To all the Thai review pages out there: just because a bar isn’t on the main road doesn’t make it a “hidden bar.” Here’s a look at speakeasies in Bangkok that are worth going to (once you find them).
Apart from the food and the shopping, one of the things Bangkok is certainly known for is the nightlife. We’re spoiled for choice when we hit the streets looking for a good drink, and a popular trend that hit the city in recent years is the “hidden bar.” Speakeasies in Bangkok are dime a dozen, but the ones worth going to may not be that easy to stumble upon. Plus, every other bar in Bangkok calls itself a speakeasy, anyway.
A location with minimal signage, loyal customers, hidden in plain sight — there may be more of these than you imagined, so let us let you in on some of the secrets.
[Hero and featured image credit: Find the Photo Booth]
Speakeasies in Bangkok that are actually hard to find
Blessing Shophouse
Tucked inside a quiet soi in Asoke, Blessing Shophouse presents a beautiful aesthetic, with equally alluring cocktails to match. Entering the shophouse, you’ll find a blend of old-world Chinese design elements stylised into a more modern ambience. The wooden tables with chairs to match, the auspicious symbols of good luck and fortune adorning the walls, the sliding doors and the warm illumination — it’s perfect to pair with their cocktail menu that combines classics with Thai-Chinese flavours.
More info: Blessing Shophouse
Opening times: Wed-Sun, 6pm-midnight
Location: 6 5 Sukhumvit 14 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Nearest station: Asok, BTS; Sukhumvit, MRT
Google review: 5/5
Find the Photo Booth
A refreshing reopening with a location change, Find the Photo Booth is now providing delicious drinks to patrons of Banthat Thong road. In order to get in, you’ll need to find a photobooth parlour, find the right photobooth, and press the button to get in.
The signature menus are themed after musical notes, featuring renditions of classics both popular and lesser-known, such as the Clover Club, or Sea Dog, and more. These drinks go amazingly well paired with the live music available every day of operation.
More info: Find the Photo Booth
Opening times: Open daily, 7pm-1.30am
Location: Bantathong Road, Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Lamphong, MRT
Google review: 4.6/5
Find The Locker Room
If you see the rows of lockers, you’ve found The Locker Room. To even get there, you’ll need to take your chances walking into a random, small, dimly-lit hallway in Thonglor, and we know what happened last time we did that.
Once you do manage to enter, you’ll be greeted with great drinks and excellent service that will linger with you for a long while. Plus, from personal experience, please, pretty please, try the shrimp dumplings.
Over on the cocktail side, the must-try drink is the “Who Wears Short Shorts,” a drink inspired by the ’70s, made with three layers. You can taste each individually or all at once—both are equally great. It’s actually the favourite drink of their beverage director.
More info: Find the Locker Room
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-1.45am
Location: 406 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Thonglor, BTS
Google review: 4.6/5
Salon du Japonisant
When it comes to getting a drink after a long day, you don’t need much more than a cocktail you know you like. Salon du Japonisant is perfect for getting a classic, done right and at the optimal temperature and dilution. If you want something new, they also offer classic twists as a signature. Seeing as the venue is by importer and distributer Bacchus Global, the prices on these creations are more than fair.
You’ll find this bar in an unmarked corner shophouse located next to Hanakaruta, which takes a bit of courage to enter for the first time. Once you find it, you’ll find yourself back there again in no time.
More info: Salon du Japonsisant
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 6pm-1am
Location: 36/5 Soi Sukhumvit 39 Sukhumvit Rd., Klongton Nua, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
Google review: 4.7/5
The Key Room No. 72
Josh Hotel’s The Key Room has stayed with the Ari neighbourhood for a long while, establishing itself firmly as one of Bangkok’s OG speakeasies, and one of the go-to places while in the area. Getting in requires you to go through the reception at Josh Hotel and getting a physical keycard to tap in.
The signature cocktails are inspired by notes from famous composers throughout history, as well as the owner Mr Josh’s travels. On your first visit, we recommend “A Drop of Tokyo,” served in a sake bottle, made using vodka, sake, and just the right amount of wasabi.
More info: The Key Room No.72
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-midnight (until 1am on Sat-Sun)
Location: Josh Hotel, 19/2 Ari 4 Fang Nua Alley, Phaya Thai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Ari, BTS
Google review: 4.6/5
Root Bar
Root Bar has no menu, which is one of the best and worst aspects about the place. It’s great because you don’t feel tied down by any text and you’re free to order whatever you feel like. You want something refreshing for after a long day at work? Sure. You want a drink that resembles your cold-hearted ex? The bartenders will craft you something that fits just that.
The bad part is that if you like the drink, you won’t get the same drink twice, and they’ll make it clear even before you start ordering. It’s one of the speakeasies in Bangkok that feels local, but will happily satisfy any guest.
More info: Root Bar
Opening times: Open daily, 7pm-2am
Location: 1130 Phahonyothin Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phahon Yothin, MRT
Google review: 4.6/5
Tax Bar
Now this is a speakeasy that’s undoubtedly very Bangkok in essence. “Nothing is certain but death & tax” is the message you’ll see in front of the set of stairs leading you to Tax. It’s quaint, with a little bit of punk elegance, and doesn’t feel pretentious. Run by the same team behind Teens of Thailand, Tax is the group’s response to the lack of financial support, as well as the unfair treatment of the bar industry, during the pandemic. The result is a cocktail bar with an inventive menu, with a spotlight on house-made vinegars. The menu states, “you can tax all our booze, but you cannot tax our vinegars.”
More info: Tax Bar
Opening times: Open daily, 7pm-late
Location: 695-697 Maitri Chit Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Lamphong, MRT
Google review: 4.7/5
Playroom
Playroom is tucked away in a quaint corner in Ekkamai, and the 50 Shades of Grey-esque theme is definitely a unique experience. The interior is washed in red, with leather and chains adorning the walls, along with a very Instagrammable neon sign that reads “You are my favourite dirty thought.” In contrast, you’ll find cocktails that are sleek, clean, and hard to put down.
Highlights from the menu include the “Lisa,” a rum-based cocktail with vanilla and almond liqueur, apple, lemon, and topped with parmesan ice cream, as well as the “Boulevard St. Germain,” a gin-based drink with a strong punch of floral aroma, combined with white tea, umeshu, and elderflower.
More info: Playroom
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-1am
Location: 359/2 Sukhumvit Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Ekkamai, BTS
Google review: 4.7/5
Widdershins
Widdershins is one of the first speakeasies in the Bangkok Chinatown area, located behind a bookcase on the third floor of restaurant Laoteng. With its small capacity, it tends to fill up fairly quickly, but grabbing a drink and standing on the balcony, watching the busy street go by, is arguably one of the best feelings you can get when on Yaowarat road.
More info: Widdershins
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-midnight (till 1am on Fri-Sat)
Location: Above Laoteng, Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
Nearest station: Wat Mangkon, MRT
Google review: 4.7/5
Hex Bar
Hex’s gimmick is that they’re a potion shop, rather than a cocktail bar. Each drink makes your problems disappear like magic. Their storefront is a magical potions shop, with a burning cauldron, shelves with trinkets, and a fake wall that will take you to the actual speakeasy. You’ll certainly be wow-ed by the fantasy they provide, and surprised by how you can find bars this beautiful in Yaowarat.
More info: Hex Bar
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-1am
Location: 412 Vanich 1 Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
Nearest station: Wat Mangkon, MRT
Google review: 4.9/5
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are many neighbourhoods in Bangkok great for bars, including Thonglor, Ari, many parts of Sukhumvit, and more.
Many cocktail bars in Bangkok close at midnight, but some close at 1am or even 2am.
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Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
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