The Oldest Bars in Bangkok


 

Image by blemishedparadise sourced from creativecommons.org

Anyone who has been to Bangkok on more than one occasion has likely found themselves hunting for and struggling to locate some of the same spots they might have frequented on previous visits.

This is common in the ever-changing, chaotic capital city of Thailand, where bars and restaurants seemingly pop up one day and disappear not too long after that. This is particularly true of some of the evening hours’ establishments in Bangkok, with the struggle to keep up with new trends and customer requirements evident on every corner.

Longevity is not exactly something of a common trait among the bars in the city of Bangkok. And yet, there are actually quite a few places that have weathered the decades and passing trends, and are still going strong today. This might be down to some distinct trait, style, service, or even the location.

But what are the prime tenets of a long-standing watering establishment in Bangkok?

Well let’s take a look at some of the venues, particularly in the form of bars, that have been around for a while – at least in Bangkok terms – with some of these places now firmly into decades of service. So let’s see what has allowed them to stand the test of time thus far, by taking a look at some of the oldest bars in Bangkok.

 1. The Old Other Office

Image by blemishedparadise sourced from creativecommons.org

If you are looking for old bars in Bangkok, it is highly likely that you’ll have to head in the direction of some of the most established and long-running entertainment areas, and in this case Patpong.

Apparently as Bangkok’s oldest standing bar, the Old Other Office seems almost frozen-in-time when you first take a peek inside.

Amazingly, the current manager, ‘Thum’ has been in charge for more than 30 years. The bar was, he says, “already old” when he first took on the post.

The bar would have been originally opened up in a time when Bangkok found itself more open to a host of American GIs looking for entertainment around the time of the Vietnam War in the 1970s.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Unlike many of the other ‘go-go’ venues that opened around the same time though, The Old Other was more of a place where people came to socialise with a cold beer, a game of pool or darts and some music. In that way the bar does seem somewhat unchanged, with its very simple approach that probably goes some way towards keeping people coming back.”

The Old Other Office is almost something of a genuinely pleasant sanctuary from all the other chaos of the surrounding street area. Stepping inside is almost like being transported back in time, with the help of the retro rock and folk on the music being played, and the décor which consists of fairly basic, wooden furniture, in a no-frills-but-friendly type of scenario.

 ADDRESS: 37/12 Thanon Surawong, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

HOURS: 5 pm – 1 am

2. Wong’s

 Since 1987

Wong’s has been around for more than 30 years, and is something of a staple for many Bangkok long-termers. The bar has, at various points throughout its significant history, been a legendary stop-off venue for the hardcore party crowd. This is largely due to the fact that Wong’s often remains open long after the rest of Bangkok’s nightlife has since closed up.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

The bar utilises a dive bar theme, and has its walls covered with photos of customers the owner Sam has met (Sam as in the brother of the eponymous Wong) amidst a sea of red Chinese lanterns that nod to the real heritage behind the place.

Check it out if you want a slice of Bangkok’s iconic-bar-atmosphere.

 ADDRESS: Soi Sribumphen, Rama 4 Rd.,

TEL: 081-901-0235.

HOURS: daily 10pm-very late

3. The Bamboo Bar

Since 1953

The Bamboo Bar Bangkok is something of an institution in the city, and is situated on the ground floor of the impeccably-maintained Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel.

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Probably just as well-known as Bangkok’s oldest Jazz Bar, this is a sophisticated venue exuding a colonial, late-19th-century charm, but it remains stylish I a timeless kind of way. The décor of the bar features dark wood and marble, along with leather and rattan, and the low lighting and mirrored ceiling make this a perfect place for relaxing with an award-winning cocktail.

The seductively tropical decor provides a wonderful backdrop for the aural delights of live music in the form of a stream of visiting jazz artists, who usually take the mic at 9pm daily, accompanied by music from the house band.   

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Of course the Bamboo Bar has had its share of renovations over more than 60 years of operation, and has often played host to a variety of famous names as they have stopped by the city of Bangkok. These days the bar is trendily yet tastefully retrospective in both its interior design and its with its menu, and whether you might wish to stop by for one of the Oriental Hotel’s famous teas, or sample the extensive wine or cocktail lists, doubtless you will do it in style.

Location: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, 48 Oriental Ave, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 5 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am
Phone: +66 (0)2 659 9000

4. Madrid Bar

Since 1969

Another one of the post-Vietnam-era throwbacks, located right in the middle of Patpong Road, is the Madrid Bar.

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Not unlike The Old Other Office, this institution among Bangkok bars is something of a time-warped bar scenario. With its shock-red walls covered in fading photographs and bullfighter posters, its fully retrospective check floors and green leather dining booths, the Madrid comes straight out of the late 60s without even trying too hard.

The menu does it all— from local fayre including standards and specialities, alongside burgers, pizzas and cold beers, served by the friendly staff of the ‘no go-go’ variety.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

ADDRESS: 78/3 Patpong Rd.,

TEL: 02-234-6905.

HOURS: daily 6pm-1am

 

5.  Saxophone Pub

Since 1987

The Saxophone Pub & Restaurant is a well-established Bangkok Jazz & Blues Pub. In fact, it has been considered as, one of the best Jazz and Blues venues in Thailand for the last 25 years or so that it has been open.

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The venue has won the ‘Best  Pub in Thailand’ Award before ( from UK Metro Magazine), as well as ‘Best Pub in Asia’ by Asiaxpat.com. It is decked-out with European-style decor, resplendent with an array of both Western and Eastern music instruments. Although the Saxophone Pub & Restaurant is an established favourite with locals, it has become popular with international travellers seeking high quality local live bands, which come along with  fine Thai cuisine, a range of beers, and  a variety of cocktails.

The establishment  is separated into 2 floors, and is  known as possibly the best  Jazz & Blues music venue in Bangkok by locals. The band performs most nights, to a red-brick backdrop with hardly a window in sight, right in front of guests as they sip on cold draft beer room saxophone-shaped ceramic tankards

The Saxophone Pub & Restaurant is very easily-accessed by BTS Skytrain, as it is just 5 mins from the Victory Monument Station ( Exit 4).

Address3/8 Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Victory Monument, Bangkok 10400
Hours 6 PM-12 AM
Phone02 246 5472

 6. The German Beer House Pub

Since 1986

The German Beer House pub and restaurant is another part of the scenery in Sukhumvit, in that it has been around for more than a few decades.

Originally the establishment was located in Sukhumvit Soi 23, where it was famous for its Friday evening whole spit-roast pig, cooked on a hand turned spit at the entrance to the restaurant.

But that was almost 20 years ago, and soon after extensive redevelopment in the area began, the bar moved on to Sukhumvit Soi 11, then 13, then opened again on Soi 11 which remains today as one of two locations. In the latest version of the establishment the spit-roasted pig has also made a return to the proceedings.

The Old German Beerhouse, as it is also known, serves a community of locals, expats and tourists, and is the “go to” place for great quality German food.

ADDRESS: Old German Beerhouse on 11. 
Sukhumvit Soi 11
Parking in Grand President Tower II
AND: Old German Beerhouse on 13. 
Sukhumvit Soi 13
Parking in 5th floor Trendy Building
HOURS: Open 8am daily for breakfast: Close 2 am.
CONTACT: 02 126 6862
BTS SKYTRAIN:
Nana Station (exit 3)

7. Brown Sugar

Since 1993

Brown Sugar is a long-running venue, of almost 30 years, which has become famous as one of the best places in Bangkok for live music in the Old Town region of the city. In fact, it is very close to the famous tourist and backpacker day and night-time destination, Khao San Road.

Brown Sugar is a lively place that plays host to around 200 people every night. The emphasis here is obviously on the live music, which tends to be of the jazz and blues variety.

There’s still plenty of food and drink on offer, but obviously not quite as extensively as in some of the other places in the area with no music. Prices for food, drinks and cocktails are also reasonable.

Brown Sugar has been opened since 1985, and has always aimed to be the place offering some of the best sounds to jazz lovers from all over the world to listen to whilst enjoying enjoying a drink.

Location: 469 Phra Sumen Rd, Bowonniwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 5 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +66 (0)89 499 1378

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