NIGHT PROWL – Some of us living in Bangkok tend to look down on Khao San Road as a place to tie one on during the weekend. To say we all haven’t had our fair share of messy, inaugural evenings on Bangkok’s famous walking street would be disingenuous. But watching backpackers lose their flip flops and puke in the side sois can rightfully become pretty dull.
Khao San Road definitely doesn’t offer the most accurate snapshot of Bangkok’s nightlife or party people. But the truth is there are venues in the area that are so cool, they could single-handedly redeem Khao San’s sloppiest corners (well, almost). Here are five hangouts around Khao San Road that are worth checking out, if you haven’t done so already:
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Roof Bar is by definition, nothing special – basically a tiny third-story bar parked halfway down Khao San Road. But what makes this one of the most foolproof venues to have a good evening is the live music. The Roof Bar’s nearly microscopic stage plays home to either a one- or two-man band (depending on the night) churning out oldies on acoustic and electric guitar. The musical era of choice tends toward the ’90s, so look out for a little “Creep” by Radiohead or “Zombie” from the Cranberries. But, for a slight tip (THB100 or THB200, depending how generous you feel) you can even a request a song of your own – and chances are, these guys will know it. By midnight, Roof Bar is packed with both tourists and locals belting out lyrics over the balcony, Singhas raised in salute. Surprisingly, Roof Bar is probably one of the more chilled-out venues found directly on Khao San, but with an undeniably warm-and-fuzzy vibe.
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In the basement of the same building as Coffee World, McDonald’s and the Buddy Hotel, you can find one of Bangkok’s most manic dance parties almost nightly.
Brick Bar, the underground home of ska and reggae, is known for its animated live acts. We’re talking everything from wild trumpet solos to a frenzy of on-stage jumping jacks. Brick Bar is also one of the few venues in Bangkok where you can find an equal number of Thais to foreigners. Despite being pretty spacious, this venue can get seriously packed with large groups of people. So, organize an evening with your favorite hooligans but also take into account you may meet a few new ones too!
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If you’re looking for somewhere to grab dinner before hitting the buckets, try my Darling. Mind you, this restaurant has buckets too, and cocktails, and fruit shakes, and breakfast, and pasta, and Thai food… so what more could you seriously ask for? The menu is massive, and as a result, it can be hit or miss. That said, the price is right. Dinners ring in at around THB100 per dish. You can’t go wrong with any of the curries, particularly the smooth and creamy massaman kai (THB120). The service is fast, and if you can speak a bit of Thai, most of the waiters can’t help but giggle gratefully. my Darling is on Soi Rambuttri, parallel to Khao San Road. Look out for the gigantic Big Buddha statue with the golden face.
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Further down Soi Rambuttri is Bombay Blues, one of the most talked-about Indian restaurants in town. This red-and-yellow painted house serves up all the favorites, from butter chicken to tikka masala. If the food’s not enough to convince you, Bombay Blues also has the most delightful ambience. Guests kick off their shoes to sit on cushioned seats, with shisha smoke wafting hypnotically through the air. Don’t forget you can order an infamous bucket here too, and every table has Jenga and Connect Four. Bombay Blues now also has a sister location, Bombay Blues 2, on Thong Lor Soi 10.
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Adhere the 13th is a little taste of the French Quarter right next to Khao San Road. Different live performances take the small stage nightly, ranging from blues to jazz and all the flavors in between. These acts range from famous guitarists and percussionists, to musicians who just happen to be rolling through Bangkok with a backpack and a whim. It’s always an intimate affair, the seats inside fill up quickly and the rest are left to sit at tables on the street, listening in through the open door. Adhere serves up a full menu of cocktails and they even do a nice little BBQ plate with potatoes on the side. You can find it on Samsen Road, around a ten-minute walk from the top of Khao San.
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