From homely sports pubs to swish swanky lounges, bars and pubs in Silom and Sathorn include The Barbican, Hu'u, Met Bar, My Bar, Noriega's, V9, Zeta Bar, Zuk Bar, Molly Malone's and O'Reillys.
The Barbican
Open: 11:30 - 02:00 Monday - Saturday; 11:30 - 24:00 on Sunday
Location: 9/4-5 Soi Thaniya, Silom Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 234 3590
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
Stylish and sophisticated, the Barbican is Bangkok's classic inner-city bar. The ground floor is dominated by a huge bar and juke box, whilst upstairs there is a great restaurant with good European pub food and sporting events (constantly shown on the television). DJs play a variety of musical styles, enhancing the Barbican's reputation as a place to enjoy a drink after a hard day trekking around Silom Road. Happy Hour 17:00 - 19:00
Hu'u
Open: 11:00 - 01:00
Location: 1st & 2nd floor, The Ascott, 187 South Sathorn Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 676 6677
Skytrain: Chong Nonsi
Catering to the city's sexy elite, the atmospheric Hu'u bar (pronounced 'who') boasts suave and upscale Bali-style décor. Dim tones and dark wood floors set the tone, with Thai silk-upholstered sofas, tall-bar and a striking liquor shelf rounding off the ever-so stylish ambiance of this two-storey atrium lounge. A mezzanine restaurant upstairs serves international cuisine, but snacks are also served in the bar. The impressive drinks menu offering over 150 cocktail concoctions will keep you busy, and prices are not staggeringly expensive like at other places of similar calibre. DJ's play proper nu-jazz and chill-out tunes, making it a great place for a pre-club tipple, or to impress your date or business client.
Met Bar
Location: The Metropolitan, 27 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn
Contact: +66 (0)2 625 3333
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
When it first opened in 1998, London's Met Bar became the hottest nighttime haunt west of Ibiza. Now, its newest sister, The Met Bar, Bangkok, delivers the same for the Asian capital, answering a sophisticated need for privacy and energy in a space reserved for hotel guests and members only (although they are known to be flexible). At night, it morphs into a sultry, lounge-style members bar with deep chairs and wine-dark walls. Lighting is soft and moody. Bar staff - 'mixologists' - create bespoke Martinis while headline DJs spin eclectic lounge sounds from around the world. Drinks start at 200 baht and there's no cover charge. At its busiest and best when hosting an international act or one-off event.
My Bar
Open: 17:00 - 01:00
Location: Upper lobby, The Dusit Thani, 946 Rama IV Road, Silom/Lumpini
Contact: +66 (0)2 200 9000 Ext: 2999
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
One of the coolest lounge bars in Bangkok to unwind with your affluent friends, or if don't have any, meet some. A strange but successful blend of modern decorative touches with plush lounge tastes. It's bright, light and thoroughly contemporary in feel, making it a good choice if you fancy inventive cocktails while listening to a sprightly band playing jazz, blues, R&B and pop. There's a small but inspiring wine list and a good spread of imported beers and whiskeys.
Noriega's
Open: 16:00 - 01:00
Location: Silom Soi 4
Contact: +66 (0)2 233 2813
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
At the end of infamous Silom Soi 4, Noriega's is a little gem of a bar and live music venue. Downstairs are live blues, soul, indie and rock bands, featured nightly. Upstairs the restaurant menu features a modern blend of Thai, Tex-Mex, Italian and European favourites. Happy hour is daily from 16:00 - 21:00 where drinks are 100 baht (150 baht regular price.)
V9
Open: 17:00 - 02:00
Location: Sofitel Silom, 188 Silom Road, Bangrak
Contact: +66 (0)2 2381 991
Skytrain: Chong Nonsi
Located on the 37th floor of the Sofitel Silom Hotel this smart, slick bar commands spectacular views of Bangkok. Not only that, but it's a wine shop and snazzy restaurant too. Prices start at around 500 baht a bottle and there's no corkage fee if you choose to open bottles there. Rarely busy enough to really buzz, this is more suited to entertaining or having a quiet drink while taking in the panoramic cityscape. Live music is played every night, and DJs spin smooth house.
Zeta Bar
Open: 17:00 - 02:00
Location: Millennium Hilton, 123 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan
Contact: +66 (0)2 442 2000
Skytrain: Saphan Taksin
Zeta Bar is a legend in London, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, and fast becoming one here in Bangkok too. Mixologists push the boundaries of the possible, in impossibly stylish surrounds. Sure to turn heads also is the slick design of this welcome addition to Bangkok's nightlife scene. Cozy chairs fill the space while deep lounge setters covered with soft pillows cover the walls. A gift to the city's chic set.
The Zuk Bar
Open: 17:00 - 02:00
Location: The Sukothai, 13/3 South Sathorn Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 344 8888
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
The Zuk Bar offers an elegant, intimate setting with views of the courtyard garden and lotus ponds on one side and, through windows overlooking The Colonnade Restaurant, and the water garden with its mystical stupas. It's an ideal place for aperitifs or after-dinner drinks, or perhaps off-the-record business drinks, light snacks, select product launches or a private cocktail party to toast the closing of a hard-earned deal. The drinks list is extensive and a DJ keeps the beat going nightly.
Molly Malones
Open: 11:30 - 02:00
Location: Convent Road, Silom
Contact: +66 (0)2 266 7160
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
After a top-to-bottom refurbishment, there's a sparkle and sheen to this revitalised Irish sports pub. However the lively and homely atmosphere of old is still very much intact. Set across two floors, come for superlative pub grub, draught beers and the daily papers. Expats and travellers hailing from, or fond of, the Emerald Isle will immediately take a shine. Live music, mostly cover bands, at night.
O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Open: 11:00 - 2:00. Music from 21:30
Location: 62/1-4 Silom Road, corner of Soi Thaniya
Contact: +66 (0)2 632 7515
Skytrain: Sala Daeng
A great place to seek liquid refreshment or steady your nerves after tackling Silom's night market. Guinness on tap, waitresses in green outfits and decent pub grub. Resident band plays lively Irish jigs as well as rock and blues. The huge sports screen makes for one of the liveliest spots in town to watch rugby or football beamed in live from Europe.
