Jazz bars in Bangkok

Which jazz bars in Bangkok are best?

Jazz bars in Bangkok worth your night are these six: a 1947 hotel bar on the river, a Victory Monument pub with a band every night, a Chinatown institution since 1985, and three rooms for a later or a dressier night. We send groups to all of them.

1. The Bamboo Bar: the grand jazz room

The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental opened in 1947. The hotel's own page says a jazz singer and band play from 8pm to 11:45pm Monday to Thursday and to 12:45am on Friday and Saturday, with a pianist on Sundays from 9pm.

Know before you go

After 6:30pm, the dress code is smart: long trousers and closed shoes for men, and no sleeveless shirts. The bar takes no reservations, so arrive early. Guests under 20 can come in before 7:30pm, then join an adult on the outdoor terrace if there's room.

Who it suits

A group that wants a dressed-up evening in the best-known jazz room in the city. Ask Tanner to get you there before it fills.

2. Saxophone Pub: a band every night

Saxophone Pub, at 3/8 Phayathai Road by Victory Monument, has been one of Bangkok's jazz and blues rooms since 1987 and opens daily from 6pm to 1:30am, its own site says (checked November 2026). The bands play all evening, jazz one night and reggae the next, and Monday belongs to Mr. Saxman & Takeshi Band.

Who it suits

A group that wants a pub, a band on stage and a beer in hand, any night of the week. Ask Tanner which night's act suits your group.

3. Brown Sugar: the jazz institution

Brown Sugar has played jazz, blues, soul and funk since 1985, now at 18 Soi Nana in Chinatown, and it's closed on Mondays, its own Instagram says (checked November 2026). Acoustic sets start at 8pm and the full band at 10pm. It's open 5pm to 1am, to 2am on Friday and Saturday.

Who it suits

A group eating in Chinatown that wants a full band after dinner. Be in by 10pm for the band. Ask Tanner to book dinner nearby first.

4. Crimson Room: a band and cocktails

Crimson Room is in Velaa Sindhorn Village on Lang Suan Road, with live music seven nights a week from 6pm until late, its own site says (checked November 2026). Bands start from 8:30pm, from smooth jazz to soul, electronic pop and funk.

Know before you go

Book ahead, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Who it suits

A group that wants a cocktails-and-band night close to Sukhumvit. Ask Tanner to hold the booth.

5. Smalls: the late, arty one

Smalls is a neighbourhood jazz bar on Soi Suan Phlu in Sathorn, open from 6pm to 2am and closed on Tuesdays. Sets often start at 9pm or 9:45pm, so it makes a good late stop.

Who it suits

A group that wants jazz as part of a longer, later evening in Sathorn. Ask Tanner to make it the last stop of the night.

6. Firefly Bar: the hotel lounge with a band

Firefly Bar at the Sindhorn Kempinski is open every day from 5pm to 1am, with live jazz each night, the hotel's own page says (checked November 2026). The band plays from 8pm to 11pm, with the odd one-night takeover by a well-known jazz name.

Who it suits

A small group that wants an easy hotel bar and an early set. Ask Tanner to pair it with Crimson Room, both in the Sindhorn area of Lumphini.

Which jazz bar suits your group?

Picking between the jazz bars in Bangkok comes down to how dressed up you want to be and where the rest of the evening goes.

For history: the Bamboo Bar opened in 1947, Brown Sugar has played since 1985 and Saxophone Pub since 1987.

For a different sound: Saxophone Pub plays jazz one night and reggae the next, and Crimson Room runs from smooth jazz to soul and funk.

For a late finish: Smalls in Sathorn runs to 2am, with sets from about 9pm.

Ask Tanner to match one to your group.

What should you wear to a jazz bar?

The Bamboo Bar enforces smart dress after 6:30pm: long trousers and closed shoes for men, and no sleeveless shirts. The other five don't publish a dress code, so smart casual works everywhere. If the Mandarin Oriental is on the plan, dress for it. Ask Tanner what the night calls for.

Smart jeans and closed shoes work at the other five. At Firefly Bar, a hotel lounge, dress as you would for dinner in the hotel.

Is there a cover charge?

None of these bars publishes a cover charge, so on most nights you pay for your drinks, and the Bamboo Bar charges hotel-bar prices. Ask Tanner to check the night's act before you go.

What time does the jazz start?

From about 8pm, when the bands start at the Bamboo Bar and Firefly. Crimson Room starts at 8:30pm, Smalls around 9pm and Brown Sugar's full band at 10pm. Brown Sugar closes on Mondays and Smalls on Tuesdays. Ask Tanner which night lines up the best acts.

One evening, two bars

The best Bangkok jazz bar for a first evening is the one by the river, and Chinatown is a short ride away.

Start at the Bamboo Bar for the 8pm set, then Brown Sugar on Soi Nana for the 10pm band.

Here's the tip: the Bamboo Bar takes no reservations, so be in your seat before 8pm.

Tanner's pick: a Friday, the Bamboo Bar first, and Brown Sugar until 2am.

Ask Tanner to line up the stops and the car.

Getting the group there

Three things sorted: the dress, the timing and the car.

• The dress: smart for The Bamboo Bar; smart casual everywhere else.
• The timing: arrive early at The Bamboo Bar, which takes no reservations, and book Crimson Room ahead.
• The car: the bars are spread from the river to Victory Monument, so a driver waits and takes the group between them.

For a later night after the music, see the best bars in Bangkok and the best rooftop bars in Bangkok, or start from our Bangkok nightlife guide.

Plan it with Tanner, and the car's waiting at every door.

Jazz bars in Bangkok in short

• The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental opened in 1947, with a jazz singer from 8pm.

• Saxophone Pub, by Victory Monument, has had live music every night since 1987.
• Brown Sugar has played jazz in Chinatown since 1985; the full band starts at 10pm.
• Crimson Room and Firefly Bar are in Lumphini, Smalls in Sathorn.
• Only the Bamboo Bar publishes a strict dress code: smart after 6:30pm.
• After the music, see Chinatown and the best bars in Bangkok.

Checked November 2026.