Live Music Bars in Bangkok
Adhere the 13th Blues Bar – Blues
Adhere the 13th blues bar is located on Samsen road at the Khaosan end. It features nightly authentic live blues music performed by first-class musicians. It’s a small intimate bar with a good atmosphere so get there early if you want a good seat. There are 2 acts nightly with the music starting around 9 pm and going through until about 1 am with short breaks in between sets.
There is a good bar with regular price drinks and excellent food. Acts to check out include Ped Bluesman and Chai & the Blues Maniacs who are both excellent and play weekly shows. If you like blues music, you’ll love Adhere the 13th. Admission is free.
Check the schedule: https://www.facebook.com/adhere13thbluesbar/
Where is it?
Location: 13 Samsen Road. (just over the bridge from Samsen – Phra Sumen intersection.
District: Khaosan
Opening Hours: 18.00-02.00
Getting There: From Khaosan Road, turn right at the police station end into Chakrabongse Road, continue and cross the intersection with Phrasumen road and into Samsen Road. Adhere is just across the bridge on the left.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2Fa8UJijctj
The Brick Bar – Reggae, Ska, Rock
The Brick Bar is located on Khaosan road in the basement of the Buddy Lodge Hotel. It features nightly live music from 3 bands between 20.30 and 01.30. The bands play reggae, ska, pop, and rock to a mostly young Thai crowd. Admission is 200 baht including one free drink. Drinks are pricey for the Khaosan area. Can be crowded at weekends.
Where is it?
Location: 265 Khaosan Road. Inside Buddy Lodge.
District: Khaosan.
Opening Hours: 19.00-01.30
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/U4nqsdZuVnK2
Brown Sugar – Jazz
Brown Sugar is a famous long-running bar featuring quality live Jazz music. There are 2 to 3 acts nightly (except Monday) including occasional international artists with the music running from 20.00 to 01.00. There is an international food menu and a full bar with imported and local beers as well as cocktails.
Drinks are pricey. Admission is free. During the day, the bar operates as a cafe and restaurant. Brown Sugar can be crowded at weekends. Get there early or make a reservation for a table.
Check the schedule: https://www.facebook.com/brownsugarbangkok/
Where is it?
Location: 18 Soi Nana (Chinatown) Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100
District: Chinatown
Opening Hours: 17.00-02.00 Friday-Saturday, 17.00-01.00 Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday
Closed on Mondays. Live music from 20.00-24.30/01.30.
Getting There: Taxi is the most convenient way. The nearest MRT station is Hualamphong and then a 15 minute walk.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/upJzrs2e1vFaHHyM8
The Hard Rock Cafe – Rock & Pop
The Bangkok branch of the rock and roll themed Hard Rock Cafe chain is located downtown in the Phloenchit area. It features the usual burgers and classic American food along with an excellent Filipino band playing rock, pop and soul classics. Free admission. Drink prices are more expensive than average and service and VAT are added to the bill.
Where is it?
Location: 518, ตึกมณียา, Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
District: Phloenchit
Opening Hours: 11.00-01.00. Live music 21.00-01.00
Getting There: BTS Phloenchit
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8wWQaVHPjdJAHUkg6
Maggie Choo’s – Jazz/Blues/R & B/Soul
Maggie Choo’s is in the basement of the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom at the riverside end of Silom Road. The theme of the bar is a 1930’s Shanghai underground cabaret club set in an old vault that was once owned by the East India Company Bank. The décor features dim lighting, brick walls, statues, busts, swings hanging from the ceiling, velvet armchairs and leather sofas, and private booths behind vault doors.
The entertainment starts at 22.00 with a short cabaret featuring a dance routine set to traditional Chinese music performed by oriental looking girls dressed in long red sequinned gowns. After the routine, the girls sit on swings fanning themselves while the live band takes to the stage. The band changes nightly and the music policy is Jazz, Blues, Soul, and R n’ B. Maggie Choo’s is popular and gets crowded so come early or make a reservation if you want a table. Drinks are expensive with beer starting at 180 baht and cocktails at 290 baht plus service and tax.
Check the schedule and make a reservation: https://www.facebook.com/maggiechoos/
There is a small restaurant area that you pass through when entering the bar or you can eat at your table or at the bar. There is a strict dress code enforced at the door especially when the bar is busy. Smart dress is essential. No shorts, singlets or flip-flops. Admission is free. One of the most atmospheric bars in Bangkok and is well worth a visit. Sunday is LGBT night.
Where is it?
Location: 320 Silom Road. In the basement of the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom.
District: Silom
Opening Hours: 19.30-03.00
Getting There: BTS Sala Daeng (exit 2) and MRT Si Lom (exit 2), then taxi.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QTzgjjb1JiS2
Otto Bar – Classic & Alternative Rock
Otto Bar is tucked away on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 22 and features live rock music every night from around 21.00-01.00. There is an excellent house band featuring a great guitarist. They can play most songs you request, think AC/DC, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and more. The bar has friendly staff and attracts a mixed clientele of expats, backpackers, and tourists. The only downside is the 150 baht beers outside of happy hour.
Where is it?
Location: Corner of Sukhumvit Soi 22
District: Sukhumvit
Opening Hours: 15.00-02.00
Getting There: BTS Asok (exit 4). Cross Asoke intersection and continue up Sukhumvit Road till you reach Soi 22.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/kS7A3w68DHK2
The Rock Pub – Classic Rock, Alternative, Grunge, Punk, Heavy Metal
The Rock Pub is a venue featuring nightly live bands playing classic rock, metal, grunge, punk, and alternative music covers. There are 2 or 3 local bands per night and occasional concerts by international touring bands. Drink prices are reasonable with beers starting at 100 baht and service is good and friendly. The best time to go is after 22.00 at the weekend when crowds are bigger. Admission is usually free except for international acts.
Check the schedule: https://www.facebook.com/therockpub
Where is it?
Location: Hollywood Street Building, Phayathai Road. Opposite the Asia Hotel.
District: Ratchaprasong
Opening Hours: 20.00-02.00 daily. Closed on Sunday. Two bands per night at 21.30 & 23.45.
Getting There: BTS Ratchathewi (exit 2).
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rjq73BmyZKP2
Saxophone – Jazz, Blues, Reggae & Ska
Saxophone is a popular pub and restaurant featuring live Jazz, Blues, and Ska music. There are 3 acts nightly between 19.30 and 01.30. A lot of talented musicians play here and artists to look out for include Koh Mr Saxman (Jazz) and T-Bone (Reggae/Ska). The pub can get very crowded at weekends so best to book a table in advance if you want to eat or see a band. Note that some tables have a restricted view of the stage if you are coming for the live music.
There is an International food menu, local and imported beers, and cocktails. Food and drink prices are not cheap but reasonable for this type of establishment. The crowd is a mix of locals, ex-pats, and tourists. Saxophone is a short walk from BTS Victory Monument station and taxis are plentiful at night on nearby Phayathai road. Admission is free. The dress code is smart casual.
Check the schedule, check the menu and reserve a table: https://www.saxophonepub.com/
Where is it?
Location: 3/8 Phayathai Road, Victory Monument.
District: Victory Monument
Opening Hours: 08.00-02.00. 3 bands per night at 19.30, 21.00, 24.00.
Getting There: BTS Victory Monument (exit 4).
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MSTJ3CZzQKv
Studio Lam – Mo Lam & World Music
Studio Lam is a club specializing in non-mainstream sounds such as Thai Mo Lam and world music with live shows, club nights and DJ sets. There are a great sound system and a bar specializing in Ya-dong (Thai rice spirit) cocktails or neat infused with fruit and herb flavors. These are kept in big jars behind the bar. The bar also stocks Beer Lao. Live Mo Lam shows are every Wednesday from 21.00 until late. Check the venue’s website for weekly special live events. Next door is Zudrangma record shop which stocks all the music you will hear in the club.
Show Schedule …. https://www.facebook.com/pg/studiolambangkok/events/
Where is it?
Location: 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51. On the left, just inside the Soi.
District: Sukhumvit
Opening Hours: 18.00-01.00 Tuesday-Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Getting There: BTS Thong Lo (exit 1).
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/XYkeAGXrbgD2
Tep Bar – Traditional Thai Music
Tep Bar is in Chinatown and features nightly performances of traditional Thai music. The bar specializes in a range of cocktails mixed with Thai fruits, herbs and spices as well as Ya-dong (Thai rice spirit) infused with herbs and fruit flavors. There is also food with a Thai tapas menu.
Where is it?
Location: Soi Nana, off Maitri Chit Road, Yaowarat.
District: Chinatown
Opening Hours: Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday 17.00-24.00, Friday-Saturday 17.00-01.00
Getting There: MRT Hualamphong (exit 1). Continue to the junction and cross the canal. Continue down Maitri Chit Road and turn left into Soi Nana. The bar is in an alley off Soi Nana.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nH18PiUHUiz
The Roof Bar – Rock/Pop/Britpop
The Roof Bar is located halfway along Khaosan road on the top floor of Center Point Plaza. The nightly music is acoustic with covers of rock, pop and Britpop classics. This is the place to come if you want to hear Wonderwall. There is a great view of the street below from the balcony and beers are cheap.
Where is it?
Location: 3rd floor, Center Point Plaza, Khaosan Road.
District: Khaosan Road.
Opening Hours: 18.00-02.00
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/tRJyq4176Km
Twilo – Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop
Twilo is a live music and DJ club located among the go-go bars of Patpong Soi 1 in Silom. It’s open-air on two sides with comfortable lounge seating. The music is predominantly Hip-Hop attracting a mainly tourist crowd looking for a good time. It gets busy later at night and is open until 03.00. The live music starts around 21.00 with DJ’s in between sets.
Where is it?
Location: 77 Patpong Soi 1
District: Silom
Opening Hours: 16.00-03.00
Getting There: BTS Sala Daeng (exit 1).
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/g9js5ZdLLXJ2