Bars & Clubs

'Thai taste' isn’t confined to carved wooden trim and a whisper of xylophone any more. At Bangkok’s new wave of Isaan restaurants, vinyl cafés and music bars, it might mean larb with a proper kick in Bang Kapi, mor lam records spinning in Nang Loeng or live Thai music over cocktails in Ari. Six new places have joined this guide, bringing more reasons to follow your ears as well as your appetite. Food may bring you through the door, but music often keeps you there: the crackle of a mor lam record, a room singing along to reggae-ska, classical Thai melodies or a properly romantic jazz set.  Some places put food first – fiery som tam, clay-pot chicken and grilled lamb ribs – while others are worth visiting for the records or live bands alone. Here’s where to start. We update this guide regularly, so check back for the latest.

A watering hole hidden behind a discreet entryway is no longer a novelty. The thrill of discovering a joint’s secret entrance only works the first time, but it’s the love, passion, and ideas that go into creating the bar and its spirits-fuelled concoctions that will keep luring you back. And these bars are that kind of place. You're a traveling type? Don't forget to check out secret venues to drink in London, New York, Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore.

If going to a normal bar doesn't turn you up anymore, maybe you need something new like themed bars. So we gather three best train-themed bars that will make you feel like you are on a journey to somewhere without going anywhere.

There’s no better way to soak in views of Bangkok’s skyline than at one of the city’s rooftop bars. And while most usually don’t come cheap (we had to pay B800 for a Singha beer in one of the more popular addresses), there are places where you can feel like you’re on top of the world for less. Make a beeline for these loftily located bars where bird’s-eye views don’t necessarily mean sky-high tabs.

Here are our picks for the coolest bars that give off both romantic and oriental vibes.

Following in the footsteps of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket is becoming a destination for cocktail connoisseurs as its tippling culture steadily evolves from overly-sweet, juice-heavy concoctions to more balanced spirits-focused drinks. Thanks to the initiatives of global leading spirit importer and distributor Diageo Moet Hennessy, which includes the annual World Class cocktail competition, Phuket-based bartenders are now equipped with more knowledge on mixology and top-quality spirits, and in effect, have refined the bar scene in the world-renowned beach paradise. To experience Phuket’s blossoming cocktail culture, we take you on a fun and heady journey through the best bars the province has to offer. (And please remember not to drink and drive). Read more: best restaurants in Phuket and where to stay