Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

(Elliott) #1

BANGKOK


Saxophone Pub & Restaurant LIVE MUSIC
(Map 60 ; http://www.saxophonepub.com; 3/8 Th Phayathai;
h6pm-2am; BTS Victory Monument; a) This night-
life staple is the big stage of Bangkok’s live-
music scene. It’s a bit too loud for a fi rst date,
but the quality and variety of the music makes
it a great destination for music-loving buddies
on a night out.

Ad Here the 13th BAR, LIVE MUSIC
(Map p 60 ; 13 Th Samsen; h6pm-midnight; river
erry Tha Phra Athit; a) Beside Khlong Banglam-
phu, Ad Here is everything a neighbour-
hood joint should be: lots of regulars, cold
beer and heart-warming tunes delivered by
a masterful house band starting at 10pm.
Everyone knows each other, so don’t be shy
about mingling.

Tawandang German
Brewery BAR, RESTAURANT
(cnr Th Phra Ram III & Th Narathiwat Ratchana-
kharin; BTS Chong Nonsi & access by taxi; a) It’s
Oktoberfest all year-round at this hangar-
sized music hall, south of the city. The Thai-
German food is tasty, the house-made brews

are entirely potable, and the nightly stage
shows make singing along a necessity. Music
starts at 8.30pm.

Brown Sugar PUB, LIVE MUSIC
(Map p 90 ; 231/20 Th Sarasin; h6pm-midnight;
BTS Ratchadamri; a) Plant yourself in a cor-
ner of this cosy, mazelike pub, and bump
to Zao-za-dung, the nine-piece house band.
The tables are so close that you can’t help
but make new friends.

Titanium LIVE MUSIC
(Map p 92 ; 2/30 Soi 22, Th Sukhumvit; h8pm-
1am; BTS Phrom Phong; a) Some come to
this slightly cheesy ‘ice bar’ for the chill
and the flavoured vodka, but we come for
Unicorn, an all-female rock band.

Raintree PUB, LIVE MUSIC
(Map 60 ; 116/63-64 Soi Th Rang Nam; h6pm-
1am; BTS Victory Monument; a) This atmos-
pheric pub is one of the few remaining
places in town to hear ‘songs for life’, Thai
folk music with roots in the communist
insurgency of the 1960s and ’70s.

DRINKING WITH THE STARS

Bangkok is one of the few big cities in the world where nobody seems to mind if you
set up the odd bar or restaurant on the top of a skyscraper. Note that reservations are
recommended for the more restaurant-like of the following, and none allow shorts or
sandals wearers.

» (^) Moon Bar at Vertigo (Map p 90 ; Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 Th Sathon Tai; h5.30pm-
1am; MRT Lumphini) Precariously perched on the top of 61 floors of skyscraper, Moon
Bar offers a bird’s-eye view of Bangkok. Things can get a bit crowded here come
sunset, so be sure to show up a bit early to get the best seats.
» (^) Sirocco Sky Bar (Map p 80 ; The Dome, 1055 Th Silom; h6pm-1am; BTS Saphan Taksin)
Descend the sweeping stairs like a Hollywood diva to the precipice bar of this rooftop
restaurant that looks over the Mae Nam Chao Phraya.
» (^) Nest (Map p 92 ; %0 2255 0638; http://www.nestbangkok.com; 8th fl, Le Fenix Hotel, 33/33 Soi
11, Th Sukhumvit; h5pm-2am; BTS Nana) Perched on the roof of the Le Fenix Hotel, Nest
is a chic maze of cleverly concealed sofas and inviting daybeds. A DJ soundtrack
and one of the most interesting pub grub menus in town bring things back down to
ground level.
» Long Table (Map p 92 ; %0 2302 2557; 25th fl, 48 Column Building, Soi 16, Th Sukhumvit;
h5pm-2am; BTS Asok, MRT Sukhumvit; a) Not exactly a roof-topper, but the open-air
section of this upscale Thai restaurant-slash-bar provides great views over one of
Bangkok’s busiest central districts.
» RedSky (Map p 86 ; %0 2100 1234; 55th fl, Centara Grand, Central World Plaza; h5pm-
1am; BTS Siam & Chit Lom) Bangkok’s most recent rooftop dining venture is probably
the most formal of the lot, and boasts an extensive martini menu.
» (^) Roof (Map p 86 ; 25th fl, Siam@Siam, 865 Th Phra Ram I; h5.30pm-12.30am; BTS National
Stadium) In addition to views of central Bangkok, the Roof offers a dedicated personal
martini sommelier and an extensive wine and champagne list.

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