Paikapai

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 pla

พวกเรารู้สึกเป็นเกียรติอย่างมากที่ Time Out เลือก ‘ไปค่ะไป’ มาร่วมทำคู่มือพิเศษเกี่ยวกับบาร์เปิดใหม่ที่ดีที่สุดในกรุงเทพฯ เพราะจุดเริ่มต้นของเรานั้นเรียบง่ายมากจริงๆ มันเริ่มจากกิจกรรมเล็กๆ หลังเลิกงาน เพียงการนัดเพื่อนออกไปนั่งดื่มด้วยกัน และไม่นานก็มีคำถามซ้ำๆ จากเพื่อนๆ ว่า บาร์ที่ไปคือที่ไหน บรรยากาศดีไหม เครื่องดื่มอร่อยหรือเปล่า คำถามเหล่านี้กลายเป็นแรงบันดาลใจที่ทำให้เราสร้างคอมมูนิตี้เล็กๆ ขึ้นมาในชื่อ ‘ไปค่ะไป’ เพื่อแบ่งปันเรื่องราวร้านที่เราชอบให้คนอื่นได้ลองไปสัมผัสด้วยตัวเอง วิธีการคัดเลือกบาร์ของเราก็ออร์แกนิกมากๆ ไม่ได้อาศัยข้อมูลวงในหรือทิปจากใคร แต่ใช้สองเท้าในการเดินสำรวจเมือง คอยสังเกตซอกซอยที่กำลังปรับปรุงอาคาร และเมื่อบาร์เหล่านั้นเปิด เราก็จะลองเข้าไปในฐานะลูกค้าคนหนึ่งเสมอ เรามักเริ่มต้นด้วยการสั่งเครื่องดื่ม นั่งซึมซับบรรยากาศ และเมื่อมั่นใจว่านี่คือสถานที่ที่อินจริงๆ ถึงจะหยิบมือถือขึ้นมาถ่ายภาพและแชร์ออกไปให้โลกได้รู้ การบันทึกแต่ละครั้งจึงไม่ได้เกิดจากหน้าที่ แต่เกิดจากความรู้สึกที่อยากบอกต่อจริงๆ สำหรับเรา การไปบาร์ไม่ใช่งาน แต่มันคือไลฟ์สไตล์ที่อยู่ในทุกจังหวะชีวิต บางวันอารมณ์ดีอยากสังสรรค์ บางวันเหนื่อยล้าหรือเหงาอยากได้ที่พักใจ บาร์มักจะเป็นคำตอบที่ทำให้เราได้พบผู้คนใหม่ๆ และได้เรียนรู้เรื่องราวของพวกเขา ทั้งจากบาร์เทนเดอร์ที่ตั้งใจปรุงในทุกๆ แก้วของตัวเอง พนักงานที่คอยดูแลเอาใจใส่ ไปจนถึงลูกค้าที่นั่งอยู่ข้างๆ ซึ่งต่างคนก็ต่างมีเรื่องราวไม่เหมือนกัน บรรยากาศในบาร์จึงเปรียบเสมือนค็อกเทลที่อยู่ในเชกเกอร์ และค่อยๆ คลุกเคล้าเรื่องราวหลากหลายเข้าด้วยกัน สิ่งที่ทำให้เราหลงรักการไปบาร์คือความรู้สึกว่าเราไม่เคยอยู่ลำพัง สถานที่เหล่านี้รายล้อมไปด้วยเพื่

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.

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

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.

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

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

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   

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  

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

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.

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.   

This bar is all about soaking up an urban oasis. Rimba bursts with colour, from splashy walls and quirky lamps to leafy greenery that feels like a mini jungle. Settle in with a drink and you can snack away while the skytrain glides past. The food line-up is just as generous, with familiar Thai favourites sitting side by side with Western comfort food. Drinks get a local twist too, with Thai spirits shaken into concoctions like tamarind sour, jungletini and tropical spritz. The best time to visit Rimba is in the evening, when the light and atmosphere are just right to relax. Only a short hop from Asoke, this tropical hideout is your perfect excuse to slip away from the city chaos. Address: 28/F 2 Quant Sukhumvit 25 building, Soi Sukhumvit 25, Khlong Toei Nua, Watthana. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-12am.   

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.