BANGKOK
River Bar Café THAI $$
(405/1 Soi Chao Phraya, Th Ratchawithi, Thonburi;
mains 130-350B; h5pm-midnight; a; klorng taxi
to Tha Krung Thon Bridge pier) Sporting a pic-
ture-perfect riverside location, good food
and live music, the River Bar Café combines
all the essentials for a perfect Bangkok
night out. 6 Drinking
Once infamous as an anything-goes night-
life destination, in recent years Bangkok has
been edging towards teetotalism with strict
regulations limiting the sale of alcohol and
increasingly conservative closing times. Re-
gardless, the city still boasts a diverse and
fun bar scene, and there are even a few plac-
es to go if you fi nd 1am too early to get back
on the wagon.
Keep in mind that smoking has been
outlawed at all indoor (and some quasi-
outdoor) entertainment places since 2008.
Surprisingly for Thailand, the rule is strictly
enforced.KO R ATA NAKOSIN, BA NGL A MPHU &
THONBURI
During the day, Th Khao San is dominated
by just about everybody but Thais. At night
the natives deem it safe to join the crowds,
giving the area an entirely diff erent atmos-
phere. In addition to the main strip, Th
Rambuttri and Th Phra Athit also draw
drinkers and fun seekers from across the
city, and the world.Hippie de Bar BAR
(Map p 60 ; 46 Th Khao San; h6pm-2am; river ferry
Tha Phra Athit) Popular with the domestic
crowd, Hippie boasts several levels of fun,
both indoor and outdoor. There’s food, pool
tables and a soundtrack you’re unlikely to
hear elsewhere in town.Amorosa BAR
Map p 60 ; http://www.arunresidence.com; rooftop, Arun
Residence, 36-38 Soi Pratu Nok Yung; h6-11pm; bus
123, 508, river ferry Tha Tien) It may be the only
bar in the area, but that doesn’t mean it’s
any sort of compromise; Amorosa’s rooftop
location packs killer views of Wat Arun,
making it one of the best spots in Bangkok
for a riverside sundowner.Rolling Bar BAR
(Map p 60 ; Th Prachathipatai; h6pm-midnight;
klorng taxi Tha Phan Fah) An escape from hec-
tic Th Khao San is a good enough excuse to
shlep to this quiet canal-side boozer. Tasty
bar snacks and live music are excuses to
stay.Taksura BAR
(Map p 60 ; 156/1 Th Tanao; h5pm-midnight; klorng
taxi Tha Phan Fah) There are no signs to lead
you to this seemingly abandoned century-
old mansion in the heart of old Bangkok,
which is all the better, according to the cool
uni-artsy crowd who frequent the place.Phranakorn Bar BAR
(Map p 60 ; 58/2 Soi Damnoen Klang Tai; h6pm-
midnight; klorng taxi Tha Phan Fah) It must haveTHE WHISKY SETThai beer is generally more miss than hit, so the next time you’re out on the town, why
not drink like the Thais do and order a bottle of whisky?
Your fi rst step is to choose a brand. For a particularly decadent night out, the industry
standard is a bottle of bláak (Johnnie Walker Black Label). Those on a budget can go for
the cheaper imported labels such as Red Label or Benmore, and a rock-bottom but fun
night can be had on domestic spirits such as 100 Pipers or Sang Som. And it’s not unu-
sual to bring your own bottle to many Thai bars, although some might charge a modest
corkage fee.
As any Thai can tell you, your next immediate concern is mixers. These will take the
form of several bottles of soda water and a bottle or two of Coke, along with a pail of ice.
Most waiters will bring these to you as a matter of course.
Mixing is the easiest step and requires little or no action on your part; your skilled
waiter will fi ll your glass with ice, followed by a shot of whisky, a splash of soda, a top-off
of Coke and, fi nally, a swirl with the ice tongs to bring it all together.
If you can’t fi nish your bottle, shame on you, but don’t fret, as it’s perfectly normal to
keep it at the bar. Simply tell your trusted waiter, who will write your name and the date
on the bottle and keep it for your next visit.