I've been drinking at quite a few bars recently (cue mid-life crisis) and I'm beginning to notice a trend in Sukhumvit... quite a lot of them are filled with wankers.
People with blazers, some with movie style haircut fades, or that guy who's on a date with some hot girl secretly laughing at you for being a forever alone virgin loser.
In this article I will show you where:
You can drink beers that don't cost 250฿, because fuck paying 250฿ for a beer.
You can feel special in knowing that you're the only westerner there, and that you can tell your friends that you're better than them because you hang out with Thais (even though you can't speak Thai and actually spoke to no one).
You can find girls who are interested in you so you can no longer be a forever alone virgin loser. Because as we all know the girls in Thong Lo won't give you the time of day, because quite frankly you provide them with no value regardless of what you may think.
Okay so here it is
Taksura Ekkamai
Taksura Ekkamai is an easy bar to reach as it's located in Ekkamai 63, right next to the BIG C.
Taksura is a primarily Thai venue filled with working class locals who want to drink cheap beer.
Unlike many Thai oriented bars, they don't have a live band so you can drink your beers without your ears bleeding.
They just renovated and the image below was from Google Maps which hasn't updated:
The crowd is mostly Thai and it gets busy from 8pm onwards.
I believe drinks are like 65฿ for a bottle of beer and even better value if you buy a jug or tower.
Jatujak Green (JJ Green)
Jatujak Green night market is where all the Thai university girls go to drink and unwind given its near a few unis.
There are several outdoor bars selling very cheap Thai beer, a bunch of places to get some food and a hipster style market connected to it.
When I lived in Lad Prao I'd visit here on the weekends, it's actually a really nice place to go with the crew and sink some beers while building the courage to talk to a girl.
Best not to go here solo as everyone is in groups.
This place is open Friday- Sunday from 4pm until 1am and is located behind the park:
Warning: Koh San Road backpackers sometimes find this place after spending the day at JJ day market.
Rot Fai Market (Train Market)
Yes another market... but it's not what you think, hear me out.
Train market is closer and a more popular version of JJ market.
It's only two MRT stops from Asoke and in my opinion serves better food, has more bars to choose from and is next to the Bangkok soapies.
You can get 3 bottles of beer (660ml) for 240฿ which is cracking value and bottle service.
Again, the crowd is mostly young Thais, a few seasoned expats and Asian tourists.
Rot Fai market is located next to Esplanade Mall right next to MRT station Thailand Cultural Centre.
Rot Fai market is open Thursday-Sunday from 6pm until midnight:
Warning: you will see a growing number of backpackers here, and yes you will cringe when they pull out their Nikon camera and rudely take pictures of vendors cooking their food close-up without asking them if it's fine to do so.... while blocking the path so others can't move.
Note: the location of Rot Fai market is wrong when you do a Google Search, Roi Fat recently moved to the map location posted above. Just behind Esplanade Mall.
Otter Bar (Thong Lo 9)
"Wait, aren't all bars in Thong Lo full of pretentious wankers?"
A lot of them yes, but not all.
I quite like Otter Bar because it's good value, quiet, has a big screen to watch football and the music isn't deafening loud.
It's located on the corner of Soi 9 TL so it's a great place to start drinking before you head to RCA, Asoke or where ever your next stop is.
Again the crowd is primarily Thai people, but unlike the other 3 venues, Otter Bar it filled with older Thais (24+) who have jobs or families with too much money.
Otter Bar does not have their bar located on Google Maps but is located right next to the Nippon Kai Market restaurant:
They also do semi-decent seafood.
Your Turn
These are all four drinking spots I visit and take friends because they have a good atmosphere and aren't like your typical Bangkok bar.
You won't be paying more than 120฿ for a bottle of Thai beer at any venue and you won't get styled on by some sick kunt in a blazer or boat shoes.
Where do you guys like to have a beer in Bangkok? Leave a comment with your best drinking spots and why.