Best Cocktail Bars in Bangkok
Bangkok is known for it’s superb nightlife so I really leaned into that on my most recent visit to Bangkok. I did my own distinguished version of a hostel pub crawl – spending the night sampling inventive cocktails at some of the most atmospheric and best bars in the city.
This cannot possibly be a comprehensive guide because crawling around all these atmospheric cocktail bars did cost a pretty penny my liver could only handle so much alcohol. I assure you that if you visit any of these bars in Bangkok you will have an unforgettable time. These are award-winning, inventive, and atmospheric show off why Bangkok is known for it’s nightlife.
Here are the best bars in Bangkok for you to do your own distinguished bar crawl.
The Soi Nana area is praised as one of Bangkok’s best cocktail bar districts. With the concentration of fantastic bars it really lends itself well to an evening of drinks. It’s proximity to Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road Night Market also means that you can always sop up the alcohol with some fantastic street food between your various cocktail bar stops.
tax bar
Nothing is certain but Death & Tax. This rebellious speakeasy was born out of the challenges of the pandemic where the nightlife scene took a major hit. Alcohol was turning to vinegar and business owners were being taxed on their booze as if nothing had happened.
TAX takes that vinegar and creates unique craft cocktails for guests willing to take an adventurous sip and stick it to the man!
“You can tax all our booze, but you cannot tax our vinegar!”
ASIA TODAY
BA HAO
This is the bar that started it all for me. I came to Bā hào on my very first visit to Bangkok, and sipping on my cocktail in the glow of the red neon, I realized just what people meant when they said Bangkok is renowned for its nightlife.
Drawing inspiration from 1970s Hong Kong, Bā hào is tucked into a small corner Chinatown shophouse, and offers inventive drinks infused with Chinese herbs, spices, and tradition.
WALLFLOWER
At Wallflowers you can go from day to night. This cake shop and cafe by day transitions into a rooftop bar by night.
This is arguably the least ‘inventive’ cocktail bar in this guide, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a stop. At Wallflowers Upstairs you’ll find your usual list of drinks but you’re tucked well away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets in a secret garden. A perfect spot to get away from it all.
OTHERS IN THE SOI NANA DISTRICT
G.O.D (Genius.On.Dr*gs)
Independence Cocktail Bar
TEENS OF THAILAND
Mahaniyom
Two tigers can’t share the same den – except at the very popular Mahaniyom.
This award-winning cocktail bar’s current menu plays on the theme of Resourceful Cocktails, with each drink honing in on just one local ingredient in all of it’s derivative forms.
My favourite cocktail of my distinguished bar crawl was from Mahaniyom. I saw the inventive WORM cocktail on the menu and I couldn’t help but order it! I was fully prepared to regret my decision, but leave it to the master bartenders behind Mahaniyom, to bring out all of the worm’s best qualities in the drink. Not only was it a fun order, it was actually a fantastic cocktail.
The BAMBOO BAR
The Bamboo Bar is a lasting institution at the Mandarin Oriental hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1953. The iconic spot that combines ‘colonial chic’ with timeless indulgence, was Bangkok’s first jazz venue and has live jazz performances six nights a week.
With the release of The White Lotus season 3 I wanted to live my best White Lotus life in Thailand. In episode 5 Rick meets a friend in the Bamboo Bar, so naturally I put on the nicest clothes I have while backpacking around Southeast Asia and headed down for a night at the iconic Bamboo Bar.
TROPIC CITY
Bangkok may not be in one of Thailand’s tropical islands, but you can sure get that vibe at Tropic City. The neon-lit tropical heaven blends the flavours and feelings of the tropics, with rum forward cocktails, lively music, palm fronds and flamingos, and tiny paper umbrellas sticking out of your drink. If you’re missing the beaches, or are craving a hit of vibrant energy, you will want to find yourself on night out at Tropic City!
other honourable Bangkok mentions
Sunset Rooftop Bar
Khao San Road
A SKy Bar with a View
Soi Cowboy
I know this list of the best bars in Bangkok barely scratches the surface on all the atmospheric places in the city where you can enjoy an inventive craft cocktail come nightfall. Hopefully it is enough to get you started so you can experience Bangkok’s renowned nightlife at some of the most inventive, award-winning, atmospheric cocktail bars, for your next visit to the city.
Whatever you do, just don’t order a singha at any of these places… please.
Happy trip planning!
From one traveller to another, I hope this guide was helpful for you as you make your plans and set out on your next adventure!
If you read through this guide and still have questions about the experience or have other questions… fear not because I can still help! I have a personalized trip planning and advice service available to all Everywhere Travel Club readers. I’d love to chat for an hour with you and help answer any questions you’re working through, share fun ideas, and help bring your big trip into reality! For more info about the one one-on-one call for advice check out the details of my Personalized Travel Planning Sesh.
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