisky, sake, truffle oil, amaretto, and smoke drink.
Good to know
Opens daily at 05:00 pm
422 Vanich Rd. Samphanthawong
BKK Social Club
In late 2021, just as Bangkok nightlife version 2.O was emerging, BKK Social Club saw its relaunch. Set in the uber luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, BKK Social Club is helmed by industry veteran Philip Bischoff and currently sits as No. 3 in Best Bars in the World list. Opulent chandeliers, bespoke ingredients and expensive cigars set the tone, while the bar back showcases some of the world’s best alcohol. But what sets this bar apart are the cocktails. Whether it’s familiar classic cocktails such as the Pina Colada and the Negroni, or the signature version that Bischoff and his team create effortlessly, every drop is a masterpiece.
What makes it special?
Inspired by the glitz and glamour of the 1900s in Latin American–think Evita and Great Gatsby–this bar is hedonistic and OTT like no other.
What should you order?
The game-changing Latin America-inspired bar snacks, including the Iberico Pluma Asado, pork skewer elevated by black Iberico pork and peppery Spanish garlic sauce mojo rosso, and the baked puff BBQ pork empanadas.
Ruchira Recommends:
La Pampa, that is, gin, eucalyptus honey, and citrus. It will blow your mind!
Good to know
Opens daily at 05:00 pm
300, 1 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon
Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar
Inside the nose-to-tail restaurant 100 Mahaseth is a hideaway stairway that leads you to an inconspicuous door guarded by a two-headed tiger in neon lights. Welcome to Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, Bangkok’s latest bar that’s debuted at No.22 on Asia’s Top 50 Bars. This speakeasy proudly boasts of cocktails that are root-to-leaf and have a story to tell. Peppered with eclectic Thai signs reminiscent of the late ’70s, this bar is not only ingredient proud, but also ingredient forward. With cosy living room-like interiors and a bar seating which allows you to chat and see all the fun mixing, Mahaniyom is THE place to go on your next visit to Bangkok.
What makes it special?
Each drink is made with a single ingredient. There’s pineapple, coconut, squid, pomelo and even cow. This means that each drink uses every part of its ingredient to make build the cocktail. For example, the drink named Pineapple uses several parts of the fruit, including its leaf, peel and juice along with Vietnamese coriander-infused gin, vermouth, pineapple tepache, and cordial.
What should you order?
The Papaya Fries served from the restaurant downstairs. You can’t tell it apart from a regular fry — it’s that good!
Ruchira Recommends:
Pomelo — white rum infused with rice paddy, jasmine cordial, citrus oil syrup-soaked pomelo peel, pomelo juice, pomelo pulp and pomelo leaf tea. It is served with a pomelo cracker with dried chili pasted onto the side of the glass.
Good to know
Opens Tuesday to Sunday at 05:00 pm
104 Mahaseth rd., Si Phraya, Bangrak
ABar Rooftop
Even though Bangkok is peppered with rooftop bars across the city, ABar — located on the 38th floor of Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park — stands apart for housing one of the largest selections of gins in the city. Added to this are stunning aerial views of the river against the city skyline, making every minute here worthwhile. Smooth jazz and classy vibes make this a quintessential date night spot. The cocktails are so good, that you are bound to return with your crew and go wild.
What makes it special?
With over 75 craft gins to choose from, you’re in for treat! The gins span from distilleries from Australia, Spain, Italy, India and, of course, Thailand.
What should you order?
Don’t forget to try the Spicy Tuna tacos. They are the perfect accompaniment for your cocktails.
Ruchira Recommends:
New World Mall (Gin, Blue Curacao, Yuzu, Bonito flakes) and Krung Thep (Gin, Coconut Water, Pandan, Lime, Chilli Paste)
Good to know
Opens daily at 05:00 pm to 01:00 am
199 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Klong Ton, Klong Toey
Tax
Located in Yaowarat, Tax is a speakeasy that is equal part punk and equal part fun. The menu, complete with the phrase ‘You can tax our booze, but you cannot tax our vinegars’, sets the tone and narrative of this Bangkok bar. Tired of the unfair treatment of the F&B industry as well we the Thai government’s lack of financial support, Tax defies and challenges the government by using ferments that have a higher level of spirit percentage.
What makes it special?
The sign which says ‘Nothing is certain but death and tax.’
What should you order?
Most of the cocktails are made with ferments and vinegars, but still have kick like no other.
Ruchira Recommends:
Issan Coco. For this drink, a tender coconut is cracked open infront of you, with Thai rum and delicious vinegar completing the creation.
Good to know
Opens daily at 07:00 pm
695-697 Maitri Chit Rd, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Featured/Hero image: Louis Hansel/ Unsplash
Related: The Best Night Markets In Bangkok For Those Late Night Cravings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Which part of Bangkok is famous for its nightlife?
Answer: Khao San Road is widely credited as the most popular areas in Bangkok for its nightlife. Fondly called the party street, this area attracts locals and tourists alike. Head here for streets lined with bars, great drinks, live music, and more.
Question: Which area in Bangkok is famous for clubbing?
Answer: While Khao San boasts of countless party destinations, RCA (Royal City Avenue) is a clubbing hotspot in Bangkok.
