Move over, Thonglor. Bangkok’s longstanding trendiest neighbourhood has met its match with the rise of Ari. Already home to dozens of stand out cafes and restaurants, Ari has attracted a wide range of outstanding independent shops that are at once quirky, sophisticated, and adapted to fit the area’s eccentric personality.
An independent bike company hailing from the suburbs of its namesake Tokyo, this Ari shop offers top-of-the-line bicycles for sale and customisation services to tailor your bike to suit your lifestyle. Have your own bike? Bring it by for a tune-up or repair by experienced technicians, or take a spin on one of their test models. It should be noted that the café inside serves up homemade ice cream to help you cool down after going for a ride.
This stunning florist-meets-café is stocked full with custom floral arrangements and gift boxes for every budget, and a pantry packed with unique deserts, like their iconic edible flower cookies. There is a workshop space as well for budding enthusiasts, and if you can’t find the exact arrangement your eye is after, they do custom orders as well.
Recipient of international awards for its collection, Bangkok Dolls offers exquisitely handcrafted dolls that are true to Thai culture and history. The shop has been in operation for more than 50 years, first opened by a Tokyo-trained artisan producing designs of historical figures, rural likenesses, and traditional Khon mask miniatures. Today, the shop is home to more than 20 artists who handcraft authentic creations, as well as a sourced collection from countries all over the world.
Coined the most comprehensive football store for boots, trainers, kits, shirts, streetwear, and equipment, this multi-brand shop is an athlete’s paradise. The trained staff offers a “Personalize Your Gear” service to provide a customised shopping experience tailored for individual needs, including custom stitching and screen-printing.
This new lifestyle fashion outlet was launched by a local indie-movie actress and fashion contributor to The Standard, so fashionistas can rest assured the shop will meet all their on-trend expectations. With more than 30 Thai and international brands featured, Gloc’s range of clothing, accessories, and beauty products are all surprisingly affordable. New items are updated frequently through the shop’s Instagram page.
A luxury menswear shop, The Decorum aims to outfit Bangkok’s men with some of the most discerning styles from Japan, South Korea, and Italy. The store is an official retailer of the ultra-trendy Japanese Kamakura shirts, as well as staple items like ties, pants, and suits. Their tailoring service is top-of-the-line as well, offering a true customised experience.
Leave it to this Japanese tailor to outdo the already incredible custom tailoring services offered throughout Bangkok. Specialising in classic Italian cutting, owner Tatsura Iwashita fits his clients to custom looks of classic elegance. Cosy yet vintage in its design, the sophisticated space channels classic Japanese minimalism combined with the professional service Bangkokites have come to expect. Appointments are recommended to ensure speed and attendant availability.
Organic foodies rejoiced at the opening of Punsuk’s Ari branch, a one-stop-shop for all necessities and treats to fill the growing local natural lifestyle culture. Stop in to stock up on health and beauty, household, and grocery staples, or pick up some of their homemade specialties, like spinach and sun dried tomato with black sesame muffins, and pre-made meal meals like marinated chicken salads. They offer delivery services, too, so you can continue your afternoon in Ari unencumbered.
