Ba Hao

What is it? A Chinese-style bar and hostel renovated inside a  70-year-old shophouse that's been part of the Nana neighbourhood since the soi’s inception. The venue preserves its classic Chinese aesthetic, exposing the original spiral-pattern brick walls from when the building was first constructed.

Why we love it: Additional elements have been woven in to enhance the Chinese ambiance, like blue terrazzo benches and bar counters, red neon signs with Chinese characters and decorations made up of everyday Chinese household items. The food at Ba Hao mixes Chinese street food with Thai-Chinese comfort cuisine, whilst the cocktail menu gets properly creative by blending Chinese spirits and herbs with other liquors. There's also a fair bit of reinterpreting Western cocktails with a more Eastern twist, which works brilliantly. The whole place feels like it's been there forever, even though the renovation is relatively recent.

Time Out tip: Whilst it is officially a bar, Ba Hao is more famous for its sesame pudding (B158). It's arguably the best in the city, so don't leave without trying it.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 5pm-midnight and Fri-Sat 5pm-1am