12 Best Nightlife Experiences in Siam

Groove at CentralWorld is an addition to one of Bangkok’s largest shopping malls, hosting a number of impressive restaurants and bars such as Wine Connection, 1881 by Water Library and HOBS.

Open for lunch, dinner and on into the night, Groove at CentralWorld is easily accessible via the Skywalk between BTS Siam Chitlom stations. Designed with a futuristic concept in mind, Groove has an innovative roof which provides a sheltered outdoor dining area for comfort and breezy ambience and there are interesting art installations dotted around the 2-storey complex. It spans about 20,000 square metres along the side of Rama I Road.

Red Sky doesn't offer riverside or treetop views that other rooftop bars enjoy but does have pretty impressive 360-degree panoramic vistas from the 55th floor, and one of the most convenient locations in town. From up here, you can see quite far, weather permitting. You can also get a bird's-eye view of the large royal residence next to it (mostly a sea of huge trees).

There's a good selection of sophisticated European cuisine which is a bit pricey without being too extravagant and the cocktail and wine list are long enough so you're sure to find the perfect drink to go with your lamb or imported beef. The setting, with the gigantic arch and its ever-changing colours, will help make your dinner really special.

Mixx Nightclub in Bangkok is the place to go in Siam for an after-hours party. The club has 2 rooms – the main room is dedicated to hip hop and party pop, while the cave-like back room is the place for more beat-heavy house music.

Mixx is a popular place to dance until sunrise. It's well-liked by young international and Thai models thanks to the free entrance and drinks offers. Standard entry is 350 baht and comes with a free drink. Mixx is located in the basement of the Intercontinental Hotel, only a short walk from the BTS at Chit Lom, but most taxis will take you here for free as they get a commission. Although the club opens at 9pm, the crowds don’t really arrive until just before midnight, and by 1am it’s usually at full capacity, with the party continuing until the early hours. 

Nothing short of an institution, Hard Rock Café Bangkok delivers the same fun times, friendly staff and belly-busting burgers associated with all branches of this incredibly popular franchise. It’s a reassuring slice of Americana for the travel-weary, a place to unwind after a day of sightseeing, and, as night falls, one of the most famous places in the city to rock out to live music. Located in Siam Square, the entrance is only a few paces away from Siam BTS station and MBK, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon shopping malls. 

Built over 3 floors, the entrance is faced by a stage that is put to full effect most nights of the week from 9.30pm onwards. Expect cover versions of famous anthems to get the crowd dancing and singing.

If you want to drink and dance with the locals, then one of the best places to go near the Siam area of Bangkok is Coco Walk, outside exit 2 of Ratchathewi station. There’s a whole range of different bars, pubs and live music venues here, and it's a great place to grab a good value dinner before listening to a great variety of music, from cover bands to Thai rock.

Head to The Tube for a London-inspired evening, complete with a good dose of Oasis, or 69 which plays rock covers and the latest chart hits and for something a little more relaxed you can shoot some pool and listen to acoustic Thai songs at Chilling House Cafe. The average age of most of the crowd at CoCo is in the mid-20s, so recommended for those who are young, or at least young at heart. There are around 15 different venues here, and they open from early evening until late, with most people arriving after 9pm.

This bar, club and restaurant is an institution in Bangkok, entertaining crowds with live music and plenty of cocktails. Located in the lower lobby of Grand Hyatt Erawan it's popular with visitors and residents of the city, and although it might not be the most cutting-edge of venues, everyone who turns up here is looking for a good time and a little bit of sophistication.

It’s open from dinner (including oven-baked pizzas) from 6pm, but the band doesn’t really start cranking up the volume until 9pm. Cocktails cost around 350 baht and pitchers 1,200 baht. Being a Hyatt venue, there’s a decent selection of wines.

The Roof Siam@Siam is on the 25th floor of the Siam@Siam Hotel, only a short walk from the BTS at National Stadium. It has a champagne and wine bar with an excellent view of the Old Town of Bangkok, which because of strict planning permission, has no high rises – very different from the rest of Bangkok.

There’s comfortable seating here and the music is good, not so loud that you can’t have a conversation but adding to the atmosphere. It’s open from 6pm, which is perfect for catching the sunset. If you prefer, you can come for dinner at the restaurant. But don’t worry if you’re not hungry, head up here to enjoy a cocktail and enjoy the view.

Cru Rooftop Bar Bangkok is the highest and certainly one of the fanciest rooftop bars in Bangkok. It serves some exclusive labels of G.H. Mumm Champagne, a snack menu of world delicacies, and offers its guests genuine 360-degree views of the city.

If you’re looking to impress someone, you can’t really get more exclusive than a rooftop champagne bar, and the prices at Cru Champagne Bar, while expensive, are no more than what you’ll pay at many other Bangkok rooftop bars.

Bar@494 at Grand Hyatt Erawan is a hidden gem in downtown Bangkok. This small but classy space stocks some of the best value wines in Bangkok, a fact confirmed by a bustling bar of expats and locals on most nights of the week.

It's located on the basement floor of the Grand Hyatt Erawan so there are no real views to speak of, but the wines are great, the service prompt, and the deals are just about unbeatable in central Bangkok.

This well-rounded club in Siam@Siam Design Hotel has got all the elements for a blasting good time. Polished concrete floors, exposed beams and sleek, glass bar form the backdrop, while live gigs and theme nights spice up the fun. Sink into a comfortable leather sofa or a funky designer chair and lose yourself to the rhythm of chill, dance, retro, jazz, reggae, or disco, depending on the evening. 

The kitchen serves up finger-licking good grilled Australian lamb chops, burgers, steaks and a selection of Thai and multinational finger food. 

Scala Cinema in Siam Square offers a more modest one-screen experience compared to the large complex situated in Siam Paragon just across the road. Built in 1967, this exquisitely maintained movie theatre is worth a trip not only for the bargain-priced seats and popcorn but also for the retro setting. From the tickets to the building, everything here has been preserved and it's worth a trip just to stand in the domed-ceiling entrance and be transported to another age.