shane eaton 12/2/25 shane eaton 12/2/25

Bangkok

In a city where tradition and modernity intertwine at every corner, Bangkok’s cocktail landscape proves endlessly inventive. From serene courtyards and heritage jazz lounges to avant-garde tasting menus and theatrical rituals, each bar offers its own distinct lens on Thai creativity. Together, they form a constellation of experiences—quiet, bold, playful, and deeply rooted in place. Whether you come for craftsmanship, storytelling, or simply the pleasure of a perfectly made drink, Bangkok ensures that every night out becomes its own memorable journey.

Below we take you on a tour of our favorite drinking spots in the “City of Angels”.

Aqua

Set within the hallowed, hushed grounds of the Anantara Siam, Aqua Bangkok offers a transcendent retreat from the city's frantic pulse. This is more than a bar; it is a meticulously sculpted, semi-outdoor sanctuary—a resort-like bubble where the only soundtrack is the gentle rustle of tropical leaves, the soft gurgle of koi ponds, and the quiet clink of ice. The moment you cross the threshold, Bangkok’s rhythm simply melts away, replaced by an easy, unhurried tempo perfected by the glow of lanterns reflecting off the water's surface.

At the heart of this lush, hidden courtyard stands an utterly enchanting bar: a dramatic gilded counter, seemingly carved from aged driftwood and lined with bottles that could hold magical potions. Yet, the true enchantment of Aqua resides not just in its otherworldly ambience, but in its star bartender—and his captivating persona.

Meet Quill, the bar’s dapper mascot—a duck in a vest fashioned from lotus leaves, winging a shaker with surprising finesse and sporting rather striking tattoos. Quill is the folkloric heart of Aqua, crafting cocktails from elements like "dew drops, mist berries, and enchanted nectars harvested at twilight." In reality, Quill is the masterful alter ego of Bar Manager Ryan Dela Vega, known to many for his hilarious and extroverted social media presence. Despite his online dynamism, Ryan is, by his own account, reserved—a thoughtful creative whose quiet confidence shapes Aqua’s refined identity. His cocktail philosophy is one of clean, sunlit flavors and elegant balance, crafting drinks that harmonize with the natural beauty of the courtyard rather than competing with it.

A highlight from Ryan's latest menu is the Dewdrop Whisper. It is a perfect distillation of his style, featuring Roku gin and elderflower liqueur. As Quill (or rather, Ryan) poetically explains the concept: "Roku Gin and elderflower drift together like lotus petals upon Prosecco clouds. Garnished with frozen grapes that glisten like morning dew on Quill's pond, it's a sip of stillness—crisp, floral, and feather-light."

The Bamboo Bar and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Thailand's first luxury hotel, has graced the banks of the Chao Phraya River since 1876. Following its debut was The Bamboo Bar in 1953, the nation's inaugural hotel bar and an immediate cornerstone of Bangkok high society. As the country's longest-running jazz lounge, it has remained a magnet for cocktail and jazz connoisseurs alike.

Refurbished in 2014, the bar blends contemporary polish with classic tropical elements—bamboo is woven throughout the design, from the bar to the ceiling. The current cocktail menu, curated by Chanel Adams and her team, is a refined tribute to Thai terroir, honoring local herbs and indigenous fruits like mangoes and snake fruit.

A cocktail gaining immediate fame is The Lotus Unfolds, a refined mix inspired by the fifth episode of The White Lotus Season 3, which was filmed right here. It combines Código Rosa Tequila, Whispering Angel Rosé, and herbal complexity from Luxardo Bitter Bianco and Mancino Secco, finishing with the exotic tartness of snake fruit.

Two mainstays anchor the menu: the eponymous smoky twist on the Bamboo cocktail (Mancino Bianco, Fino Sherry, and Ardbeg 10 Year Scotch) and the vibrant, best-selling Green Mango Bee’s Knees. This sour-meets-spicy creation shakes London dry gin, honey, and lime with a Thai green mango shrub and a hint of Thai chili. The drink achieves a complex balance of crisp citrus, sweet honey, and fresh tartness, sealed with a gentle, lingering heat.

Bar Us

Opened in January 2023, Bar Us is the sleek, contemporary drinking lounge redefining Bangkok's Sukhumvit district. It is the latest visionary project from Sudarat “Taln” Rojanavanich and Veerach “Aum” Sawaengsupt, the acclaimed duo behind Messengerservice Bar.

With backgrounds in creative design, Taln and Aum have treated Bar Us as a canvas. The interior and the menu are crafted with meticulous intention, layering contrasting elements to shape every detail—much like their signature drinks.

The menu mimics a fine dining experience, structured as a multi-course cocktail list featuring Starter, Main, and After sections.

The journey begins with a refreshing Starter. The MANGO SKIN + MARIGOLD + TURMERIC ROOT is a vibrant highball marrying tropical mango skin distillate, earthy turmeric root, and zesty ginger. Floral marigold and crisp Widges gin are lengthened with Perrier and CO2, resulting in a light, effervescent drink served over an ice spear.

Next is the Main, headlined by the popular SATAY. A complex balance of spicy, savory, sweet, and sour, the drink recalls the popular Thai peanut dipping sauce. It layers Masala Distillate, chili liqueur, shallot, cucumber, and macadamia nut, finished with a salt solution and a hint of chili oil.

The experience culminates with an After cocktail. PANDAN + JACKFRUIT pays liquid homage to Kha-Nhom-Chan, the beloved Thai dessert. The innovative, yet traditional, drink blends jackfruit distillate with pandan syrup, which delivers a creamy, grassy sweetness. White rum, sous-vide with Lapsang Souchong tea, adds a subtle smokiness reminiscent of charred banana leaf. The cocktail is topped with jasmine and coconut foam, achieving a perfect, balanced richness.

G.O.D

G.O.D. — Genius On Drugs — is the latest creation from Bangkok bar pioneer Niks Anuman, a bold, tongue-in-cheek temple where cocktails are treated like ritual. Set inside two restored shophouses in Chinatown, the bar blends brutalist concrete with stained-glass accents and a deliberately provocative entrance sculpture, creating an atmosphere that feels at once sacred and subversive.

Inside, warm lighting, a mezzanine piano, and minimalist design choices soften the industrial edges. The concept is simple but daring: spirit-forward drinks, each paired with a small gourmet bite, designed to be consumed in a specific sequence—a kind of liquid liturgy.

Among its most talked-about offerings are two martinis that define the bar’s personality. The Uni Martini is served at –18°C with bafun uni placed on your hand alongside a smoked-hay olive; the intended ritual is uni, then martini, then olive, then martini. As Niks himself puts it, “You never knew you needed one, until you’ve had one.” The Oyster Martini offers a briny, elegant counterpoint, accompanied by a Fine de Claire oyster dressed with coconut–dill vinaigrette and coppa ham.

Together, these drinks capture the essence of G.O.D.—theatrical, sensory, and unapologetically bold, a place where nightlife becomes ceremony and every cocktail feels like a confession.

Firefly

Nestled within the Sindhorn Kempinski, Firefly Bar casts a cinematic glow over Bangkok's vibrant nightlife, bringing a polished, Art Deco-inspired hush to the evening. This is a space defined by quiet luxury: dark woods, deep emerald tones, and gleaming gold accents converge to create a lounge that feels like a seamless fusion of a classic European jazz salon and a contemporary Thai sanctuary. Plush armchairs invite lingering, while soft amber lighting ensures an intimate, flattering warmth.

The menu, expertly curated, offers standout compositions. A bold highlight is Don’t Break My Nuts, a richly complex sipper built on a foundation of Michter’s American Whiskey and Bourbon. Enhanced by dates, walnuts, a Campari reduction, chocolate, and orange bitters, this cocktail serves as the ideal pre-dinner aperitivo for those seeking something with more depth and character than a typical Negroni.

Guiding this elevated experience is Beverage Manager Dicky Hartono. Drawing on his expertise—including a tenure at The Back Room in the Philippines—Hartono masterfully crafts more than just drinks; he composes the entire atmosphere.

Firefly is the rare Bangkok destination where the night unfolds with deliberate grace: impeccable service, ambient low light, and refined cocktails that are thoughtfully composed. It stands as a sophisticated and tranquil refuge from the city's electric swirl.

Mahaniyom

When one contemplates Bangkok's definitive bar scene, the name Ronnaporn "Neung" Kanivichaporn, Global Bacardi Legacy 2019 winner and prolific founder, instantly comes to mind. In 2022, Kanivichaporn and veteran Chennarong “Jan” Bhumichitr unveiled Mahaniyom—Thai for "great desire" or "popularity"—in the vibrant Bang Rak district.

Slightly hidden above the lauded 100 Mahaseth restaurant, Mahaniyom occupies an old, multi-generational tea house. The venue is a colourful, eclectic ode to the Instagram age, defined by eye-catching Asian elements, including an iconic neon tiger flanking the bar.

The menu is inspired by 100 Mahaseth’s ethos: sustainability and single-ingredient focus. Here, ingredients—from Pomelo to Squid, Cow to Coconut—are the undisputed protagonists. The team believes every part of a plant or animal imparts a distinctive flavor or texture.

A standout is the Cow cocktail. This savory yet rounded drink ingeniously uses animal by-products like beef fat, milk, butter, and blue cheese. It combines black pepper brown butter brandy with a striking red wine miso clarified milk punch (featuring wagyu beef fat, miso, and rum). Served over a large cube and crowned with a blue cheese air, it epitomizes liquid innovation.

St Regis Bar

The St. Regis Bar, Bangkok is where classic Manhattan grandeur meets the dazzling kinetic energy of the Thai capital. Positioned at a privileged altitude, the bar commands a breathtaking vista over the Royal Bangkok Sports Club—a sprawling, emerald sanctuary of stillness against the urban density. This is the paramount location to witness the day’s spectacular finale as the sky transitions into an electric twilight.

The nightly ritual reaches its peak during the signature 'Violet Hour,' best enjoyed with Patty, the best of Bangkok. The bar program is overseen by Beverage Manager Brian Gonzalez, who brings a global pedigree refined across Spain, London, and Bangkok. To fully inhabit the moment, do not miss the eponymous Violet Hour Martini—a poised blend of Gin, Lillet, orange liqueur, violet liqueur, and orange bitters—the essential companion piece to watching the sun make its final, dramatic descent.