Bangkok knows that hotel bars aren’t just for tourists. The hotels pumping money into nightlife have been competing to create some of the best cocktails in town. Some are all about the party, some are about the tunes, some are staples Bangkok wouldn’t be the same without—all are worth a visit. 

The annual BAD Awards are Bangkok’s biggest homegrown nightlife awards, and were made possible by sponsors Apt 101, GulpBkk, Bootleggers, Giffard, Freedom World, Komos, Suntree Brewing, Flow Inter, and OG Kratom.
 

BKK Social Club

A hotel bar it may be, but BKK Social Club climbed the ranks to World’s 50 Best list to No.7 in 2024, and has been the gold standard for cocktails for years. Found at the plush Four Seasons, drinkers enter to a dark, dazzling bar counter permanently packed with the city’s well-dressed and jet set, with a taste of Argentina and Mexico in the vibe and the drink menu. For negroni lovers, the Mezcal Negroni with Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej is a must try. 

Four Seasons Bangkok, 300/1, Charoen Krung Rd, 02 032 0888. Open daily 5pm-midnight.
 

Finalist: The Loft

The hidden door at Waldorf Astoria opens to an atmosphere and a view that cocktail lovers won’t soon forget. It’s a design that evokes notes of New York in the late 19th century, and in August of last year they released their latest menu with 14 new cocktails inspired by cultural landmarks and inventions spanning the 20th century. They also added new bar bites like the lobster roll tucked in a bite size hotdog bun and topped with caviar. 

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, 151 Ratchadamri Rd, 02-846-8851. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 5pm-late.
 

Finalist: Bar Sathorn

A heritage building for wild night, Bar Sathorn is equal parts class and wow-factor. This venue has been a Chinese residence, a hotel, and the Russian embassy. Today, it’s one of Bangkok’s places to be seen, with nooks and crannies filled with dark woods and leather seats. Hosting constant and intriguing guest shifts, Bar Sathorn mixes some of the city’s best cocktails in a venue you won’t soon forget. 

106 North Sathorn Rd., 02-344-4025. Open daily 2:30pm-late.
 

Finalist: Ruby’s 

Opening in August 2024, this 16-seat intimate space is a sultry “prequel” to Ms. Jigger, Ruby’s. The space is based on a fictional parting of the ways with Ms. Jigger, a young beau who shot his shot and is now bereft. From the ice to the ingredients to the menu, Ruby’s doesn’t skimp. he creative menu is a pop-up book based around a gemstone theme—emeralds, opals, diamonds—all coming with a story (sometimes a quite sexy story that makes your bartender go a little red in the face).

L/F, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, 78 Soi Ton Son. 02-056-9999. Open daily 5:30pm-midnight.

Finalist: Bamboo Bar

The Mandarin Oriental’s Bamboo Bar is jazz, great cocktails, and glamour. Venue has been operating for more than 70 years, and had an upgrade in 2014. Since, the bar has garnered international plaudits for its style and creative drinks with incredible service from bartenders in leather aprons. That is, if you can get that Walton Goggins and Sam Rockwell scene from White Lotus out of your head. The Evolution cocktail menu landed in 2024 exploring bamboo, Thai herbs, green and yellow mango, and bananas.

Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Ave, 02-659-9000. Open daily 5pm-late.

OXBO Bangkok

Photo: OXBO Bangkok / Facebook

Newly opened on the third floor of Millennium Hilton, OXBO Bangkok leans into a sleek, open-fire dining vibe with a bar that’s just as serious about its drinks. Set against the same expansive river views the hotel is known for, the bar showcases over 30 types of gin and a bartender-ready ethos—just name your flavor profile. House signatures include the pesto sour (basil and kaffir lime), tamarind whisky sour, and a mushroom-infused shiitake gin. While the meat-forward menu and chef-led kitchen shine, it’s the bar’s creativity and breezy riverfront atmosphere that make OXBO a strong contender in Bangkok’s cocktail-forward bar scene. Their recent collaborations with many of the city’s best bartenders also attest to that fact. 

OXBO Bangkok, 3/F, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, 123 Charoennakorn Rd, 02-442-2080. Open daily 5-11pm.

Lennon’s

Lennon’s gets a mention not just because it’s got some truly incredible cocktails—and probably the best high-end bar in Ploenchit—but also because they lean hard into their theme, earning them a Finalist award for Best Theme Bar at the 2025 BAD Awards. Vinyl is everywhere in Lennon’s and it’s not just for show. You’ll also find tunes on the menu at the moment, with signature cocktails inspired by songs from the 80s and 90s. The interior is sleek, and you’ll find a few hides to have a quiet convo. 

Rosewood Bangkok, 1041/38 Phloen Chit Rd, 02-080-0030. Open 6pm-midnight.
 

Bar.Yard

Yes, the Kimpton Maa-Lai gets two mentions on this list. Ruby’s for the cocktails, Bar.Yard for the best rooftop bar in the city—literally. This spot has won the Best Rooftop Bar for three years running at the BAD Awards, and not many places could unseat them. This spot is a party that makes cocktails that compete with anyone else on this list. If you’re thinking hotel bars are stuffy and pretentious, this spot will change your mind. 

40/F, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Soi Ton Son, 02-056-9999. Open daily 4pm-late.
 

Firefly Bar

If you want to walk in off the street and find yourself in a music bar straight out of 1930’s New York, this is the right place. While this is definitely a swanky spot to grab some craft cocktails, a lot of the regulars are here for the music: smooth tunes from seasoned acts that know how to fit the mood. It’s a first floor bar with rooftop vibes, and while you’ll definitely be snapping selfies at the bar and downing drinks to the tunes, you seriously don’t want to skip on their food menu. 

Lobby Level, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, 80 Soi Ton Son, 02-095-9999. Open daily 5pm-1am.

Penthouse Bar + Grill

Yeah, it’s got a great view. Yeah, its design is washed in walnut woods and marble. And, yeah, the cocktails are next level. But you don’t want to miss out on the food here on the 34th floor grill. Stuff yourself and head up to the cocktail bar, mezzanine, and their flagship whiskey stop at the Johnnie Walker Depth of Blue Room. And there is yet another floor acting as their rooftop bar. That’s right, it’s three floors to make a one-stop shop for nightlife (and brunch). 

34-36/F, Park Hyatt, 88 Wireless Rd. 02-011-7480. Open daily noon-3pm; 5:30pm-12:30am.

Moon Bar

An oldie but a goodie. For the longest time, heading up to the top of the Banyan Tree was the coolest thing you could do in Bangkok, and while there’s certainly a lot more competition these days, this is still a must-try for locals and tourists alike. Found on the 61st floor, it’s one heck of a view, and an ideal date spot. The cocktails here are made fairly fast and easy, and you’ll find some Thai flavors tucked into their Isaan Coco and Phu Kha.

Banyan Tree Bangkok, 21/100 Sathorn Rd. 02-679-1200. Open daily 5pm-1am.