Silom is Bangkok’s financial heart. While it may be business by day, the area transforms into a lively nightlife hub after dark. There are plenty of restaurants for a delicious dinner and clubs where you can dance until late. There are also tons of terrific bars; here are some of the best.
Made famous in the movie The Hangover II, the Sky Bar at Lebua is the highest open-air bar in Bangkok. A fancy establishment, you’ll need to dress smartly and take plenty of cash with you for an evening here. It’s a top place for watching a fabulous sunset over Bangkok, cocktail in hand, and admiring the twinkling lights of the city after darkness has fallen. Try the signature cocktail, The Hangovertini and check out what could just be the poshest bathrooms in the city!
You can get even higher than the Sky Bar and go one floor up in State Tower to Distil, also part of the opulent Lebua hotel. Distil is an indoor bar with a sophisticated atmosphere. There’s a strict dress code so make sure to dress up! It’s especially known for its expertly mixed cocktails as well as a range of premium imported drinks and fine Cuban cigars. If you’re feeling peckish, treat yourself to a plate of oysters, sushi, sashimi, or another seafood delight from Oyster Bar, part of Distil.
Operated by the same people who ran the now-closed Cloud 47, Cloud 9 is a casual rooftop bar with a relaxed ambience. Having renamed and moved to near Chong Nonsi BTS station, Cloud 9 is a great alternative for people who want terrific views and awesome views without the high price tags. Seats are located along the edge of the terrace and, if you visit during the daytime, there’s a pool where you can cool down in the heat.
Located in Patpong, one of Bangkok’s red light districts, Muzik Café is a cool spot where you can escape the go-go bars for a while and chill to the sounds from a live band. The house band generally plays a selection of Western pop and rock songs and they are open to requests — if they can play it, they will! There’s indoor and outdoor seating and the drinks menu has a wide selection of cocktails, spirits, and beers. It attracts a diverse crowd of locals and tourists.
Sultry, sensuous, sophisticated, and stylish are all words that could describe Maggie Choo’s. A designer bar with a vibe reminiscent of a cross between a prohibition-era speakeasy and an underground drinking den in Shanghai, even the secret Chinese doorway adds to the intrigue. Step through a curtain at the side of a small restaurant and you’ll find yourself in what was once the vault of the East India Company Bank. Leather sofas and plush velvet seats are surrounded by exquisite artwork and sculptures. The lighting is dim, the music is soulful, and the drinks list is extensive. Overall, this is one of the most atmospheric bars in Silom.
Situated in the heart of Silom’s gay area, The Stranger Bar and Lounge is one of the funkiest and most fun gay bars around. Although many visitors are from the LGBT community, the bar welcomes everyone, regardless of sexual preferences or gender orientation. Expect lashings of glamour, drag artist performances, pop tunes, and a diva-esque vibe. Indeed, one of the owners is a top-notch drag queen! Why not try one of the signature shooters? With names like Golden Shower and Sperm, who could resist?!
A cool and collected Silom bar with a chic ambience and a reputation for mixing some of the best cocktails in Bangkok, Vesper Bangkok is a place to see and be seen. Attracting a classy and affluent crowd, it’s a fabulous place for a sophisticated night out in the City of Angels. Be sure to try the signature cocktail — The Silver Vesper, a beautifully presented James Bond-inspired drink made from martini, vodka, orange bitters, and chamomile. Fine wines are available too and, if you’re feeling hungry, the Italian food menu is sure to tempt you.
The Telephone Pub is among the oldest gay drinking establishments in Bangkok. Although mainly attracting clientele from the LGBT community, all casual and cool cats are welcome. Chill on a bar stool, sit outside to watch the action on the streets, or pull a chair up round a table. In the mood for singing? Have a go at karaoke. There’s an affordable meal menu as well as a good selection of drinks.
Within the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel, Bamboo Bar offers the high-class and exclusive vibe that you would expect from a top hotel. The décor is classy and guests need to dress elegantly to comply with the strict dress code. The bar is well stocked with drinks from around the world and the cocktails are divine. What really makes this bar stand out, though, is the seductive live jazz music. Listen to the lilting sounds while sipping on drinks from the a Capella menu, a name that pays homage to the roots of jazz.
Simultaneously cosy and vivacious, Molly Malone’s is a jovial Irish bar that attracts a mix of tourists, expats, and locals. There’s a wide range of draught beers, including Guinness, as well as spirits and soft drinks, and the food menu consists of hearty and comforting pub-grub favourites. Sports are often shown on the TV and there’s a live band most evenings. Unpretentious and down to earth, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the Irish craic.
