If you believe the brochures, Bangkok nightlife is all about rooftop cocktails and expensive river cruises. But if you live here (or just visit often enough to know better), you know the real heart of the city beats in its pubs and live music dens.
Whether you're looking for a proper Sunday Roast, a place to watch the Premier League at 2 AM, or a jazz bar that will blow your mind, this is the 2026 Expat Guide to Bangkok's Best Nightlife. We’ve skipped the tourist traps and focused on the places people actually go back to.
Top Picks
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Best all-rounder
Hemingway’s – Soi 11Huge garden-style hang, easy meet-ups, and the kind of place where “one drink” quietly becomes a full night.
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Big match night
The Sportsman – Soi 13Wall-to-wall screens, 2 AM kick-offs, and the loudest goal celebrations in central Bangkok.
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Only-in-Bangkok show
Tawandang German Brewery – Rama 3Half German beer hall, half Thai cabaret fever dream. The “I can’t believe this is real” night out.
Quick Links
The Royal Oak Phrom Phong
For over 20 years, the Royal Oak has been the unofficial living room for Phrom Phong's British expat community. Tucked down Soi 33/1, it isn't trying to be trendy; it's trying to be home. The long wooden tables encourage communal drinking, and on any given Friday, you'll find English teachers mixing with embassy staff and oil workers.
It has a distinct "Sunday Afternoon" energy all week long. The open-air front is one of the few places where you can smoke and drink comfortably while watching the chaos of the soi, and the staff have likely been there longer than you have lived in Thailand.
Why Expats Go The Wednesday night pub quiz is legendary—book early if you want a seat.
The Vibe Unofficial living room. Communal tables and "Sunday afternoon" energy all week.
The Laughing Tiger Phrom Phong
Just a few doors down from the Oak, The Laughing Tiger offers a rowdier, looser alternative. It feels less like a "dining pub" and more like a proper drinking den. The lighting is lower, the music is louder, and the crowd is usually gearing up for a big night out rather than winding down.
They’ve carved out a niche by refusing to play the "Bangkok Inflation" game. While other bars push their pint prices toward 300 THB, the Tiger keeps it dangerously affordable, which explains why it’s packed by 9 PM.
Why Expats Go 100 THB pints of Chang all day. It’s a budget-friendly pre-game factory.
The Vibe Rowdy, loose, and dark. A proper drinking den.
The Robin Hood Phrom Phong
If you blindfolded a Londoner and dropped them inside The Robin Hood, they’d assume they were in Kensington. Located steps from the BTS stairs, this is the most "aesthetic" of the British pubs. We are talking thick carpets, heavy varnished wood booths, and brass railings.
It’s the safe choice for bringing parents, colleagues, or a date who isn't ready for a full dive-bar initiation. Clean, classic, and reliably busy without feeling chaotic.
Why Expats Go Breakfast deals and big screens in a very civilized setting.
The Vibe Kensington in Bangkok. Carpeted, brass rails, and polished wood.
The Londoner Brew Pub Phatthanakan
The Londoner is a beast of a venue. After leaving Sukhumvit years ago, they built a massive, purpose-built facility on Phatthanakan Road that feels more like a high-end brewery warehouse than a pub. It has multiple floors, huge open spaces, and an “airy” layout that makes big nights feel comfortable.
This is where the long-term expats live—the ones who moved out, drive cars, and still want a proper pub with quality food. They brew beer on-site, and the vibe is more “family-friendly gastropub” than “sticky floor boozer.”
Why Expats Go Big venue, on-site craft beer, and excellent food.
The Vibe High-end brewery warehouse. Airy, polished, and family-friendly.
Where Phatthanakan Road
The Old English Pub Thong Lor
Thong Lor is usually reserved for hi-so cocktail bars where a drink costs 400 Baht and the chairs are uncomfortable. The Old English is the antidote to that. Sitting right near the BTS, it offers a welcome sanctuary of normalcy in a sea of pretension.
The large street-side terrace is the main draw. It’s perfect for people-watching the Thong Lor “beautiful crowd” walking by while you enjoy a reasonably priced pint in your shorts.
Why Expats Go Terrace energy, zero attitude, and prices that don’t bite.
The Vibe The antidote to Thong Lor pretension. Casual street-side drinking.
The Red Lion Nana (Soi 13)
Owned by the same legends behind Paddy Reilly's, The Red Lion brings a touch of class to the otherwise chaotic Soi 13. It channels an “old world” library vibe with dark wood and memorabilia, but keeps the friendly, loose service you actually want in Nana.
It’s a favorite for the after-work crowd who need a sanctuary before braving the traffic home. The food menu goes deeper than you’d expect, especially if you’re craving UK-style comfort (yes, including curry & chips).
Why Expats Go A calmer Nana basecamp—good enough for dinner, casual enough for drinks.
The Vibe Old world library meets friendly local. A sanctuary in the chaos.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 13 (Nana)
The Sportsman Bar Soi 13
If a sport is being televised anywhere on planet Earth, The Sportsman is showing it. This is the heavyweight champion of Bangkok sports bars—a sprawling hall packed with screens. You don't come here for a quiet romantic date; you come here to scream at a screen with 200 other fans.
Beyond the sports, it’s also serious pool territory. The “shark level” here is high, the vibes are loud, and the place is built for late nights and big matches.
Why Expats Go The reliable spot for 2 AM kick-offs and stadium atmosphere.
The Vibe Heavyweight champion. Wall-to-wall screens and pool sharks.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 13
"I Drink & I Know Things."
The Bangkok Night Owl Collection. Witty tees for the after-hours crowd.
Shop The Collection →Hemingway's Soi 11
Hemingway's is a miracle of survival. After moving from its original location, it rebuilt a stunning colonial-style teak structure on Soi 11 that feels miles away from the concrete outside. Ceiling fans, greenery, wooden shutters—pure “tropical pub garden” energy.
It’s arguably the most social bar on this list. The garden area is buzzing every night. You go for one drink, you accidentally stay for five hours, and somehow you’re still there when someone orders nachos.
Why Expats Go Huge garden hang, easy meet-ups, and reliably solid food.
The Vibe Tropical colonial garden. The ultimate social spot on Soi 11.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 11
The Deck Soi 20
Soi 20 has been crying out for a flagship bar, and The Deck delivered. It combines a modern industrial warehouse look with a fantastic open-air front. Because it's newer than the old guard, the whole place feels cleaner, brighter, and less “dusty pub museum.”
The menu leans comfort-food heavy (wings, burgers, nachos), making it ideal for a long session that starts as “one drink” and turns into “why are we ordering fries again?”
Why Expats Go Big-group friendly and the kind of space that welcomes noise.
The Vibe Modern industrial warehouse. Open-air, bright, and fun.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 20
The Game Nana BTS (Under the Stairs)
Located directly under the Nana BTS station stairs, The Game is basically the “Gateway to Nana.” You can’t avoid it. It features one of the largest projector screens in the area, which creates a mini-stadium atmosphere for big matches.
Unlike the darker pubs nearby, it’s open-fronted and airy. It feels more industrial and raw—and yes, they serve Beer Lao on draft, which is a strong argument all on its own.
Why Expats Go Prime location and a massive projector screen for the big games.
The Vibe Industrial, airy, and stadium-like during matches.
Viva Sports Bar Soi 8
Soi 8 is a little cul-de-sac that feels distinct from the rest of Sukhumvit, and Viva is the community anchor. It has a great street-corner setup where you can sit outside and watch the world go by without being deafened by traffic.
It’s less “hardcore sports cave” and more “neighborhood bar that shows sports.” The food is consistently good, the menu is big, and the portions are designed for people who have made peace with their choices.
Why Expats Go Great street corner setup and huge food portions.
The Vibe Neighborhood anchor. Easygoing and street-side.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 8
Stumble Inn Soi 4
A classic Soi 4 dive bar in the best possible sense of the word. It’s gritty, it’s fun, and it refuses to gentrify. While other bars add fancy cocktails, Stumble Inn sticks to cold beer, loud rock music, and pure banter.
The staff are legends who remember your name (and your drink order) after one visit. If you want a polished experience, go to a hotel bar. If you want stories, come here.
Why Expats Go The place where "one drink" turns into a lost weekend.
The Vibe Classic dive bar. Gritty, loud, and full of character.
Where Sukhumvit Soi 4
The Saxophone Pub Victory Monument
This is a Bangkok institution. Since 1997, Saxophone has been the undisputed home of Jazz and Blues in the city. The interior feels like a European cellar, with brick walls and warm lighting that makes the music hit harder.
You don't come here to talk; you come here to listen. The house bands are world-class, and it gets packed with a mix of Thai music lovers and expats—arrive early if you want a table.
Why Expats Go Real live jazz and the feeling of being somewhere iconic.
The Vibe European cellar. Intimate, acoustic, and soulful.
Where Victory Monument BTS
Tawandang German Brewery Rama 3
This isn't just a pub; it's a fever dream. Imagine a massive German beer hall crossed with a Thai cabaret show and a stadium concert. With a huge stage, theatrical performances, and a live band that never quits, it’s an all-in sensory experience.
They brew their own beers on-site, and the pork knuckle is a legitimate Bangkok legend. Loud, chaotic, uniquely Thai, and exactly the kind of place you bring visitors when you want their jaws to drop.
Why Expats Go Big groups, birthdays, and the pure spectacle of it all.
The Vibe German hall x Thai Cabaret. Total sensory overload.
Where Rama 3 Road
Beer Republic Chit Lom
Located right under the Holiday Inn, Beer Republic brings a touch of polish to the pub scene. It has high ceilings, industrial-chic design, and a big international beer list that makes it feel more “European beer hall” than “Sukhumvit bar crawl.”
Despite the fancy look, the vibe is relaxed. They have live bands nightly, the food is consistently reliable, and it’s a perfect middle-ground spot—nice enough for a date, casual enough for a beer with mates.
Why Expats Go Central meetups, massive beer list, and live music.
The Vibe Polished European beer hall. Chic but relaxed.
FAQ Bangkok Nightlife Basics
What time do Bangkok pubs usually close?
Most pubs wind down between midnight and 2 AM, but sports bars and late-night spots may stay open later—especially for big matches or weekends.
Do I need to book a table in advance?
For big match nights, Sunday roasts, or large groups, yes—reservations are smart. For casual drinks midweek, you can usually just walk in.
What should I wear to these pubs and bars?
Think smart casual: T-shirt or polo, shorts or jeans, and clean trainers or shoes. Some venues may frown on vests and beachwear at night, but it’s rarely strict “dress code” territory.
Is tipping expected in Bangkok pubs?
It’s not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving 20–50 THB for good service is appreciated—especially on busy nights.
Can I watch Premier League and other big sports easily?
Yes. Most places on this list are serious sports venues. For huge games, call or message the bar earlier in the day to confirm they’re showing your match and whether you should reserve.
Comment section: brave opinions, friendly banter.
Drop your own hidden-gem pubs, overrated spots, and the places you actually end up on a Sunday night.