There is a thriving scene for bars in Bangkok, with numerous bars in the Thai capital each having a charm of their own. Such a variety makes it hard for solo travellers to choose — until now. Here’s a compiled a list of 5 wonderful bars in Bangkok to unwind and meet locals.
Rolling Bar
Khao San Road is known as a backpacker’s paradise. Fittingly it is home to Rolling Bar. It is a great place to hang out after a long day in the city, and looks and feels more like a room your hippy friend would have. Not only that, Rolling Bar represents something we really love about Thailand: It offers value for money, as the drinks and food are all affordable. It is a simpler, quieter alternative to the rest of the bars suggested in this list.
Photo: Hanny Naibaho
Tep Bar
Tep Bar in Charoenkrung is the quintessential Thai bar. It is a restored shop-house, and boasts of “plenty of raw appeal.” Here cocktails are the drinks of choice, but not the pricey ones other bars offer, as Tep Bar’s cocktails are infused with local fruits, herbs, and spices. Not feeling like grabbing a cocktail? Then try some Thai herbal whiskey, called ya dong. The menu is authentic Thai, too, with Thai tapa and pad Thai being two of the tastiest dishes. Tep Bar even offers genuine Thai music at nighttime, with local performers playing traditional music for the guests.
Photo by Martin Rajdl
Sportsman Bar & Restaurant
Thais have a huge passion for sports. They are not only popular, but are big business. Unsurprisingly Thailand has some great sports bars. The Sportsman Bar & Restaurant is arguably the best sports bar in the city, with its large projector screens, video game machines, dartboards, and foosball tables. It has a wide drinks selection, plus a comprehensive menu of tasty treats.
The Sportsman is also the largest of its kind in Thailand, so you will have no problem finding a spot to watch your chosen sport. Another way to enjoy your time at the bar is to socialise with the locals, as they are friendly and accommodating. They also love to bet on sports, which adds another level to the experience of watching live matches in a Bangkok bar. In this case, asking them tips for betting online could be the perfect icebreaker to getting to know the locals. You get to take part in two national pastimes — sports and betting — all while meeting new people. Not to mention the locals’ knowledge of sports, especially Muay Thai and football, might even help you win a bet or two.
Photo by Frida Aguilar Estrada
The Game
Another popular sports bar here is The Game. It has one massive projector screen, plus 15 smaller HD TV screens, for your sports viewing pleasure. It also offers a range of drinks, from beer to cocktails. The Game has a varied menu of delectable but affordable dishes, including samplings of Thai cuisine (the Pad krapow and the green curry are highly recommended). They are prepared by renowned chef Andrew (Dru) Garrity. Again: food, drinks, and sports — not a bad way to cap off the night.
Photo by Dmitry Rodionov
About Eatery
Simple and casual, affordable yet enjoyable. That’s the best way to describe About Eatery in Bangkok. It is Bangkok’s first natural wine bar, but also offers craft beer. The menu is delectable as well, thanks to Italian chef Gabriele Luna. A trip to About Eatery will likely be your healthiest hangout yet. This bar prides itself on being all-organic, and that’ll certainly appeal to the health-conscious backpackers.
Photo by Victor Clime
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