Bars With Two Vibes

June 19th, 2008

Bed Supperclub

26 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-3537. Open daily 7:30pm-1am. BTS Nana.
Bed’s been described as a UFO time and time again but now we see a bit of Suvarnabhumi in its two facing terminals. The left side provides a generally softer experience: wine, dine, lounge on its giant beds and relax to some chill tracks. Across the hallway, past the two heavy Star Trekesque bouncer-pulled doors, you’ll find a darker, usually more crowded area, with music that doesn’t pull its punches.

Gazebo Sukhumvit

26 Sukhumvit Soi 1. 02-655-2471/2. Open daily 7pm-late. BTS Ploenchit.
They’ve adapted the Moroccan flavor to the T at this locale off of the freeway on Sukhumvit. Lounge to some live music, feed on tapas, sip on cocktails, play some pool and smoke some grape flavored sheesha on the open-air side. Once you’ve had enough downtime, grab your entourage and hit the club side across the corridor. Jam to different types of music depending on the day of the week. If you really want to do it right, reserve a table in their elevated VIP section with oversized pillows.

Q Bar

34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-252-3274. Open daily 8pm-1am. BTS Nana.
The Soi 11 institution continues to deliver a heady mix of busting bass lines, scantily dressed creatures of the night, and out-of-towners getting humbled by a “Night in Bangkok.” But Q Bar has also moved up-market simply by moving up. Their recently remodelled 2nd floor, with a large outdoor patio and a dark, sensual interior, is welcoming fewer singles on the prowl and more couples and friends wishing to relax. There’s also a greater selection (the greatest in Bangkok, in fact) of alcohols at the bar upstairs.

Santika

235/11 Soi Ekkamai, 02-711-5886. Open daily 7pm-1am. BTS Ekkamai.
It’s known for its gargantuan interior filled with young Thai adults looking to cut loose while gawking at their favorite live band members. However, it has widened its scope with a new installation— La Bieng—inaugurated just this year. The wooden-floor beach-style balcony lined with white seating has a separate bar and DJ booth playing smooth bossanova and progressive house in the background. Take your pick: sing along indoors or shoot the breeze outside.