7 Bangkok Neighborhoods to Eat and Drink

Bangkok and its 15 million inhabitants know how to welcome people, and they also know how to have fun. And when you come to Thailand, you can understand the desire to come and unwind a little, to take a breather on vacation after months of hard work!

Whether you are an expat or a visitor, Bangkok has several neighborhoods that can make you spend a crazy night, or simply with your lover or friends, chilling on a rooftop or by the river. There is no shortage of options! Whether it is bars, restaurants or often, a mix of both, I have no doubt that Bangkok will be able to give you your Very Bad Trip 😉

Note that many restaurants close late, sometimes at midnight, while bars sometimes extend until 2 a.m. depending on the area or even 3 a.m. for some Clubs, but never beyond.

1- Khao San district

I'll start with the most obvious. For several years now, Khao San has become the default base for people passing through and newcomers to Thailand. So it's quite natural that many of you will head to Khao San Road if you're looking to grab a drink and experience some of the nightlife.

The street has had a bit of a facelift in recent months, which is not unpleasant, with renovations to the facades, and even more recently, a redevelopment of the road crossing it, giving it more of a pedestrian street feel (which it should be, but is not during the day)... The street is slightly less "messy" even if, rest assured, you can still find street food, elephant pants and a bit of everything and anything...

Besides the small bars, each of which will blast the sound system to attract you, and the reduced prices on the famous "buckets", its buckets of alcohol in kit form, to encourage you to sip a drink while sitting on their table and chairs like a "play kitchen"; you will have some renowned bars, some with groups playing live music like the Brick Bar , very often crowded.

I can also mention the Bangkok View Rooftop Bar , which overlooks the end of Khao San Road, or the "hidden" Reggae Bar Bangkok , located in an alley connecting Khao San and Rambuttri in the middle, and Mulligans Irish Bar , also in another alley straddling Khao San and Rambuttri. There are also clubs, such as The Club Khaosan Bangkok or the Superflow Beach Club Bangkok.

But if I want to talk about Khao San Road, it's also to discuss what's around it. Because while Khao San refers to a specific street, the lively atmosphere and entertainment options aren't limited to just that one street. I can't ignore, for example, Soi Rambuttri , its twin, which, although nearby, offers a slightly more relaxed vibe than Khao San. But as an alternative, I mainly wanted to talk to you about Phra Athit.

Phra Athit Street is the main thoroughfare along the river , continuing from Phra Sumen Street. It begins at the park next to Phra Sumen Fort and leads to Phra Pin Klao Bridge. Some of you have probably already walked along it; beyond the bridge, you'll find the National Theatre, the National Museum, Sanam Luang Royal Square, and finally, the Grand Palace at the end—all within walking distance.

You may have also slept there, since that's where you'll find the popular New Siam II hotel, often cited by French-speaking travelers as good value accommodation in the area (for other suggestions, I invite you to take a look at those mentioned in my article dedicated to accommodation in Bangkok ).

During the day, it is a much quieter street, not unpleasant to come and eat there since you come across a few restaurants, but most open in the evening, because there, it changes face to become more lively. But contrary to what one might think given its location, it is a street and bars very widely frequented by Thai youth, coming to quench their thirst here with a good dose of live music.

The only drawback is that the tables are spread out on the sidewalk, leaving little space for pedestrians passing by...

Another area around Khao San Road, a little further out, is Samsen Road . There you'll find places like Adhere The 13th Blue Bar , an excellent spot for a jazzy atmosphere. It's located at the foot of the bridge crossing the canal, opposite Soi Samsen 2. Previously, there was also Madame Musur there, which has since expanded and moved to a corner of Soi Rambuttri. Still on the main road in Samsen, you'll find The Exile Rockbar , another popular spot with live music.

Getting to Khao San Road:

To date, there is no metro going there directly (this will be the case in a few years because it is obviously planned).

• The closest line is the MRT Blue Line (underground metro), which has a stop at Sanam Chai station, behind the Museum Siam and not far from Wat Pho, so you will be about 2 km from Khao San Road.
• The alternative is the line of BTS Sukhumvit Line (aerial metro), Ratchathewi station, then tuk tuk or taxi meter, there are then 4 km left to go. Also with the same distance, you can go to the line of BTS Silom Line and go down to National Stadium.

By boat, you can take the Chao Phraya Express and get off at stop #13 "Phra Athit" or the next stop, #14 "Rama 8", if you're heading towards Samsen (the distance is roughly the same). Otherwise, there are buses, tuk-tuks, and taxis in general, although with taxis, it's difficult to avoid inflated fares for those unfamiliar with the service.

2- Soi Ari (Soi Phahon Yothin 7)

Not to be confused with Soi Ari near Sukhumvit Road, I'm referring to Soi Ari at the foot of the BTS Ari station on the Sukhumvit Line. It's located heading north through the city, just before the stop for Chatuchak Market . Soi Ari actually refers to Soi Phahon Yothin 7.

It's a neighborhood that I know well for having lived there for several years. And it's a neighborhood that I always like to come and eat a bite. It's a very mixed atmosphere between an expat neighborhood (because there are more and more of them in this area) and a place for locals to go out.

During the day, there are an impressive number of cafes, especially on Soi Ari 1. One of my favorites is the small, hidden Aribica, which offers excellent coffee for only 60 baht (they have since opened a second, larger branch, Aribica Specialty Coffee X Amplify Coffee Roasters , a little further down the same street). The last one I tried was CAFE VONDERVIC.

But in the evening, you'll find plenty of restaurants open, offering both food and drinks, such as O'Glee , which boasts a wide selection of beers. Near the station, you have a few options around Villa Market (opposite Soi Ari).

In the main Soi Ari, you have, for example, the lay lao – Ari for northeastern and Laotian cuisine, or the Ongtong Khaosoi Ari Branch for northern cuisine.

There are also a whole bunch of small restaurants in a small side street between Soi Ari 1 and Soi Ari 2 (near the main artery) and others more discreet behind a green building (Snanapa), still along Soi Ari 1. In Soi Ari 2, you have several Japanese restaurants.

By venturing a little further into the neighborhood, you have a few options in Soi Ari 4, including GUMP's Ari Community Space.

Still on the way to the Ari district, you can head to the street called Rama VI Soi 30 (which corresponds to Phahon Yothin Soi 5, which connects Phahon Yothin Avenue and Rama VI). There, you'll find, in addition to the restaurants along the street, a few options further on at Aree Garden.

I don't put more specific names of restaurants because when I do the update, I realize as always that the restaurants are okay, so it's never easy to have information on the page.

Getting to Ari:

Directly accessible by Skytrain. Take the BTS Sukhumvit Line and get off at Ari station.

3- Victory Monument

Probably the most underrated neighborhood despite its fairly convenient location because it is central, and yet Victory Monument, with its recognizable pointed monument in its center, is an area that comes alive in the evening (and during the day too, for that matter).

Victory Point is its heart, surrounded by the Saxophone Bar, which I frequented occasionally, with its jazzy atmosphere. A little further along in the mall, you'll find the PEAK-A-BOO Bar (formerly Beat@ Victory Mall), which boasts a stunning view of the monument and the BTS line passing in front of it. In another corner of the intersection, you'll find the Heap bar.

By moving a little away from the intersection, along the BTS line, you will find the Eat Am Here restaurant , which is open until midnight, and the Baan Bar Food & Beverage, open until 2 a.m.

Getting to Victory Monument:

Also easily accessible, as it is located along the BTS Sukhumvit Line subway , Victory Monument stop.

4- Ratchathewi

It regularly served as my "home base" for going out. Ratchathewi is especially known for its Co-Co Walk , which offers a collection of restaurants and bars all under one roof. While clearly Thai-oriented, you'll still encounter some foreigners, including tourists and expats staying nearby.

I don't necessarily have a particular name to recommend, especially since it changes regularly (depending on the managers), even if the Chilling House stands out a little, go there according to feeling and above all, depending on the places available because it is often crowded if you arrive a little late.

Getting to Ratchathewi:

This is the Ratchathewi metro stop , on the BTS Sukhumvit Line , just before the stop at major shopping centers like Siam and MBK.

5- Silom and Sathorn

Patpong. You've probably heard the name or come across it yourself. It was originally one of Bangkok's red-light districts. But it's become a nightlife destination in its own right. There's a night market right on the street itself, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.

To be honest, it's one of the areas I visit the least, preferring Khao San Road and Ari Atoll in general, as it's closer to home. So I'm less able to recommend specific places (one of my favorites has closed…), but I can mention the White Rabbit Bar , right next to the Silom BTS station.

Right at the corner of Silom Street and Rama IV Avenue, in the former Robinson renovated into Silom Edge, you have a nice little rooftop bar recently tested, the Throwback.bkk Rooftop Bar.

Not far away on the street parallel to Silom, Surawong Road, you have right at the intersection a sports bar which also serves as a restaurant, tested one evening during the World Cup, the Roadhouse Barbecue.

Note in passing that Silom 4 Street is mainly filled with bars aimed at a gay clientele.

Along Convent Street, you'll find Vesper and MASH craft brews & bites . Unfortunately, the iconic Maggie Choo's , whose entrance with its small Chinese restaurant transported you to another world, has closed…

It's also at the end of Silom that you'll find the famous rooftop bar of the Lebua State Tower , but I'll talk about that in a separate section. If you go all the way to the end of Silom, to reach the banks of the Chao Phraya River, you can find a great local atmosphere by the water at Jack's Bar.

Parallel to Silom Road runs Sathorn Avenue. Primarily more of a business thoroughfare than a nightlife destination, the perpendicular streets between Silom and Sathorn offer some nice spots, particularly along Sathorn Soi 10. There's Bardo Social Bistro and Bar , which closes a bit "early" at 21 pm, and Revolucion Cocktail.

The Blue Parrot Bangkok and its lovely garden have moved, and now turn out to be closer to Khlong Toei than Silom ( see location here ).

On the parallel street, Sathorn Soi 12, you have Le Café des Stagiaires which I tested some time ago.

Getting to Silom:

Silom is a well-served artery because it can be reached by both the underground and overhead metro:

• MRT Blue Line (underground metro), Silom station
• BTS Silom Line (aerial metro), Sala Daeng station

Getting to Sathorn:

Sathorn is also served by both subways and even the boat since the lower part of Sathorn overlooks the Chao Phraya River.

• MRT Blue Line (underground metro), Lumphini station, especially useful if you are going to the upper part of the avenue, Rama IV coast and close to Lumphini Park. This is mainly where you will go to get to the HI-SO of the So Sofitel or the Vertigo bar, which are rooftops, so I talk about them in the dedicated section.
• BTS Silom Line (aerial metro), Chong Nonsi station, Surasak or even Saphan Taksin. There is also a new station, Saint Louis, which came to be inserted between Chong Nonsi and Surasak, allowing you to go directly to Sathorn Soi 10 and 12 without having to walk as before.

On the lower part, you can reach the area by boat via Saphan Taksin or the Oriental stop, but since the article is mostly about going out, and the boats stop around 19pm, this is unlikely to be your option.

6- RCA (Royal City Avenue)

Royal City Avenue, better known as RCA, is a street with an ordinary appearance and rather sleepy during the day. But at nightfall, it becomes completely different as it transforms and becomes entirely dedicated to partying. Clearly aimed at Thai youth, although lately, I understand that a large Korean clientele has taken over the place a bit...

This street is less well-known to the general public because it is more a place for discos and clubs than for bars, so it is generally more suited to locals and expats than tourists.

There are a few notable options, the most interesting for a more relaxed meal being the OLD LENG BAR @RCA. Afterwards, you can let loose at Onyx Bangkok or Route66 Club . It's an area I used to frequent; the atmosphere is definitely more festive than generally chill, even though there are outdoor spaces for that.

Please note that the dress code is rather “casual”, shorts and flip-flops are not really acceptable there…

Getting to RCA:

The street is not directly served by the metro as such, however, an MRT line (underground metro) passes not too far away, in addition to the train from the airport (the Airport Rail Link):

• MRT Blue Line, Phra Ram 9 station, the closest one is about 1 km from RCA, otherwise there is Phetchaburi station (which is the one before Asok, towards Sukhumvit) then taxi or tuk tuk (about 2 km)
• Airport Rail Link, Makkasan station ou Ramkhamhaeng, each located equidistant from RCA (approximately 2 km), with Makkasan having a connection to the MRT Blue Line metro.

By boat, same remark as for Silom/Sathorn, I doubt that this is your option given the schedules but note that there is the San Saep canal nearby, crossed by a shuttle during the day. Close to RCA, there are the Wat Mai Chong Lom or Thong Lo stops.