Winner: Freaking Out The Neighborhood

People have trouble believing this, but the best part of Thonglor is actually south of the BTS. Freaking Out the Neighborhood is an absolutely singular destination for people who genuinely love music, vinyl, and conversation (but keep it down outside). No frills, no gimmicks — just people who love vibing to tunes and playing albums from beginning to end. With release day listening parties for local and international artists, expect fairly cheap drinks and theme nights.

Vinyl & Wine 

Vinyl and Wine was born in Chiang Rai, but it’s made quite a happy home here in Bangkok at EmSphere. The concept is simple. You have some wine, then you add some vinyl. Add a splash of live music here and there and you have one of the city’s hottest listening bars. You’ll find DJs spinning classic soul and occasional performers crooning in this small bar in Bangkok’s coolest mall.  

Lennon’s

Lennon’s is lined with 6,000 records that visitors can browse and play. Now, that’s a listening bar. When the Rosewood Bangkok opened up more than half a decade ago, Lennon’s really took the city by surprise by bucking the normal hotel bar tropes. Its cocktails really stood out — enough to garner some international plaudits. But for music lovers, it’s still fun to just swing through the stacks and explore. 

Alonetogether Bar

The traffic might be famously bad on Sukhumvit Soi 29, but this space (and its neighbor OFTR) is reason enough to go. Unlike all the vinyl bars around town, this space is a fairly small and focused venue with regular live music. From the street, it’s a little difficult to imagine that there’s such a hip little bar inside this venue, but it’s a favorite spot for late-night jazz and some surprisingly good cocktails. 

Abandoned Mansion

If you’re drinking with your ears, there are few better places than a 1930s gangster-themed underground speakeasy. While it is definitely a live music space you don’t want to miss, this venue is more for easy listening and romantic moments in the glitz and glam of a unique space. You’ll find it in the basement of The Coach hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 14, and while it’s not required to dress like a gangster, there’s no one stopping you either.