24 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.
Tip: Reservations recommended. Walk-in option at the bar counter; the Argentine-inspired Negroni list is the through-line.
Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar ★ 4.6 · Bangkok
2nd floor, 104 Maha Set Road, Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Mahaniyom in Bangkok's Si Phraya is Backstage Bar veterans Neung Kanivichaporn and Janz Bhumichitr's ingredient-led cocktail room above restaurant 100.
Tip: Reservations advised after 20:00. The Cow build (brandy and red wine with brown butter, blue cheese air and Thai mulberry) is the headline pour.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 Soi Nana, Pom Prap, 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.
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.
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.
North Gate Jazz Co-Op ★ 4.4 · Chiang Mai
chang-phueak · 91/1-2 Sri Poom Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A tiny jazz institution by the North Gate whose Tuesday open-jam spills onto the street, the heart of Chiang Mai's live-music scene for over a decade.
Before Dawn ★ 4.4 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 5/5 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A serious Nimman cocktail bar run by Thai World Class champion Earth, mixing precise seasonal drinks that draw the city's competition-bartender crowd.
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.
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.
Forbidden Bar ★ 4.3 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 14/2 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A hidden dessert-cocktail speakeasy above a Nimman ice-cream shop, a dim little room mixing pudding-inspired drinks for those who find the unmarked door.
The Continental ★ 4.2 · Chiang Mai
nimman · Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A John Wick-themed speakeasy reached through a bookshelf up two quiet Nimman flights, a plush hidden room of classic cocktails and cinematic mystique.
Rise Rooftop Bar ★ 4.2 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 22/2 Nimmanhaemin Road Lane 9, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
The rooftop of the Akyra Manor hotel and the best sunset perch over Nimman, a sleek deck pouring classic cocktails and wines as Doi Suthep turns pink.
Surr Bar ★ 4.1 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 8th Floor Art Mai Gallery Hotel, Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 3, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A stylish low-lit lounge atop the Art Mai Gallery hotel, a Bangkok-speakeasy feel over Nimman drawing a mix of locals, expats and travellers most nights.
Nophaburi Bar ★ 4.1 · Chiang Mai
old-city · 75/1 Samlan Road, Phra Singh, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
An Old City cocktail bar leaning into Lanna herbs and Thai spirits, a low-key Samlan Road room for locally rooted drinks near Wat Phra Singh.
Caravan Bar ★ 4.0 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 37 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 9, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A vintage-styled Nimman cocktail bar of leather and old maps, mixing well-made classics for a relaxed crowd escaping the louder clubs down the soi.
Myst Maya Rooftop ★ 3.9 · Chiang Mai
nimman · Maya Lifestyle Mall, 55 Huay Kaew Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300
The rooftop bar crowning Maya mall, a chic mezzanine deck with DJs and live sets that pulls Nimman's after-shopping crowd up for cocktails and city views.
MAI The Sky Bar ★ 3.9 · Chiang Mai
chang-khlan · Charoen Prathet Road, Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100
A riverside rooftop above the Night Bazaar quarter, an easy spot for a spritz and skyline view over the Mae Ping before diving into the market crowds below.
Warmup Cafe ★ 3.9 · Chiang Mai
nimman · 40 Nimmanhaemin Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
The grandfather of Nimman nightlife, a sprawling live-band-and-DJ complex packing young Chiang Mai in since 1999 across an indoor stage and garden.
Roots Rock Reggae ★ 3.8 · Chiang Mai
old-city · 196/5/1 Ratchaphakhinai Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A friendly, well-worn reggae bar in the moat, all rum, Marley and easy conversation, a long-running backpacker-favourite hang inside the Old City walls.
Rabbit Bar8 ★ 3.8 · Chiang Mai
nimman · Think Park, 165 Suthep Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
An indie deep-house bar tucked in the Think Park complex, a small dark room with a serious sound system that fills late with Nimman's music crowd.
Tora Bar ★ 3.8 · Chiang Mai
nimman · Think Park, Huay Kaew Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A hip-hop and R&B bar in Think Park at the top of Nimman, drawing a young Thai crowd for cocktails, DJ sets and a busy street-facing terrace after dark.
Casalong Bar 11:11 ★ 3.8 · Chiang Mai
old-city · 70/16 Chaiyaphum Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
An indie-electronic bar by Tha Phae Gate with a relaxed courtyard, a reliable Old City spot for cheap cocktails and a mellow crowd before the clubs open.