Fatty’s Bar and Diner
It seems no one can unseat Fatty’s from the Best Dive Bar Award, winning for three years running. Why? Well, Mathew Fischer’s Wisconsin dive bar in Din Daeng is an expat community as much as it’s a bar. The live music at the stage by the door is unpredictable enough and quality enough to keep guests coming for visiting acts and local would-be stars. Also, and we’re serious about this, don’t forget the wings.
598/66 Asoke-Din Daeng Rd., 02-245-2965. Open Tue-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-10pm.
Finalist: Yoshi Bar
It’s a simple, cheap, and very Japanese night out. Though small, this space never fails to pack in a party of late-nighters looking for sake. Sake by the glass starts at B200, but you can grab a flight for B690; couple that with a few B90 highballs and you’re laughing. Their food menu is nothing to sneeze at either, with classic Japanese food and bar bites made-to-order like minced tuna with seaweed and deep-fried camembert with honey.
124, Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-115-2944. Tue-Sun 6pm-late.
Finalist: Cheap Charlie’s
It seems like a lifetime ago that Cheap Charlie’s moved from Soi 11. No one thought it would be what it was. Now, it’s the beating heart of the Onnut nightlife scene, a space for extremely cheap drinks outside and bites from other venues. Still very much an expat spot, the brand started with brothers Charlie and Satit Budkajang in 1982 and is still going strong. Where else can you get a Beer Lao for B100?
12/2, Sukhumvit Soi 50, 087-096-8444. Open daily 5pm-midnight.
Finalist: Allso Bar
If you haven’t heard of Allso Bar yet, the South Thonglor venue pumping out hip-hop and affordable craft cocktails, then you are missing out. It’s open late (sometimes too late) and is fast becoming a go-to for folks who want to spend their nights on the “other” side of Thonglor. From owner Roe Laophermsook, this space is a one-floor spot sparking a cheap drink revolution on that side of the BTS. And the chicken’s not too shabby either.
46/12, Sukhumvit 36, Saen Sabai Soi 8. 080-065-4615. Open daily Thu-Mon 5pm-late.
Finalist: 12×12
Good dive bars have great music. Great dive bars make their own. The 12×12 space is equal parts club, pub, and dive. It may look a little down market, but don’t let that fool you; the cocktails here are well made. Under darkly lit red lights, most come here for the vibe and the tunes, so be sure to take some flats for the dancing.
810/22, Thara Rom Soi 2, 094-260-4713. Open Tues-Sat 5pm-late.
