A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but a well-made Martini is everyone’s best friend. These bars in Bangkok have Martini twists that will have you coming back for more.
The classic Dry Martini is made with dry gin, dry vermouth, perhaps a dash of orange bitters, and garnished with a lemon twist or olives — whatever the customer wants. It’s normally done with a 5:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, but is extremely versatile. There’s really no wrong way to order a Martini, although we could be proven wrong.
These bars do not disappoint. No need to compromise for a good Martini twist in Bangkok sitting at these bars. Note that we’re also counting a few variations on the classic, due to the sheer versatility of the cocktail.
[Hero image credit: Thomas Hetzler/Unsplash; featured Image credit: Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett/Unsplash]
Bars in Bangkok with the best twists on the Martini
“The Only Vesper Martini,” served with bafun uni and ikura
Location: G.O.D Bkk
It’s such a bold move to name your signature item “The Only Vesper Martini.” It’s made with Gordon’s Vintage, peach stem vodka, and Lillet Sauvage, and served with bafun uni, ikura, ponzu, and black salt on a vermouth-soaked rice pillow. After a sip, we get it. The temperature, the bold spirit, in contrast with subtle notes of peach and herbs from Lillet Sauvage, as well as the pairing bite that makes the experience feel complete — we’re overwhelmed with such a sense of content, that it’s the only Vesper Martini we need for the whole night.
More info: G.O.D Bkk
Opening times: Open daily, 7pm-1am
Location: Soi Nana, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Wat Mangkon, MRT
“Below Zero Gibson,” with gin, shochu, and two types of sake
Location: Frog Bkk
Omit the orange bitters from your regular Martini, serve it with pickled onions, and you have a Gibson. Frog’s take on the classic is based on the traditional Kagoshima way of drinking called “Maewari,” which involves blending shochu with water to change the shochu’s characteristics. The cocktail is made with gin, lychee shochu, two types of sake, and served with Japanese pickles and smoked quail egg. Expect a sweet drink, balanced out by dryer ingredients, with a savoury twist that comes as a pairing.
More info: Frog BKK
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 5pm-midnight
Location: 237 Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
“The Meadow,” with notes of jasmine rice and elderflower
Location: #OBSESSION.BKK
#OBSESSION.BKK prides themself on their selection of spirits. According to them, this cocktail aims to be an “easy-going Martini” that can be enjoyed by both enthusiasts and those who want to try something more spirit-forward. It’s made using Scapegrace Gin, a New Zealand gin with distinct, clean floral notes, paired with elderflower aperitif, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, jasmine rice syrup, and a bit of coconut rum for the body. Although not the most conventional Martini twist Bangkok has to offer, it definitely is not to be missed.
More info: #OBSESSION.BKK
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 6.30pm-1am (until 1.30am on Fri-Sat)
Location: 4th Floor, The Rock Pub, 1011-3/4 Phahonyothin Rd, Phaya Thai, Khet Phaya Thai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Sanam Pao, BTS
“Oyster,” with mignonette wine and oyster leaf
Location: F*nkytown
F*nkytown’s take on a savoury Martini has a lot of moving parts. They repurposed opened bottles of wine from their sister locations to create a mignonette, then combined it with lemon-infused gin, violet liqueur, shallots, and garnished with an oyster leaf. The product is akin to the savoury, briny flavours of a freshly-shucked oyster. F*nkytown’s menu changes regularly, but this one is a mainstay.
More info: F*nkytown
Opening times: Open daily, 5pm-midnight
Location: 1, 39 Sukhumvit 37 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
“Cloudy Martini,” with muddled olives and olive oil
Location: The Backroom
Some like a Dirty Martini, but we prefer it filthy. A splash of olive brine is cute, but the Cloudy Martini has the bartender muddle olives into the drink, followed by grinds of black pepper and a few drops of olive oil. Many places default to gin when making a Dirty Martini, but The Backroom uses vodka as base for a more olive-forward cocktail. Hence, the cloudy appearance, and the briny taste that swallows a hard day’s problems.
More info: The Backroom
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 7pm-2am
Location: 35/5 – 35/7, second floor, Soi Si Bamphen, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Nearest station: Khlong Toei, MRT
“Aqua Martini,” with rosemary and passionfruit air foam
Location: Aqua Bar
Aqua Bar’s Martini feels more akin to a Pornstar Martini, a modern classic cocktail created by bartender Douglas Ankrah who claims he named the cocktail because he wanted the drink to evoke a sense of “pure indulgence, sexy, fun and evocative.” Although not really resembling a classic Martini, the sweet, sour, and fruity notes make this cocktail a crowd-pleaser. Aqua Bar’s version uses vodka infused with pineapple, passionfruit Aperol sous vide’d with rosemary, dry vermouth, their homemade cordial, and topped with passionfruit air foam.
More info: Aqua Bar
Opening times: Open daily, 12pm-12.30am
Location: Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest station: Ratchadamri, MRT
“Violet Hour Martini,” with orange and violet liqueurs
Location: The St. Regis Bar
The “Violet Hour” refers to the time of day when the sun sets and the sky turns into a purple hue, marking the transition from day to night. The St. Regis hotels around the world, Bangkok included, feature the Violet Hour Martini, which is created to best enjoy during that hour. It’s made with gin, Lillet blanc (a brand of aromatised wine), orange liqueur, violet liqueur, and orange bitters — a perfect order after the bar’s daily champagne sabering at 6pm.
More info: The St. Regis Bar
Opening times: Open daily, 12pm-midnight
Location: The St. Regis Bangkok, 159 Rajadamri Road Bangkok
Nearest station: Ratchadamri, MRT
“Dry Martini GDL,” with agave and chili
Location: Ojo
Served at Ojo, this is one drink that will make you exclaim the venue name, and with exclamation marks. The Dry Martini GDL is inspired by the Mexican city of Guadalajara (GDL), made with London dry gin, chili liqueur, and Salmiana agave. Think of your usual Dry Martini, but with a bit of smokiness and a spicy kick. It’s then served at -1ºc. The cold temperature works wonders for a Martini, for it reduces the “bite” of the alcohol, and makes the overall drink feel lighter.
More info: Ojo
Opening times: Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm; 5.30-11.30pm
Location: 76th Floor, The Standard Bangkok, 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Chong Nonsi, BTS
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Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
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