The Sukhumvit
area contains more watering holes than can easily be counted, and
touts are not as big of a problem here as in Patpong. However, the
scene is oriented towards tourists and wealthy high-society Thais, for
more of a local ambience (and local prices) head a bit north to
Ratchadaphisek instead.
Where and what to drink in
Bangkok's Sukhumvit district
[Click here for the
Food
page]:
Wine bars
With a growing interest in foreign as well as
local wines, there is a growing number of wine bars in Bangkok and
many of these in the Sukhumvit area. Most of these are trendy
establishments with selections of exclusive French, Italian, Spanish
and other international wines.
Opera Riserva Wineteque
,
53/3 Soi 39, Sukhumvit Road, ☎ +662-2585601 (contact@operariserva.com,
fax: +662-258-5599). 5.30PM-12PM.
Opera
Riserva is located in
conjunction with L'Opera Italian Restaurant, fairly deep down
Sukhumvit Soi 39, and can be a bit difficult to find for the first
time visitor, however those who do are rewarded with a large selection
of wine, ranging from the affordable to the very exclusive of mainly
Italian and French wines, but also from other countries. The Opera
Riserva wine bar is in two levels with a dozen or so tables and a
large bar on ground floor, and on the second floor a more relaxed
setting with several groups leather sofas, and some private rooms -
one with a separate entrance for those who prefer to come and go
unnoticed. Clientèle is equal part local and foreign, and local stars
are often spotted here.
Beer
gardens
In wintertime (recursively defined in Thailand as
'beer season'), very popular beer gardens pop up in front of Central
World Plaza, serving up cold beer, hot food and loud Thai pop.
Beergarden
,
Sukhumvit Soi 7, is a nice place to relax from the trouble with
moderate Western music and German and other beer including wheat beer
(Franziskaner). You can eat European food at the tables or just have a
drink at the bar.
Cheap Charlie's
,
Soi 11, is an outdoor beer bar that looks like it grew out of the side
of the building. Pull up a stool anywhere on the Soi and enjoy a cold
one.
Clubs and
Bars
The
Londoner,
Soi 33 is a popular expat hang out, sports bar and occasional live
music in an English pub setting. Buy one, get one free on Wednesday.
Thong Lo (Soi 55) and Ekamai (Soi 63) are full of
trendy bars and night clubs. Mostly catering to the Thai and expat
crowd.
Witch's Tavern Thong Lo
(Sukhumvit Soi 55) Between Soi 8 & Soi 10 - Bangkok's original English
Pub. Live music every night. Free drinks for ladies Wednesday
17:00-21:00. At least 5 English/Irish brews on tap.
Escudo
Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi 55) -
just past Soi 13
Booze
Thong Lo
Soi 10 (Sukhumvit Soi 55) - near kkamai
Gigabyte Thong Lo
Soi 10 (Sukhumvit Soi 55) - next to Booze
The Ice Bar Thong Lo
50m on the right (Sukhumvit Soi 55) - New Very Cool Club
Escobar
Ekamai (Sukhumvit Soi 63) - just
past Soi 5
Remix Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi
55) - just past Soi 18 in The Playground
Santika
Ekamai
(Sukhumvit Soi 63) - just past Soi 9 - Bangkok's hip hop club. Open
until 02:00. No cover charge.
WeZa
Ekamai
(Sukhumvit Soi 56) Just past Soi 21
Narcissus
Club, 112 Sukhumvit Soi 23,
narcissusbangkok@hotmail.com.
Q Bar,
34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, is a hip if rather un-Thai bar often likened to a
New York cocktail lounge, renowned for its massive drinks list and
always packed dance floor. Cover charge.
Go-go bars
Soi Cowboy (off Soi 21 Asoke) and Nana
Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) are packed full of go-go bars much like
those in Patpong. Soi 33 is packed with hostess bars, which are more
upscale than the Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza bars and do not feature
go-go dancing. While the places all operate with more or less the same
concept, the following two have been around for a while and are
unlikely to rip you off.
Rainbow
4, Nana Entertainment Plaza 2F,
Soi 4. Squeezes two stages into a small space, and is always packed
with girls and punters.
Suzie
Wong, Soi Cowboy. Small and
unprepossessing at first sight, the only hint of a Chinese theme are
the cheongsams of the waitresses, but this gogo and its sister
operation Sheba's across the street are famed for putting on some of
the best shows in Bangkok.
Bangkok's
Sukhumvit Road: Drink Recommendations
