Tracks on, rocks off at these 11 buzzing Bangkok pubs
CNNGo July 19, 2010 — Kurt Cobain once said, “If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail.” While we wouldn’t want any CNNGo readers to end up behind bars for rocking out, there’s a lot to be said to for a night full of beats, bass and riffs in the safe haven of Bangkok’s late-night venues. The city’s indie and rock scenes are booming, so you could do far worse than pay a visit to any or all of our 11 favorite rock haunts.
Bangkok Rocks
Bands and artists have been tearing up the stage at Bangkok Rocks since last year. The bar already cemented its reputation as a party spot thanks to the likes of CNNGo favorites The Standards, but the venue goes far beyond just one band. Bangkok Rocks is a platform on which the city’s finest up-and-coming indie bands strut their stuff week in week out along with daring DJs spinning at nights like “Yummy” every Tuesday, as well as the riotous Popscene parties.
1-3 Sukhumvit Soi 19. BTS: Asok. Tel: +66 (0)2 255 5802
Cosmic Cafe
A long-time favorite of those in the know, sitting innocuously opposite popular dance haunt Club 808, Cosmic Café may be a café by name, but by nature it’s an itty bitty party explosion. Weekdays are usually quieter affairs, but come Friday and Saturday, Cosmic Café is filled with a mostly Thai crowd of indie kids knocking back their preferred brands of whiskey while local bands throw together familiar covers until the early hours of the morning. Go early and stay late to get the full, cosmic effect.
RCA. MRT: Phra Ram 9
Parking Toys
A strange name for a bar, we admit, but Parking Toys is anything but quaint. A kick-ass place to get down to live music, Parking Toys is an ideal spot to begin a large night out in Bangkok. The ever-rotating ensemble of bands have all the bases covered and will belt out everything from electro-funk to straight-up rock. The vintage furniture gives Parking Toy its identity while the up-for-it crowd means you’ll make dozens of friends before the ice in your glass has had time to melt.
17/22 Soi Mai Laap, Ram Intra 14, Lad Prao. Tel: +66 (0)2 907 2228
Shamrock Irish Pub
Leave your thinking caps at the door and join the throngs of Khao San wanderers at Shamrock for a jolly good time. They serve Guinness, which is a winner in our books, and the place is always packed. If you can stomach the occasional hip hop interlude, the live bands earn their salt by thrashing out rock classics from the likes of Nirvana and Metallica. If you aren’t dancing by the end of the night, you’ll be in a minority. Warm vibes all round keep plenty of sweaty travellers going nuts into the morning.
Khao San Centre, Khao San Road
Roof Bar
Another watering hole on Khao San Road, but thankfully one that isn’t overly sweaty — Roof Bar is a lively place where acoustic sessions are the order of every night. Arrive early, pull up a chair, sip on a bucket of liquor-laced goodness and enjoy the vibe. Expect everything from Tracey Chapman to Matchbox 20.
183-185 Khao San Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 629 2301
The Rock Pub.
The Rock Pub
Open every night for rock ’n’ roll die hards, The Rock Pub, which looks like a castle from the outside, may not be particularly highbrow but it’s undeniably popular. Partying hard for 20 years now, The Rock Pub has played host to a bevy of bands and still offers cheap booze and good vibes for its faithful following. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but a great place to get your fix of hair rock and have a bit of a sing-a-long while you’re at it.
Hollywood Street Building, Ratchatewi, opposite the Asia Hotel. BTS: Ratchathewi. Tel: +66 (0)86 977 0621
Brick Bar
For live music beyond the usual bands covering songs from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Maroon 5, try Brick Bar. It’s large, dark and cavernous, featuring two floors, pool tables and a reasonably priced menu. The crowd is a mixture of Thais, from punks to middle-aged men, and a few foreigners. A variety of bands play here every night, performing everything from ska and rock to jazz and blues in both Thai and English.
265 Khao San Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 629 4477. To get to Brick Bar, head to Buddy Lodge and walk through to the very back of the building
Common Ground
A live music bar with gallons of character, Common Ground is a retro-style venue offering a daily dose of reggae and ska during the week before the rock gods come out to play on Friday night. Definitely the kind of place where you’ll feel underdressed if you aren’t in your trendiest threads, Common Ground is proof that converted shophouses can make for kicking party spots. As always, cheap booze and a decent selection of Thai bites will keep everyone happy.
59-61 Samsen Road, Pranakorn
Happy Monday
A fine bar built on bubbly music and well-dressed people, Happy Monday is open every night except Sunday for energetic indie vibes and rock moods. The guys from legendary Thai band Modern Dog are involved and make regular appearances along with other trendies who love nothing more than partying their hearts out. There’s also a respectable menu of light bites if you get the munchies while gulping down your booze of choice.
Ekamai Soi 10, BTS: Ekamai. Tel: +66 (0)2 714 3935
Shades of Retro
The clue’s in the name really. Shades of Retro is a cosy little joint where rockers can take a much-needed timeout, sip on a cocktail and munch on popcorn. Everything is very low-key at Shades of Retro, and all the vintage gear in the bar is also for sale if you’re in the mood for shopping. Local trendies love this place as a unique spot further brought to life by a fine indie soundtrack.
522/3 Soi Thong Lor, near corner of Soi 16, down Thararom 2. Tel: +66 (0)8 18 24 8011