The Soho House guide to Bangkok

The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

As we prepare for the opening of our House in the Thai capital, here’s how to make the most of your time in the city – including where to eat, drink, party and get cultured

Tuesday 13 December 2022  By Soho House

Soho House Bangkok is coming in 2023, with the first pre-opening event taking place this week as we host a traditional Hard Hat dinner for local creatives and Founder members. Just like our event in Stockholm earlier this month, the Hard Hat event gives our new community in Bangkok a sneak peek of the new House – located in the former Eugenia Hotel building in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood – and what they can expect from it. 

Alongside locals, the new opening will be yet another destination for our existing global members to enjoy. So, if you’re planning a trip to Bangkok next year, aim for spring. To make the most of your time in the city, our Soho House Bangkok team has curated the ultimate guide for the best places to eat, drink, party and explore the local cultural offerings. 

Here are the spots to add to your list… 

The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to get breakfast/ brunch 

Sarnies Sukhumvit:Japanese-inspired comfort food and drinks, serving delicious breakfast and meals throughout the day and night.

Conkey’s Bakery: everything is freshly baked every morning at this cafe in Ekkamai. It also has a cute courtyard that’ll make you want to spend all day there. If you’ve got places to be, it also offers a takeaway service. 

Fran’s: this is a newly opened brunch cafe in Soi Sathorn 1, offering unique brunch menus made with local produce and home-grown veggies.

Arunwan: open for more than 60 years, Arunwan is famous for its pig offal noodle soup and crispy pork with rice. Located in Ekkamai 15, it opens its doors from 9am, so you can come for a bowl of hearty soup and grab a coffee later on in the area.

Akirart: cooking here is like walking into a time capsule to the era of ‘chubby’ computers and floppy disks. Akirart is a cool, 1980s, office-themed speciality coffee shop with a wide selection of coffee beans for you to choose. The first thing you’ll see here is old-school gizmos and gadgets like square-shaped Macintosh computers, steel drawers and shelves, books from the 1980s and 1990s, and even nostalgic furniture. 

The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to make a dinner reservation  

Somtum Der: this is Isan food at its finest. Somtum Der serves dishes such as delicious spicy papaya salad in an authentic Isan style. When you’re there, opt for deep-fried chicken and sticky rice to cool your palette down.

Jua: this is a stylish, distinctly American twist on the traditional Japanese yakitori joint. The building used to be an old casino and was turned into a cool contemporary Japanese bar – we love the friendly vibe of the owners and the yakitori are always on point.

Yim Yim restaurant in Chinatown: a legendary 120-year-old Teochew restaurant located in Chinatown. The restaurant offers classic Teochew food in a classic setting. Don’t forget to try the Deep-Fried Shrimp Rolls, Sizzling Oyster Omelette and Seafood Hotpot. Save room for Mashed Taro with gingko, red dates and sticky rice – you’ll thank us later.

100 Mahaseth: this is one of the most authentic and proudest Thai restaurants Bangkok has to offer. It serves a diverse range of menus using locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce from farmers all over Thailand.

Vilas: Vilas offers a sophisticated 12-course tasting menu, inspired by HM King Chulalongkorn’s 1897 Journey to Europe. It’s one of the hottest fine-dining restaurants in Bangkok at the moment.

 
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to go for drinks 

Vesper Cocktail Bar: a London-inspired cocktail bar, Vesper offers both classic and signature cocktails done right. Expect an elegant setting and the friendliest service. While you’re there, don’t forget to try the Mango Margarita, Miami Vice Vesper and Black Sesame Presidente. 

Tropic City: this bar is famous for its tropical-inspired drinks, including the classic Piña Colada or the signature Welcome to the Jungle. Its DJ line-up is also second to none. 

Independence Bar: the brainchild of Niks Anuman-Rajadhon, Independence Bar specialises in wine and wine-based cocktails. It used to be an old motorcycle repair shop, which gives the space a certain rawness.

Mutual Bar
: a collaborative project among seven friends, Mutual Bar is a casual space where you can wind down surrounded by comfy seating, good cocktails and lively music. The drinks list focuses on seven signature cocktails, each one inspired by the characters of the owners, plus one DIY cocktail created with the help of the folks from Asia Today bar in Charoenkrung.

Thaipioka: a cocktail bar with great vibes for music.

 
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to party 

House of Heals: this is the resident Home Bar of Pangina Heals, Asia’s leading drag queen. A space for everyone to have a good time regardless of your gender identity. 

Blaq Lyte 11: Blaq Lyte 11 is tucked into the bustling tourist street of Sukhumvit 11. Despite the area, it caters for the ‘cool kids’ in town. The music changes every day depending on the DJs, but the soul of it all is for a not so mainstream kind of crowd. 

De Commune: once an underground Thonglor nightclub, De Commune is now a new two-storey bar and club in the old quarter. It hosts both live music and DJ sets with each floor having a different vibe. 

Never Normal:
hidden in a residential area of Lat Phrao, Never Normal is a co-creative community space by day and an underground techno club by night – a contrast like no other, with the best crowd in town.  

The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to explore culture in the city 

BANGKOK CITYCITY GALLERY: a contemporary art gallery located in Sathorn, showcasing different exhibitions in rotation all year long.

WOOF PACK:a mixed-used creative community overlooking Lumpini Park with offices, restaurants, a gallery, event spaces and an arthouse cinema.

Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC): located next to Siam Square – a popular shopping area in the heart of Bangkok – BACC is a contemporary arts centre showcasing works from Thai artists as well as music, theatre, film, design and cultural/ educational events.

ATT 19: ATT19 turns a 120-year-old school into an art hub in Charoenkrung – Bangkok’s old town, offering a multidisciplinary retail, art and exhibition space.

MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art: privately owned by business executive Boonchai Bencharongkul, MOCA exhibits the exceptional works of Boonchai’s art collection over the past three decades. The museum showcases a sizable collection of priceless artwork made by renowned Thai painters and sculptors.

The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House
The Soho House guide to Bangkok | Soho House

Where to shop

Onion: a Bangkok-based, leading independent multi-label store situated in Ekkamai 12, which represents an uncommon and unique collection of clothes for men and women – both local and international brands.

Mediums: the first-ever 24-hour art supplies and stationery store in Sukhumvit 42 that has an impeccably designed space. You can just simply go in, buy a pencil and grab a coffee, but we’re pretty sure you’ll stay a bit longer because the space is just so beautiful.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: praised as the world’s largest weekend market, Chatuchak or JJ Weekend Market has everything you can think of – clothes, accessories, souvenirs and plants. Come prepared as the outdoor market is extremely hot during the day. 

Flat No.8: a lifestyle concept store located in Gaysorn Village.

Boyy: one of the leading brands that made it to the international stage for bags and shoes.

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