Smalls

What is it?: A three storey bar in the Suan Phlu area with abundant charm and a strong sense of individuality. Smalls was founded by someone with a genuine passion for art and jazz – and it shows. The interior is packed with contemporary artwork, dim red lighting and cosy, intimate seating corners that make you want to settle in for the long haul.

Why we love it: This place stands out for its carefully curated lineup of intense jazz performances, ranging from modern jazz to soul with a focus on high energy and seriously impressive technical skills on display. Shows are genuinely captivating – the kind that make you forget you were planning to leave after one drink. There's a rawness to the performances here too, meaning you don't always get a polished show,  but at the same time it never feels amateur or underprepared. The crowd is brilliantly diverse too, mixing artists, soulful jazz enthusiasts and locals in a way that creates a lively, open atmosphere that’s hard to find done right.

Time Out tip: The vibe shifts throughout the night as different crowds filter in, so there's no wrong time to arrive, although prepare to stand on the busiest of nights.

Suan Phlu 1 Alley. Open Wed-Mon, 6pm-2am, closed Tuesday