Getting Drunk with Locals: 10 Best Local Bars in Bangkok
Photo by: Damian Jr.
A backpacker favorite, Bangkok is a city of shameless excess (surprise bits under the ladyboy’s dress included). Every night, budget-driven, booty-seeking or business-minded travelers swarm the city’s thousands of hotspots to exchange bahts for booze. From swanky rooftop lounges to ultra-seedy hole-in-the-wall dives, Bangkok has a watering hole for every budget (given the exchange rate, you can likely afford all of it). Our list of Bangkok’s best bars features the ten renowned for both cool quirks and friendly prices.
Phra Nakorn Bar
Photo by: Michael Paul Young
Both bar and art gallery, this sweet venue holds art shows in a space studded with lounge chairs and pool tables. Check out the works of up-and-coming Thai artists at the gallery or mingle with sexy, artsy college students for a drink in the rooftop bar, taking in the stunning view of the Old City from three stories above the ground.
Brick Bar
Photo by: Danaan Andrew
The self-proclaimed “best reggae/ska bar in all of Thailand” (Rasta-thai-rian?), Brick Bar is a favorite among music lovers; thanks to the three+ music acts that perform every night. Named for the homey, exposed brick walls, the bar is a haven to 400+ guests nightly who prefer its cozy feel to fancy-pants swanky lounges. Arrive early (by 10 PM) to snag a table and avoid involuntarily drowning in a sea of reggae dancing-induced sweat (leave your table sporadically to soak up some sweat at your own pace).
Hippie de Bar
Photo by: Harnpon Juapetch
True to its name, Hippie de Bar is a funky hangout for hippies – who like to get drunk. This bar oozes comfy and cozy vibes, with mismatched furniture inside the converted old wooden house and fairy lights strung along the outdoor seating area (damn hippies and their fairies). Wherever you choose to sit, you’re guaranteed cheap drinks and lighthearted conversation with hip Thai kids.
Telephone Pub
Photo by: "gossipgaykorea"
It may be one of the oldest gay clubs in Bangkok, but Telephone has plenty to offer visitors of any sexual orientation. This club takes you way back in time, with a telephone in every booth so you can dial up whomever catches your eye across the room. Drink at any of the numerous bars or experience Asia with vocal adrenaline at the karaoke lounge.
Tawandaeng German Brewery
This German-themed brewery was constructed to resemble the interior of a beer barrel. The massive beer hall offers live (sometimes raunchy) entertainment to its hammered clientele every night of the week. Learn to trust the Thai with your sausage and wash down Tawandaeng’s homemade bratwurst with a pint of self-brewed beer and dance the calories off during the grand finale musical show.
Boh Bar
Photo by: Adam Baker
Another bar with a kickass view is Boh Bar, a humble hangout located on the waterfront at Tha Thien Pier. Unlike most bars in Bangers, this one doesn’t charge a premium for its amazing location. Come in the afternoon to (key word) sip cheap local whiskey while watching the sunset over the river and the ancient temples of Wat Arun.
Cheap Charlie’s
Photo by: "blink+"
There’s no front door, no bathrooms and no roof, but who needs all that in a bar? Cheap Charlie’s pares it down to the essentials, serving ridiculously cheap booze to a few barstools inside horribly kitschy decor. More than anything, Cheap Charlie’s resembles a post-apocalyptic shelter; the type a blind man would build by nailing together a few pieces of driftwood. Grab a few Singha beers from this joint and don’t forget to give the homemade toilet a squat to break the seal.
Molly Bar
Not to be confused with Molly’s cheesy Irish sister (last name Malone), Molly Bar is a two-story retro Colonial piece of architecture. Cheap drinks, live Thai folk music and a mellow atmosphere keep Thai locals coming back every night. The laid-back, beachy vibe makes this place perfect for unwinding after a long day of temple-exploring, bargaining or bus-riding.
Old Leng
If a Western-style saloon and an ancient Chinese drinking hall hooked up one drunken night, their offspring would look like Old Leng. Add retro Coke ads, faded signs and live bands performing cheesy 80s covers, and you’ve created a favorite among older, heavy-drinking Thai folk. Order a glass of Sangsom whiskey and coke (a Thai specialty) and head out to the quiet front porch for a hot make-out session.
Wong’s Place
Photo by: "SAT**"
From Asian celebrities to broke Aussie backpackers, everyone caps off the night at Wong’s Place. Like a black hole or the island in Lost, it’s the ultimate destination. This dive bar still looks like it’s stuck in the 60s— and it’s not about being ironic, either. The owner, Sam Wong, is a Chinese immigrant who claims his music video collection is the largest in the city. Grab a budget beer from the communal pay-later ‘honesty’ fridge and check out Sam’s music recommendations for the evening.
Heavy drinking is definitely a casualty of Thai travel, but luckily, having a killer time won’t require draining your entire budget on booze. Traveling is all about opening your mind, so sample these eclectic bars for a fun exploration of charming seediness and clever quirks.
A sassy, spunky, and spontaneous globetrottress taking the world, one passport stamp at a time.
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