Decanter

12/F, St. Regis Hotel, 159 Ratchadamri Rd. Bangkok, 02-207-7829. BTS Ratchadamri
The very new and very fancy wine bar, Decanter, feels like you and dad are partners-in-crime in a James Bond movie—wood floor, plush carpets, silk-covered walls, velvet high-back chairs, leather sofas and classic chandeliers. Impress your dad with a nice bottle of wine, of which there is a broad variety. New World and New Latitude wines (Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Thailand) start from B1,800/bottle while some old vintages go back to 1980 and cost B200,000. A glass of wine starts from B360.

The P&L Club Bangkok

L/F, The Conrad Hotel, 87 Wireless Road, 02-685-3898. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm
If your dad is a whisky aficionado, the P&L Club carries a wide selection of single malt whiskeys in its low-ceilinged gentleman’s club atmosphere. There’s even an old school barber shop off to the side. Order you dad the spicy smoothness of a 12-year-old Glanfarclas Single Highland Malt (B389/glass) or the peaty full-bodied balance of the Glenfarclas 15 (B530/glass). They also have a cigar room inside with many choices, but that’s for members-only.

Bar@494

Lower Lobby, Grand Hyatt Erawan, 494 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-254-1234. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 5pm-12am. BTS Ratchadamri
If you don’t want to pay the B50,000 membership fee to join P&L, but still want to stick around having single malt and a cigar, Bar@494 is a good choice for beginners. In addition to Thai and inter cuisine, there one extensive wine (start from B99/glass), whiskey (start from B250/glass) and cocktail (B300) options. Order your dad a light Romeo y Julieta or a medium-bodied Montecristo cigar and head to their brand new smoking room.

Est. 33

Bldg. E, Crystal Design Center, 1420/1 Praditmanoontham Rd. 02-102-2096. www.est-33.com. Open daily 11am-midnight
If your dad is more down to earth, just take him to this chill outdoor yard for a home-brewed beer. Est. 33, owned by Singha, does tasty food to go with some interesting, freshly-brewed beers: Est. 33 Shandy (B150) and Fire Drop (B180). Apart from their own beers, they also have choices of imported German and Belgian stuff, too.

Fat Gut’z Saloon

1/F, Grass Thonglor, 264 Thong Lor Soi 12, 02-714-9832
Good, old school blues is another way to impress your old man. This 50s speakeasy-inspired space in the middle of Soi Thong Lor manages to squeeze in a great band, which plays uptempo rock ‘n’ roll and bluesy numbers well into the night. Come early as the place gets packed fast during the weekends. While you’re there, don’t forget to sample their specialty, fish and chips (B230), they’re among the best in town.

Brown Sugar

231/20 Sarasin Rd., 02-250-1826. Open daily 5pm-1am. BTS Ratchadamri
Another great live music venue for dads who are also hip cats. The bar does standard offerings of wine (B200/glass), beer (B180/small bottle) and cocktails (from B220), but the big draw is their popular in-house band that plays jazz and blues, making Brown Sugar one of the best places to hear live music in town.

Viva Aviv

For dads who: Are retired seafarers who don’t eat much.
The scene: With a cool river breeze and a pirate-themed interior, this is a place for dads who haven’t lost touch with their inner child and still read comic books. Aside from the gimmicks, you can expect stiff cocktails by the Flow team from Hyde & Seek.
The food: Try their recommended Four Cheesons pizza (B225). It’s not a big meal place but there are some very manly options like A Knife, A Fork, A Plate Full of Pork (pork rillette, wild boar pâté, grain mustard and bread, B180) and beef & bleu pizza (sliced fillet, bleu cheese, and demi glacé on semolina crust with béchamel, B225)
The drink: Try the Piña Colasi (Appleton Jamaican rum, fresh pineapple, orange and black pepper syrup, citrus and fresh young coconut foam B250). Want to get dad super drunk for less? Show up early for their special price happy hour (4-8pm) on wine (B199) and cocktails (B199).
B/F, River City Shopping Complex, 23 Yotha Rd., 02-639-6305. Open daily 11am-11pm

Viu

For dads who: Like to be seen and have deep pockets.
The scene: The impressive views over Bangkok and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club are sure to impress Dad (and hopefully inspire him to pick up the check). Lots of red and cream leather couches, dark wood and ceiling beams, but the terrace zone is slightly more laid back with wicker chairs and leather cushions. Book in advance.
The food: Get deep with your dad over a Seafood Plateau (a traditional seafood tower of oysters, crab, lobster, and more, B2,800 for two) or something more macho like BBQ pork ribs with mashed potato and gravy (B420).
The drinks: Of course, you should have the St. Regis’ take on the Bloody Mary: the Siam Mary comes with ingredients like lemongrass and chili (B290).
12/F, St. Regis Hotel Bangkok, 159 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-207-7777. Open daily 6am-11am, 12pm-4pm, and 6pm-11pm (last order 10.30pm)

New York Steakhouse

For dads who: Do Frank Sinatra on karaoke and are very serious.
The scene: A Rat Pack-esque steakhouse, with its oversized, dark leather chairs and heavy-duty wooden tables. The knives look like hacksaws and the ubiquitous bull heads just can’t be more masculine.
The food: Certified, U.S. Angus beef steak served by USDA cuts. Get the juicy NY strip loin (B2,350/16oz), served on an old-school platter.
The drinks: Wash it all down with a nice, tannic bottle of Chateau Clerc Milon (B12,000) or if you’re feeling cheap, Robert Mondavi (B4,900) is also recommended. But if Dad watches Mad Men, he knows to stick to martinis (B199).
2/F, JW Marriott Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700. Open daily 6-11pm

Tenkaichi Yakiton Yakitori Nagiya

For dads who: Like to tell off-color jokes over sake shots and want to be your buddy.
The scene: Lanterns hanging from ropes, Japanese kitsch plastered all over the wooden bar/kitchen, thunderous bellows from the all-male kitchen as patrons come and go, steam rising from the yakitori grill. The izakaya (tavern) mood is perfect for you and Dad to wrap your ties around your heads and get pass-out drunk.
The food: Go for the signature dish, nabe, a hot pot that comes with a variety of ingredients, such as our favorite, the motsunabe (B680 for two, B1,360 for four), which is made of wagyu beef offal. There’s also the tasty oroshi harami niniku nose (tender beef with white radish and garlic, B80) or yakitoshi (skewered, grilled meats, mostly B30 a piece).
The drinks: Everything here goes great with drinks so order pints of draft Asahi or cups of shochu (the menu has two pages of the Japanese liquor by the glass, B200-320, and some B1,200 bottles, too).
Nihonmachi 105, 115 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-2790. Open 5pm-midnight

Tawandang Brewhouse

For dads who: Embarrass you at parties and get bored easily.
The scene: A simple combination of beer, food, and lots of bawdy entertainment. The vibe here is laid-back with king-sized oak barrel seats and luk thung tunes that’ll have you both singing along by the end of the night. It is also packed with comedy shows, live bands and nightly cabaret.
The food: Get meaty, greasy, manly dishes like the pork knuckle (B380) and pla krapong tod numpla (deep fried seabass with fish sauce B380).
The drinks: You can’t miss the giant beer barrel shaped dome of this longtime favorite. Three kinds of beer are brewed onsite—weizen, lager, and dunkel (B95 baht for a small, B520 for 2 liters, and 780 for a tower).
462/61 Rama 3 Rd., 02-678-1114-6. Open daily 5pm-1am. www.tawandang.co.th

Yim Yim

For dads who: Like to talk about their father’s father (and Chinese work ethics).
The scene: A boisterous dining scene that your dad will fit right into. The decrepit décor with small and dark windows in this untidy room should be full of other half-Chinese dads on this occasion.
The food: You are bound to be a member of the Shark Fin Free Club so steer him away from this outdated broth in favor of the ham with goat skin (B200), raw fish with peanut sauce (B200 for small), and hua pla puek (fish head soup with taro B300 for small).
The drinks: Regular beers are available but just bring your own whiskey, like everyone else.
89 Yaowarat Rd., 02-224-2205. Open daily 11am-2:30pm and 5pm-11pm

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“The tagline states, ‘Forever is only the beginning ...’ After viewing this lifeless pap for mere minutes, we realize that it’s not a slogan at all. It’s a warning.” Kimberly Gadette, Doddle

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“Like almost all actresses, [Kristen Stewart] believes pregnant women rub their baby bumps unceasingly.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Twilight is to real horror as cotton candy is to real food, but only if the cotton candy is spun out of arsenic and crystal meth.” Drew McWeeny, HitFix

Honda Brio 

B399,900
B64,000 rebate
Just 97hp means you won’t overtake anyone on the highway, but the ridiculous amount of storage space makes this worth a second look.

Honda Jazz

B590,000
B100,000 rebate
Don’t be fooled by sport seats and paddle shifters into thinking this car doesn’t have good fuel efficiency—it gets sixteen kilometers per liter. 

Toyota Vios

B514,00
B100,000 rebate
Even though the Vios comes with a killer sound system, you’ll always have to crank it up because it’s known for its poor soundproofing.

Toyota Yaris

B539,000
B100,000 rebate
The amount of technology, like seamless iPod integration, bluetooth and smart keys, make up for the bland styling of this hot hatch.

Nissan March

B375,000
B54,000 rebate
Aside from the low price, there is little to attract buyers to this bug-eyed subcompact—unless bug-eyed is your idea of cute.

Ford Fiesta

B549,000
B100,000 rebate
The new Fiesta is nothing like its predecessors. It’s newly designed facade is the best looking of the budget bunch, and it’s the most peppy engine.

Mazda 2

B535,000
B100,000 rebate
Sharing the same DNA as the new Ford Fiesta, its good looks make it a huge hit with first jobbers and hi-so university students.