Banglamphu & Ratanakosin Bars

Ad Here the 13^th

Thanon Samsen. Friendly intimate little jazz bar where half a dozen tables of Thai and expat musos congregate to listen to nightly sets of the in-house blues ‘n’ jazz quartet (about 10pm onwards). Well-priced beer and plenty of cocktails. Nightly from 6 pm to midnight.

Bangkok Bar

Next to Sawasdee Inn at 139 Soi Ram Bhuttri. This skinny two-storey dance bar is fronted by a different DJ every night; the pop and house beats draw capacity crowds nightly. Nightly 6pm-1am.

Bar Bali

58 Thanon Phra Athit. Typical Phra Athit bar-restaurant, with just a half-dozen tables, a small menu of salads and drinking foods and a decent selection of well-priced cocktails. Nightly 6pm-1am.

Café Democ

78 Thanon Rajdamnoen Klang. Fashionable, dark and dinky bar that overlooks Democracy Monument and is spread over one and a half cozy floors, with extra seating on the semicircular mezzanine. Lots of cocktails, nightly sessions from up-and-coming Thai DJs, and regular hip-hop evenings. Tues-Sun 4pm-2am.

The Cave

Thanon Khao San. Feel like climbing the walls after your tenth bottle of Singha? This bar comes complete with indoor climbing wall, charging B100 per climb or B200/hour. Also sells climbing shoes and gear. Nightly 5pm-midnight.

Cinnamon Bar

106 Thanon Ram Bhuttri. Drink at little tables on the narrow outside terrace, beneath the waterfall wall and plastic bamboo trees, or join the fashionable, well-behaved student crowd around the pool table inside. Nightly 6pm-1am.

The Club

Thanon Khaosan. The kitsch, preudo-italianate interior - designed to evoke a classical courtyard garden, complete with central fountain and statue of a chubby child hanging a fish – is unlikely to appeal to many Western clubbers, but Thais love this place, putting up with the ID checks at the door and making the most of the two bars and residents DJs. Also serves food. Daily 11am-1am.

Comme

Thanon Phra Athit. Live music from enthusiastic cover bands, easy chairs and an open frontage mean that this inviting bar-restaurant, one of the largest on Phra Athit, nearby always gets a good crowd. Also serves some good (mostly Thai standards). 6pm-1am.

Deep

329/1-2 Thanon Ram Bhuttri. Get here early if you want a table on a Friday or Saturday night as the bands draw eager crowds that pack out the tiny bar. 6pm-1am.

Gulliver’s Travelers’ Tavern

Thanon Khao San. Infamous, long-established backpacker-oriented air-con pub with pool tables sports TV and reasonably priced beer (happy hours 3-9pm). Also does international food and has another branch on Thanon Sukhumvit. Daily 11am-1am.

Lava Club

Basement, Bayon Building, 209 Thanon Khao San. Self-consciously sophisticated basement lounge bar done out in “volcanic” red and black with laser displays to enhance the look. DJs play mainly house and rave. Nightly 8pm-1am; ID sometimes required.

Molly Pub

Thanon Ram Bhuttri. The attractive colonial-style façade, complete with pastel-colored shutters, make a pleasant backdrop for the outdoor tables and low-slung wooden chairs that are perfectly located for people-watching over a Beer Chang or two. Also serves food. Daily 11am-1am.

Po

230 Tha Thien, Thanon Maharat. When the Chao Phraya express boats start to wind down around 6pm, this bar takes over the rustic wooden pier and the balcony above with their great sunset views across the river. Beer and Thai whisky with accompanying Thai food and loud Thai and Western pop music – very popular with local students.

Sabai Bar

Mouth of Sunset Street, 197 Thanon Khao San. Open-sided, three-storey, street-side bar that’s the perfect spot for watching the Khao San parade. Nightly 6pm-1am.

Silk Bar

129-131 Thanon Khao San. The tired outdoor decks are a popular spot for sipping cocktails while watching the nightly Khao San hustle; inside there’s air-con, a pool table, a DJ and a small menu of standard Thai fare. Daily 6am-1am.

Susie Pub

Next to Parco Polo Guest House on the soi between Thanon Khao San and Thanon Ram Bhuttri. Bug, dark, phenomenally popular pub that’s usually standing room only after 9pm. Has a pool table, decent music, resident DJs and cheapish beer. Packed with young Thais. Daily 11am-1am; ID sometimes required.