BANGKOK
BANGKOKENTERTAINMENTBANGKOKENTERTAINMENTCheap Charlie’s BAR
(Map p 92 ; Soi 11, Th Sukhumvit; hMon-Sat; BTS
Nana) There’s never enough seating, and
the design concept is best classifi ed as
‘junkyard,’ but on most nights this chummy
open-air beer corner is a great place to meet
everybody, from package tourists to resident
English teachers.
Iron Fairies PUB, WINE BAR
(Map p 92 ; http://www.theironfairies.com; Soi 55/Thong
Lor, Th Sukhumvit; h5pm-midnight Mon-Sat; BTS
Thong Lo; a) Imagine, if you can, an aban-
doned fairy factory in Paris c 1912, and you’ll
get an idea of the design theme at this popu-
lar pub–wine bar. If you manage to wrangle
one of a handful of seats, the staff claim to
serve Bangkok’s ‘best burgers’ and there’s
live music after 9.30pm.
Tu b a BAR
(Off map p 92 ; 34 Room 11-12 A, Soi Ekamai 21, Soi
Ekamai/63, Th Sukhumvit; BTS Ekkamai; a) Part
storage room for over-the-top vintage furni-
ture, part friendly local boozer, this bizarre
bar certainly doesn’t lack in character. In-
dulge in a whole bottle for once and don’t
miss the delicious chicken wings.
Bull’s Head PUB
(Map p 92 ; %0 2259 4444; 595/10-11 Soi 33/1, Th
Sukhumvit; h5pm-1am; BTS Phrom Phong; a)
Bangkok boasts several English-style pubs
but this is probably the most authentic of the
lot. With friendly management and staff , and
more events and activities than a summer
camp, it’s also a good place to meet people,
particularly those of the British persuasion.
HOBS PUB
(House of Beers; Map p 92 ; 522/3 Soi Thong Lo 16,
Soi 55/Thong Lor, Th Sukhumvit; h11am-midnight;
BTS Thong Lo; a) Arguably the word’s best
brews, Belgian beers have been fl eetingly
available around Bangkok for a while now,
but have found a permanent home at this
new pub. Be sure to accompany your beer
with a bowl of crispy frites, served here Bel-
gian-style with mayonnaise.
3 Entertainment
Shame on you if you fi nd yourself bored in
Bangkok. And even more shame if you think
the only entertainment options involve the
word ‘go-go’. Nowadays Bangkok’s nightlife
is as diverse as that of virtually any modern
city. And even if you’re usually in bed by
9pm, Bangkok still off ers interesting post-
dinner diversions, from fl ash cinemas to tra-
ditional cultural performances. Live Music
Music is an essential element of a Thai
night out, and just about every pub worth
its salted peanuts has a house band of vary-
ing quality. For the most part this means
perky Thai pop covers or tired international
standards (if you’ve left town without hav-
ing heard a live version of Hotel California,
you haven’t really been to Bangkok), but an
increasing number of places are starting to
deviate from the norm with quirky and/or
inspired bands and performances.Brick Bar BAR, LIVE MUSIC
(Map p 60 ; basement, Buddy Lodge, 265 Th Khao
San; h8pm-1am; river ferry Tha Phra Athit; a)
This cavelike pub hosts a nightly revolving
cast of live music for an almost exclusively
Thai crowd. Come at midnight, wedge your-
self into a table a few inches from the horn
section, and lose it to Teddy Ska, one of the
most energetic live acts in town.Living Room HOTEL LOUNGE, JAZZ
(Map p 92 ; %0 2649 8888; Level I, Sheraton Grande
Sukhumvit, 250 Th Sukhumvit; h6.30pm-midnight;
BTS Asok, MRT Sukhumvit; a) Don’t let looks
deceive you; every night this bland hotel
lounge transforms into the city’s best venue
for live jazz. Contact ahead of time to see
which sax master or hide hitter is currently
in town.Diplomat Bar HOTEL LOUNGE
(Map p 86 ; ground fl , Conrad Hotel, 87 Th Witthayu/
Wireless Rd; h6pm-midnight; BTS Phloen Chit; a)
This is one of the few hotel lounges that the
locals make a point of visiting. Choose from
an expansive list of innovative martinis and
sip to live jazz (from 6.30pm to midnight),
played gracefully at conversation level.Parking Toys LIVE MUSIC
(%0 2907 2228; 17/22 Soi Mayalap, Kaset-Navamin
Hwy; h6pm-1am; BTS Mo Chit & access by taxi;
a) Essentially a rambling shed stuff ed with
vintage furniture, Parking Toys hosts an ec-
lectic revolving cast of fun bands ranging in
genre from acoustic/classical ensembles to
electro-funk jam acts. To get here, take a taxi
heading north from BTS Mo Chit and tell
the driver to take you to Th Kaset-Navamin.
Upon passing the second stop light on this
road, look for the small Heineken sign on
your left.