The quick answer
By day, drink what Bangkok drinks: cha yen (orange Thai iced tea), oliang (black iced coffee), fresh coconut and cha manao (lime iced tea) from street carts for 25–60 ฿. Ask for "wan noi" if you want it less sweet.
By night, Bangkok is one of the best bar cities in Asia: eight of its bars made Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, led by Dry Wave Cocktail Studio and Lennon's. For the view, go to Sky Bar at Lebua or Octave; for Thai spirits and live Thai music, go to Tep Bar in Chinatown; for a pint, Scruffy Murphy's on Sukhumvit 23.
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Get FeedMii free10 drinks to try in Bangkok
Prices are typical for 2026: street carts and 7-Eleven at the low end, cafés and bars at the high end.
Cha Yen
Strong black tea brewed with spices, sweetened with condensed and evaporated milk and poured over crushed ice. The bright orange drink you see on every corner.
How to order it: Say "wan noi" for less sugar. Street carts serve it in a bag or cup; cafés make a stronger version.
Oliang
Coffee brewed from a blend roasted with grains such as corn, soybeans and sesame, sweetened and served black over ice.
How to order it: Ask for "oliang" for black; "kafae yen" gets you the milky version.
Cha Manao
Thai tea without milk, with fresh lime and sugar. Sharp, sweet and very refreshing in the afternoon heat.
How to order it: Look for the same carts that sell cha yen; it is usually on the menu board as ชามะนาว.
Nam Maprao
A green coconut opened in front of you and served with a straw. Cold, lightly sweet and the best hangover cure in the city.
How to order it: When it is empty, ask the vendor to split it so you can scoop out the soft flesh.
Nam Oy
Sugarcane pressed fresh at markets and street stalls. Green-gold, sweet and grassy.
How to order it: Drink it straight away; fresh cane juice turns quickly in the heat.
Nom Yen
Iced milk sweetened with red sala syrup. Very sweet, very pink and a Thai childhood favourite.
How to order it: Order it with the bubble-tea crowd at any Thai drinks stall.
Krating Daeng
The Thai energy drink that inspired Red Bull: a small brown glass bottle, sweeter than the Western version and not fizzy.
How to order it: Find it in every 7-Eleven fridge, usually next to the M-150.
Singha, Chang & Leo
The three big Thai beers. Light lagers made for hot weather; locals often drink them over ice.
How to order it: Order a large bottle to share with food. Don't be surprised if the glass comes with ice in it.
SangSom
Thailand's best-known spirit, distilled from sugarcane. Usually mixed with soda and lime, or in the buckets sold on Khao San Road.
How to order it: Buy a bottle with soda and ice for a group; it is cheaper than ordering cocktails.
Ya Dong
Rice spirit steeped with herbs and roots, sold by the shot from roadside stalls, usually with a sour fruit chaser.
How to order it: It is strong and homemade; try one shot, not five. Tep Bar serves a cleaner bar version.
9 bars and pubs worth the trip
Rooftops, award-winning cocktail bars, Chinatown shophouses and two pubs. Opening hours and dress codes change, so check the map listing before you go.
Sky Bar at Lebua
Bang Rak (State Tower)The open-air bar on the 63rd floor of State Tower, made famous by The Hangover Part II. You come for the river view, not the drinks list.
- Order
- A classic cocktail at sunset
- Price
- Expect 700 ฿+ per cocktail
- Tip
- Smart dress code: no shorts, sleeveless tops or flip-flops. Arrive before sunset to get a spot at the rail.
Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar
Thonglor (Marriott Sukhumvit 57)A three-level rooftop with a full 360-degree view of the Sukhumvit skyline. More relaxed and cheaper than the riverside rooftops.
- Order
- Signature cocktails or a beer on the top deck
- Price
- About 350–550 ฿ per drink
- Tip
- Go up early in the evening; the top level fills fast after dark.
Dry Wave Cocktail Studio
Thonglor Soi 13No. 4 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 and the highest-ranked bar in Bangkok. Precise, inventive cocktails in a small studio space.
- Order
- Whatever the bartender recommends from the current menu
- Price
- About 450–600 ฿ per cocktail
- Tip
- Small room: book ahead or come early on weekdays.
Lennon's
Ploenchit (Rosewood Bangkok)No. 7 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026: a music-themed cocktail bar with a library of more than 6,000 vinyl records.
- Order
- A music-inspired signature cocktail
- Price
- About 550 ฿+ per cocktail
- Tip
- Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
BKK Social Club
Charoen Krung (Four Seasons Bangkok)An elegant riverside hotel bar that has been a fixture on Asia's 50 Best Bars, including the 2026 list.
- Order
- A signature cocktail or a classic done properly
- Price
- About 500 ฿+ per cocktail
- Tip
- Combine it with a walk or boat ride along the river; dress smart-casual.
Tep Bar
Chinatown (Soi Nana)A bar built around Thai spirits and herbs, with live traditional Thai music most nights. The easiest way to try ya dong properly.
- Order
- A Thai spirit tasting set or a ya dong cocktail
- Price
- About 300–450 ฿ per drink
- Tip
- Combine with street food on Yaowarat Road; the lane is lively after 8 pm.
Teens of Thailand
Chinatown (Soi Nana)A tiny gin bar in an old shophouse that helped start Chinatown's bar scene.
- Order
- A gin and tonic with Thai botanicals
- Price
- About 300–450 ฿ per drink
- Tip
- There are only a few seats; go early or be ready to wait.
Scruffy Murphy's
Sukhumvit Soi 23A classic Irish pub over two floors with Guinness, Kilkenny, Irish food and live sport on the screens.
- Order
- A pint of Guinness and fish and chips
- Price
- Pints from about 250 ฿
- Tip
- Busy during Premier League and rugby matches; book a table for big games.
Hair of the Dog
Phrom PhongA craft beer bar with a rotating list of Thai and imported taps, popular with Sukhumvit locals.
- Order
- A Thai craft IPA from the tap list
- Price
- About 250–400 ฿ per glass
- Tip
- Ask for a taster before you commit; the taps change often.
Rankings refer to Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Prices are approximate and hours change; check the map listing before you go. Please drink responsibly.
Tips for drinking in Bangkok
- Shops and restaurants can generally sell alcohol from 11:00 to 24:00 (the old 14:00–17:00 gap was dropped in May 2026); licensed bars and hotels can run later. There are no alcohol sales on major Buddhist holidays and election days, and the legal drinking age is 20.
- Rooftop bars enforce dress codes: no shorts, sleeveless tops or flip-flops at Sky Bar and most hotel rooftops.
- Street drinks are cheapest and often best. Ask for "wan noi" (less sweet) or "mai sai nam taan" (no sugar).
- Ice in Bangkok is made from purified water and is safe in restaurants and cafés.
- Drink-driving is strictly enforced. Use Grab, Bolt or the BTS/MRT to get home.
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Download FeedMii freeFrequently asked questions
What is the most popular drink in Bangkok?
Cha yen (Thai iced tea) is the drink you will see everywhere: strong spiced black tea with condensed milk over crushed ice, sold from street carts for 25–60 baht. Oliang (black iced coffee) and fresh coconut are close behind.
What are the best bars in Bangkok in 2026?
Eight Bangkok bars made Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (No. 4) and Lennon's at Rosewood (No. 7) ranked highest, and BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons is also on the list. For views, Sky Bar at Lebua and Octave are the classic rooftops.
Where can I drink with a view in Bangkok?
Sky Bar at Lebua (63rd floor, river view) is the most famous rooftop; Octave at the Marriott Sukhumvit has a cheaper 360-degree view. Both have dress codes.
What are the alcohol sale hours in Thailand?
Since May 2026, shops and restaurants can generally sell alcohol from 11:00 to 24:00; the old 14:00–17:00 ban was dropped. Licensed bars and hotels can stay open later, and there are no sales on major Buddhist holidays or election days.
Is there a good pub in Bangkok?
Scruffy Murphy's on Sukhumvit Soi 23 is a classic Irish pub with Guinness and live sport, and Hair of the Dog in Phrom Phong is a good craft beer bar.