Vesper in Bangkok's Convent Road is the Italian-aperitivo cocktail counter on the ground floor of an art-deco shophouse, Asia's 50 Best Bars regular and a 1920s-inspired room.
Food program: Italian aperitivo bites
Tip: Sit at the marble counter for the bartender's view of the Italian-vermouth menu. Open from 16:00 for early aperitivo.
Address: 10/15 Convent Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Rabbit Hole in Bangkok's Thonglor is a three-floor speakeasy whisky bar with a hidden entrance, Asia's 50 Best Bars regular, dark wood and bookshelves on every level.
Signature drink: Bourbon-led custom drinks
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Look for the unmarked door on Thonglor. Reservations recommended for the upstairs lounges; the bar counter takes walk-ins.
Teens of Thailand in Bangkok's Soi Nana Chinatown is the gin-led cocktail counter from Niks Anuman-Rajadhon, the room that kicked off the Soi Nana craft-bar district in 2016.
Signature drink: Botanical gin and Thai-herb tonics
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Look for the unmarked timber door. Tuesday is the quieter night; weekends fill the standing room by 22:00.
Tep Bar in Bangkok's Soi Nana Chinatown is the Thai-spirit cocktail bar with live mor lam music nightly, opened 2014 with ya dong herbal infusions and classical Isan band.
Signature drink: Thai-spirit highballs and ya dong infusions
Food: Thai-style bar snacks
Tip: Live mor lam music Wed-Sun 21:00; arrive by 20:00 for a counter seat. Vegetarian-friendly bar snacks.
Q and A Bar in Bangkok's Asoke is the speakeasy cocktail counter behind an unmarked door, opened 2014 by Suwincha Singsuwan with a custom-build approach to the menu.
Signature drink: Classics and custom builds
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Counter seats turn faster than tables; book a table for groups of three or more. Music shifts from jazz to old-soul through the night.
The Bamboo Bar in Bangkok's Mandarin Oriental opened 1953 as the city's first cocktail and jazz bar, Asia's 50 Best Bars regular, with live jazz nightly through to 01:00.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails and jazz
Food: Light bar bites
Tip: Live jazz from 21:00; arrive by 20:30 for a table near the band. Dress code smart casual, no shorts or open shoes.
BKK Social Club in Bangkok's Four Seasons Chao Phraya is Philip Bischoff's Argentine-influenced cocktail counter, Asia's 50 Best Bars No. 3 in 2023, riverside elegance.
Signature drink: Argentine-inspired Negroni variations
Food: Argentine empanadas and grilled snacks
Tip: Reservations recommended. Walk-in option at the bar counter; the Argentine-inspired Negroni list is the through-line.