The best bars and cafés Thailand

A confidential address, which does not have any sign, is marked with the old bike in front of the entrance. A very intimate address with a beautiful garden. There is little choice but we come here for the charm of the place and for tea or coffee, accompanied by scones in a peaceful atmosphere.

A real oasis in Bangkok, between sepia photos and white rattan furniture. Ideal for coming to tea and nibble some sweets. Pianist from 15 am to 18 pm at weekends.

Elegant tea salon offering a variety of teas from all over the world and a wide choice of cakes to accompany them.

Well established success. Large bar-terrace open on a beautiful beach (swings hanging from the trees). Seafood and grill restaurant, pretty average in our opinion. Animations every evening: fire show and live music, among others. An excellent spot to have a drink with friends in the evening. In short, everything you need to enchant young and old alike, but beware, the music is sometimes played at very high volume!

Friendly Irish pub on the side of the road, popular with tourists and expatriates alike, serving draught beers (especially Guinness!), cocktails... You can also eat there with Thai and Western specialties on the menu. As in any good pub, 5 screens broadcast sporting events, with a certain preference for the Premier League, without forgetting the inevitable billiards and darts. Every day: contests, games, quizzes... Rock bands every Tuesday and Thursday.

A pleasant address to listen to disco music, pop and the latest American and European hits, while sipping a good beer or a good mojito.

This Thai restaurant is located on the west bank and north-east of the city, that is to say the north of the Warorot market, after the Rama 9 bridge. Very nice location with terrace on the edge of the water; romantic framework; typically Thai atmosphere; evening animation by local musicians. In short, all this is very nice.

Located on the banks of the Nam Ping River, The Good View is one of the most popular places in town with the locals... A real institution in Chiang Mai! On the menu, Thai and international specialities of good quality. During the day, the atmosphere is bucolic, we come here to have lunch along the river and enjoy the view. In the evening, the atmosphere is more electric, good bands come to perform from 7:30 pm. And if you want to dive into the heart of the local culture, go to the karaoke...

Country Music and romantic songs… A nice place and very busy until late in the evening.

This small open-air bar, close to the BTS On Nut, is a Bangkok institution. It's very popular with Thais, expats and a few thirsty tourists passing by. In fact, every evening there's a small crowd in front of this bar, which is really just a counter open onto the street. Prices are very affordable and the motley wooden decor is pretty cool. You can also order small dishes to mop up a bit... One flaw, however: it's not big enough! By the way, "Cheap Charlie" is an expression meaning "cheapskate"...

This open-air bar is the ideal place to go for an aperitif and to be stunned by the panoramic view of Bangkok at more than 200 m high. Situated in the open air, on the roof of the Banyan Tree, on the 61st floor, you are actually getting closer to the moon. You sip your cocktail or your glass of wine, lulled by pleasant music in a subdued atmosphere. A chic and charming address, ideal for a romantic moment. Proper attire required (no shorts or flip-flops). However, avoid going to dinner at the expensive Vertigo restaurant with its unrefined cuisine for the price.

Reopened in March 2023 after a 3-year closure, this beachfront establishment is housed in a one-storey wooden house with the silhouette of a boat, just before the small bridge that provides access to the Phi Phi View Point hotel. The establishment features a small circular bar and rustic tables set directly on the beach. Planks or mats serve as seats. A great place to enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down.

Don't trust the name of this bar, which is the antithesis of what he's proposing. Its originality, and its fame, is due to the presence of a ring for customers to compete in Muay Thai to win a bucket of alcohol. For the most daring, beware of too much, in the nose or elsewhere! Of course, sometimes that ends badly. Without this entertainment, this bar is totally tasteless, the drinks are quite expensive, the staff are not particularly friendly and the toilets are a disaster. Warm and alcoholic atmosphere, you'll be warned!

You can't miss this big brick building! This bar-restaurant opened in the early 1990s by a Frenchman is an institution in Phuket. You can eat and, above all, drink there! A friendly place to spend lively evenings, far from the cliché tourist bars of Patong. A group of Thai musicians puts the atmosphere from 10pm, to leave the place to a DJ around 11:30pm. For those who want to see what rock bars look like in Thailand!

A very small bar whose frequentation is random, but where the blues and rock'n'roll atmosphere is quite nice. Vinyl sleeves adorn the walls. The owner plays in the band that gives his name to the bar, expect a style close to Rodriguez, the interpreter of the famous Sugarman. Fans can also take part in a beef! If the mood rises, the audience pushes the chairs and starts dancing. A place with character!

The name displayed is in Thai and Chinese, but you'll quickly find this modern little café along the Nan River, near the bridge and the Dragon River Avenue Hotel. Indeed, its charming Sino-style architecture sets it apart from other establishments. The air-conditioned, high-ceilinged room is very elegant: pleasant decor, attractive street art on a large brick wall, small more intimate corners... A wide selection of coffees and teas, hot and iced, plus a few snacks (especially dim sum).

One of Chaweng's major nightlife venues. À la carte: a dozen different beers and English dishes. British style pub-restaurant open since 1995 and run by Damien. A wide variety of à la carte dishes, ranging from British specialities to Thai dishes and pizzas. One of the must of the place is the breakfast formula served all day long. Possibility to watch sports events on one of the 22 screens (!!). Two pool tables. Relaxed atmosphere. A good place to start the evening.

This friendly little street-side bar-restaurant is nestled in a small soi in the northeast of the old town. The atmosphere is relaxed, the music hushed, and the clientele varied (expats, locals, young and old). On the menu: excellent Thai and international specialties, and an extensive drinks menu, including happy hour from 6pm to 9pm. But the main reason to come here is to meet new people, chat over a drink or take part in a spirited game of pool. The attentive and welcoming team will make you feel right at home.

North of Chaweng beach, this beach club offers quality services and is an alternative to the sometimes overcrowded Ark Club. The design is superb, and the place offers everything you need to spend the day and evening on the beach. There's a lovely pool, sun loungers, a terrace restaurant-bar and more intimate corners for a more intimate atmosphere. Excellent cuisine and a wide choice of drinks. Hip-hop and R&B music, relatively mellow during the day, revs up in the evening. Fire juggling shows. You won't be bored for a second!

A rock bar like one likes them, with talented young artists and an watering menu, at very reasonable prices. Funky frame and friendly service.

Between Changphuak Road and Main Road, on the street where you'll find the best nightlife, this bar is one of the nicest in the area, with regular live concerts and themed evenings. Rock, Thai pop and hip-hop are regularly programmed. As in all similar places in town, including the nearby Check In bar, you can drink, eat, dance, sing... Frequented almost exclusively by locals, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Thai nights..

Not easy to find, J. Boroski has no address. It is located at the end of an unnamed cul-de-sac, a large iron door on the right where the name of the establishment is written in small letters marks the entrance to the cocktail bar. This select place has no map, does not advertise but is always full. At the counter the bartender will concoct the most extraordinary cocktails for you by simply asking you what you like. That's after the magic happens. Good music, minimalist decor, J. Boroski is ideal to start his evening in Thonglor.

The Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge is located on the roof of the Mariott Hotel on three levels on the 45th floor. Very warm, with Thai decorative elements, vases, greenery, wood and an impressive quantity of seats and sofas, to settle down comfortably at any time of the evening and enjoy the view. DJ's sometimes come to set the mood more consistently. With, of course, a dazzling view of Bangkok.

How about travelling not in space but in time? The 24th and 25th floors of the Muse Hotel take us back 100 years to the prohibition era. The place, particularly elegant and romantic, benefits from subdued lights. The waiters are up to the task, but what is even better are the cocktails, real recipes as they were prepared at the beginning of the last century. Jazz music for atmosphere most evenings and funkier some nights with DJ.

This bar-restaurant looks like a flying saucer that seems to have landed on the roof of the Hilton Millenium. It offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Chao Praya River. Contrary to what you might think, the drink prices are similar to what you might pay at Skybar. The music is provided by a jazz band. A chic address to enjoy an excellent cocktail, or a glass of wine, in a romantic atmosphere.

The place to be on the island. Situated in the centre of White Sand Beach, the Sabay Bar has a beautiful terrace on the beach, with footstools and more conventional tables. The establishment is laid out on two floors. On the kitchen side, Thai and international specialties of good quality. Every night a band performs live but the main attraction is the firedancers, a particularly striking and well-rehearsed fire juggling show. Muay Thai fights are also sometimes offered. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

The Bush Garden is a really nice place, thanks to the pool tables and the cold beer and cocktails. Fans who want to challenge the waitresses are warned: they are real professionals! On the way out, there are stairs on the left. One of the most amazing shows is in this basement bar (the Thermae). Others will tell you it's one of the creepiest. For adults only!

It's a nice place to spend the day. There is a beautiful infinity pool, access to the beach, a bar where you can enjoy delicious cocktails and two restaurants offering a variety of Thai and Western specialties. In the evening, the mood rises. Sometimes musicians join the DJ for an original musical playlist. The establishment is also well placed to admire a sunset. In short, an open-air club, popular with both Full Moon partygoers and long-distance tourists.

You have to climb a long staircase (almost 150 steps ! !) to reach the Top Rock Bar, but your efforts will be rewarded. A wonderful place to admire the panoramic view of Ang Thong, from the terrace where one sits (lies down?) around coffee tables on large cushions. They also serve good Thai food, but people come here more for a drink, especially one of their very good cocktails, while watching the sunset. The hippy shed atmosphere is very pleasant, a great place to stroll.

This recent lounge bar is the ideal place to sip a cocktail, a glass of wine, or one of the many Belgian beers on the menu. The bar area is covered, the terrace is open air. Nice decoration and friendly service. Billiards. Possibility to eat on the spot, the menu proposes Thai and international specialities. The floor is covered with sand and you can sit on classic tables or on large poufs. Musicians in the first part of the evening, then house and electro music mixed by DJs to dance until the end of the night.

The Bangkok Beer Garden coupled with the Dee Lounge is a bar-restaurant, serving small dishes and lots of fresh beers, but not that, you can also opt for a cocktail for example, throughout the day and until very late in the evening. It is located at the very bottom of the Novotel Ploenchit, but can be reached directly from the street. The atmosphere is very relaxed, a jazz-pop group regularly animates the evenings of this place. A nice place to start your evening!

This bar is definitely one of the top 10 most popular bars in the Thai capital. To get to the worm's mouth, which resembles those in the Hobbit movie, part³, you'll have to go to Central World and enter via the Centara Grand. Take the first elevator to the lobby on the ^23rd floor, then another to the ^55th floor. Walk up one floor and take the last tiny elevator. Up there, a small, round bar with a 360° view, a DJ and delicious but relatively expensive champagne cocktails.

Access to this beach bar is via the Kantiang Bay View Resort. This is a beach bar in all its glory! The bar is housed in a pretty wooden hut, with a well-appointed beach terrace featuring large poufs, a DJ providing a funky musical atmosphere every evening and, above all, a large statue depicting the totem from the famous Koh Lanta TV show! The cocktails are carefully prepared. A fire juggling show is scheduled every evening at 8.30pm. The adjoining restaurant belongs to the resort. A must on the island.

The lounge bar-restaurant is perfect for an evening drink and socializing. A place renowned on the island for its cocktails. A very convivial place! With its original, eco-friendly architecture, the 9-room boutique resort was built from abandoned shipping containers, hence the name The Box. And the results are clear to see: the decor is modern and stylish. The containers are covered with wooden planks, and the effect is very successful. Manager Jabier will make you feel right at home.

It's on this little street north of Chinatown that Bangkok's new wave of cocktail bars is born, in tastefully renovated old buildings. Several bars, including Reef, Brown Sugar, Pijiu... But our favorite is ToT! With humor and realism, it advertises itself as a place for teenagers and useless thirtysomethings in the midst of an existential crisis! It's one of the trendiest places in town, with original decor, talented young people at the helm, innovative cocktails and music to discover.

Just around the corner, this house of Bavarian beer is a modern, pleasant two-storey establishment. A pleasant, well-ventilated terrace, an attractive billiard table in the middle of the room, a well-stocked bar and an attentive team. Several screens broadcast the day's sporting events. On the menu, 9 draught beers and some forty bottled and canned beers from all over the world. You can also grab a bite to eat: pizzas, burgers, salads, pasta and some German dishes. Nice place.

This bar, on the second floor of the 5-star Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Hotel, will surprise you with its period teak wood decor. It's the perfect place to come for a coffee or a juice during the day, and then, as the evening falls, to discover the exhaustive list of cocktails and alcoholic drinks. The mixologist, Viking of his nickname, offers you a wide choice and, for those who wish to be surprised, specific creations according to your tastes and the alcohol of your choice. No doubt about it, this is the place to start and end your evening!

Easily accessible by bus, this trendy and colourful flea market attracts mainly the local fauna. Second hand clothes, food stalls, cafes, bars, music... It is good to stroll through the various stands. Large containers house bars and restaurants mainly frequented by locals. A good opportunity to know the atmosphere of a Thai market which is not intended for tourists. The Chillva Market is open every day, but the atmosphere is better on weekends.

One of the locals' favorite spots. Good's Bar offers a wide range of dishes, desserts, drinks (coffees and iced teas, which Thais love) and alcoholic beverages. Most of the menus are in Thai, but there is also a small summary menu in English. Large, pleasant terrace. During the day, the atmosphere is family-friendly. In the evening, it's the meeting place for Lampang's youth. This beer garden is very lively on Friday nights! A convivial place, ideal for getting together with friends over a drink.

The most original and friendly place on the island to have a drink until (very) late... For the afternoon, cushions allow you to contemplate the beach and the boats, to have a drink, to have lunch? The bohemian-chic decor evokes Pirates of the Caribbean, and rum is flowing, especially at night! Curtains allow the tables to be separated in subdued light, it is also a place that can be romantic. Quality electronic music, varied cocktails, without a doubt the coolest place in Lipe.

Warm atmosphere in this little pub! Opened in 2000, it has become a Bophut classic over the years. The decor is a bit outdated, but we come here to have a good time, not to show off. Small terrace, with wooden furniture, overlooking the beach. Beer, especially Guinness, is flowing there. The cuisine is very varied: from Thai specialities to Indian curries, Western dishes and snacks of all kinds. Billiards, sports broadcasts and brit pop from the 1970s and 1980s.

A rather British atmosphere in this pub, where you can have a drink and eat (Thai and Western cuisine) at very reasonable prices. On certain evenings, from 9pm onwards, a rock band plays Anglo-Saxon classics and sometimes even Thai songs, until closing time. Sports broadcasts, more specifically soccer and the Premier League. Probably the best place to go for a drink in Hat Yai.

A friendly, relaxed atmosphere in this small bar with walls decorated with drawings. The owners are friendly, the music well-chosen and the prices affordable. Smoothie bowls , burgers (excellent) and grilled pork chops are all served here. But it's the cocktails, crafted with real savoir-faire, that keep us coming back! The classics are successful, and the "signatures" are original creations that are a must-try (in moderation). The room is small, so you can get to know your neighbors. Recommended.

This little café-restaurant in the heart of Walking Street is a great place to grab an early breakfast before heading out to explore the surrounding area. The setting is neat, with wooden furniture, and the staff are attentive and charming. The menu includes a wide choice of breakfasts (egg, bacon, toast and, of course, extra avocado, Pai's most sought-after ingredient!), sandwiches, bagels, burgers, pitas... A wide choice of coffees (hot or cold), teas and fresh fruit juices.

A very special place in Phitsanulok. You could easily walk past it without seeing it, as only a small sign indicates the bar's location. You'll have to climb two flights of stairs in this artists' residence, which looks like an abandoned building. On the top floor, you'll find a large rooftop terrace with an urban decor. A bathtub cut in half as a seat, holes in the walls to add character, subdued lighting... Beers and spirits in a relaxed atmosphere. A cool bar to enjoy a drink and the evening breeze.

A friendly bar-restaurant where expatriates like to meet. The air-conditioned dining room is warm and inviting. Drinks are available at very affordable prices. In terms of cuisine, the menu features excellent breakfasts, burgers, cordon bleu, curries and Thai specialties. The portions are hearty. Musicians regularly play Anglo-Saxon hits. Billiards available, sports broadcasts. A good place for an evening drink.