Taksura

Taksura is the definition of a baan-baan hangout, which means it's a laidback, casual bar-club for sitting around a table with friends and eating/drinking your worries away.

Rather than drawing a distinct group of people, anyone from Thai college students to older businessmen can be found here, and everyone is welcome. Taksura has a few locations around town but all of them sport a retro theme; you might end up settling into a salvaged car seat, 1960s lawn furniture or even a treehouse perched above the rest of the bar.

You'll either be met with a laugh or a perplexed look if ordering an appletini, so come prepared to drink the Thai way: a whole bottle of Sangsom rum or Johnny Walker scotch accompanied by a bucket of ice, soda water or Coke. This whole set up costs only 250 baht if you go with the cheap stuff, but ice cold Thai beer is available for good prices as well.

Taksura also serves a range of Thai drinking food (gap glaem), including fried air-dried beef, spicy laap salad and Isaan-style sausages with ginger, chillies and peanuts. English menu is available.

Live bands add to the atmosphere on Fridays and Saturday nights.

There are several locations.

To get to the Phaya Thai location listed below, exit on the east side of Phaya Thai Road (the road the train tracks run above), just 100 metres or so south of the Phaya Thai Road and Sri Ayuttaya Road intersection. Sign only in Thai.

To get to Taksura Ratchadamri, head to BTS Ratchadamri. Exit on the west side of Phaya Thai and walk south (towards Siam Square). Past a 7-eleven, you will come to a small soi called Worarit, turn right and follow it back, Taksura is on your right side. Sign only in Thai.

To get to Taksura RCA, get the MRT to Petchaburi, then a taxi. It's in the RCA Entertainment Complex proper, next to Triumph Bike Shop, past 808.