Region: Bangkok And Surrounds> Province: Bangkok> Location: Bangkok/Sathorn

Sathorn road and surrounds

While Sathorn is certainly a major Bangkok thoroughfare, it's hardly on the tourist radar as most of Sathorn is high-rise buildings that house Thai and international corporations. Naturally there are a number of bars and restaurants that cater to this clientele, and predictably perhaps, most of the options would stretch the average travellers budget. Still, this is Thailand, and there are restaurants and bars that also cater to the average Thai employee, serving less expensive Thai food and drink, and are awash in the fun-loving spirit that Thais naturally bounce back into after a hard day of work.

Beginning literally at the top of Sathorn Road, The Moon Bar is a roof-top bar and restaurant with incredible views atop the Banyan Tree Hotel. It's a beautiful panorama and while it lacks the river view from State Tower's Sirocco, it has a more intimate and romantic atmosphere. Unfortunately, Vertigo charges premium prices for substandard alcohol and the restaurant gets mediocre reviews. Its proximity to Suan Lum night bazaar -- while it remains -- makes popping in for a quick drink a fine option, provided you are dressed in pants and proper shoes (They have loaner dinner jackets for the lads and skirts for the ladies if you're just under the cut). At the adjoining Vertigo restaurant you can dine on innovative barbequed seafood while taking up the view.

Practically next door to Vertigo is the exclusive Met Bar at the Metropolitan Hotel. Restricted to guests of the hotel or members of the club, the Met bar is a sophisticated dance club and lounge for Bangkok's hi-so set, featuring regular model's nights and fashion extravaganzas. Dress your best and suggest to the doorman that you're a visiting somebody and perhaps you can talk your way in, again .. this IS Thailand, not New York.

If you've failed in your attempt to sneak into Met Bar, a respectable alternative is Hu'u, in the Ascott, just past the corner of Narithiwat. While it lacks the dance floor, Hu'u does feature DJs, and with ultra-cosy lounge seating, an impressive selection of imported alcohol, and 2nd floor dining area of expensive, yet delectable international cuisine, it's certainly a club you can rub elbows with some of Bangkok's lovelier residents.

There are a couple of excellent Thai eateries on Sathorn Road. Blue Elephant is a chain of Thai restaurants that had branches elsewhere in the world for many years before finally opening a venue in Bangkok. The restaurant is set within in gorgeous colonial home and features cuisine that is reminiscent of Royal Cuisine. The atmosphere, food, service, and presentation are all perfect, making it a must-eat restaurant for real aficionados of Thai culinary treats. Arrive early and have a drink at the The Blue Bar, it's the ideal environment for sipping exotic cocktails and recounting the events of your day. The restaurant also doubles as a cooking school. Perhaps only a notch down in atmosphere and price, but equal in taste is Baan Khanita, the newest of a successful chain of Thai restaurants throughout the city. While newly constructed, rather than antique, the restaurant is decorated with exotic Thai paintings and sculptures and has some of the tastiest curries in town. Remember that this is a mostly Thai/Expat neighbourhood, so ask for less spicy if you can't handle the heat!

In the same general neighbourhood, but down Sathorn Sri Bamphen towards Ngam Duphli, Wong's, long a Bangkok institution, has for years served up cheap beer and an unrivalled array of rock videos to expatriates and tourists alike. The original owner Wong died in late 2003 and is sorely missed but the bar lives on. It's been cleaned up a little, though the bathroom is still spectacularly vile. Wong's is worth popping into for a drink if you're in the area.

There are a number of after-work bars and restaurants along Narithiwat road and a few on Soi 15, running off Narithiwat Road, which is home to a cluster of bars and restaurants that have long been a favourite hang out for young Thais. The mouth of the soi is a 10-minute walk from Sathorn Road, and unless you are planning on meeting up with some Thai friends in the neighbourhood is unlikely you will and mostly unnecessary to venture down here.

If you're insistent on checking out soi 15, the food shines at Three Mangos bar and restaurant at the end of a sub-soi off Soi 15. The atmosphere is pleasant but the decor a little casual, with the outdoor eating area under the mango tree the better choice. The food is very reasonably priced, with the Army Salad , a mix of prawns squid and clams in a green chilli sauce and the Three Mangoes Special Dish , a fried mix of peanuts, prawns and Thai herbs, great grazing food. Make this a stop on an all-night crawl of this trendy bar area. On the corner of Narithiwat proper is 15th Street, a lively place with regular live Thai pop and rock bands. The well-priced menu features standard bar and restaurant fare. The place tends heave later in the evenings, though it is a bit dumpy and smells like a wet dog. Nearby is Monkey Shock 3, the ugly sister of the otherwise great Monkey Shock restaurant gang. Although the menu is the same as the others, the ambience and atmosphere is awful due to the noise and exhaust fumes from busy Narithiwat Road -- still, it remains popular. The most upscale of the lot is Good Evening restaurant on Narithiwat, between soi 15 and 17. Standard, reasonably tasty Thai fare is served in an elegant dining space where bands play six nights weekly. On Fridays you should book either of best seating areas: within small canopied salas or outside, in sunken booths. After dinner head upstairs to R & B Karaoke, which has private booths of various sizes, beer, whiskey and even a decent menu of Thai food.

Around the corner from Narithiwat on Rama 3 is the Tawan Daeng Brewery. This enormous beer hall makes the best beer in Thailand, handcrafted by a German brew-master, great Thai and German food, like broiled whole snapper and pork knuckle, and a wonderful stage show that occasionally has dancers flying on wires over the audience. If you have a big party or plan on going over the weekend you better make a reservation; although there are hundreds of seats, Tawan Daeng is hugely popular with Thais as it's a great experience all around.

Back on Soi Ngam Dupli, if you are staying in the area there are a couple of places worth checking out. Aside from the standard guesthouse eateries, this part of town boasts some very good and authentic restaurants and bars. Well-known for its seafood, Just One is a particular pleasure on balmy evenings in the outdoor courtyard. Keep an eye out for the range of unusual dishes featuring soft drinks. Set in a stunningly renovated 1920s house, Le Cafe Siam wins top points for atmosphere and excellent service. The food gets varying reviews but for the most part they're positive. Best to book ahead. Great creme brulee.

15th Street: 79/1-2 Narathiwat Rd, Soi 15, Bangkok. T: (089) 217 7403. Open daily 18:00 – 01:00.
Baan Khanita: 69 South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok. T: (02) 675 4200. Open daily 11:00 – 14:00 / 18:00 - 23:00.
Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant: South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok. T: (02) 673 9353. Open daily 11:30 – 14:30 / 18:30 – 22:30.
Good Evening Restaurant: 1120 Narathiwat Soi 17, Bangkok. T: (02) 286 4676. Open daily 17:00-01:00. http://www.goodeveningbkk.com
Hu'u: 187 South Sathorn Rd, The Ascott, Bangkok. T: (02) 676 6677. Open daily 06:00 – 22:30.
Just One: 55 Sathorn Tai Soi 1, Bangkok. T: (02) 679 7932.
Le Cafe Siam: 4 Soi Sri Akson, Chua Ploeng, Bangkok. T: (02) 671 0030/1. http://www.lecafesiam.com
Met Bar: Metropolitan Hotel - 27 South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok. T: (02) 625 3333. Open daily 19:00 – 02:00.
Monkey Shock 3: 1116 Narathiwat Road (between sois 15 and 17), Bangkok. T: (02) 287 2957. http://www.monkeyshock.org/
Rhythm and Beat Karaoke: 1124/2 Narathiwat Rd, Bangkok. T: (02) 675 4224. Open daily 14:30 – 24:00. http://www.karaoke.co.th
Tawandang German Brewery: 462/61 Rama 3 Rd, Bangkok. T: (02) 678 1114 to 6 – Music at 19:00. http://www.tawandang1999.com
The Moon Bar: 61st Fl Banyon Tree Hotel, Bangkok. T: (02) 679 1200. Open daily 17:00 – 01:00 (weather permitting).
Three Mangoes: 428 Narathiwat Soi 15, Bangkok. T: (02) 676 1995.
Vertigo: 61st Fl Banyon Tree Hotel, Bangkok. T: (02) 679 1200. Open daily 18:30 – 22:30 (weather permitting).
Wong's: Soi Sri Bamphen, Bangkok.