Cocktail Bars in Thailand

[Chris Amirault]

I'm wondering if there are any cocktail bars worth visiting in Thailand -- Bangkok, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai specifically. I'll gladly bring along a stash of interesting/wacky items for barter if so. If not, I'll settle for hawker foods instead of night caps.

Thoughts?

[Sam Salmon]

Austin Bush would know (I think I've seen him post here in the past.)

Check his blog for details.

[Peter Green]

Now I take it right that you're looking for "cocktails" in particular, not just pleasant bars?

I believe Indus was trying to do some new things with cocktails, with a South Asian slant. But that was a year ago or more.

Syn in the Raffles was also trying to lift the profile on mixed drinks. I'd met an Israeli mixologist who was consuling there and at Indus about two years ago who was working on their skills and repertoire.

I've had decent martinis in Q, but good luck keeping them from being spilled on you. And then you have to deal with the ladies with big hands and deep voices.

Aqua at the Four Seasons courtyard is very comfortable, and they're good with martinis.

Oh, and just because you have to, if it's not raining, do Vertigo on the Banyan Tree's roof. The cocktails are competent (at least the martinis) and the view is spectacular. I try to get a couple of drinks in there every now and then.

Hmmm, there must be more......