Disclaimer: The pubs and clubs reviewed in this section are simply places where we at Naked Farang have visited. It is by no means an exhaustive list of the best or worst watering holes and dance venues. No payment is accepted for a good review and the pubs and clubs are never made aware that a review is taking place. The Naked Eye can not be bribed and there is truly no such thing as a free lunch.
PUBS
O’REILLY’S
Location:
Silom, Bangkok
BTS/MRT:
Sala Daeng BTS (practically connected) / Silom MRT
O’Reilly’s is a bit of a Bangkok institution and is very popular with both expats and Thais. It can get crowded and lively downstairs in the evenings and on the weekend, but the upstairs provides extra space and seating for the overflow, and refuge from the noise for those wanting a quiet meal. I sometimes feel that O’Reilly’s tries to be too many things to too many people and fails on too many fronts as a result. Is it a music bar or a sports bar? It’s fine to be both but they just don’t pull either one off entirely for me. I have tried to watch major sporting events in there along with many others, only to have some mediocre live music drown out the commentary. O’Reilly’s is right next to Sala Daeng BTS. You can’t miss it – It’s very green.
Molly Malone’s on Soi Convent in the Silom area of Bangkok is the latest incarnation of a pub that has been called Delaney’s, Shenanigans and The Irish Exchange since I’ve been drinking in it. At first glance, there isn’t too much to distinguish Molly Malone’s from its predecessors – similar range of beers and prices, sport, music, green things – although two welcome changes struck me on my first visit since the makeover. The first thing to hit me, well actually to take a jaunty swing at me, were proper doors – big, welcoming, double doors that swing invitingly to reveal shelter from any of life’s storms. The doors on all the previous incarnations of this watering hole were more like those of a concealed speakeasy – inconspicuous and, therefore, easily missed, and that was on the way IN to the pub. Enough of doors. The food is also much improved in my opinion. The menu is much less extensive but more concise and reasonably priced. But it’s much more than the doors and food. This building on Soi Convent feels like a real pub again, a local rather than somebody’s fiendish ploy to take a down market concept and shove it way too far up market. Molly Malone’s is on Soi Convent, about 100 metres from Silom on the left hand side.
CLUBS
MUZZIK CAFÉ
Location:
Patpong 1, Silom
BTS/MRT:
Sala Daeng
Open:
until 1am
Drinks:
Standard range of local and imported beers and spirits
Prices:
Holidaymaker on Patpong prices
Happy Hour:
No
Food:
No
Entertainment:
Live music every night (hip hop / rock)
Highlight:
It’s a buzzing atmosphere and has a real friendly vibe
Low Point:
A little expensive and you get massaged in the men’s toilet
Contact:
NAKED EYE RATING
Drinks:
7/10
Standard but expensive
Service:
9/10
Very good – looking for the tips
Ambiance:
9/10
Excellent buzz
Décor:
8/10
It’s a dark & seedy club but still has tripped out decor
CLUBS
LUCIFER’S
Location:
Patpong 1, Silom
BTS/MRT:
Sala Daeng
Open:
until 1am
Drinks:
Standard range of local and imported beers and spirits
Prices:
Expensive
Happy Hour:
No
Food:
No
Entertainment:
Dance, baby
Highlight:
Labyrinth of dance floors and levels
Low Point:
Expensive and police sometimes want you to wee in a bottle
Contact:
NAKED EYE RATING
Drinks:
7/10
Standard but expensive
Service:
7/10
Satisfactory – look for horns
Ambiance:
7/10
Good buzz
Décor:
8/10
Good combination of seedy dive and trippy dance venue
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