Jazz, Cool & Live Music

For those looking for live bands, Bangkok bears superb spots appealing to all sorts of musical tastes. You'll be able to listen to great tunes in a number of settings, ranging from loud and lively pubs, to dimly lit bars and classy hotel lobbies, performing anything from jazz and blues, to rock, pop and metal.

Sukhumvit

Ad Makers Pub & Restaurant Open: 17:00-01:00 (music from 20:00) Location: 51/1 Soi Lang Suan Contact: +66 (0)2 652 1069 Skytrain: Chitlom A favourite with expats who come to wind down. Good local bands with a leaning towards covers of rock favourites. The sort of place where you can go with the flow or make your own party. Mainly Thai food with a few international items. Credit cards accepted. Bar Bu Ree Open: 17:30 - 02:00 Location: 59 Sukhumvit Soi 63, Ekkamai Road Contact: +66 (0)2 392 4976- 8 Skytrain: Ekkamai An attractive, modern place catering towards Thai's and Japanese. The menu reflects this, as mainly Thai dishes and sushi are on offer. A large bar bar offers a wide varity of drinks, while in the same area up to three bands perform nightly, playing everything from bossa nova to classic rock. Bombay Bar Open: 19:00-01:00 Location: Soi Thonglor Contact: +66 (0)2 714 7800 Skytrain: Thong Lor If you'd like to see how locals party and have fun, Bombay Bar is the place to check out. One of the top clubs for Thais, Bombay Bar covers a fairly big spread over two floors. It's usually frequented by very young night-lovers - university students or, let's say, people in their 20's. Drinks are nothing special and prices are average. Mainstream music is played until a certain time and then a rock band takes over; expect Thai songs and a vibrant Thai nightlife scene. Brown Sugar Open: 17:00-02:00. Music from 21:30 Location: Soi Sarasin, Lumpini Contact: Subway: Lumpini Smoky, cool, great musicians, in need of a bit of refurbishment, friendly and laid back. Just as a good jazz club should be. Located around Soi Sarasin among a batch of small music venues, Brown Sugar has hosted a number of international artists and a local expat favourite. Good nightly jazz sessions are held at 23:00 by two resident bands, while weekly guest bands are on the rotation. Credit cards accepted. Concept CM2 Open: 21:00 - -2:00 Location: Novotel Siam Square Contact: +66 (0)2 209 8888 Skytrain: Siam Bands rotate every three to four months who play the latest chart-topping R&B, hip-hop, pop and rock hits. If live music isn't your thing, the Boom Room is just to the right of the main stage and in the main dance area, where you can bump to the latest hip-hop and R&B tracks. Every once in awhile an international DJ will showcase on the main stage. Thursday is hip-hop night, as hip-hop lovers from all over Bangkok come to enjoy resident DJs Lek, Kid and Bom. Monday is 'Ladies Night' with free entry for all the ladies; Tuesday's are buy one get one free on bottles of spirits; Wednesday's are buy one get one free on jugs of Margarita's or Kamikaze's; and on Sunday, chug-a-jug as draught beer is buy one get one free. Karaoke rooms are avilable for rent in the same complex (400 baht per person, includes food / drink), as is an Italian restaurant (open until 01:45). On Friday's and Saturday's, entrance gets you two drink tickets that can be used the entire week. Since CM2 is located in the basement of the Novotel Siam Square, the atmosphere is a bit formal. A very attractive crowd, but beware of freelancers! Hard Rock Cafe Open: 11:00 - 02:00. Music from 22:15 Location: Siam Square Soi 11 Contact: +66 (0)2 251 0797 Skytrain: Siam The world famous American style bar and restaurant features live music every night by the live house band, who play current hits plus classic favourites. Credit cards accepted. Isaan Champroo Blues Bar & Restaurant Open: 17.30 pm to 1.00am Location: Sukhumvit Soi 24 Contact: Skytrain: Phrom Phong An unusual combination of north-eastern Thai (Issan) and Japanese food attracting a clientele who appreciates good live blues served up with a menu of Isaan/Japanese food. The owner Ken encourages jam sessions, joining on harp on Thursdays. Radio City Open: 19:00 - 02:00. Music from 22:00 Location: Patpong 1 Skytrain: Saladaeng Downstairs from Lucifer's disco, Radio City has Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators backed by a good local band right in the middle of Patpong. Reflexions Open: 18:00 - 00:00 Location: Plaza Athenee Contact: (0)2 270 33 44 Skytrain: Ploenchit Jazz music and food with a modern edge plus good wine list. Credit cards accepted. Sundowner's Jazz Club Open: 17:00 - 02:00 Location: Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22 Contact: +66 (0)2 261 9000 Skytrain: Phrom Pong A good place to meet before heading out, or to enjoy cool jazz with friends. Live music is played Wednesday - Monday. Tokyo Joe's Open: 18:00 - 02:00. Music starts at 21:30 Location: Sukhumvit Soi 24, in the Snaporn Plaza building Contact: Skytrain: Phrom Pong A small smoky blues joint with good blues and food, live music is played here seven nights a week. From the up and coming bands to professionals, musicians in the local, expat community, and seasoned veterans on the Asian circuit, Tokyo Joe's keep blues alive and well in Bangkok. The food and drink menus feature Thai, Japanese and international specialties. Witch's Tavern Location: 306/1 Sukhumvit 55 (Soi Thong Lo) Skytrain: Thong Lo Located in the up and coming Thong Lo Road, this upscale pub offers a mix of Thai and Western food. Live music every night. Wednesday is Ladies Night.

Other Areas

Bamboo Bar Open: 11:00-02:00. Music from 22:00 Location: The Oriental Hotel Contact: +66 (0)2 659 9000 Skytrain: Saphan Taksin Probably the best jazz musicians in the world play here. Great foreign singers, local musicians. You won't find much better anywhere, but here. As you would expect, expensive but worth it. Brown Sugar Open: 17:00-02:00. Music from 21:30 Location: Soi Sarasin, Lumpini Contact: Subway: Lumpini Smoky, cool, great musicians, in need of a bit of refurbishment, friendly and laid back. Just as a good jazz club should be. Located around Soi Sarasin among a batch of small music venues, Brown Sugar has hosted a number of international artists and a local expat favourite. Good nightly jazz sessions are held at 23:00 by two resident bands, while weekly guest bands are on the rotation. Credit cards accepted. JazzITBangkok Open: 20:00 - 02:00 (every day except Monday) Location: RCA Block C, Rama 9 Road Contact: +66 (0)2 203 1053 This new and unique Thai- Italian disco features an impressive Italian wine list, Italian and Thai dishes, as well as Italian and Thai DJ's spinning deep house, Latin house and Brazilian house. Live vocalists and percussionists are also thrown in the mix between sets. The club's live band plays the latest pop / rock hits as well as popular classics on certain days. Jesters Open: 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm Location: 333 Charoen Nakorn Road, Peninsula Hotel Contact: +66 (0)2 861 2888 Skytrain: Saphan Taksin On the opposite side of the river to the Oriental Hotel. Frequented by the upmarket and trendy set for jazz bands and status. Noriega's Open: 16:00 - 01:00 Location: Silom Soi 4 Contact: +66 (0)2 233 2813 Skytrain: Saladaeng At the end of infamous Silom Soi 4, Noriega's is a little gem of a bar / live music venue. Downstairs are live blues, soul, indie and rock bands, featured nightly. Upstairs the restaurant menu features a modern blend of Thai, Tex-Mex, Italian and European favourites. Happy hour is daily from 16:00 - 21:00 where drinks are 100 baht (150 baht regular price.) Radio City Open: 19:00 - 02:00. Music from 22:00 Location: Patpong 1 Skytrain: Saladaeng Downstairs from Lucifer's disco, Radio City has Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators backed by a good local band right in the middle of Patpong. Saxophone Pub Open: 17:00 - 02:00 Location: 3/8 Victory Monument Phayathai Skytrain: Victory Monument Station Local expat favourite with some excellent musicians and a relaxed fun atmosphere. Consistently good music, food and service with a different jazz band every night playing a combination of jazz, blues and old classics. Good acoustics and cosy interior. Packed at the weekend. Tawandang German Brewery Open: 16:00 - 02:00. Music from 19:00 Location: Narathiwat Road, Rama 3. Contact: +66 (0)2 267 8114-7 Skytrain: Chong Nonsri Big beer hall with genuine German beers brewed in-house. Live music from quality bands providing a mix of Thai and foreign influences. Busy at weekends when everyone is determined to have a big night out. Credit cards accepted.