Top 10 bar in Bangkok
Award data + insider know-how, with our Editor’s Pick: veyla Bangkok at the end
Bangkok’s cocktail scene is on fire—equal parts craftsmanship, theatre, and late-night energy. This long-form guide blends rankings from major awards with on-the-ground perspective so you can actually plan where to go tonight. We’ll walk you through the Top 10 bar experiences across key neighborhoods (Riverside, Sathorn/Silom, Chinatown, Thonglor/Ekkamai), then close with our Editor’s Pick (full disclosure: it’s our own venue, veyla Bangkok).
How we chose these Top 10 bar picks (methodology)
- Awards & lists (2025): We verified Bangkok placements on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 (and the 51–100 lists), plus credible round-ups from bar media.
- Enduring icons: A few legendary rooms are here even if they aren’t on the 2025 lists—they’re still essential stops with recent accolades or durable reputations.
- Guest experience: Bar size, booking friction, music, and crowd energy matter as much as glassware and garnish.
The list — Top 10 bar in Bangkok (A–Z, not ranked)
1) Bar Sathorn (Sathorn)
Vibe: Genteel mansion lounge inside The House on Sathorn—heritage bones, polished service, date-night lighting.
Order style: Classic-adjacent builds and refined signatures; settle in for a two-round arc from aperitif to spirit-forward.
Best for: Elegant pre- or post-dinner; architecture lovers.
Why it matters: No.48 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
2) Bar Us (Sukhumvit 26)
Vibe: “Drink as cuisine” lab energy—dark, theatrical, chef’s-table spirit.
Order style: Seasonal tasting-menu thinking; lots of technique (distillation, fermentation, carbonation).
Best for: Cocktail nerds; small groups willing to book early.
Why it matters: No.4 in Asia 2025 and No.15 in the World 2025; also named Best Bar in Thailand 2025 by the 50 Best platform.
3) BKK Social Club (Riverside, Four Seasons)
Vibe: Golden-age glamour with Latin soul; flawless hotel-bar hospitality.
Order style: House infusions/macerations, a Champagne vein, cigar pairing vibes.
Best for: Pre-/post-dinner near the river; special-occasion nights.
Why it matters: No.19 in Asia 2025 and No.49 in the World 2025.
4) Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (Silom/Thonglor venue; check booking)
Vibe: Minimalist room, maximum ideas. Signature concept blends two eras into one cocktail—surprising but precise.
Order style: “Super Classics” that hybridize canonical drinks; bar seats feel like front-row tickets.
Best for: First-timers who want something truly new.
Why it matters: No.5 in Asia 2025 and winner of Disaronno Highest New Entry 2025; No.88 in the World (51–100) 2025.
5) G.O.D. (Genius.on.Drugs) (Chinatown)
Vibe: Playfully irreverent temple to spirit-forward cocktails from the Niks Anuman collective.
Order style: Bold, high-impact builds; bring an adventurous palate.
Best for: Chinatown nights, post-dinner bar hop.
Why it matters: No.26 in Asia 2025.
6) Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Thonglor)
Vibe: Thai ingredient evangelists with haute-technique polish.
Order style: Regional flavors in modern structures (think tamarind, palm sugar, herbs framed elegantly).
Best for: Drinkers who love terroir and storytelling.
Why it matters: No.71 on Asia’s 51–100 list (2025).
7) Opium (Chinatown)
Vibe: Tall, narrow shophouse turned cocktail theatre; sister to POTONG restaurant.
Order style: Punchy, theatrical serves inspired by the 120-year-old building.
Best for: Immersive late evenings in Talat Noi/Song Wat.
Why it matters: No.43 in Asia 2025 and No.92 on the World 51–100 (2025).
8) The Bamboo Bar (Mandarin Oriental) (Riverside)
Vibe: Bangkok’s first jazz bar (since 1953); live sets, tux-smart service, timeless room.
Order style: House signatures + evolved classics; strong non-alcoholic options too.
Best for: Jazz lovers; dress-up nights.
Why it matters: A storied institution with decades of recognition; still the city’s jazz benchmark.
9) Tropic City (Charoen Krung)
Vibe: Tropical fun with craft rigor; a cornerstone of Bangkok’s creative district.
Order style: Rum-friendly, fruit-forward, photo-happy but serious underneath.
Best for: High-energy groups who want color and rhythm.
Why it matters: Recent accolades include Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 (#62) and World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 (#66)—still a must-visit in 2025 even if not on this year’s Asia Top 50.
10) Vesper (Sala Daeng)
Vibe: Modern-classic institution; leather, low light, precise builds.
Order style: Serious martinis and seasonal menus with European sensibility.
Best for: Cocktail purists; quiet conversation that still feels special.
Why it matters: No.29 in Asia 2025 and winner of Rémy Martin Legend of the List 2025 for appearing every year since 2016.
Neighborhood game plan (use this to chain your night)
- Riverside glide: Start elegant at BKK Social Club, then late-night jazz at The Bamboo Bar; if the energy spikes, ride to Sathorn or Ekkamai.
- Sathorn/Silom circuit: Vesper → Dry Wave → Bar Sathorn is a tight walking triangle if you plan reservations smartly.
- Chinatown immersion: Dinner in Talat Noi, then Opium → G.O.D.; grab street bites between stops.
Practical tips for Bangkok’s Top 10 bar nights
- Book ahead (Fri–Sat): Small, high-demand rooms fill fast—bar counter seats especially.
- Dress codes & IDs: Hotel bars can be strict; bring photo ID if you look under 25.
- Price cues: Expect ~THB 350–600+ per cocktail in top rooms; riverside luxury can run higher.
- Peak energy: Chinatown peaks 22:00–01:00; Riverside earlier; Thonglor/Ekkamai runs the latest.
Editor’s Pick — Veyla Bangkok (club-bar hybrid; House / Afro-house)
Global Beats • Bangkok Nights. We’d be remiss not to include our own place as a separate Editor’s Pick (transparent disclosure below). veyla is a dance-first House / Afro-house club-bar with show-level light & sound, international DJ programming, and service focused on effortless celebrations—bar-side for singles/couples, booths and VIP/VVIP for groups.
- Best for: Weekend table hangs, visiting friends who want “a big night,” after-bar energy once the cocktail crawl ends.
- What to expect: Up-tempo House & Afro-house, curated by our resident and guest DJs; fast bar program for classics and party serves; well-trained floor team with discreet table care.
- A note on access & spend: Current weekend policy typically offers bar access and table minimums (VIP 25,000 / VVIP 40,000 THB); special entry policies may apply after 23:00 depending on the night—check the latest post or message the host for details/reservations. (Figures reflect our current internal policy window and can change for special events.)
Disclosure: veyla Bangkok is part of our group. We’re listing it here as an Editor’s Pick—separate from the Top 10—to keep things transparent while still giving you a great option for the dance-floor end to your night.
Frequently asked questions about the Top 10 bar in Bangkok
Do I need reservations? Strongly recommended Thu–Sat, and essential for bar-counter seats at small venues.
Can I wear shorts/sandals? Many bars are fine, but some hotel or dressy venues may refuse entry. Smart-casual wins.
What time do bars close? Most cocktail bars wind down by 01:00–02:00; club-bars (like veyla) go later depending on the night.
What’s the award snapshot for 2025? Bangkok posted a stellar year: Bar Us #4 and Dry Wave #5 in Asia; BKK Social Club #19, G.O.D. #26, Vesper #29, Opium #43, Bar Sathorn #48; Mahaniyom on the 51–100 (Asia) at #71; globally, Bar Us #15, BKK Social Club #49, Dry Wave #88 (51–100), Opium #92 (51–100).
E-E-A-T: why you can trust this guide
- Experience: Compiled by an operations team that hosts guests nightly in Bangkok. We track peak times, reservation pain points, and real guest feedback week-to-week.
- Expertise: Rankings and award notes are cross-checked against official 50 Best pages and reputable bar media.
- Authoritativeness: Featured venues either placed on the 2025 lists or are enduring icons with recent accolades, cited above.
- Trustworthiness: We disclose our affiliation with veyla and separate it as Editor’s Pick to avoid conflicts within the Top 10.
