8 Best Live Music Bars in Bangkok
Where to Party at Night in Bangkok?
The best live music bars in Bangkok bring something unique to the table. Whether you’re into laidback acoustic sets where you can knock back a few drinks and still hear the person next to you, or prefer a hands-in-the-air foot stomping sing-along, this list has got you covered. The genres are far-reaching too, with rock, pop, jazz, blues, Thai-indie, ska, and soul readily available.
Another reason to check out our top picks is that most of the venues are located close to the city center, or towards the backpacker mecca that is Khao San Road, meaning you don’t have to venture too far from your hotel to catch all the action.
What are the best live music bars in Bangkok?
1. Black Cabin Bar
Atmospheric music joint with ambient mood lighting
Good for: Couples, Nightlife, Single
Black Cabin Bar on Rama 4 Road is a must for lovers of original live music. Depending on the night, you’ll be treated to contemporary jazz, indie rock, soul, blues, or electronica. There’s really no other bar in Bangkok providing such consistently high-quality contemporary music.
The crowd is a cool mix of Thai locals and in-the-know foreigners. It’s a friendly venue with plenty of chatter in the garden area, and candlelit nooks inside which are perfect for date nights. The bar’s signature cocktails have won awards and there’s a retro arcade game you can play for free. It’s easily our favorite live music bar in Bangkok.
Location: 466, 16 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 7 pm to midnight (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +66 81 599 9365
Black Cabin Bar
2. Saxophone Pub & Restaurant
Upbeat blues and jazz joint with Thai food and glam cocktails
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Talk to any expat about live music in Bangkok and this long-running venue will inevitably come up in conversation. Saxophone Pub & Restaurant, which launched over 30 years ago, can be found near the busy Victory Monument BTS station. Its slightly out-of-the-way location means that there’s a good mix of young locals, expats, and tourists who come through the door.
Live music is on the bill every night—think jazz, blues, and soul with the odd acoustic set thrown in for good measure. There’s also a small but excellent menu featuring dishes like steamed coconut curry, as well as classic dressed-up cocktails like Blue Hawaii and Casablanca. Read more
Location: 3, 8 Ratchawithi 11 Alley, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 6 pm to 2 am
Phone: +66 2 246 5472
Saxophone Pub & Restaurant
3. Brick Bar
Ska and reggae acts in a sprawling red brick interior
Good for: Couples, Nightlife, Unusual
One of the most feel-good live music haunts in Bangkok, Brick Bar is famed for its fantastic house bands that take to the stage every night, playing a lively mix of ska and reggae. Though this large basement bar is located on Khao San Road, it differs greatly from the general vibe of the area.
The large interior is air-conditioned and seating options are generous, with long benches available for groups of revellers. Young Thais come through the doors, along with a few in-the-know expats. After midnight, the place is literally jumping and dancing on the tables is not only tolerated, it’s encouraged!
Location: Buddy Shopping Plaza, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 6.30 pm to 2 am
Phone: +66 65 513 6999
Brick Bar
4. Adhere the 13th Blues Bar
Trendy little dive teeming with music memorabilia
Good for: Budget, Couples, Nightlife
The diminutive, and oddly named, Adhere the 13th Blues Bar might look like another hole-in-the-wall haunt in Bangkok’s Old City, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for with its live music offerings. Every night, a healthy number of locals, expats, and tourists cram into this bohemian space, which is adorned with aging framed photos and vintage furniture.
The house blues and jazz band takes to the stage around 10 pm. It’s advisable to come early on the weekend to bag a seat, unless you prefer standing all night. Drinks are inexpensive too and there’s a decent menu of tasty dishes (think pizzas, BBQ chicken wings, and aromatic stir-fries).
Location: 13 Sam Sen Rd, Wat Sam Phraya, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 7 pm to 1 am
Phone: +66 89 769 4613
Adhere the 13th Blues Bar
5. Hard Rock Café Bangkok
Iconic rock ’n’ roll-themed chain
Good for: Families, Food, Nightlife
Sure, the Hard Rock Café might not be the most imaginative of places to catch live music in Bangkok, but sometimes familiarity in a new city can be a good thing. With classic rock covers every night, signed music memorabilia plastered all over the walls, and a sturdy menu of comfort food, you know exactly what you’re getting.
The local house band is impressive, alternating between male vocals for the rock anthems and female for the pop hits. The staff here are among the most fun-loving in Bangkok. All serve your drink with the friendliest of smiles and engage in plenty of banter with impeccable English.
Location: 518/5 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to midnight
Phone: +66 2 254 2594
Hard Rock Café Bangkok
6. Tawandang German Brewery
European-style beer hall with blistering live performances
Good for: Couples, Nightlife, Unusual
Tawandang German Brewery is a massive drinking hall, restaurant, microbrewery, and live music spectacle all rolled into one. Located slightly out of the city center on Rama 3 near Sathorn, Tawandang steals the crown for being the biggest bar in Bangkok with a seating capacity for 2,000 people.
As well as good strong beer served in ridiculously oversized glasses, Tawandang is also a great place to catch live music. The show starts at around 7 pm each evening and features everything from classic ballads and Thai chart hits to Egyptian-themed dance routines and comedy drag performances. Definitely an evening to remember!
Location: 462/61 Rama 3 Road, Chongnonsi, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Open: Daily from 5 pm to 1 am
Phone: +66 2 678 1114
Tawandang German Brewery
7. The Rock Pub Bangkok
Neon-drenched digs with plenty of eclectic decor
Good for: Couples, Nightlife, Unusual
If you fancy yourself a bit of a metalhead, there’s no better place to come after dark than the underrated Rock Pub Bangkok. A great choice for those who like their guitars loud and their bars on the dingy side, this long-running rock ‘n’ roll bar has been operating for over 25 years, seeing international bands (Dragon Force, Take Him Down) and local talent take to the stage.
Certainly not a place to come in your flip flops and Chang singlet in search of Oasis covers; The Rock Pub is all about hardcore music and its various subgenres including grunge, scream, thrash, post-hardcore, and punk. Find The Rock Pub under Ratchathewi BTS (exit 4) and don’t expect much action before 10.30 pm.
Location: 1011/3-4 Phahonyothin Rd, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 6 pm to 12.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 6 pm to 1.30 pm, Sunday from 6 pm to 12.30 pm (closed on Monday)
Phone: +66 99 191 5666
The Rock Pub Bangkok
8. Tep Bar
A celebration of all-things Thai
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Unusual
Tep Bar is a cultural institution presenting classic Thai gastronomy and entertainment in a fun and engaging way. Located in Bangkok’s Chinatown, this hip venue offers traditional live music and no shortage of cocktails.
Tep Bar is located on Soi Nana off Maitrijit Road, a 5-minute walk from the Hua Lamphong MRT Subway Station. Swing by for dishes like pork dumplings with plum sauce and pineapple sliders served with Darha flowers. Bands include Khamvisedth (Esan music) and Thursday (a classic string ensemble performing luk thung, luk krung, and lively folk dance tunes).
Location: 69 Pom Prap, Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Open: Daily from 6 pm to midnight
Phone: +66 98 467 2944
Tep Bar
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