Bars & Clubs

'Thai taste' means something more complex now that we've landed in 2026. It's not just temple murals and the hum of a khim zither drifting out of somewhere respectable anymore – that version of things still exists, but it's not the whole story. The more interesting version roots around in the local and the unglamorous: wok-fired street food eaten standing up, crates of luk krung and mor lam records that spent decades in someone's back room, the tangled, buzzing energy of a Bangkok side street at 11pm. It's less about reverence for tradition and more about genuine curiosity – what do those pieces become when someone with a good eye picks them up and does something unexpected with them? The seven places on this list have an answer to that. None of them stop at the food, though the food is without exception worth showing up for. The music is just as considered. A needle dropping on a Lao soul record. A reggae groove tipping into ska. A Thai classical ensemble in a cocktail bar where people are actually listening. The night, in each case, is assembled on purpose.

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