The best jazz bars and pubs in Bangkok prove that the city's famous nightlife isn’t all rowdy and naughty. The city’s got a fascinating lineup of cool and classy places to listen to some groovy tunes, ideal for whiling away the evening in style.

The top venues below are the crème de la crème of Bangkok’s jazz bar scene, featuring some of the most talented local and international artists on a nightly basis.

  • 1

    Saxophone Pub

    Victory Monument

    Saxophone Pub
    • Nightlife

    Saxophone Bar is a local and expat favourite in Victory Monument. It delivers consistently good music, food and service with a different band every night playing a combination of jazz, blues and old classics. The cosy interior is bedecked with jazz paraphernalia, record labels and framed posters of jazz maestros, with a mezzanine level overlooking the entire stage area from above. It's usually packed on weekends.

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    Location: 11 Phaya Thai Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 6 pm to 1.30 am

    Phone: +66 (0)2 246 5472

    Map
  • 2

    Brown Sugar: The Jazz Boutique

    Banglumpoo

    Brown Sugar: The Jazz Boutique
    • Nightlife

    Since 1985, Brown Sugar: The Jazz Boutique has been serving Bangkok's live music fans and has never failed to give everybody a good time. After 26 years of great service, the jazz bar moved from Sarasin Road to a bigger home on Phrasumen Road. The club is open during the day as a restaurant and coffee house. At night, it's an excellent spot for nice cold beers with live music 7 days a week.

    Location: 469 Phra Sumen Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

    Open: Sunday, Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +66 (0)89 499 1378

    Map

    photo by Sergey (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Bamboo Bar

    Riverside - Mandarin Oriental

    Bamboo Bar
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    An international legend, The Mandarin Oriental's Bamboo Bar is considered by discerning jazz fanatics to be the best live jazz spot in town. The sandy tones, palm fronds and furry patterns of the interior lend it a relaxing jungle-themed ambience that oozes class, sophistication and style. An upmarket but interesting crowd works the intimate setting, all enjoying the internationally acclaimed jazz singers and bands on its books.

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    Location: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 5 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am

    Phone: +66 (0)2 659 9000

    Map
  • 4

    The Living Room

    Sukhumvit - Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

    The Living Room
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    The Living Room is a big, stylish venue that hosts a top-notch jazz band or musician every night. This lounge offers a relaxed, cosy atmosphere on the first floor of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Alongside the jazz talent, great wines, cocktails and champagnes help get things shuffling. On Sundays, The Living Room hosts a 'Jazzy Brunch Buffet' between 12pm and 3pm. Book well ahead.

    Location: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 9 am to midnight

    Phone: +66 (0)2 649 8353

    Map
  • 5

    Jazz Happens

    Phra Atit Road (Khaosan)

    Jazz Happens
    • Nightlife

    Jazz Happens is perhaps the most famous bar on Phra Atit Road. Popular among night owls who want more from a live band than simple pop music covers, this music bar was set up by a group of lecturers from the nearby Silapakorn University to provide their students somewhere to play and listen to quality jazz music. This cheap and cheerful bar offers a more personal experience than the bigger jazz clubs scattered around Bangkok.

    Location: 62 Phra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

    Open: Friday–Wednesday from 5 pm to midnight (closed on Thursdays)

    Phone: +66 (0)2 282 9934

    Map

    photo by Andrij Bulba (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 6

    Diplomat Bar

    Chidlom - Conrad Hotel

    Diplomat Bar
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    Diplomat Bar is an elegant, upscale hotel bar in the heart of Bangkok's embassy district. This dimly lit venue is an ideal haunt for the sophisticated and glamorous. Its soft silk couches, striking round bar, and wood interiors make for a very classy cocktail ambience. A jazz singer croons every night, except Sundays. The cocktail and wine lists are suitably inspiring, too.

    Location: Conrad Bangkok Hotel, Lobby Level, 87 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 7 am to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 7 am to 2 am

    Phone: +66 (0)2 690 9244

    Map
  • 7

    The Glaz Bar

    Chidlom - Plaza Athenee Hotel

    The Glaz Bar
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    Glaz Bar at Plaza Athenee Hotel is where chic and contemporary take centre stage in Bangkok. The interiors blend deep green marble floors, blue downlights and jet-black shiny surfaces. A favourite haunt among the sophisticated, Glaz Bar boasts a creative selection of cocktails, Thai-inspired tapas and snacks, accompanied by live jazz by international artists every night, except Sundays.

    Location: Plaza Athenee Bangkok, 61 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 11.30 pm

    Phone: +66 (0)2 650 8800 ext. 4324

    Map
Paul Smith | Compulsive Traveller