Bangkok's Bars
Photograph: Paikapai
Photograph: Paikapai

Bangkok’s best new bars in 2025

Coolhunter collective Paikapai divulge their definitive list of the capital’s hottest bar openings

Paikapai
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We were honoured when Time Out tapped us to curate this definitive guide to Bangkok’s best new bars. Our story is simple: what began as an after-work ritual of sharing drinks organically grew into the Paikapai (@paikapai.official), or ‘Let’s go!’ community. It started as a way to answer friends’ constant questions – ‘Where is that beautiful bar? Are the drinks any good?’ – and remains a way to share the places we genuinely love.

Our process is just as organic. We don’t rely on insider tips; our main tool is our own two feet. We walk the city, pay attention to a corner of a soi under construction, and feel the buzz of something new. When it opens, we’re there as regular customers – first and foremost. Even our photography follows this ethos. We always order a drink first, soak in the atmosphere, and only when the artistic mood strikes do we capture the moments we love, simply on our phones.

This isn’t a job for us – it’s our lifestyle. Every day brings a different mood, and for each one, a bar is often the answer. It’s in these spaces that we’ve learned the most, simply by observing the incredible ‘diversity’ of people. By watching the focused bartenders, the diligent staff, and the customers’ stories unfold, we’ve realised you’re never truly alone in a good bar. You’re surrounded by friends – some you know, and many you just haven’t met yet.

So when assessing a bar for this list, we look beyond the menu. The primary criterion is the atmosphere – does it feel cosy? Is it a place you can truly relax? After that comes excellent cocktails and warm, genuine service, which tie the whole experience together.

Right now, the city’s bar scene is electric. We’re seeing a wave of creativity, with bartenders championing local ingredients in Thai gin and rum, and pushing boundaries with cocktails like the unforgettable ‘Fossil Fuel’ at Wasteland. We’ve also seen how great bars can transform a neighbourhood – just look at Soi Nana in Yaowarat, which has blossomed into a global destination. We believe this energy comes from a core part of our identity: Thais love to gather, and when combined with the city’s cosmopolitan vibe, it creates a cocktail culture that’s truly world-class.

It’s with this in mind – as observers, customers and lovers of this city – that we share our list. Let’s go!

Want to know why these bars made the cut? A dedicated podcast drops in October. Subscribe to our new YouTube channel to be the first to know.
  • Yaowarat

Goldsmith is a hidden retro bar with Chinese flair, hidden above Chop Chop Cook Shop on Yaowarat’s Dragon Road. Step inside and you’re whisked back to 1930s Shanghai, where bold colours, ornate decor and vintage vibes set the scene. The cocktail list is just as eye-catching, with signatures such as third tango, shanghaied, tea and fire and nanjing negroni. When Chinatown gets too hot, this is where you can cool off with cocktails and a soundtrack to match.

Address: 2/F, Chop Chop Cook Shop, 328 Yaowarat Rd, Chakkrawat, Sampunthawong. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-midnight. Closed Mon-Tue 

  • Sukhumvit 26

A warm sake bar straight from Tokyo has found its way to Bangkok. This is the sister bar of Japan’s Euraka Sake Bar, created with the owner’s vision of offering guests a carefully curated sake experience. Shelves are lined with hundreds of dazzling labels, but don’t worry, the friendly staff, both Thai and Japanese, are always ready with spot-on recommendations. The seating wraps around the bar, so you can watch each drink being prepared with care and precision. Overall, the vibe is undeniably cosy – intimate, welcoming and perfect for anyone looking to try something new.

Address: 2/F, Nihonmachi, Sukhumvit Soi 26, Khlong Tan Nuea, Khlong Toei. Open daily 6pm-11.30pm 

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  • Yaowarat

PrumPlum Stand is a cosy little umeshu bar hidden in an old building in Talad Noi. It invites you to soak up authentic Japanese vibes. Start with their newcomer tasting set, comprising four styles of umeshu that won’t disappoint. Found a favourite? Order a full pour. Pair your drink with miso cream cheese, a rich, savoury bite that hits just right. What really makes this spot shine is its laid-back atmosphere. It works just as well for a casual hangout with friends as it does for a romantic date.

Address: 857, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong. Open daily 5pm-midnight

  • Hotels
  • Watthana

This bar takes you straight back to the ’80s with playful decor from the entrance all the way inside. Its main attraction is a massive outdoor screen showing movies, giving off a laid-back backyard vibe surrounded by greenery and a neatly arranged garden. Kick back with popcorn while watching a film and there are plenty of games to play too, just like hanging out at a friend’s house. Food and drinks are plentiful, with signature cocktails that stand out on their own. If you’re looking for a hangout with great atmosphere, this place delivers.

Address: 10/F, The Quartier Hotel, 413 Soi Sukhumvit 39, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open Mon-Thu & Sun 5.30pm-12.30am and Fri-Sat 5.30pm-2am. 

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  • Khlong Toei

Change up your workspace with a drink experience twist at Paper Plane Project. Recently revamped into a common ground for creatives, the bar has a lively atmosphere where you can sip, socialise and share ideas. Work corners are scattered around with plenty of plugs and reliable Wi-Fi, blending productivity with a relaxed, social energy. There’s also a grab and go corner and a cafe and bar serving signature cocktails. Our favourites are saffron sbagiano and savoury bay. Every corner is thoughtfully styled for Instagram-worthy shots.

Address: 40/F, T-One Building 8, Soi Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei. Open daily 9am-1.30am 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Watthana

A creative cocktail bar that stands out for turning leftover ingredients into thoughtfully crafted drinks, giving them value without waste. The interior is filled with upcycled items, from old refrigerators and lamps to repurposed sofas, each corner telling its own story. The cocktail menu reflects the bar’s concept, with ‘world’ offering classic cocktails given the bar’s own crafted twist for perfectly balanced drinks. ‘Wild’ features unusual ingredients sourced from forgotten natural flavours – the bartenders declare this to be the most fun. ‘Waste’ transforms surplus ingredients into one-of-a-kind creations. We recommend sitting at the bar, where you can chat casually with the bartenders and learn more about each drink.

Address: 3/19, Pridi Banomyong 1, Soi Edison. Open daily 6pm-midnight 

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  • Yaowarat

Located inside an old building in Soi Nana, Yaowarat, the venue spans three floors. The highlight is the top-floor bar, where Chinese and modern influences come together. Neon signs and a rabbit-logo mural inspired by Chinese culture provide striking visual accents. The drinks menu reimagines classic cocktails, offering distinctive flavours that leave an impression. Signature creations include drunken first sour, regroni and tai chi spritz. It’s the kind of place to unwind for a long, relaxed evening while taking in the lively energy of the neighbourhood from above. Beyond cocktails, the bar also serves modern Thai-Chinese dishes, rounding out the experience with equally flavorful bites.

Address: 15-17, Soi Nana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight. Closed Mon 

  • Yaowarat

Small, simple, yet cosy. That’s the whole concept behind this bar. La Coita is a standing bar that invites you to sip on its star ingredient, agave. The secret spice works into unfussy drinks that somehow feel a little extra warm and welcoming.

Another cool thing about La Copita is its rotating roster of bartenders from Opium Bar (a full line-up is visible at the entrance). The menu is split into La Copita’s Regulars with five drinks created by five bartenders and a weekly menu that changes depending on who’s behind the counter that week. 

The bar sits on Soi Yaowapanich, a quick hop from Yaowarat’s main road and just as handy for a walk over to Song Wat.

Address: 205 Thanon Yaowaphanit, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong. Open Thurs-Mon 6pm-1am. 

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  • Watthana

A rooftop bar that stands out for its architecture and design, Sanctuary Bangkok goes natural with bamboo, rattan and leafy greens, all coming together to resemble a floating boat embraced by trees. This bar offers you the feeling of leaving the chaos behind; it’s a quiet corner wrapped in the city’s nature.

Signature cocktails here are divided into four categories. First up, 'familiar flavourtails, a line-up built on ingredients every Thai knows: lemongrass, dill, pandan and mint. Then there’s comfortails: dessert-style cocktails inspired by Thai classics like mango sticky rice, luk chup and banana roti. Wildtails, the adventurous side of the menu, features bold takes on local ingredients such as red ant eggs, giant water bugs, fermented fish and lobster head – exotic and fascinating. Finally, champagne cocktails are a sparkling line-up perfect for marking any special occasion.

Part of the Tichuca family, Sanctuary takes a calmer, more nature-driven approach. It’s the kind of place designed for slow sipping among the trees, right in the heart of the city.

Address: 34/F, Intercontinental, Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open daily 5pm-12am. 

  • Thonglor

From the legends of Kowloon to a hidden spot in Thonglor, Residents Only is a cocktail bar that channels the infamous Kowloon Walled City (a floating slum of Hong Kong) into an experience you can actually feel.

Starting with the mysterious entrance and rooms recreated with uncanny attention to detail, the bar exudes a vibe that’s deliberately worn, raw and a little chaotic. Tangled wires, vintage posters and old knick-knacks fill the space, yet it somehow pulses with creative energy.

The signature drinks are just as daring, turning Thai and Hong Kong street food into inventive cocktails. Standouts include mojitou, mala martini and pad priew wan – all playful, unexpected twists on familiar flavours.

Address: 160, 17 Thong Lo, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open daily 7pm-1am.

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  • Yaowarat

From a tiny corner in soi Ari to the bustle of Khaosan road as Mischa Cheap, the journey lands now at National Bar, tucked into an old Song Wat Road building that somehow stops you mid-step. Inside, the decor quietly boasts its history, while a Van Gogh lightbox glows in one corner, brimming with stories the staff can’t wait to share. The soundtrack drifts just right, the crowd shifts between familiar faces and curious wanderers, and suddenly a simple night out feels elevated. Drinks like the National Anthem and Mischa Cheap Gin arrive with character and a hint of narrative in every pour. And if you linger long enough to chat with the bartender, each sip becomes a little richer, a little more alive.

Address: 1350 Song Wat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Samphanthawong, Bangkok. Open daily, 4pm-1am

  • Lumphini

Pickle.BKK is a new LGBTQ+ community spot that brings together music, fashion, art and creative people under one roof. The space has two levels: the first floor features a bar and an open area (which fills up fast late at night), while the second floor is a lounge with comfy chairs and sofas. There’s also a vintage TV corner that’s perfect for quirky photos and art pieces displayed along the walls.

The cocktails are just as fun as the bar itself. Must-tries include tamarind highball, the art of dong dong, and toxic. A live DJ spins tunes with a ‘90s vibe, instantly sparking nostalgia. Whether you’re here to sit and sip or simply appreciate the creative design, it’s absolutely worth the visit.

Address: 1/3 Sala Daeng Rd, Bang Rak. Open Tue-Sun 7pm-1.30am

 

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  • Silom

EAU DE TOILETTE, aka EDT, stands in the LGBTQ+ party hub of Silom Soi 4. The concept is a shower room – a place where you can enjoy delightful performances from drag queens, male dancers and even yourself if you decide to be part of the show. The spectacular stage and cascading water curtains keep the crowds mesmerised. 

There are two showtimes each night: the first at 11pm and the second at 12.30am. An entrance fee applies but each ticket can be redeemed for a drink at the bar.

Address: 2/F, Silom Soi 4 Building, Bang Rak. Open Fri-Sat 9pm-2am. Closed Mon-Thu & Sun 



  • Thon Buri

Perched above Charoen Nakhon, this rooftop bar turns the Chao Phraya River into something cinematic, golden light spilling across the water as the sun dips and city lights begin to flicker. The space walks a line between modern and classic, black, gold and red clashing beautifully without ever feeling forced. Behind the bar, an elevated DJ booth keeps the energy effortlessly stylish, pulsing through the terrace without overwhelming conversation. Ten signature cocktails tempt at every turn – forbidden nectar, enigma, velvet rose – each as much a visual delight as a taste adventure. Plates of premium Japanese fare arrive alongside, bold in flavour yet precise in execution. And if fireworks suddenly ignite above the river, it feels less like coincidence and more like the city’s quiet way of applauding the night.

Address: 27/F, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, 257 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Samre, Thon Buri. Open daily 5pm-1am

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  • Saladaeng

Bangkok unfolds beneath you at Spire Rooftop Bar, where the Golden Spire towers close enough to feel almost touchable, a gleaming landmark that has watched over the hotel for decades. The terrace is laid out with an easy elegance, chairs and sofas arranged to catch the city from every angle, each table framing the skyline against the lush green sweep of Lumphini Park. As the sun dips and the lights begin to twinkle, the mood shifts effortlessly, the kind of place that turns an ordinary evening into a small event. Signature cocktails like 6pm Romance, Star Dust and Trip Advisor arrive with subtle flourish, each sip as thoughtful as the view itself. Here, even a quiet moment feels cinematic, as if the city is holding its breath just for you.

Address: 39M/F, Dusit Thani Bangkok, 98 Rama IV Rd, Silom, Bang Rak. Open daily 5pm-1am

  • Bangkok

Nobu Bangkok impresses as the largest and highest Nobu in the world, right here in the Thai capital. Its design draws inspiration from the nature and landscapes of Bangkok – a city brimming with life, flowing rivers and an ever-changing skyline.

The restaurant serves contemporary Japanese cuisine infused with the Peruvian flair of world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, all coming together in a luxurious setting with panoramic views of the city.

The venue features several zones: the lounge, whisky bar, sushi bar and an open-air rooftop bar perched at the very top, offering an unobstructed 360-degree view of Bangkok in all its glory.

Address: 57-58/F, The Empire, 1 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon. Open daily 5.30pm-1am.



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  • Phaya Thai

Muan, which in Isan means fun, brings a slice of lively market energy straight into Bangkok. Colourful lights bounce off the walls, turning the space into something between a streetside stall and a neighbourhood festival. Plates of spicy som tam and grilled pork neck arrive with unapologetic flavour, each bite feeling like a fleeting alleyway discovery with a subtle touch of glam. Signature cocktails like bak sida, jam ba and dan madan dong arrive with just as much personality, strange and delightful in equal measure. The soundtrack shifts effortlessly from luk thung and mor lam to Thai pop, while a DJ keeps the energy moving. As the night stretches on, laughter spreads, music rises and the next table might just steal the show, leaving you caught somewhere between surprise and pure joy.

Address: 3/F, Phahonyothin Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai. Open Tue-Sun, 7pm-2am. Closed Mon.

  • Ekamai

Tucked down Ekkamai Soi 12, Coucou is the kind of bar that makes you forget the city outside. Board games line the shelves, from classics to quirks you didn’t know existed, all begging to test your wit with friends in a warm, easygoing space. It’s not only about strategy and laughter – plates of pizza, spaghetti and small bites arrive just when you need a break between rounds. Drinks follow the same playful energy: Tokyo sunset and strawberry lychee marg show up in glasses or oversized buckets made for sharing, just the right accompaniment to a long evening. A free snack corner adds extra charm, and it’s easy to lose track of time, fingers sticky with popcorn, dice in hand, before realising the bar is quietly sliding towards closing.

Address: 19/1 Ekkamai 12 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open daily, 7am-2am

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  • Sukhumvit 24

The bar door opens onto a Parisian dream, a cafe-bar that feels plucked straight from a European film. Inside, elegance whispers from every corner, subtle lighting and dark wood turning the space into something intimate yet cinematic. The venue splits into two moods: a dining area at the front, soft with daylight, perfect for brunch or dinner, coffee or mocktails served with effortless style. At the back, the Club zone hums differently, a DJ weaving chill beats while live jazz sneaks in on certain nights, turning the room into a slow, playful dance of sound and shadow. Every corner is made for lingering, for stories shared over cocktails that taste as intriguing as the space itself, moments that somehow feel cinematic even before the first sip.

Address: 3/F, Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, an IHG Hotel, 3 Sukhumvit 24 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. Open Tue-Sun, 6pm-1am. Closed Mon.

  • Attractions
  • Yaowarat

Walking through Chinatown is like stepping into a different world. It’s one of the oldest parts of the city, with narrow alleyways, shophouses that have been passed down for generations, and streets packed with food stalls. Yaowarat Road, the main artery of Chinatown, has seen traffic of various sorts since 1891. This is the place to go for legendary street food – think roast duck, dim sum and seafood grilled to perfection.

But it’s not just about food. You’ll find old Chinese temples, gold shops, herbal medicine stores and a lively mix of Thai and Chinese culture. The best time to visit? After sunset, when Yaowarat Road lights up with neon signs and the street food scene kicks into high gear.

Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Samphanthawong Open 24 hours

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