What was once a Bunnag family compound on one corner of Surawong Road has been transformed into Baan Suriyasai, a gorgeous space that combines a restaurant, a tea room and a bar under one roof. The Suriyasai Content Bar, located on the second floor, takes you back to the glamour of the 1920s with deep green walls with gold-colored trims, elegant leather seating, and art installations featuring taxidermied peacocks behind a glass wall—it could simply be a Jay Gatsby's drinking den.
The watering hole shines a light on Thailand’s first locally produced rum, Mekhong, which is used in many of their Thai-inspired cocktails. First-time visitors may want to try its signature cocktail Koon Suek (B355), which was served at Bangkok's first-ever Michelin Guide Gala Dinner in 2017. The refreshing, rum-based drink mixes a shot of Mekhong into a blend of dry vermouth, red wine, lime juice, lemongrass and basil leaves.
If you’re not much of a drinker, Opt for Gay Sorn (B360), a sweet, easy-to-drink cocktail featuring a mix of Thai vodka-infused fruit tea, pear and apple juice, lemon, citrus syrup, and ginger ale. Our favorite, however, goes to Phraya Passion (B355), a sweet and sour combination of gold rum, passion fruit, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
The Suriyasai Content Bar also hosts a small exhibition on the history of Mekhong, where you can see the original bottles from their distillery and learn about the brand’s constant development.