The best jazz bars in Bangkok to put some swing in your soul

Take five from your work and get down to a jazz bar in Bangkok — the vibes of these places will fly you straight to the moon.

A jazz bar never fails to impress. Come with friends and it makes an incredible night out. Come with a partner and the evening sticks within your memories. Come solo and you’ll still feel welcomed, surrounded by the music. And with something to sip, it’s all the more impressive.

Given the city’s growing collection of jazz venues, we’ve rounded up the best jazz bars Bangkok has to offer. From the newbies to the oldies that have marked a warm place in our hearts, here are our best picks.

[Hero and featured image credit: Firefly Bar]

The best jazz bars in Bangkok to put some swing in your soul

The Bamboo Bar

Located ground floor of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, The Bamboo Bar is the first jazz bar in Bangkok. It first opened in 1953, and still kept its timeless ambience to this day. The live jazz takes centre stage from Monday till Saturday. Those coming on Sunday will get to watch piano performances with no vocals.

The menu of The Bamboo Bar is all about evolution: even after 70 years of providing hospitality, they still get ahead of the curve, adapt to the times, and see how they can cater to the guests better. Can’t decide? The Bamboo Daiquiri and their take on the Mango Sticky Rice will blow you away.

You can find more information at The Bamboo Bar. Open daily, 5pm-1am. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, 48 Oriental Ave, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Bang Rak, Bangkok.

Crimson Room

If you’re wondering what a wonderful world looks like, come down to Langsuan for a great time at Crimson Room. With a beautiful cabaret-style interior with black, red, and gold accents, you’ll find yourself out of the red velvet cushions and on your feet for the whole evening. Feel free to be spontaneous — live jazz is on every day of the week.

As you watch the performance on the big stage at the centre, the cocktails surely do a great job at elevating those moments. The signature menu draws inspiration from all around the world with interesting ingredients. Masala gimlet, anyone?

You can find more information at Crimson Room. Open daily, 6pm-2am. Velaa Sindhorn Village, 87 Lang Suan Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

Buddha & Pals

A cafe by day and jazz bar by night, Buddha & Pals presents a perfect place for live jazz. According to the owner Mac, jazz shouldn’t be a luxury or be put high on a pedestal — jazz should be easily accessed, and welcoming to anyone who’s interested. With a small yet intimate venue, the bar is a community space for lovers of the genre to enjoy as you sip some drinks and watch cars go by outside. Bonus points for the vibes if it’s raining.

You can find more information at Buddha & Pals. Tue-Sun, 10am-midnight. 712 Krung Kasem Rd, Wat Sommanat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok.

Firefly Bar

Bask under the glow of Firefly Bar as the resident jazz band sweeps you off your feet. Sit by the bar to see all the magic unfold, in a corner for some intimacy, or by the terrace right by the lush garden — now that’s a moonlight serenade. The signature menu takes you on a trip around the world, from Thailand to Europe and South America. Complex but not complicated, their classic twists never fail to impress.

You can find more information at Firefly Bar. Open daily, 5pm-1am. Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, 80 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

Bar 251

Sometimes you need nothing more than some good jazz, and nothing too complicated. Bar 251 is just right for that, with lively vibes, live performances throughout the week, and simple yet effective drinks. Located in Ekkamai, the entrance may be quite hard to find on the first try, but it is so worth it.

You can find more information at Bar 251. 582/5 Sukhumvit 63 Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Tue-Sun, 7pm-2am.

Smalls

Tucked away in Soi Suan Phlu, Smalls is a cool hotspot for jazz lovers and industry insiders alike, to catch up over great drinks and great jazz music. The laidback vibe and artsy ambiance make it an ideal place to mingle with your mates while also appreciating a fine selection of contemporary art throughout the premise. Order a drink, and pair it with some great pizzas they offer till late.

You can find more information at Smalls. Wed-Mon, 6pm-2am. 186, 3-4 Suan Phlu 1 Alley, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok.

Alonetogether Bangkok

Alonetogether Bangkok is a collection of rooms: it’s a jazz bar, an audiophile room for vinyl lovers, a record shop, and another separate room for cigars. Everything screams of old world charm in the best way, and the live jazz performances from Wed-Sun upgrade the intimate vibes to an eleven.

As they focus on classic cocktails, something simple is best to pair with live jazz. A simple Old-Fashioned, a White Lady, or just some wine would be perfect.

You can find more information at Alonetogether Bangkok. Open daily, 7pm-1am. 29 Sukhumvit 31, Klongton Nue, Watthana, Bangkok.

Saxophone Pub

A staple within the Bangkok jazz scene, Saxophone Pub has been a hub for live music since it opened its doors in 1987. It’s a cosy place with great energy, fairly-priced drinks, and late night bites in case you’re feeling peckish.

There’s always live music playing everyday with a rotation of performers starting with acoustic sets from 7.30pm, and ending at 1.30am with more energetic genres from jazz to reggae.

You can find more information at Saxophone Pub. Open daily, 6pm-2am. 3, 8 Ratchawithi 11 Alley, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok.

Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar has seen a couple location changes since its first opening in 1985. As they reintroduce themselves in Soi Nana, Chinatown, they’re still beloved by the locals, and welcoming to anyone interested in jazz. As they feature many local talents, it’s a great place to discover rising stars in the scene, all while enjoying good drinks and atmosphere.

You can find more information at Brown Sugar. Open daily, 5pm-1am. 18 Soi Nana, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok.