Best 14 bars in Soi Nana (Chinatown)

What is it? G.O.D, which stands for Genius On Drugs, is the flagship bar from Niks Anuman and his partners. Walk through the door with its custom cocktail shaker handle and you'll find a blasphemously brilliant high-ceilinged space, complete with two massive yellow speakers flanking the bar and exposed metal building rods converging dramatically overhead.

Why we love it: This place serves as a sacred temple to alcoholic concoctions. Their experimental lab and warehouse of light; a place where middle ground simply doesn't exist. Niks and the team focus heavily on spirit-forward cocktails, each paired with gourmet side bites. The menu lists both together, the cocktail with its ingredients followed by the accompanying nibble. Take the uni martini (B580), which the menu justifiably describes as ‘an excessive way to enjoy a martini.’ It arrives with a scoop of uni for the back of your hand and a hay-smoked olive. Down the Bafun uni first, then the gulp on the martini – served so cold you can photograph it without it warming up. Follow it up with the smoked olive, then back to finish the martini. Oh, and although technically not on soi Nana itself, it’s just next door and absolutely still counts.Time Out tip: Get there early. It's a small space and fills up fast, so arriving ahead of the crowd means you'll get the best seat in the (relatively small) house. 

Soi Rammaitree. Open daily, 7pm-1am

What is it? Pijiu, meaning ‘beer’ in Chinese, is the latest venture from the team behind craft beer importing pioneer Beervana. Just steps away from Teens of Thailand (see below for more on this legend), this Thai-Chinese shophouse channels the vibe of a 1950s Hong Kong hotel lobby bar, all soft lighting, wall lamps, candlelight and a huge glass wall.

Why we love it: Although it brings with it a strong Beervana connection, the beer selection stretches far beyond the brand's usual portfolio. Five taps on regular rotation pour imported brews like Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Tuatara Weiz Guy Hefeweizen and Epic Brewing's Los Cosos Mexican-style lager. Bottled options give you even more choice, including the recently legalized Happy New Beer from Khao Yai. Pints average around B280. Try the Chinese cold cuts (B400), a platter loaded with shrimp crackers, smoked duck, kun chiang (traditional Chinese sausage), moo wan (sweet pork with coriander and spices), Chinese sausage with duck liver and smoked pork belly. It’s worth noting that a chef's table-style restaurant is set to open upstairs soon.

Time Out tip: Ask the staff for their recommendations. They’re eager to help and know the rotating taps inside out,  steering you towards something brilliant based on what you love.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 6pm-midnight and Fri-Sat 6pm-1am

What is it? El Chiringuito is a simple, friendly bar built around traditional Spanish tapas and drinks. The space preserves the original structure of the building, decorated with vintage bits like glass jars, antique picture frames and old wooden tables and chairs that give it a proper sense of charm and nostalgia.

Why we love it: The menu keeps things Spanish. Get stuck with the tortilla de patatas, a Spanish omelette made with caramelised onion, or the salmorejo, a thick tomato soup topped with boiled egg and ham. Don't even think about leaving without sampling their sangria or the signature gin xoriguer. More recently, El Chiringuito has also opened as a guesthouse for travellers, presumably so you can drink yourself silly and not worry about getting home. All four rooms have been newly renovated with a more modern touch following Victor's vision, whilst still keeping the original Chinese-style wooden doors and windows intact. So if you fancy staying over after a few too many gin tonics, you've got options.

Time Out tip: The tortilla de patatas often gets heralded as the best Spanish omelette in Bangkok, and it sells out fast. Order it the moment you sit down or risk missing out entirely.

Soi Nana. Open Thu-Sun, 6pm-midnight. Closed Mon-Wed.

What is it? A speakeasy-style bar that tells the story of ‘life in your ’30s’ through each and every drink. The owners claim this stage of life is filled with sweetness, bitterness and complexity and have made a cocktail menu to match.

Why we love it: The menu follows the concept 'Based on True Stories – Love Never Ends’, where each drink reflects a chapter of love and life experiences, whether it's the beginning of a relationship, complicated connections or personal growth. The space feels like sitting in a mate's living room, with warm lighting and a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for casual conversations. There are vintage sofa areas alongside a cool, minimalist wooden bar counter. We'd recommend the drink ‘nothing change’ (B390), a gin-based drink with tonic, candied bitter melon and pandan that pairs brilliantly with the apparent monotony of city life.

Time Out tip: Whilst most bars on Soi Nana serve a tiny bowl of nuts as a side snack, THURTY's baby corn on the cob (topped with cheese and butter) is a cult favourite. It's salty, savoury and pairs perfectly with almost any of their sour-leaning cocktails.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 5pm-1am.

What is it? When you talk about Thailand's jazz scene, Brown Sugar is always one of the first names that comes up. This legendary club has been going strong since 1985, shifting from its original Phra Sumen Road spot to its current home in the old town. 

Why we love it: More than a restaurant, Brown Sugar is an institution that's nurtured countless talented jazz musicians over the decades. We reckon it’s done more than most to promote jazz culture and make it genuinely accessible to everyone, regardless of what you're wearing or where you're from. The owner's dedication goes beyond the club itself too, with Pongrat Meesaiyaat involved in countless public initiatives and even organising Thailand's very first jazz festival. The atmosphere manages to feel both historic and welcoming, which is no small feat for somewhere with this much legacy behind it.

Time Out tip: Each night brings two main sets of quality live music. The early set is easy listening acoustic jazz, perfect for settling in. Then the late set cranks things up with a full band delivering proper energy and some seriously impressive improvisation.

Soi Nana. Open 5pm-1am. Closed Mon.

What is it? Tep Bar, one of the crowd-pullers at Soi Nana in Chinatown, puts a Thai spin on tapas-style dining. Khao krieb wow, a traditional kite-sized rice cracker served with sweet chilli paste, is an all-time favourite and goes brilliantly with their infused yadong, a traditional, almost medicinal infused rice whisky shot.

Why we love it: This place has a sense of identity, with Thai herbal liqueurs, rum and whisky playing key roles in the cocktail menu. There's a mini section dedicated to Thailand's own Phraya Rum, with four drinks each inspired by the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. There’s another menu that's all cocktails made with Mekong Rum. Bestseller ‘the thong’ blends mango, wild honey, dill, lime and gold leaf, and it's gorgeous. You can also try the local spirits neat, including different varieties of rice wine. When it comes to Thai-style bars, presentation is everything, and most cocktails here are made from a variety of herbs infused with Thai spirits or creatively crafted using Thai rum as a base.

Time Out tip: Early evening is sophisticated and chill. By 10pm, the energy properly spikes with live, semi-traditional music performances with a real energy to them, and an always busy crowd of both locals and tourists, singing along and dancing between the tables.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 6pm-midnight.

What is it? A small, homey bar with a super chill rooftop seating area. Even though the place looks simple and unpretentious, the cocktails here are surprisingly complex and stronger than you'd expect. They also serve craft beer, wine and easy-to-enjoy food options.

Why we love it: This is one of the more relaxed spots on the street, focusing on Japanese bites and easy drinks, whilst capturing the essence of an izakaya. The bartenders are ready to welcome you and recommend drinks tailored to whatever you're after, whether that's something light and refreshing or something with a bit more punch. The rooftop seating adds to the laid-back vibe, making it the kind of place where you can settle in for an evening without any fuss. It's straightforward in the best possible way, with no pretence but plenty of skill behind the bar. The food menu keeps things simple too, which works perfectly when you're just after something to nibble on between rounds.

Time Out tip: It's a tiny space. If you've got more than four people, your chances of getting a table without a 30-minute wait are pretty slim. Plan accordingly.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 6pm-2am.

What is it? A Chinese-style bar and hostel renovated inside a  70-year-old shophouse that's been part of the Nana neighbourhood since the soi’s inception. The venue preserves its classic Chinese aesthetic, exposing the original spiral-pattern brick walls from when the building was first constructed.

Why we love it: Additional elements have been woven in to enhance the Chinese ambiance, like blue terrazzo benches and bar counters, red neon signs with Chinese characters and decorations made up of everyday Chinese household items. The food at Ba Hao mixes Chinese street food with Thai-Chinese comfort cuisine, whilst the cocktail menu gets properly creative by blending Chinese spirits and herbs with other liquors. There's also a fair bit of reinterpreting Western cocktails with a more Eastern twist, which works brilliantly. The whole place feels like it's been there forever, even though the renovation is relatively recent.

Time Out tip: Whilst it is officially a bar, Ba Hao is more famous for its sesame pudding (B158). It's arguably the best in the city, so don't leave without trying it.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 5pm-midnight and Fri-Sat 5pm-1am

What is it? Following the opening of their vinegar-focused cocktail bar Tax in 2019 (also in our list), the brains behind Teens of Thailand, Asia Today and G.O.D are at it again with Independence Bar, specialising in wine and wine-based cocktails on Soi Nana. It’s as if they’re taking over the whole street… they’re kinda taking over the whole street.

Why we love it: Replacing what used to be an old motorcycle repair shop on Maitri Chit Road, the bar gives off a seductive, mysterious vibe resembling NYC's subway with its graffiti-covered walls, fluorescent lights and raw design. When it comes to drinks, this place focuses mainly on wine. However, what makes it interesting is that it's not your typical wine bar. Their definition of wine is quite broad, covering both traditional and natural options, as well as sake (rice wine) and fortified wines like port and vermouth, which are used as key ingredients in crafting each cocktail. 

Time Out tip: The music leans towards indie, alternative or hip-hop, definitely not typical ‘hotel lounge’ jazz. 

Maitri Chit Rd. Open daily, 7pm-2am

What is it? If you're a bar hopper around Soi Nana in Yaowarat, you've probably heard of Tax. Look for Independence Bar, turn into the alley beside it, head up to the second floor and push the door open. Next door, there's also a super chic club called Bar Temp if you’re looking to crawl.

Why we love it: Inside, Tax still maintains its cool, slightly dark vibe. The space is u-shaped with a bar counter placed in the centre. Seating options include tables, bar seats and sofas, so pick whatever suits you. For those who've been before, the most noticeable change in Tax is the large insect sculpture hanging above the bar – a prelude of what you’ll find in the drinks. Once known for its vinegar-focused drinks, the new era of Tax now highlights insects as its main concept, telling their story through curiously crafted cocktails that aren’t for the conceptually squeamish. This menu took over a year to develop, resulting in a series of drinks that are easy to enjoy, delicious, well-balanced and elevate the experience of eating insects to a whole new level. It's bold without being gimmicky, which is no small feat.

Time Out tip: Although bugs are now on the menu, they're still famous for house-made vinegar-based cocktails. Don't let the word ‘vinegar’ scare you off because it adds a complex, fermented acidity that you won't find at a standard bar.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 7pm-1am

What is it? Another bar in this  area called Asia Today, created to expand on the idea of valuing local spaces and ingredients. It aims to celebrate high-quality local produce that people today often overlook, as many tend to favour imported options. In reality, local ingredients are just as good.

Why we love it: A pink neon sign cheekily reads ‘This bar is better than Teens of Thailand,’ adding a playful sense of humour from the get-go. Although the space is quite small, it allows bartenders to interact closely with guests and helps drinkers better understand the flavours of what they're sipping. The bar focuses on creating cocktails made with lesser-known ingredients, including bai hor wor (an indigenous herb from the Pga K'nyau community in northern Thailand), bai hoo seur (an aromatic plant used in larb) and thirteen types of honey sourced from different regions across the country. Asia Today's bartenders usually fly to different areas to source produce that's been tried and tested to blend perfectly with spirits. It's a proper education in what Thailand has to offer.

Time Out tip: Ask the bartender for a recommendation based on your sweetness preference. They know their stuff inside out.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 2pm-1am

What is it? Here it is, the legendary Teens of Thailand, Soi Nana’s flagship gin bar with a concept focused on breaking away from the typical modern drinking scene, offering a simple, relaxed and no-frills atmosphere. The bar has only slightly renovated this abandoned two-storey building, intentionally preserving its original vintage character.

Why we love it: Although the entrance might look a bit intimidating and require some courage to step in, the interior is surprisingly stylish and full of charm. The place is known for its artisanal gin and tonics infused with local flavours like Thai tea, chrysanthemum, jackfruit and salted guava. The bar has a limited seating capacity of just 15 and features bare cement walls, retro furniture and a well-curated playlist. The simplicity works in its favour because nothing distracts from the quality of what you're drinking or the conversations you're having.

Time Out tip: Talk to the bartender. Tell them what flavours you like, whether that's ‘sour and herbal’ or ‘bitter and fruity.’ They're masters of improvisation and will sort you out with the best gin and tonic you’ve ever had.

Soi Nana. Open daily, midday-1am

What is it? A restaurant and rooftop bar by Oneday Wallflowers, this rooftop spot builds on the concept from the ‘China Town Showcase’, transforming the building's central spiral staircase into a pathway leading up to the rooftop, hence the name Wallflowers Upstairs.

Why we love it: It's a laid-back rooftop bar with two chill-out zones. One is a lush, old rustic-style garden, whilst the other offers classic views of the buildings around the Nana-Yaowarat neighbourhood. The space is decorated with wooden furniture and vintage-style elements like rattan chairs, round tables, warm orange lighting, decorative lights and glass rooms. Soft amber lighting is used throughout, creating a romantic yet relaxing atmosphere at the same time. When it comes to drinks, there's a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, with their signature cocktails being especially popular for their easy-drinking style. Live music adds to the vibe, making it a proper spot to settle in for the evening.

Time Out tip: If you're a party of two, specifically ask for a ‘railing seat’ or ‘balcony edge.’ These have the best view of the Soi Nana street life below.

Soi Nana. Open daily, 5.30pm-1am

What is it? Among these spirited enclaves is Chinatown Yacht Club, founded by Daniel Van Norden, who emerged from New York City's dive bar scene.

Why we love it: It's a New York-style dive bar, dimly lit and unpretentious, transplanted into an old shophouse. Spanning three floors, the venue welcomes you with low lighting, red accents and mirrored walls on the first floor. Chinese red lanterns glow at the front door, nodding to the neighbourhood's heritage, whilst paintings by New York street artist Harif Guzman add an urban edge. The highlight is the rooftop, repurposed from an artist's studio and transformed into a double-wide urban jungle with over 50 varieties of plants and trees. It feels like a tropical garden whilst still offering sweeping views of the city below. The menu features classic cocktails inspired by onboard yacht favourites and warm-weather vibes. What truly impresses is the price, with just B290 for a glass. The must-try is moscow mule, a zesty mix of vodka, ginger and lime that feels bright and invigorating.

Time Out tip: Happy hour runs from 6pm-8pm. Order two cocktails and, as if by chance, a third appears at your table. 

Soi Nana. Open daily, 6pm-1am