9 bars worth the trip across Thailand, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Thailand guides.
BKK Social Club ★ 4.8 · Bangkok
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, 300/1 Charoen Krung Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
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.
Tip: Reservations recommended. Walk-in option at the bar counter; the Argentine-inspired Negroni list is the through-line.
Tropic City ★ 4.7 · Bangkok
57-59 Soi Charoen Krung 28, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Tropic City in Bangkok's Charoen Krung 28 is Phil Bartlett and Sebastien Manou's rum-led tropical cocktail counter, Asia's 50 Best Bars No. 6 in 2023, in a heritage shophouse.
Tip: No reservations; arrive by 21:00 for a counter seat. The downstairs is the standing-room option after midnight.
Vesper ★ 4.5 · Bangkok
10/15 Convent Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
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.
Tip: Sit at the marble counter for the bartender's view of the Italian-vermouth menu. Open from 16:00 for early aperitivo.
Rabbit Hole ★ 4.5 · Bangkok
125 Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor), Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
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.
Tip: Look for the unmarked door on Thonglor. Reservations recommended for the upstairs lounges; the bar counter takes walk-ins.
Teens of Thailand ★ 4.5 · Bangkok
76 Soi Nana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100
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.
Tip: Look for the unmarked timber door. Tuesday is the quieter night; weekends fill the standing room by 22:00.
The Bamboo Bar ★ 4.5 · Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
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.
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.
Tep Bar ★ 4.4 · Bangkok
69-71 Soi Nana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100
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.
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 ★ 4.4 · Bangkok
235/13 Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke), Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
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.
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.
Sky Bar at Lebua ★ 4.3 · Bangkok
64th Floor Lebua at State Tower, 1055 Silom Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Sky Bar at Lebua in Bangkok's State Tower is the open-air rooftop on the 64th floor over the Chao Phraya, since 2003 and famously from The Hangover Part II in 2011.
Tip: Dress code is smart casual, no shorts or open-toe shoes. Sunset slot books out; arrive by 17:30 for the best skyline views.