Bangkok bars and pubs guide
Bars in Bangkok are numerous, for the local like to relax over a beer or bottle of whisky just as much as tourists and expats. The city has loads of choices; upmarket pubs, outdoor Thai venues with live music, trendy lounge places and of course the go-go variety that are confined to some areas. In all of them you’ll find good value.
Bangkok bars are typically atmospheric and scattered all over the city centre, though the most popular with foreigners are confined to areas such as Sukhumvit road, the Silom area and the Khao San road.
For a complete run down on Bangkok nightlife, we have a separate page. There are plenty of places to mingle with Thais and meet locals, or exclusive places with drinks prices in the same league as a big European city, keeping the ‘riff-raff’ out. Generally in Bangkok the bars and pubs near the Sukhumvit area are likely to have more facilities and better service but cost a lot more, while some dives off the Khao San road are atmospheric but strictly for the bohemian crowd.
Whether you seek Bangkok bars full of girlies, or a place for some traditional English pub grub, there is something for everyone. The range is excellent and clusters of places make it easy to stumble from one to another. In some places you might feel in another world, while others will make you feel like you’ve never left home.
Go Go bars
When talking about Bangkok bars we shouldn’t neglect the many go go bars that make the city famous and are an attraction in themselves. These tend to be clustered in certain areas, some of which can appear quite sleazy and in your face. Their sole purpose is to hook you up with a ‘bar girl’ for the evening and you will be faced with a troupe of forward, sexily dressed girls the moment you walk in, and hustled to buy a drink almost immediately. Drinks aren’t a bargain in these places and it won’t be long before one of these girls has sat herself down next to you and asked for a drink. Either you can oblige and make a new friend, pass her up in favour of another you have your eye on, or tell them you’re not interested, in which case they soon leave you alone. Read more on go go bars.
Can you bring girls back to your hotel?
Some hotels don't mind you bringing bar girls back to your room as long as you are discreet, while other forbid it or will try to charge you extra. To save you the embarrassment we've enquired with all of them and listed those that are suitable for bachelors, see the list, rates and booking here (opens in a new window)
Updated: January 2010
Bangkok bars in the Sukhumvit area
Gullivers: huge, air conditioned bar with a large range of reasonably priced drinks and good western food too. Great for watching sport on the big screen. Sukhumvit Soi 5 (Nana BTS) and Khao San Road - at the end where the temple is. Lots of freely available ‘company’ but discretely behaved.
Sukhumvit branch: 6 Sukhumvit Soi 5, Wattana, (02) 655 5340-2. Khaosan Road branch: 2/2 Khaosan Rd, Taladyod, Phranakorn, (02) 629 1988.
The Bulls’s Head: very authentic British style pub, with real ale and Guinness on tap. ask for the congenial much loved manager Billy, and score 50% discount deals on Sunday evening;s ‘Toss the Boss’. 595/10-11 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, Klongton, (02) 259 4444.
The Cat House: located inside the Nana Plaza, which may put some people off, but this non-go go bar has a happy hour from 7pm until 9pm in which you can drink as much beer as you like for 250 baht.Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana BTS station).
The Bus Stop Bar: a good escape from the chaos of the nearby Nana Plaza, this ‘clean’ bar has a large open-air seating area and a good mix of Thai and expat customers. Sukhumvit Soi 4, Just up the road from Nana Plaza (Nana BTS station).
Cheap Charlies: as the name suggests, the main selling point of this place is the cheap beer! Little more than a wooden bar on the Soi with tables and chairs in front of it, this place gets surprisingly busy. Sukhumvit Soi 11, closed Sundays (Nana BTS station). 1 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit Rd., Klongtoey.
The Dubliner: lively, bustling Irish style pub with regular live music. Expat crowd, not the kind of place for a quiet drink but great for a dance and a few pints of Guinness. 440 Sukhumvit Rd., (Washington Square, Soi 22), (02) 204 1841-2.
Titanium Vodka Bar: cool vodka bar - literally! Features a room with sub-zero temperatures in which shots of Russian vodka are sold and knocked back very quickly before returning to the relative warmth of the air con in the main bar. Sukhumvit Soi 22, (Phrom Phong BTS station, (02) 258 3758.
Old Skool: Playing the hottest tunes from the 80s, 90s and 2000, Old Skool is a new Hip Hop, House and Dance tunes venue in the trendy Ekkamai area. Ekamai Road between Ekamai Soi 12 and 14.Happy Hour: From 8pm to 11pm buy 2 get 1 free and 50% off Asahi draft.
Bangkok bars in the Silom area
The Irish Exchange: large pub on two floors with copious amounts of Guinness flowing and other beers on tap. Predominantly an expat crowd, a friendly bunch at that, and has regular live music and good food. Convent Road, off Silom Road. (Sala Daeng BTS station). 1/5-6 Soi Convent, Silom, 02 266 7160-1, Open: 09:00 to 01:00.
Home: house music and a good cocktail bar bring in a mixed crowd to this trendy Silom bar. Silom Soi 4, (Sala Daeng BTS station).
Vertigo: great place to go for unprecedented views over the city, Vertigo at the top of the 5-star Banyan Tree hotel comes at a price but is well worth it. Banyan Tree Hotel & Resort, 61st Fl, 21/100 South Sathon Rd., (02) 679 1200, open: 17:00 to 01:00. 61st Fl, 21/100 South Sathon Rd, Bangkok 10120, Tel: 02 679 1200.
Molly Malones: large pub on two floors with copious amounts of Guinness flowing and other beers on tap. Predominantly an expat crowd, a friendly bunch at that, and has regular live music and good food. Convent Road, off Silom Road. (Sala Daeng BTS station). 1/5-6 Soi Convent, Silom, (02) 266 7160-1.
Upmarket bars in Bangkok
Bamboo bar: located in the Mandarin Oriental, it has a nice colonial tropics theme with a romantic and intimate feel, as a jazz band tinkles softly in the background. 48 Oriental Ave, (02) 659 9000.
Living Room: is a luxurious jazz bar with deep comfy couches, uncrowded, and a discerning middle-aged clientele. World class jazz outfits are often booked here. Sheraton Grande Hotel, 250 Sukhumvit Rd., (02) 649 8888, open daily: 09:00 to 24:00.
Three Sixty: atop the Millenium Hilton, this bar offers excellent 360 degree views of the Bangkok skyline. Soft Jazz is played, furniture is very comfortable, and the atmosphere serene. 123 Charoennakorn Rd., Klongsan, (02) 442 2000, Open: 17:00 to 01:00.
Vertigo: another skyscraper bar (see Silom bars).Banyan Tree Hotel & Resort, 61st Fl, 21/100 South Sathon Rd., (02) 679 1200, open: 17:00 to 01:00.
Bangkok bars in the Khao San road area
Gazebo Bar: This large, popular and lively venue was recently voted among the best bars in the world in a Lonely Planet/Singha list, and features live music, DJs, food, pool tables, shishas and a busy dancefloor. Usually gets going late but get there before 11pm for free entrance. 44 Rooftop, Jakrapong Rd., Pranakorn, (02) 629 0705.
AB Bar: located directly below Gazebo, this new pub replaces Jazz Gallery and features live rock and pop acts playing a mix of local and international crowd pleasers. Shisha pipes, Tuesday jazz bands plus regular 2 for 1 beer offers.Open 20:00-3:00 with free entry every night. Level 2, 44 Jackrapong Rd, Taladyod, Pranakorn, (02) 629 5821-2.
Lava: one of the more popular Khao San Road bars, this funky place plays mainly mainstream R&B and hip-hop. Typically of Khao San, the crowd is mainly tourists with a few groups of Thais joining the dance floor. 249 Khao San Rd., (02) 281 6565, open daily: 20:00 to 02:00.
Suzie’s: popular with Thais, this long-running Khao San Road pub is well worth including on your Khao San pub crawl. Located down a small covered lane towards the ‘Burger King end’ of the street. Khao San Road.
Brick Bar: often busy, nice atmosphere of travellers and party Thais in open air terrace upstairs or vault-like downstairs with its beer hall benches, some great reggae, ska and funk played here. Behind Buddy Lodge; 265 Khao San Rd., Taladyod, Pranakorn, (02) 629 4477.
Bangkok bars in other areas
Saxophone: well worth seeking out for the excellent live music, this buzzing place is situated right by the Victory Monument. 3/8 Victory Monument, Phayathai Rd., (02) 246 5472.
The Rock Pub: A famous music venue that has been open since 1987 and featuring live original and cover bands nightly. You can sample local rock talent here and learn more on their website about gigs. Close to Siam Centre, serves food also. Hollywood Street Building, Radchatewee, opposite of the Asia Hotel, (02) 251 9980.
Sarasin Road: is a strip of bars that have become trendy with the youthful crowd and has quite an atmosphere by night, it’s a good opportunity to go and party among the Thais, avoiding the more expensive tourist places. Bars like The Room, 70s Bar and Brown Sugar are some notables with funky décor, hip music and a fun crowd. Sarasin Road, North side Lumphini Park, BTS Ratchadamri station.
Gay and Lesbian bars in Bangkok
Silom Road Soi 2, Soi 2/1 and Soi 4 is the main cluster of gay bars in Bangkok where outdoor balconies line this pedestrianised cul-de-sac, and the saunas here are well designed and clean. Silom Soi 2 is the most popular, as it hosts DJ Station, and Silom Soi 2/1 hosts G.O.D. night club (after hours).
@Richards: is a favourite with us, a genuine and friendly crowd active in the local gay scene.60/17 Silom Soi 2/1, Bangrak, (02) 234 0459, open daily: 18:00 to 24:00.
Telephone: on the mixed Silom Soi 4, this pub has regular beauty contests and monthly Mr and Mrs Telephone awards, 114/11 Silom Soi 4, (02) 234 3279.
The Balcony: also on Silom Soi 4, this friendly place is generally busier than Telephone, 86 - 88 Silom Soi 4, Bangkok, 86-88 Silom Soi 4, (02) 235 5891.
DJ Station: for a more energetic, lively gay venue try DJ Station on Silom Soi 2, (Sala Daeng BTS station). 8/6-8 Soi Silom 2, (02) 266 4029, Open Daily: 22:00 to 02:00.
Utopia: features Ladies Night on Friday, Valentine’s dinners and other special events.Sukhumvit Soi 23, (Asoke BTS station).
Updated and correct: January 2010
on sale widely
