Bangkok is known for its endless shopping with its flea markets that occasionally happen at night and good old-fashioned tom yum soup. But we bet that you didn’t know its Chinatown has some pretty quirky bars to chill out at, with some located in revamped shophouses while others double as art spaces. Check them out:
This shop-house bar is one of a new breed of Chinatown bars attracting Bangkok’s young and hip. There’s a charming retro ambience courtesy of reclaimed wooden furniture, classic sewing tables, old posters and an adorable chalkboard menu displaying Spanish tapas drawn from the owner’s six years living in Spain. Try the patatas bravas (fried potatoes) and bocadillos (sandwiches), all washed down with a Spanish Xoriguer gin.
221 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd., +66 (0)86-340-4791. Open Thu-Sun 6pm-midnight. Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong.
This art space has held one successful event after another since it opened last year, from the shocking nudes of controversial Chinese artist Ren Hang to the reportage archives of Roland Neveu during the fall of Phnom Penh. Located in an actual old soy sauce factory, the bare-bones buildng—open plan, concrete floors, industrial lighting— is split between the gallery upstairs and a Thai restaurant and bar downstairs.
11/1 Charoenkrung Soi 24, +66 (0)61-835-6824. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm. Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong.
Hiding behind an ominous, Indian-style door is a small, moody bar belonging to a who’s-who of Bangkok’s art and nightlife scene, from fashion photographers and party organizers to mixologists and musicians. Do explore the vast collection of gin, from the must-try Hanami (the house pour) to the locally distilled Iron Balls. The decor is basic, mixing old shop-house charm with racy photography exhibitions.
76 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd., +66 (0)81-443-3784. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-12:30am. Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong.
This restored shop-house has plenty of raw appeal, and specializes in potent cocktails mixed with Thai fruits, herbs and spices. There’s also a good line of home-infused ya dong (Thai herbal whiskey) as well as a kitchen dishing out Thai tapas.Come nightfall, enjoy your meal while Thai musicians take the stage to play traditional music from Thailand’s Central region.
Room 69-71, Soi Nana, +66 (0)98-467-2944. Open Tue-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sun 5pm-1am. Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong
Soulbar is a bit like the new Adhere 13th, the long-standing blues club in Phra Athit. Tucked in a small shop-house down in the old Talad Noi neighhborhood, this simple but tastefully turned out bar plays host to live soul and funk bands every Tue-Sat. If the crammed band room is too jumping for you, there’s a more laidback lounge and terrace upstairs. Drop by for the daily happy hours (6-8pm)—our pick is the Summer Beer (mint chocolate kombucha and half a pint of draft beer, about S$6.30).
945 Charoen Krung Rd Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong
