Popular Thai restaurant in Soi 24 Sukhumvit. Like many good up-market Thai restaurants, teak dominates the decor and smallish (by Western standards) tables and chairs. The food is always consistent and very well presented. Popularity means prices have gone up but the service and tucker is still of high standard. This place is very small, with probably a dozen or so tables in all in different rooms. All very dependable, intimate and a very appropriate place for business dinners with your Thai food loving clients.

5/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Sukhumvit
Ph: 2588637 Fax:2594244
Last visited mid 1998

Down Sukhumvit Road, is a collection of small bars and restaurants named after European impressionist painters and a few others that continue the up-market theme though the owner obviously ran out of artists. Renoir is the only one that doubles as a restaurant as well and is the most established and popular. But food in these bars runs a poor last to the main theme, which is dozens of evening gowned hostesses immaculately groomed attending to every needs of maybe a few to at the most a dozen or so customers. Needless to say a drink here is around 160 Baht and up. The obligatory ladies drinks around the same price. A rich man can become a poor man very quick around here. So its best to be a guest rather than the host! If you do a lot of business in Bangok you will most probably end up here one time of the other. Some of Bangkok's most well heeled executives meet here for after work drinks. It's not our favourite in the street, the hostesses are far too over attentive and hungry.... but its popularity and age make Renoirs deserving of a mention here. French and continental food, and tables on the deck overlooking Soi 33. Another quiet place to escape the chaos outside. Always a dependable and intriguing place both food and decor-wise. Then again, just my "impression"... (Sorry!) Sukhumvit Soi 33, about 100 yards down on the right Ph: 2585720 Last visited late 1998

monét

Monét's has a unique French and art-deco atmosphere with a nice long bar, an impressive staircase leading up to a fairly underutilised karoake and another staircase going even further up God knows where... The hostesses here are friendlier than Renoir's and it is to our sensibilities more sophisticated than Renoir. An excellent place for short meetings with associates.. lighter, and breezier than Renoir. Recommended. Sukhumvit Soi 33, about 150 yards down on the right Last visited June 2000

napolean

Also in Soi 33, a sophisticated jazz bar with an array of charming hostesses in evening gowns, and two full size snooker tables. The jazz here is top class mainstream, with a sax player dwarfed by his instrument punching out beautiful impressions of How high the moon, All the way, and Ellington classics. The band starts around 10pm, the snooker costs 400 Baht an hour, a ladies drink 150 Baht, and a bottle of Chivas around 2,700 Baht. Then again, if you need to ask the prices why are you here? This is the place for relaxed and quiet meetings after work, and a welcome diversion to Bangkok's other chaotic entertainment offerings. Rarely are there more than a dozen guests and with seemingly over 30 hostesses, you are never short of company and stilted conversation. Napolean is remembered for one particular night when the band burst into a reprise of the old Everly Brothers classic Dream, Dream, Dream. As if on cue, the hostesses burst into chorus. A heavenly chorus? .. or maybe it was just the Chivas..... Blanchard keeps a bottle here, but dont get any ideas.... knowing Blanchard he has marked the level with his Bic ball point..... Sukhumvit Soi 33, about 200 yards down on the left Ph: 261 4565 Last visited July 2000

larry's dive

Update January 1999. OK, so Larry's place did lose a bit of character when he seemed to lose direction in turning the place into a restaurant rather than a bar. However, another bar counter added, a genuine 1960's pin ball machine, and lots of palms means it is regaining its' old soul. The food, while good, is still over-priced, and reflects 4 star restaurant prices than the standard price of pub tucker that it really is. And service can sometimes be painfully slow... Still it is great to have a place in this area where both women and males can feel comfortable. Certainly an expat venue rather than mixed. This place just gets better and better... Larry has taken over the old Japanese karaoake/knock shop next door and still doing his best to raise the respectability of the area... There will be a few tables and umbrellas ouside so you can close your eyes, dig your tootsies into the sand, stick your pinkies into your ears to block out the pollution and traffic noise and imagine you're at Samui... Hopefully you still have a finger or two free to handle Larry's famous chips, hamburgers or fish and chips... He's still working out how to convert the upstairs short-time rooms into something more in-keeping with his image. Suggestions welcome at his website at http://www.larrysdive.com/ Larry injects some welcome honesty into the Bangkok bar scene with this new bar in Soi 22 Sukhumvit. A dual bar/dive shop the place is bedecked out like a beach bar with a palm tree rooted in the middle of the room, a straw roofed bar, even though the sand that Larry promised in the planning stages has not yet appeared. There's the obligatory hostesses of course, decked out in coastal type sarongs plus now added blazers as some of the locals were offended with the sight of bare shoulders. Food as well, and friendly hosts in Canadian Rob Denis and co-conspirator Noot. Mention this forum and you might even score a free beer. As the sign says... "Warm Beer, Cold women, slow service"... I think NOT... after several visits... Even if scubas and things underwater are not your scene, dive in one night... Update 30/12/97 Yes, the sand has arrived, and so has ladies nights on Wednesdays, Full Moon Parties... and no, nobody has yet sighted Larry... Plus Larry has got his own home page. Update 1/12/98 Larry's Dive has expanded! You can get BBQ seafood and a larger selection of food, play pool, and sit at tables! Now it is more of a restaurant than a bar, some of us miss the old intimate Larry's Dive. Ladies night is no more though Larry tries an endless variety of special nights. Sukhumvit Soi 22, about 200 yards down on the left Ph: 663 4563 www.larrysdive.com Last visited January 1999

german biergarten (soi 7 sukhumvit)

Far less repectable than Larry's and definitely male only territory, this big friendly bar boasts excellent German food in an outside/inside setting. The parrot at the end of the bar may keep you amused with language no doubt learned from various sailors over many years. A couple of hours spent people watching, imbibing and eating and yarning with the always interesting collection of tourists and locals will repay. Participation in the obviously other main attraction of this place completely up to you. It's in the "salacious" category, so be warned!

Sukhumvit Soi 5, about 200 yards down on the left
Last visited February 1998

The Thermae is an institution in Bangkok, even the Bangkok Post noting with sadness the relocation 4 shop lots up the road in Sukhumvit. (Yes, they even replaced the juke box (:-() There are many great stories of the Thermae, from the fights between US and Aussie sailors during the Vietnam war over juke box selections to the romances that blossomed and wilted from chance meetings at 3am in the morning. The local constabularly going through one of their regular 2am closing time binges at present, the Thermae is the only place open of any liveliness after 2am. Rumour has it that the police chief runs this place, hence the more lenient policy. I've met a collection of characters here from battle wearied journos, to Viet vets, CIA agents from Cambodia and Western traders of fish, sheep, computers and fabrics.

While most bemoan the passing of the old Thermae, this place is actually less dark, much bigger and certainly less pongy than the old one. And you don't have to go down a lane and enter from the rear through the latrines any more. An enormous S-shaped bar predominates, the absolute best bar for people watching you've probably seen. Service is fast and the beer, Mekong, "Jack Coke" and "Black Coke" are cheap. The attraction is the local freelancing ladies, ranging from those that looked they walked out of a fashion spread to female veterans of Vietnam and maybe even Korea, so its not for the faint hearted. Interesting policy has the katoeys barred. It only starts kicking from 2am... definitely weekend fare... Depressing if you arrive in the wrong frame of mind or take it too seriously, and its been compared to a certain bar in "Star Trek" with "end of the earth" qualities. I don't know the example... but I've got a pretty good idea what they mean now...

Sukhumvit, near Soi 17, opposite Sheraton Grande
Last visited November 1997

Better at the time of writing than the Lemon Grass, slightly cheaper and less dependable. But on a given night this place will match any Thai restaurant Bangkok can offer. The decor even surpasses that at the Lemongrass if traditional wood and Thai curios scattered around is what enhances your dining experience. The green chicken curry comes highly recommended. Opposite Soi Cowboy. Our last visit was disappointing with very slow service but maybe just one of those off-nights...

Sukhumvit 23, Opposite Soi Cowboy
Last visited July 1998

Just newly opened in one of the most refined and gentle hotels in this anarchic town. I doubt whether you would get much better Italian food in Asia. We hope and pray to the Pope and Buddah together that it continues.

Update December 1998: Still wonderful Italian nosh. Crab soup and Osso Bocco superb

250 Sukhumvit Road, near Soi 16
Ph: 6530333 Fax:6530400
Last visited December 1998

The Hard Rock Cafe in Bangkok, in contrast to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, has little of the qualities of the latter. Perhaps this is because Bangkok offers so much choice. One of these is the Saxophone, an institution in Bangkok, especially for those who need their regular dose of soul via song. The name is a bit misleading. The Saxophone specialises in uncompromising Rhythm and Blues rather than jazz... ..And most nights, especially during the house band's Bangkok Blues Band set, the music is superb with spirited retellings of Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf classics. This place is always good, with a friendly crowd mixed between locals, expats and a few tourists. However Thai university students predominate. In a town where the king is a hip sax player the Saxophone just has to be good, though I don't know whether the King has yet graced it with his rendition of Parker's "How high the moon".

Victory Monument, Phayathai (not far from Silom or Sukhumvit)
Tel: 2465472
Last visited December 1998

November 1998: Closed! The Peppermint is no more... The review remains...

OK, so you threatened you would never go back to Patpong, but there is good reason to now. The Peppermint Bistro and Bar, (though I swear I've never seen anybody eat there) is the liveliest disco in the world from 12:30 am to 2am every night (depending on what time the local wallopers descend on it). Every other time it is like a morgue. About 80 baht for a beer. This place is a very small bar that fits in a couple of hundred with an aggressive Art Deco decor. You can meet people from all over the world in those 90 mins each night, plus fall in love 3 times over. Inside it is all very respectable. Just don't think about the cunning stunts being performed in all the upstairs bars within shouting (or balloon bursting) distance. Loud, sweaty, cramped. crowded, pricey, smoky and fun fun fun! Hortense would hate it.

Again, soul, jazz, and blues in a trendy but fun atmosphere. You come here for the music and the ever changing crowd. Don't let this short review put you off. This bar is damned good. And essential for jazz lovers.

Sarasin Road, near Lumpini Park
Tel: 2500103
Last visited July 1998

Half way down Soi 55 Sukhumvit is this largish pub/grub place. The service stands out, the menu is imaginative, and the decor is trad Teak/Thai. Upstairs area is a bit quieter with nice antique furniture. The wood and lofty ceilings add to an atmosphere which is even, well, "haunting". After a few Mekongs or Singahs you may even see pesky looking witches flying around on broomsticks. A pleasant though not rollicking good time will be had by all. Don't trip over the metal brewing pot on the way out.

Soi 55, Sukhumvit, half way between Sukhumvit and Petchaburi
Last visited February 1998

There is a difference between Cajun and Creole cooking, and that's explained on the menu, but to any lost soul from New Orleans in Bangkok for the night, they wouldn't really care as they have ALL types of cooking... Creole AND Cajun. Doug has created a great restaurant here which recreates a little bit of the old South in fashionable downtown Sukhumvit. A real favourite of most American expats in Bangkok, Bourbon Street serves excellent US fare at a reasonable price. Don't miss the Blackened Redfish or Blackened Shrimps, to say nothing of the "Riverboat Platter". The Gumbo and traditional Jambalaya are also excellent. Lunch special on Monday is Red Beans and Rice if you really want to get serious, and Tuesday night is Mexican night. The staff are very friendly once you get to know them..., and jazz posters and New Orleans memorabilia decorate the walls. In fact there is a photo of the resident jazz band doing their thing here. A big "Cheers-like" bar predominates usually populated by Americans talking loudly. Darts too (American rules) - Blanchard introduced me to this one so at least I have one thing to thank the ignorant pom for.

Soi 22, Sukhumvit, turn left 100 yards down at Denny's Bar and follow the signs.
Last visited January 1999

Soi 23 Sukhumvit boasts a nice German outside beer bar with great sausages, sauerkraut and other German and Nordic specialties. Each night there is a different beast they carve up for an all inclusive cost. Dining both in the friendly outside bar and inside. Fairy lights and potted trees surround you and service is casual and friendly. Blanchard has been here too.

Soi 23, Sukhumvit, opposite Soi Cowboy
Last visited November 1997