Best Nightlife in Bangkok: 2026 Guide to Pubs & Live Music
If you believe the brochures, searching for the best nightlife in Bangkok is all about rooftop cocktails and expensive river cruises. But if you live here, 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.
Top Picks
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Best all-rounder
Hemingway’s – Soi 11Huge garden structure, social vibes, and perfect for easy meet-ups.
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Big match night
The Sportsman – Soi 13Wall-to-wall screens and the loudest stadium atmosphere in the city.
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Only-in-Bangkok show
Tawandang Brewery – Rama 3German beer hall meets Thai cabaret fever dream. Essential viewing.
Quick Links
The Royal Oak Phrom Phong
For over 20 years, the Royal Oak has been the unofficial living room for Phrom Phong's expats. Tucked down Soi 33/1, it captures a distinct "Sunday Afternoon" energy all week long. The communal tables are perfect for meeting the locals.
Why Expats Go: The Wednesday night pub quiz is legendary—book early.
The Vibe: Unofficial living room. Communal tables and classic British charm.
Where: Sukhumvit 33/1
The Laughing Tiger Phrom Phong
Just a few doors down from the Oak, The Laughing Tiger is a rowdier drinking den. They’ve carved a niche by refusing to play the inflation game—expect affordable pints and a crowd gearing up for a big night.
Why Expats Go: 100 THB pints of Chang all day. A budget pre-game factory.
The Vibe: Rowdy, loose, and dark. A proper Sukhumvit den.
Where: Sukhumvit 33/1
The Robin Hood Phrom Phong
The most "aesthetic" of the British pubs. Located steps from the BTS, it features thick carpets, heavy wood booths, and a civilized setting that's perfect for families or business meet-ups.
Why Expats Go: Reliable breakfast deals and a very polished pub atmosphere.
The Vibe: Kensington in Bangkok. Clean, classic, and consistent.
Where: Sukhumvit 33/1
The Londoner Brew Pub Phatthanakan
A massive, purpose-built facility that feels like a high-end brewery warehouse. They brew on-site, and the vibe is more "family-friendly gastropub" for those who have moved out of the central Sukhumvit bubble.
Why Expats Go: On-site craft beer and arguably the best pub food in the city.
The Vibe: High-end brewery. Airy, polished, and grown-up.
Where: Phatthanakan Road
The Old English Pub Thong Lor
The antidote to Thong Lor pretension. Sitting near the BTS, it offers a street-side terrace perfect for people-watching the hi-so crowd while enjoying a reasonably priced pint.
Why Expats Go: Terrace energy and zero attitude in an expensive area.
The Vibe: Casual, street-side, and refreshingly normal.
Where: Thong Lor Road
The Red Lion Nana (Soi 13)
A sanctuary in the chaos of Nana. It channels an "old world" library vibe with dark wood, providing a calm basecamp for after-work drinks before the traffic nightmare begins.
Why Expats Go: A classy refuge with UK-style comfort food (including curry & chips).
The Vibe: Library-style local. Friendly and surprisingly quiet for the area.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 13
The Sportsman Bar Soi 13
The heavyweight champion of sports. If it’s televised, it’s here. Sprawling halls, stadium vibes, and serious pool tables. Come here to scream at a screen with 200 other fans.
Why Expats Go: Reliable for 2 AM kick-offs and massive pool tournaments.
The Vibe: Stadium energy. Wall-to-wall screens and pool sharks.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 13
Hemingway's Soi 11
A stunning colonial-style teak structure that feels miles away from the concrete outside. The garden area is the most social spot on Soi 11—a place where one drink always becomes a full night.
Why Expats Go: Massive garden hang and easy, central meet-ups.
The Vibe: Tropical colonial garden. Pure social energy.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 11
The Deck Soi 20
A flagship modern industrial warehouse with a great open-air front. It’s cleaner and brighter than the old guard, making it ideal for big group sessions that lean into comfort food.
Why Expats Go: Big-group friendly and welcomes a louder crowd.
The Vibe: Modern warehouse. Open-air, bright, and fun.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 20
The Game Nana BTS
Located directly under the BTS stairs, this is the "Gateway to Nana." With one of the largest projector screens in the city and Beer Lao on draft, it’s a stadium-like experience for match days.
Why Expats Go: Prime location and the massive projector screen.
The Vibe: Industrial and airy. Raw sports energy.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 9
Viva Sports Bar Soi 8
Soi 8's community anchor. A fantastic street-corner setup where you can watch the world go by. It’s less of a sports "cave" and more of a neighborhood bar with huge, reliable food portions.
Why Expats Go: Street-corner watching and massive food plates.
The Vibe: Neighborhood anchor. Easygoing and street-side.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 8
Stumble Inn Soi 4
A classic Soi 4 dive bar that refuses to gentrify. Gritty, loud rock, and pure banter. The staff remember your name and your drink—it's the place where "one drink" turns into a lost weekend.
Why Expats Go: The stories and the character. Pure dive bar energy.
The Vibe: Gritty, loud, and full of character.
Where: Sukhumvit Soi 4
The Saxophone Pub Victory Monument
The home of Jazz and Blues since 1987. A European-style cellar where the music is the priority. House bands are world-class—arrive early if you want any hope of getting a table.
Why Expats Go: Real live jazz and the iconic Bangkok atmosphere.
The Vibe: Soulful cellar. Intimate and acoustic.
Where: Victory Monument
Tawandang Brewery Rama 3
Half German beer hall, half Thai cabaret show. It’s a theatrical, sensory overload with a live band that never quits. Their pork knuckle is legendary, and the beer is brewed on-site.
Why Expats Go: Spectacle, big groups, and jaw-dropping cabaret.
The Vibe: German Hall x Thai Theater. Total sensory explosion.
Where: Rama 3 Road
Beer Republic Chit Lom
A polished industrial-chic hall with a massive international beer list. Perfect middle ground: nice enough for a date, but relaxed enough for a casual pint with mates.
Why Expats Go: Central meetups and the huge beer variety.
The Vibe: Polished European hall. Chic but relaxed.
Where: Chit Lom BTS
Pick Your Poison Quick Decision Guide
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Want a social garden vibe?
Pick Hemingway’s. -
Need to watch the big match?
Pick The Sportsman. -
Craving live jazz & blues?
Pick Saxophone Pub. -
Want a sensory overload?
Pick Tawandang.
FAQ Bangkok Nightlife Basics
What time do pubs usually close?
Most close between midnight and 2 AM. Major sports bars stay open later for specific international match times.
Is there a dress code?
Smart casual. T-shirt and shorts are fine for most pubs. Avoid vests or beachwear at night in hotel-connected bars.