To all the Thai review pages out there: just because a bar isn’t on the main road doesn’t make it a “hidden bar.” Here’s a look at speakeasies in Bangkok that are worth going to (once you find them).
Apart from the food and the shopping, one of the things Bangkok is certainly known for is the nightlife. We’re spoiled for choice when we hit the streets looking for a good drink, and a popular trend that hit the city in recent years is the “hidden bar.” A speakeasy in Bangkok is dime a dozen, but the ones worth going to may not be that easy to stumble upon.
A location with minimal signage, loyal customers, hidden in plain sight—there may be more of these than you imagined, so let us let you in on some of the secrets.
[Hero image credit: Midsummer Night’s Dream; featured image credit: opmbkk/Facebook]
Speakeasies in Bangkok that are actually hard to find
Find the Photo Booth
Wed-Mon, 7pm-late
A refreshing reopening with a location change, Find the Photo Booth is now providing delicious drinks to patrons of Banthat Thong road. In order to get in, you’ll need to find a photobooth parlour, find the right photobooth, and press the button to get in.
The signature menus are themed after musical notes, featuring renditions of classics both popular and lesser-known, such as the Clover Club, or Sea Dog, and more. These drinks go amazingly well paired with the live music available every day of operation.
Bantathong Road, Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok. Nearest station: Siam, BTS; Samyan, MRT. You can find more information Find the Photo Booth, or book via Chope.
Salon du Japonisant
Tues-Sun, 6pm-1am
When it comes to getting a drink after a long day, you don’t need much more than a cocktail you know you like. Salon du Japonisant is perfect for getting a classic, done right and at the optimal temperature and dilution. If you want something new, they also offer classic twists as a signature. Seeing as the venue is by importer and distributer Bacchus Global, the prices on these creations are more than fair.
You’ll find this bar in an unmarked corner shophouse located next to Hanakaruta, which takes a bit of courage to go in for the first time. Once you find it, you’ll find yourself back there again in no time.
36/5 Soi Sukhumvit 39 Sukhumvit Rd., Klongton Nua, Watthana, Bangkok. Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS. You can find more information at Salon du Japonisant..
Find The Locker Room
Open daily, 6pm-late
If you see the rows of lockers, you’ve found The Locker Room. To even get there, you’ll need to take your chances walking into a random, small, dimly-lit hallway in Thonglor, and we know what happened last time we did that.
Once you do manage to enter, you’ll be greeted with great drinks and excellent service that will linger with you for a long while. Plus, from personal experience, please, pretty please try the shrimp dumplings.
Over on the cocktail side, the must-try drink is the “Who Wears Short Shorts,” a drink inspired by the ’70s, made with three layers. You can taste each individually or all at once—both are equally great. It’s actually the favourite drink of their beverage director.
406 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Nearest station: Thonglor, BTS. You can find more information at Find The Locker Room.
The Key Room No. 72
Open daily, 6pm-late
Josh Hotel’s The Key Room has stayed with the Ari neighbourhood for a long while, establishing itself firmly as one of Bangkok’s OG speakeasies, and one of the go-to places while in the area. Getting in requires you to go through the reception at Josh Hotel and getting a physical keycard to tap in.
The signature cocktails are inspired by notes from famous composers throughout history, as well as the owner Mr Josh’s travels. On your first time, we recommend “A Drop of Tokyo,” served in a sake bottle, made using vodka, sake, and just the right amount of wasabi.
19/2 Ari 4 Fang Nua Alley, Phaya Thai, Bangkok. Nearest station: Ari, BTS. You can find more information The Key Room No.72.
Honest Mistake Bar
Open daily, 7pm-1.30am
It’s never an honest mistake stumbling into a bar, but this one is centred around that idea. Honest Mistake is located behind a pawn shop, paying homage to the prohibition era where alcohol venues were hidden behind more legal storefronts. The cocktail menu also revolves around Chinese ingredients to provide guests the full fantasy.
When stumbling upon this Bangkok speakeasy, we recommend ordering the “Little Soho,” a vodka-based drink perfect for those with a sweet tooth made with housemade chestnut caramel, and served with caramelised chestnuts on the side.
488 Phahonyothin Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok. Nearest station: Saphan Kwai, BTS. You can find more information at Honest Mistake Bar.
Root Bar
Open daily, 7pm-2am
Root Bar has no menu, which is one of the best and worst aspects about the place. It’s great because you don’t feel tied down by any text and you’re free to order whatever you feel like. You want something refreshing for a long day at work? Sure. You want a drink that resembles your cold-hearted ex? The bartenders will craft you something that fits just that.
The bad part is that if you like the drink, you won’t get the same drink twice, and they’ll make it clear even before you start ordering — once you even find this speakeasy, of course.
1130 Phahonyothin Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok. Nearest station: Phahon Yothin, MRT. You can find more information at Root Bar.
Sugar Ray, You’ve Just Been Poisoned
Open daily, 7pm-2am
Look for the door within Octo Seafood Bar, and you’ll find an intimate, laidback speakeasy with sleek interiors and no-nonsense cocktails to match. With the warmly lit bar, it’s one of the more beautiful places to come solo and watch the bartenders perform their magic. On the menu, you’ll find familiar ingredients with a simple-yet-effective Asian twist, such as ginseng-infused gin or housemade pandan syrup.
88/2,88/9 Sukhumvit 24 Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Nearest station: Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, MRT. You can find more information at Sugar Ray, You’ve Just Been Poisoned, or book via the website..
Tax Bar
Open daily, 7pm-late
Now this is a speakeasy that’s undoubtedly very Bangkok in essence. “Nothing is certain but death & tax” is the message you’ll see in front of the set of stairs leading you to Tax. It’s quaint, with a little bit of punk elegance, but doesn’t feel pretentious. Run by the same team behind Teens of Thailand, Tax is the group’s response to the lack of financial support, as well as the unfair treatment of the bar industry, during the pandemic. The result is a cocktail bar with an inventive menu, with a spotlight on house-made vinegars. The menu states, “you can tax all our booze, but you cannot tax our vinegars.”
695-697 Maitri Chit Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok. Nearest station: Hua Lamphong, MRT. You can find more information at Tax Bar.
Midsummer Night’s Dream Bar
6pm-midnight
The mouthful name of this bar also brings a great story to your drinks. Named after Shakespeare’s play, the bar (not typing it all out again) is located above a serene little flower shop called Wynnwood. Walking up, you”ll be greeted with flora and fauna, like escaping into another world. The drinks menu also reflects this, as all cocktail names play on references from Shakespeare.
Our favourite drink is undoubtedly “A man can die but once,” named after the line from Henry IV; a rum-based cocktail with aromas from peach tea, coffee oil, mixed herbs, and served with a cigar. If you love a good Gin & Tonic, their gin collection is very extensive.
61/2 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Nearest station: Thonglor, BTS. You can find more information at Midsummer Night’s Dream Bar.
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day and skinny legend by night, Vichayuth focuses on the hospitality industry of Thailand. You'll often find him at a bar finding new friends, discovering new drinks, and silently judging you from across the room.
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