Sing Sing

If Maggie Choo's was a Victorian colonial club hiding in a Hong Kong basement, Sing Sing is its brash L.A. sister. Prolific Bangkok-based Aussie designer Ashley Sutton's (Iron Fairies, Mr. Jones Orphanage, Fat Gutz to name a few) Chinoiserie fetish is here expressed in a Hollywood vision of 1930s Shanghai that's all lanterns, red lighting and elaborate metal screens. In a move that harks back to the Silom club's launch, Sutton is reunited with Sanya Souvanna Phouma, and musical director Kevin Lazykay, a mix that promises well-curated house DJs and dolled up women in qipao. "There's no menu yet," we were told. We're expecting good things, though. Sing Sing is operated by the partners from Quince (hence Sanya's involvement) and Oskar, some of which are wine importers and actual winemakers. Sutton himself is now making his own gin, Iron Balls, so that's bound to feature prominently too.

Teens of Thailand

Hiding behind an ominous, Indian-style door is this small, moody bar belonging to a who's-who of Bangkok's art and nightlife scene, from fashion photographers and party organizers to mixologists and musicians. The real highlight is the vast collection of gin, from the must-try Hanami (the house pour) to the locally distilled Iron Balls and more. The decor is basic, mixing old shop-house charm with racy photography exhibitions. 

Q&A

Hidden inside a little alley, this speakeasy-style bar comes courtesy of the local cocktail specialists behind many of the best drink menus in town. It succeeds where many others fail to conjure the feeling of a secret drinking society.The bar set in the long, narrow space replicates a classic railway carriage dining car with a ‘20s New York vibe with just 10 leather-upholstered seats are lined up along the deeply polished bar, where the barman specializes in personalized drinks. 

The Bar

Probably the hottest spot in town right now is the century-old refurbished House on Sathorn next door to W Bangkok hotel. At The Bar, you'll find much of the building's original charm, with plenty of dark wood and leather adding up to something of a gentleman's club vibe. The drinks are headed by in-demand Italian bartender Michele Montauti, who goes in for herbal flavors in cocktails like The Garden (B420), which mixes chrysanthemum- and thyme-infused gin with chamomile tea, lime juice and rosemary syrup. 
 

The Third Pig

This rustic bar and restaurant is run by half of the team behind the well-renowned Mixology cocktail bar in Chiang Mai. Themed after the Three Little Pigs fairy tale, the cocktails stick to theme with drinks like Huff&Puff (B260), a light drink with a base of Cognac VSOP served with a soft cracker, and Blowing Twings (B260), which is an Old Fashioned-inspired cocktail with a smoking cinnamon stick symbolzsing the second pig's wooden house.

Eleven Twelfth

Located on Salt Aree's second floor, this speakeasy-styled bar pulls off that intimate, party-among-friends feeling thanks to casually placed lounge furniture, a barman within earshot of the tables and an impromptu band setup. The upstairs menu is also completely different with 10 bite-size tapas options like spinach quesadilla and salmon kebab while the drink list is dominated by whiskey and single malt, including five signature cocktails created by Niks Anuman-Rajadhon (of Teens of Thailand, owner of Drink Academy). Do note that the bar is only open Thu-Fri from 8pm-late and reservations are highly recommended.