With the first month of 2018 over, we hope that your year has not been chaotic. Therefore, a celebration is needed and drinks are in order. Sure, you can call up friends and chill out at your usual hangout spots this weekend, but perhaps it's time to find new places. Fret not as I have visited five of the newest bars around Bangkok for you to check out, get some nibbles and of course, sip on unique cocktails.
ABAR & ABAR ROOFTOP
On the 37th floor of the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park, ABar is set on transporting patrons to a bygone era with its collection of vintage and Prohibition era cocktails and craft spirits. The bar is noticeable by its 1930's-styled Victorian London interior design, with classical dark wooden decor and leather-bound books decorated around the bar, right down to the names of the drinks. It's as if you could meet Sherlock Holmes by chance if you hang around here. The drinks are also named in conjunction with the theme. A Case of Mistaken Identity (B365) offers a delightfully sour Beefeater gin mixed with lavender syrup, soda and freshly squeezed citrus. Or for those wanting something strong, the sensibly stirred Bobby Burns (B395) may be right up your alley. Food is served from the Japanese & Korean Akira Back restaurant across the bar.
However, if you're looking for something more modern, walk upstairs to the ABar Rooftop for an open-air setting. ABar Rooftop's drink menu is focused solely on gin-based drinks. Featuring one of the largest selections of gins in the city with more than 50 varieties, you can enjoy a range of gin & tonic mixtures while admiring the illuminated view of Bangkok at night. I tried three signature cocktails, with each being served differently according to their category and names that are a play on words based on the ingredients used. Served straight up, the Asian Wind (B375) offers an Oriental mix of Martin Miller gin, sake, yuzu mango cordial and fresh lime juice. The Botanist Fashioned (B365), is served on the rocks and has a strong kick with its combination of Beefeater gin and coffee vanilla syrup, topped with a dehydrated orange. Standing tall in a huge mug is the Just Mine (B385), jasmine flower mixed with melon syrup, chardonnay, fresh lime juice and soda. There is something for every gin lover.
ABar & ABar Rooftop is open daily from 5pm-1.30am / Visit http://fb.com/abarandabarrooftop.
CLOUD 9 CASUAL ROOFTOP BAR
With an aim to provide an affordable casual rooftop bar, Cloud 9 can easily be found by exiting BTS Chong Nonsi and heading to the 9th floor of Silom boutique hotel, Haven't Met. You don't even need to be a hotel resident to chill out at the bar, although people who are get a 20% discount. Like its predecessor, Cloud 47, Cloud 9 offers a stunning and expansive view of Silom's skyscrapers with an open dress code that is friendly and casual -- dress as you like. So, if rather come in just a bathrobe, feel free.
Although the space is small, there's a swimming pool right in the centre with wavy neon lighting shining on the wall meant to represent the Chao Phraya River. The bar plans to include mobile changing stations placed around the bar, where non-hotel residents can have easy access changing into their bathers. Depending on the day and occasion, the music has a nice selection of genres. At the time of visit, in the early evening hours, bossa nova cover songs of Bob Marley and the Ramones could be heard playing, which gave the rooftop a relaxing vibe. As it got late however, a DJ started playing pop from the early 2000's, suitable for a casual dinner with friends.
All signature cocktails are priced at B320, with the curiously titled Melon Zombie easily becoming my recommended choice as its sugary mix of Havana Club, melon liqueur, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice, dark rum with a burning flame on top is served on a larger glass than the others. The aqua Blue Affair (Absolut, lychee syrup, blue curaçao, lychee, apple, pineapple & lime juice) and crimson Rose Kiss (Gin, raspberry liqueur, rose syrup, egg white, lime juice, Angostura bitters) are also go-to drinks for those looking to quench their thirst under the hot sun.
Cloud 9's small food menu consists of Thai street food with Western-influenced dishes, which is quite standard with appetisers ranging from Crispy pork (B220) to Spicy fried chicken wing mixed with dragon fruit (B220).
Cloud 9 Casual Rooftop Bar is open daily from 5pm-midnight. / Visit http://fb.com/Cloud9Bangkok.
AIRE BAR
For those who are looking for a rooftop bar higher up, Aire Bar is on the 29th floor of the Hyatt Place on Sukhumvit 24. As the elevator opens up, patrons are welcomed by the indoor bar and live band, with a stunning view of the Sukhumvit area. For an even better view, bar-goers can head outside to the garden terrace, where there is plenty of space to chill and mingle around with others.
Passion in the Aire, Aire Bar's signature cocktail, is a combination of Kai vodka, caramel and passion fruit and is proven to be a pleasant drink as you watch the sun set against the city landscape.
Aire Bar serves delectable bar snacks to go along with their cocktails, which include a platter of olives, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese with rye bread (B320); a carefully curated meat-based charcuterie platter (B390) (which is satisfyingly filling as a full meal in my opinion); and corn chips served with guacamole and salsa (B350).
Aire Bar is open Mondays-Thursdays from 5pm-midnight, Fridays-Saturdays from 5pm-1am and Sundays from 3pm-11pm / Visit http://fb.com/airebarbangkok.
LINK CUISINE & BAR
Based on the popular restaurant in Koh Samui, owner Patrick Sauliere brings an urban iteration of Link Cuisine & Bar to Sathon's Yen Akat Road. At first glance, Link may look like an ordinary restaurant with an open kitchen as seen from the outside. However, as curious onlookers walk inside, they are presented with a calm outdoor space with a koi pond and lounge music playing in the background, perfect for a chill out spot with friends. Besides the outdoor area, customers can choose to sit indoors, as well as a separate indoor bar room, so there is a lot of seats to work with.
Link's three signature cocktails (B250) comes in three different colours with different flavours. The tangy Green Link is a mix of Bombay Sapphire, cucumber with apple and lemon juice. If that doesn't sound like your type of cocktail, the Yellow Link is a sweeter alternative consisting of Bacardi, pineapple and mint. For a coconut-centric cocktail, the White Link is your go-to pick.
Because Link is both a bar and a restaurant, people would not be disappointed with the food they have to offer. Link offers an amazing menu of Asian-Italian cuisine, a vast array of dishes that goes on for days on end. If you're coming with a big group, the Italian Antipasti (B890) is an excellent starter consisting of an assorted Italian cold cuts and cheeses. For the main course, I definitely would recommend the truffle and mushrooms ravioli (B650), each creamy bite tastier than the last. The pork belly (B495) with its crunchy exterior coupled with apple sauce is also a must-try.
Link Cuisine & Bar is open everyday from 11am-11pm / Visit www.linkcuisine.com.
LUNA LOUNGE
By walking along the right hand side of Sukhumvit 22, past the usual bars and massage parlours, you will most likely notice Luna Lounge's two-story building, due to the golden crescent moon logo at the top and its narrow stairs leading up to the balcony, which serves as an outdoor area and entrance to the bar. Long time dwellers of the area will know that this was the very same building that housed the now-closed Overground Bar & Cafe.
Upon entering Luna Lounge's dimly lit room (similar to how a moon would shine), newcomers will be wowed with the interior design, from the various lunar decorations to the distinct custom-made white fabric ceiling designed by French artist and designer Matteo Messervy. The ceiling is a work of art on its own and serves as the centrepiece of the bar. It is easy on the eyes and lets customers feel welcomed as they get comfortable with the intimate setting. A VIP section is also available where bar-goers can make reservations. The area can be closed off by curtains, providing a level of privacy away from the more public space. The bar also serves as a spot for clubbing, with live bands and guest DJ's playing music on certain days for your dancing pleasure, whether it be deep house or jazz music.
Luna Lounge's serves up Thai street food such as chicken satay (B159) and deep fried sour pork ribs (B159). While scrumptious, the food is nothing to write home about, and it is probably not the reason why many would come here. The main reason, of course, would be the drinks which are invisibly listed on a menu and can only be read with a UV flashlight. The signature cocktails (B300 each) are mixed by Serbian native Ivan Stojanovic, a mixologist with more than seven years experience and has previously shaken and stirred drinks aboard cruise ship parties. Stojanovic brings a colourful assortment of cocktails with creative names, all based around the night sky that is sure to make you want to try them all. Each of the five cocktails consist of a different type of liqueur (gin, vodka, rum, whisky and tequila). My favourites are the sweet Falling Star (Absolut with lavender, herbs and egg white), and the appropriately titled fruity mixture that is the Green Alien (Havana/Malibu rum, Midori, banana liquor, pineapple and almond syrup), both of which are great party-starters.
Luna Lounge is open Monday through Saturday, 7pm-2am / Visit www.lunaloungebkk.com.
