The hottest and buzziest new bars to check out in Bangkok

Fnkytown in Bangkok truly lives up to its name, bringing a whole lot of funk to the cocktail scene. Renowned for its unique drinks, the bar serves up some of the most playful concoctions you’ll find, including the sweet Thai Tea Tarik — a familiar flavour with a fun twist — and the bold Chicken Dinner, a savoury cocktail crafted with chicken consommé, Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, riesling, and scallion oil. Each drink is ranked by its level of funkiness, making it a must-visit for those seeking a sensory thrill. Pair your drinks with their signature F*nky Smash Burger, featuring Jasmine Wagyu beef patties smashed and toasted to perfection for an extra crispy bite. 

1, 39 Sukhumvit 37 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

This vibrant, high-energy hotspot is where the party is at. Brimming with crowds of people dancing to the pulsing beat of house and hip-hop tracks spun by their lineup of talented DJs, the atmosphere at this bar is simply electric. Mirroring the bar’s playful spirit, the bar serves delicious cocktails inspired by the theme of “Truth” and daring shot concoctions under the “Dare” category. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to snap a few photos of their eye-catching vinyl wall and sleek sports car decor — details that add a unique charm to the bar and are impossible to overlook.

61 Lang Suan Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

This candle-lit bar offers a warm, intimate setting perfect for catching up over drinks, staying true to its name. Brought to life by the creative minds behind Bangkok’s iconic speakeasies Ku Bar and Sugar Ray, this retro-chic lounge reimagines modern classics with intriguing twists. Highlights include the bold China Blue infused with fresh wasabi and a playful Screwdriver, redefined with pomelo and blended into a refreshing, icy slushie. Adding to its charm, there’s also a cigar lounge and record store upstairs, rounding out the unique experience.

29 Sukhumvit 31, Klongton Nue, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

As its name suggests, you’ll have to spend some time finding the door behind the locker to find this quaint speakeasy. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a moody interior with dim lighting that sets the stage for an otherworldly experience. Here, you’ll uncover a treasure trove of expertly crafted cocktails, each designed to delight and transport your senses.

The cocktail menu’s ‘past-present-future’ concept is built around three categories, each featuring drinks crafted from the same base spirit but transformed through the use of unique ingredients and distinct techniques.

406 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Making its debut late in 2020, Tichuca has since taken TikTok by storm for its breathtaking LED “tree” centrepiece bar that dances in the wind. The breezy, jungle-themed bar swings out tiki-style cocktails that you can sip on while lounging on its long benches made to resemble wooden logs. After all, nothing spells “holiday” quite like watching the sunset over the city skyline with a boozy coconut in hand.

T-One Building 8, 46, Soi Sukhumvit 40, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Here’s one for the adventurous imbiber. At Messenger Service, you’ll find bottles upon bottles of ferments, pickles and tinctures lining the walls of this experimental cocktail lab. Messenger Service boasts an impressive list of drinks on its cocktail menu, each heroed by ingredients that run the gamut from weird to wonderful – think crowd-pleasers like lavender tea and white truffle alongside head-turners like katsuobushi and squid ink.

306 Thanon Santiphap, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

The sister concept to Singapore’s three-Michelin-starred Zén, Villa Frantzen is a sprawling estate that houses both a 60-seater dining room and an adjoining bar. While the three-month-old Nordic restaurant is one of the hottest tickets in town and a seat at the dinner table might be hard to come by, the cosy bar is always open to walk-in guests. There, you’ll find Swedish-inspired cocktails and snacks – the poached oyster “63.4C” with smoked cream and sea buckthorn oil is a must – all served within a living room space designed with hygge sensibilities in mind.

7 Soi Yen Akat 3, Khwaeng Chong Nonsi, Khet Yan Nawa, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120

Chinatown is home to some of Bangkok’s hottest bars. You can easily spend a night hopping from icons like Teens of Thailand to newer haunts like Asia Today and Independence. But head further west to Ku Bar and be rewarded with some of the most exciting drinks in town. The derelict and abandoned-looking building only adds to its charm – you’ll have to navigate your way up the dusty stairwell to the third floor and slide open the wooden door before you’re greeted by the welcoming sight of a gorgeous marble long bar. The cocktails highlight local ingredients like curry leaves and lychee and change regularly so you never quite know what to expect.

469 Phra Sumen Rd, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Natural wines have been taking the world by storm and the scene in Bangkok is just as spirited. Known for its cool local crowd and its equally trendy international selection of bottles, Mod Keaw has quickly established itself as the hippest place to be. The tiny space – lit by the warm pink glow of its neon lights – is constantly packed so it’d be wise to make a reservation before heading over.

142 Soi Sueksa Wittaya, Sathon Soi 12 Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand