Shaken and Stirred Thai Style
From Bangkok’s hidden speakeasies to Phuket’s beach bars, Thai mixologists are blending local ingredients with new techniques to craft some of the world’s best cocktails
Words: Kankanit Wichiantanon
Think of Thailand’s cocktail scene as a tall glass of Long Island iced tea: bold, layered, and unapologetically unique. From Phuket in the South to Chiang Mai up North, bars across the land pride themselves on serving one-of-a-kind inventions bursting with creativity and twists on Thai culture.
And if you expect Thailand’s ever-changing rules on alcohol to dampen the party spirit, think again. New opening times and tighter service standards only seem to inspire the country’s fearless bars and bartenders to greater heights of inventiveness. For proof, just take a glance at the World’s and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists and other international awards, which are peppered with stylish Thai watering holes.
It’s clear that Thailand’s cocktail culture is experiencing a full-blown renaissance. From moody Bangkok speakeasies hidden behind unmarked doors to hilltribe hooch parlours in Chiang Mai, from the leafy beach cabanas of Phuket to sophisticated Samui hotspots, a new wave of bars is redefining the liquor landscape.
Here, we take a peek at the imaginations powering Thailand’s most exciting cocktail experiences, where every glass carries a story and bartenders let their shakers do the talking.
“Thailand’s cocktail scene is creative, rich and utterly unique. Our culture is diverse and our creativity comes from a society that is very open-minded,” explains mixologist Niks Anuman- Rajadhon, the driving force behind some of Bangkok’s most influential bars.
“The scene has been evolving at its own pace. It began in hotel bars, then expanded to more classic twist bars,” he added. “Now, we’re in the era of speciality concept bars – bars that express Thai identity. The scene has accelerated rapidly over the past five years. Welcome to the golden era of Thailand’s cocktail scene!”
Niks is the man behind Thailand’s first dedicated gin bar, Teens of Thailand, as well as Asia Today, specialising in cocktails made with local ingredients. He’s also developed concept bars such as Tax and G.O.D, and is the co-owner of Issan Rum, Thailand’s homegrown agricole rum.
Over the past decade, Thailand’s nightlife – especially Bangkok – has veered away from clubs towards a playground of inventive cocktail destinations. High volume and energy have given way to nuance, mastery and flair. Bars across the country are carving their own distinct identities, putting Thailand firmly on the global cocktail map.
A key ingredient in this renaissance is the rise of local spirits. Micro-distilleries in Thailand are crafting everything from aromatic rums and gins to silky-smooth whiskies, innovative local brews that bartenders nationwide are championing. Menus that once relied on imported booze now highlight homegrown spirits. Farm-to-glass is no longer just a buzzword, but a proud badge of authenticity.
“Thailand’s cocktail scene has been around for about two decades, but the local spirits scene has only taken off in the past five years,” says Niks. “We have a rum distillery in Koh Samui called Samui Rum, and it’s refreshing to see local spirits and concepts popping up at bars around Bangkok. Finally, we have concepts that fit us and our culture, rather than being inspired by, say, English weather.”
Unique Thai ingredients are now the star of many concoctions. Kaffir lime, pandan, galangal, scene has been around for about two decades, but the local spirits scene has only taken off in the past five years,” says Niks. “We have a rum distillery in Koh Samui called Samui Rum, and it’s refreshing to see local spirits and concepts popping up at bars around Bangkok. Finally, we have concepts that fit us and our culture, rather than being inspired by, say, English weather.”
What makes Thailand’s cocktail scene truly special is its authenticity, grounded in the strong sense of place that infuses bars and mixologists across the country. Thailand isn’t just playing catchup with the world – it’s writing a new chapter in modern cocktail culture.
Mixology has also stepped out from the nightlife shadows and into the spotlight as a serious craft. “Seeing bartending become a stable career path has been an amazing thing to witness,” says Niks.
Bars across Thailand are also capturing the spirit of their dramatic surroundings. Think sleek rooftop sophistication and unique concepts in Bangkok, forest-foraged flavours in Chiang Mai, and sun-drenched beach adventures in the South. Here are some of our favourites:
Bangkok Gems
Sky Views and Themed Hideouts
Cocktail culture is thriving in every corner of the capital, from hidden speakeasies and rooftop bars with sweeping city views to themed venues that whisk you away to fantastical realms. Whether you’re looking for unmatched mixology, or the door to a parallel universe, Bangkok has it all.
If you’re after divinity in a glass, then G.O.D is probably the best place to start. Ranked No 26 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, this cutting-edge oasis by Niks and Attapon De Silva elevates cocktail drinking through concept-driven drinks all paired thoughtfully with food. Their signature move? The Uni Martini served with fresh sea urchin – a kiss from the ocean.
For something more intimate, Bar Us delivers passion in every pour. Created by Sudarat “Taln” Rojanavanich and Veerach “Aum” Sawaengsupt, this sleek, contemporary hangout quickly became an international sensation, landing at No 4 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list just two years after its debut in 2023. Guided by the idea of a “Drinking Room” rather than a traditional bar, Bar Us explores how people feel cocktails, not just how they taste them. It’s intimate, intentional, and full of soul.
Craving sophistication with a dash of fun? Head to F*nkytown, where Thai classics like Som Tum, Green Curry and Khao Soi inspire boundary-breaking cocktails – unexpected, playful and devilishly delicious.
Or you could make like a bird and nest at Tichuca, a rooftop neon jungle on the 46th floor of the T-One Building. Perch beneath its iconic glowing tree and enjoy tropical-fruit cocktails and some of the best views of Bangkok’s dramatic skyline.
Over in Silom, the legendary Vesper has been setting new sipping standards since 2014. Part pioneering cocktail bar, part neighbourhood gem, Vesper’s playful drinks and intimate setting have earned a spot at No 29 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list.
For classic Chinatown atmosphere, nothing beats the country’s first dedicated gin bar, Teens of Thailand. Set in a jazzed up traditional shophouse just steps away from its sister bar, Asia Today, a creative honey-focused spot using honey sourced from across
the country. Their Eastern Honey cocktail served in a beeswax mug comes highly recommended.
Tax Bar flies even further for inspiration. Famous for its insect- focused cocktails, Tax was named one of the world’s most beautiful bars by Condé Nast Traveller in March 2021 soon after opening. Pints of Guinness are served with a garnish of subterranean ants (“mang man”) while the Bee Larvae Cocktail is, well, self-explanatory. Strange? Yes. Memorable and moreish? Absolutely.
Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar takes cocktails as a culinary art to a new and mind-blowing level.
Led by talents like Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn, Chennarong “Jan” Bhumichitr, Charlie Kader, and Chef Randy Noprapa, the bar champions a resourceful, zero-waste approach, extracting flavour from seeds, leaves, stems, fat, dairy, and everything in between. Highlights include Banana, showcasing the fruit from raw to ripe, and Cow, a liquid artwork in beef fat, milk, butter, and cheese.
Philtration, tucked in the basement of a century-old heritage house, mixes history with a modern twist. Once the hidden laboratory of traditional Thai doctor Moh Mee, it has been transformed into a modern Oriental apothecary-style bar where herbs, spices and teas inspire playful, inventive drinks rooted in its past.
Fancy a trip to the Caribbean? Visit Havana Social for sumptuous sips, dancing and sultry vibes. This 1940s-style Cuban bar is a must- visit for Latin beats, cigars and a stellar selection of rum – perfect for a vivacious night out.
Mystery and intimacy are the draw at #FindTheLockerRoom in Thonglor, where guests discover a secret speakeasy hiding in plain sight. Behind its anonymous door, the art of mixology takes centre stage, with playful recreations of classic cocktails in a cosy setting. It’s unlike any locker room you’ve ever seen.
And for our last stop in Bangkok, something wild and unique: Akara Sky Hanuman. Towering 276 metres above the capital, this rooftop wonder guarded by a dramatic Hanuman sculpture offers far more than just cocktails. Nine viewpoints, three levels and 10 zones feature everything from immersive art, Thai-costume photo spot, and even a mini night market with classic Thai street food. Bangkok’s energy, culture and creativity is bundled into one sky-high destination – perfect for the city’s first-time visitors.
Chiang Mai’s Lanna Liquor Arts
Foraged Cocktails
In Chiang Mai, the slower pace of life inspires cocktails rooted in the North’s natural riches – with a kicker of creativity. Bartenders blend local botanicals and longstanding traditions with modern techniques to create unique and lip-smacking Lanna libations.
At THUUB Bar, cocktails whisper tales of the bartender’s years spent living among the tribes of the North. Here Thai spirits, wild herbs and cultural rituals are transformed into a menu that reads like a living folktale. Try the “Essence of Light and Shadow” section for 16 signature cocktails that sing with mountain flavours.
For a more fantastical escape, slip into the The White Rabbit – a speakeasy where Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” collides with Hollywood blockbuster “The Matrix”. Plunge into the unknown and let innovative drinks guide you through an unexpected world of flavours.
Chiang Mai legend Bar.San offers a more classic and elegant atmosphere of low lighting and live beats. Here, meticulous mixology mingles with comforting flavours, with cocktails that radiate a zen- like simplicity in presentation while still delivering layered, expressive profiles. Pair your drink with their signature dishes and you’ll understand why this place is loved by those who lean into quiet indulgence.
At Noir CMI, classic cocktails blend with sensuous jazz to create an atmosphere as warm and welcoming as home. Live music drifts through the bar, setting the perfect backdrop for a soft ending to the day.
Phuket and Samui’s Bold Bar Scene
Coastal Concoctions
Bars in the South of Thailand are reinventing how we drink, transforming surf ‘n’ turf ingredients into new tastes of the tropics.
Z1MPLEX Mixology Laboratory in Phuket has been pushing boundaries since 2011, mixing science with spectacle in a space with spectacle in a space that feels part cocktail bar, part laboratory. Expect experimental shooters, theatrical presentations and drinks that distil dreams of the future.
The mood shifts to quiet intimacy in shhhh. Phuket, a hidden treasure housed in a traditional Sino-Portuguese mansion. Here, floor-to-ceiling wall projections create a dramatic dreamscape for immersive conversations over delicious cocktail classics.
Dibuk House boasts Phongsathorn “Wynn” Chaokitiwut as owner, an international award-winning mixologist who helms this long- time favourite in Old Town Phuket. Check out their new locationf or characterful décor, some of the island’s finest classic concoctions, and a menu fizzing with creativity.
Guests can shuffle the deck with a visit to the tarot-inspired The Fool Speakeasy. Expertly crafted cocktails offer a playful glimpse into the future of mixology in surroundings that invite new connections.
Hop over to Koh Samui and Suvarn Bar at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort showcases island flavours with ingredients sourced from local communities. Drinks that infuse coastal culture create a perfect introduction to the island’s unique vibe.
A short walk away, The Gin Run at Centara Reserve Samui transports guests to a world devoted entirely to gin, offering an immersive, bespoke tasting experience. Here, top-shelf spirits are transformed into creative cocktails like Tea Thyme, Tom Yum, Sichuan Mule and Spice Saturn, elevating the art of drinking with a distinctly local twist.
Pouring Forward: The Future of Thai Cocktail Culture
From exclusive local flavours to cutting-edge style, Thailand’s bar scene is leading new era in drinking culture.
No longer simple aperitifs, cocktails are now treated with the culinary reverence reserved for haute cuisine. Today’s bartenders have become stars in their own right, drawing loyal fans every time they shake and stir.
Looking ahead to 2026, Niks says cocktails will become “ultra local, celebrating the unique flavours of each region.
“The trend will be for more creativity, personalization and stronger concepts – not just crazy flavours that you can’t consume.”
So, get set for another thrilling chapter in Thailand’s cocktail culture, as we sip and savour the latest wave of inventive creations.