Bangkok’s nightlife reflects just how dynamic the city truly is. Whether you want to sip cocktails 50 floors up, dive into Asia’s liveliest LGTBIQ+ scene, or explore the indie music scene, the Thai capital has an eclectic mix of venues that cater to every taste, budget, and style. Here’s our pick of must-visit spots when the sun goes down and the neon flickers on in Bangkok.
1. Mahaniyom
Best for craft cocktails with a Thai twist
Opening days/times: Tue-Sun, 5pm-midnight
Neighborhood: Charoenkrung
Ranked number 18 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, Mahaniyom is an essential destination for anyone looking to explore Bangkok’s dynamic cocktail scene. The bar team expertly riffs on Thai flavors, often focusing on a single ingredient and exploring it in multiple creative ways – an approach that has earned accolades for sustainability too. Think dried squid and squid ink in a savory mescal-based drink, or brandy and red wine combined with browned butter, beef fat, and blue cheese foam. The cocktails are inventive, the design visually stunning, and the experience a must for all fans of good drinks.
2. The Stranger Bar
Best for drag shows and a LGBTIQ-friendly space
Opening days/times: Mon-Sun, 5pm-1am (or later)
Neighborhood: Silom
Led by Chakgai Jermkwan, aka Drag Race Thailand alum M Stranger Fox, this raucous nightclub is all about letting your hair down and having fun. The Stranger Bar puts on high-octane drag shows starting at 10pm each night – now in a larger space at the end of Silom Soi 4, the heart of Bangkok’s LGTBIQ+ district. The move to new digs has nearly quadrupled the size of the venue without sacrificing the cheeky, close-up performances that put it on the map in the first place, thus creating a safe space for everyone to let loose. If you’ve never experienced drag, The Stranger Bar is a great place to do it.
3. Jack’s Bar
Best for riverside vibes with zero frills
Opening days/times: Mon-Sun, 11am-11:30pm
Neighborhood: Riverside / Sathorn
This ramshackle dive bar has become a riverside institution. There are absolutely no frills here. The seating is cheek-by-jowl, the wood beams groan beneath you, and you’re going to sweat. However, there’s something magical about sitting beside the Chao Phraya River with a cold beer or glass of wine and watching the boats go by that’s hard to beat. No other riverside bar offers the same combination of location (beside the Shangri-La hotel), affordability (drinks start at about US$3), and energy (a jolly mix of expats, travelers, and locals). Plus, the food – especially bites like larb moo tod (deep-fried pork balls) – is great.
4. Sing Sing Theater
Best for clubbing and creative shows
Opening days/times: Tue-Sun, 9pm-2am
Neighborhood: Sukhumvit
Among Bangkok’s crowded cast of nightclubs, Sing Sing stands out for its creativity. The decor, for starters, is one-of-a-kind, with an opium den aesthetic awash in dark reds and carved wood accents. In the center of the space, an imperial staircase leads down to the DJ decks and dance floor. From here, women clad in qipao regularly swing above the party pit, where Bangkok’s beautiful people come out to play all week long. This unique design sets the tone for immersive themed parties and performances – including burlesque – and eclectic DJ sets, ranging from house and EDM to hip-hop and global beats.
5. Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar
Best for sweeping rooftop views
Opening days/times: Mon-Sun, 5pm-2am
Neighborhood: Sukhumvit / Thonglor
Bangkok has no shortage of rooftop bars, and choosing the right one to spend your time and money often feels daunting. For a sure-fire choice, head to Octave. Occupying floors 45 to 49 atop the Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, the bar offers panoramic views over the posh Thonglor district, plus good cocktails, wines, and light bites. When the sun sets, DJs keep the party going until late on the top level. Octave tends to be more relaxed than other rooftop bars, which is perfect for unwinding after a long day.
6. Saxophone Pub
Best for live blues, jazz, and more
Opening days/times: Mon-Sun, 6pm-2am
Neighborhood: Victory Monument
Since 1987, this hole-in-the-wall by Victory Monument has belted out live blues, jazz, and rock and roll. However, Saxophone isn’t just one of Bangkok’s oldest music venues; it’s also one of its best. Three or four acts take the stage each night, with a rotating line-up that includes ska masters and jazz maestros. The two-floor space is small, and the best seats on the ground floor go fast, so arrive early. Come hungry, too. While the cocktails are nothing to write home about, dishes like yam pla duk foo (crispy fried catfish with mango salad) and German-style pork knuckle are fantastic.
7. United Peoples Brewery
Best for Thai-made craft beer
Opening days/times: Tue-Sun, 5pm-11:30pm
Neighborhood: Nonthaburi / Chatuchak
Brewing beer in Thailand is not easy. Until early 2023, small-scale brewing was criminalized. Even now, only a few lucky brewmasters have received licenses to do it. Despite the odds, United Peoples Brewery – or UPB, a collective of former home-brewers based in Nonthaburi – have built a base for Thai beer that continues to grow and improve. UPB offers 12 beers on tap, most of which are brewed on site. IPAs, wheat beers, mead, stouts, sours, and more – you’ll find a little of everything, including the occasional collaboration beer made by Thai and foreign brewers.
8. Studio Lam
Best for Thai and world music
Opening days/times: Mon-Sun, 6pm-2am
Neighborhood: Thonglor
Founded by legendary DJ and record store owner Maft Sai, this unique bar has become the city’s hub for all music outside the mainstream. Every night is dedicated to different sounds from around the world, ranging from funk, jazz, disco to live molam – roots music from Thailand and Laos. For an unforgettable experience, immerse yourself in the underground music scene while necking bottles of cold Beerlao and sipping cocktails made with ya dong (Thai herb-infused liqueurs) on the dance floor.
9. De Commune
Best for indie shows and vinyl nights
Opening days/times: Thursday-Monday: 6pm-2am
Neighborhood: Khao San
This club devoted to all things underground has moved and evolved over the years. At its latest location on Phra Sumen Road, just around the corner from backpacker haven Khao San, its indie spirit feels right at home. De Commune hosts live acts that range from legendary Thai ska-reggae bands to emerging international acts. Its compact stage setup offers intimate shows with excellent sound quality. If you want to tune into what’s going on in Thailand’s indie scene, this is the place to go.
