Winner: Fatty’s Bar & Diner

Here we go again. For five years running, Fatty’s Bar and Diner has won the best dive bar. Why? Because the crowd here is about as loyal as it gets. It’s where everyone knows your name — but they can’t tell you because the band by the door that day is plague-themed heavy metal. Fatty’s Bar and Diner from the inimitable Matthew Fischer, Fatty’s in Din Daeng is an expat icon, and Bangkok, frankly, needs it. If you don’t go for the company or the tunes, go for the wings. 

Allso Bar

South Thonglor is the place to be. Now, your dingy, dark dive bars are one thing. Allso is another game altogether. If the cheap classic cocktails, hip-hop, chicken, and absolutely impeccable staff service aren’t enough to get you through the door, Allso is also bringing in patrons with fun events from confessions to meet-ups. This spot stays open late and — unlike some dive bars which will remain nameless — brings in a very cool crowd. Allso Bar takes big swings and never misses. 

12 x 12

Some people describe this spot as a club for people who hate clubs, and that’s not far off. The 12×12 space is equal parts club, pub, and dive. Don’t be fooled by the looks, because this place provides atmosphere, music, and cheap cocktails in equal parts. Plenty of local DJs come here to make their name. Under darkly lit red lights, most come here for the vibe and the tunes, so be sure to take some flats for the dancing.

Wong’s Place

Just being honest here: If you end up at Wong’s Place, something in your evening went terribly awry — in a good way. This is the place you go when everywhere else is closed and you’re not in the mood to go home yet. With a little bit of Chinese flair (and a whole lot of kitsch), Wong’s Place is a Bangkok institution, and it thrives because this city needs more spaces like this. Wong’s Place is a good bar because it’s a bad bar. And we wouldn’t change it for anything. 

Jack’s Bar

Okay, everyone knows Jack’s Bar. And, fair enough, it has been accused, quite rightly, of being a bit of a tourist trap. But who cares? It’s Jack’s. Well, it’s got cheap beer, cheap Thai food, and a very annoying bird. Set right on the river, this is a frequent stop both for locals and tourists at the surrounding luxury hotels looking for the “real” Bangkok, but it’s still a fun, easy space that the people of this city just love.