Tep Bar is without question my go-to, quintessential Bangkok bar. It’s got everything I love and look for in a bar (delicious cocktails, gorgeous design) plus everything is infused with a distinct local Thai flavor and spirit:
- Cocktails: Expertly crafted, interesting, & delicious drinks using local and unique ingredients. My favorite section of the menu features “yadong” Thai moonshine (or whisky) infused with different herbs which is traditionally meant to be medicinal. But if that’s too strong for your speed, they have plenty of other options (Tep Bar Menu).
- Ambience: Gorgeous interior design (shout out to the designer Ek Phonsin who I had the distinct honor of meeting during my visit).
- Food: delicious Thai food made in the oven behind the musicians. Classics such as Nam Prik and if you are feeling brave you can even get insects as a bar snack! If not, no worries, there are plenty of options that will suit Western palettes such as chicken/pork skewers (Tep Bar Menu).
- Entertainment: Fantastic traditional Thai music. Don’t just take my word for it – see the video below for a taste!
There are a lot of great bars in Bangkok that are truly great, but so many of them could be found in any metropolitan city in the world. I love that Tep Bar is distinctly Thai and owned and operated by a local Thai husband and wife team and is a true expression of pride of their Thai culture. This is the perfect place to take visitors who would like to have a higher-end, hip evening out.
And while it’s not technically one of my beloved speakeasies, it is off the beaten track and a little hard to find down a small alley in the Old Town, which is close enough for me! Your guests will definitely have that moment of “Where exactly are you taking me…?”
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