Under-the-radar cocktail bars to discover in Bangkok

Bangkok has a lot of cocktail bars. You can go outside, throw a stone, and it’ll hit three bars. Therefore, even the bars that are perhaps more lowkey are worth checking out. Let these places sweep you off your feet.

When in Bangkok, many have their own criteria for which cocktail bar they should visit. Maybe you refer to the awards and accolades these cocktail bars have received on both local and international stages. Sometimes you may look at the location, and explore whichever are the nearest places. Perhaps, you follow online guides, but notice a lot also feature the same places over and over again. We think it’s time to discover new places: under-the-radar, low-key, local favourites. Here’s a few of them.

[Hero image credit: Bar Glide/Facebook; featured image credit: Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar]

Under-the-radar cocktail bars to discover in Bangkok

Kodo Bar

Tue-Sun, 5pm-midnight

In a country relatively new to cocktails, getting young people to understand cocktails is key, and Kodo is a great place for that. Located on Banthat Thong road above a Japanese restaurant, the bar serves as a sanctuary for many students of the nearby Chulalongkorn University, introducing the world of cocktails to them. Their menu changes depending on the season, utilising Japanese ingredients for the Thai palette. If you’re looking for a low-key experience, this is a lovely place to visit after dinner.

Why it’s under the radar: Banthat Thong road is not known for cocktail bars, but for the abundance of street food and dessert places. The bar team may have less experience compared to award-winning bars, but the hospitality and passion they exude makes up for it.

You can find more information at Kodo Bar. 1372, 3rd Floor, Wangmai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

Hex Bar

Open daily, 6pm-1am

After treating your body and soul to the sheer amount of food in Yaowarat, walk down to Hex for something refreshing for a nightcap or two. Vanich 1 is a dark and rather quiet soi in the evening, so you’ll see this bar standing out. Their storefront is a magical potions shop, with a burning cauldron, shelves with trinkets, and a fake wall that will take you to the actual speakeasy. It’s as if the Ollivander’s wand shop from Harry Potter turned into a Bangkok cocktail bar, and it’s charming to say the least.

Highlights include the “Hexing Potion,” with rye whisky infused with giant water bugs as the base, and a lot of added herbs from rosemary to Sichuan pepper. There’s also the “Speed Potion,” a rum-based drink made from bergamot, pandan, ginger, and garnished with kaffir lime.

Why it’s under the radar: Vanich 1 is quiet after dark, and the world-famous Opium Bar is just around twenty steps from Hex.

You can find more information at Hex Bar. 412 Vanich 1 Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok.

Rogue Affair

Tue-Sun, 6pm-1am

It’s the James Bond-themed bar we all deserve. They’re great at Martinis, and on quieter nights you’ll be able to join a few rounds on their poker mat (no actual gambling, of course). It’s also perfect if you’re the type to go solo, for their hospitality is so warm it’s like they built a sort of community of their own. Their cocktail menu is themed after playing cards: Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, with four drinks for each category. They also have secret menus available for those who know the code word. Try ordering a “Green Russian” and ask them for its story.

If you’re with some company, the “King – Spade” will hold ’em with you, made with truffle-infused whisky, Cynar, cherry heering, some dark chocolate, and a sprinkle of salt. The “Jack – Diamond,” a mezcal-based drink with mead, jasmine, lime cordial, and honey liqueur is so good it will make you go all in.

Why it’s under the radar: Any bar that’s located a short walk away from Vesper is easily overshadowed no matter how good they may be. Plus, being in a boutique hotel with no bar sign out front can be a bit challenging for those simply walking by.

You can find more information at Rogue Affair. Passa Hotel, 63 Sala Daeng 2 Alley, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok.

Yoichi Nikka

Mon-Sat, 6pm-1am

Yoichi Nikka is one of the most authentic Tokyo bar experiences you can get in Bangkok, so much so that there’s a cover charge before you get to order. The House of Suntory and House of Nikka are two foremost whisky distilleries in Japan. Each is well-respected by whisky lovers in their own right, but in Thailand, we would say that Suntory is a little bit more popular. In fact, Yoichi Nikka is the first and only Nikka bar in Thailand. So, the bar makes for a great opportunity to see Nikka whisky in action. Perhaps the occasion calls for a tasting flight?

We would recommend signature cocktails, but their array of highballs is simply amazing — refreshing, light, just the right amount of peatiness from the whisky. The “Black Pepper Highball” works surprisingly well, and serves as a great after dinner drink.

Why it’s under the radar: Sukhumvit 30 doesn’t really have anything for people to walk into, and the bar itself doesn’t boast big signs to declare itself as a bar. Japanese dining spot Yoichi is right next door, so it’s perfect for people to come in after dinner, but apart from that, it’s pretty understated and doesn’t get much media attention.

You can find more information at Yoichi Nikka. 2, 12 Sukhumvit 30 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok.

Bar Glide

Tues-Sun, 6pm-1am

Bar Glide aims to take you on a journey of Japan’s most famous bars and see what makes them so great, as well as charge you THB 500++ for a Campari Highball. Coupled with the city pop they have on, DJs coming in regularly, and the bar seats facing the windows, the vibes are basically if Miki Matsubara’s Stay With Me became a cocktail bar in Bangkok. Bonus points for atmosphere when it’s raining.

The bar shines the most through their signatures, including the “Dirty Fizz,” a gin fizz with olive brine, and “Eternal Sunshine,” made with H by Hine VSOP cognac, bianco vermouth, apricot jam, lime, apple, and a little bit of absinthe.

Why it’s under the radar: Bar Glide is located inside restaurant Sushi KiShin at the St Regis Bangkok, which is located on the hotel’s 12th floor. It has no signage outside, and is opposite The St Regis Bar that has live jazz blasting into the halls.

You can find more information at Bar Glide. 12 Floor, St Regis Bangkok, Rajadamri, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar

Open daily, 5pm-midnight

An al fresco rooftop bar hits different; the chill breeze that wafts through your hair coupled with refreshing drinks make Bangkok’s climate just a little bit more bearable. Cooling Tower sits atop the Carlton Hotel Bangkok, with a menu inspired by the 12 zodiac signs. Each drink is created as a twist on a classic cocktail, so if you’re a fan of classics and looking for new spins on them, this is a pretty nice place to hang.

We strongly recommend trying the “Virgo,” a fun spin on the usual gin and tonic, but with Hendrick’s Neptunia, blossom Monin syrup, beetroot bitter, and Fentimans pink grapefruit tonic; along with the “Aries,” made with Monkey Shoulder, St. George Nola coffee, espresso, honey comb, and a few dashes of chocolate bitters.

Why it’s under the radar: Bangkok has, give or take, a hundred rooftop bars, so this rooftop bar manages to hide under the radar. It doesn’t host events and guest shifts regularly, so even if there’s quite a number of guests from the hotel, Cooling Tower can feel like a more relaxed experience compared to other rooftop bars.

You can find more information at Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar. 34th floor, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 491 Sukhumvit Road Klongtoey Nua, 491 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok.

Bees Things & Flowers

Tue-Sun, 5pm-midnight

This bar fulfils a niche in our hearts we never thought we needed: having a drink while watching the cars of Maitri Chitr intersection driving by. The name “Bees Things & Flowers” came from the 2006 song Everybody Loves Sunshine by Incognito. Along with their signature cocktail selection, they’re great at making modern classics. It’s a fine way to introduce yourself to new classics if you’re in an experimental mood and looking for something other than your usual Negroni.

When was the last time you heard someone order the Benny Blanco? It’s a very refreshing aperitif with a kick from chili liqueur, and it might just be your new favourite.

Why it’s under the radar: The general area is surrounded by well-known bars, such as Soi Nana’s Teens of Thailand, Asia Today, GOD, and more, as well as the very photogenic Lucky Duck bar next door. Three flights of stairs also don’t help, but the view is so worth it, and the venue is perfect for a date night.

You can find more information at Bees Things & Flowers.