9 Best Live Music Bars in Bangkok

Black Cabin on Rama 4 Road is a must for lovers of original live music. Depending on the night, you’ll be treated to contemporary jazz, indie rock, soul, blues or electronica. There’s really no other bar in Bangkok providing such consistently high-quality modern music.

The crowd is a cool mix of Thais and in-the-know foreigners. It's a friendly venue with plenty of chatter in the garden area, but head into the bar to find some candlelit nooks perfect for date nights. Live music starts from 9pm every night from Tuesday to Sunday. Black Cabin is close to the Ekkamai area of Sukhumvit. The bar's signature cocktails have won awards and there's a retro arcade game you can play for free. It's easily our favourite live music bar in Bangkok.

Talk to any expat about live music in Bangkok and this long-running venue will inevitably come up in conversation. Saxophone, which started around 30 years ago, can be found near the busy Victory Monument BTS station, and this slightly out-of-the-way location means that there’s a good mix of young locals, expats and tourists who come through the door. Live music is on the bill every night with a mix of quality jazz, blues, soul and the odd alternative acoustic set thrown in for good measure. Bands take to the stage around 7.30pm and the music doesn’t stop until gone 1am.

Definitely one of the most fun live music bars in Bangkok, Brick Bar is famed for its fantastic house bands that take to the stage every night, playing a lively mix of ska, bouncy pop covers and Thai-indie. Although this large basement bar is located on Khao San Road, it differs greatly from the general theme of the area. The large room is air-conditioned and seating options are generous, with large benches for groups. The crowd also differs from the norm of this area, with mostly young Thais coming through the doors and just a few in-the-know tourists or expats. After midnight, the place is literally jumping to the 6-piece house band, when standing on the tables is not only tolerated – it’s encouraged!

The diminutive – and oddly named – Adhere the 13th Blue Bar might look like just another hole-in-the-wall bar in Bangkok’s Old City, but what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality live music. Every night, a healthy number of locals, expats and passing-by tourists cram into the bohemian-esque little space, which is decked out in ageing framed photos on the walls and vintage furniture – all making this an unashamed hipster-hangout. The house blues and jazz band takes to the stage at around 10pm and it’s advisable to come early on the weekend unless you like standing all night. Drinks are cheap, too.

Sure, the Hard Rock Café may not the most imaginative of places to catch live music in Bangkok, but sometimes familiarity in a new city can be a good thing. With classic rock covers every night, signed rock memorabilia plastered all over the walls and a sturdy menu of comfort food, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself in for. The local house band are impressive, alternating between male vocals for the rock anthems, and female for the more contemporary pop and rock hits. The staff here are among the most fun-loving in Bangkok, all speaking great English and serving your drink with a smile.

The huge Tawandang German Brewery is a massive drinking hall, restaurant, microbrewery and live show all rolled into one. Located slightly out of the centre of town on Rama 3 near Sathorn, Tawandang holds the crown for being the biggest bar in Bangkok and is able to sit over 2,000 people. As well as good, strong beer served in ridiculously sized glasses, Tawandang is also a great spot to catch live music in Bangkok. The show starts at around 7pm every day and features everything from classic ballads, Thai chart hits to Egyptian-themed dance routines and comedy drag performances. Definitely an evening you’ll remember, as long as you don’t enjoy their in-house brews too much.

Maggie Choo’s, with its 1930’s Shanghai-inspired theme, has quickly become a firm favourite hangout for those with an appreciation of quality live music in Bangkok. If you’re coming for the first time, the music might take second place to the décor of the place: set in an old bank, things like the original vault doors, pretty models rocking back and forth on giant swings and even a birdcage in the lobby are all Instagram-worthy material. Aside from the props, jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights.

For Bangkok’s metal-heads, there’s no better place to come after dark than the rather underrated Rock Pub at Ratchathewi. A great choice for those who like their guitars loud and their bars on the dingy side, this long-running rock 'n’ roll bar has been going for over 25 years, seeing both international bands (such as Dragon Force, Take Him Down) and local talent take to the stage.

Certainly not a place to come in your flip flops and Chang singlet for a good old sing-along to Oasis covers; The Rock Pub is all about the hardcore music and various subgenres including grunge, scream, thrash, post-hardcore and punk. Find The Rock Pub under Ratchathewi BTS (exit 4) and don’t expect much action before 10.30pm.

Tep Bar is a cool bar presenting classic Thai drinks and entertainment in a fun and engaging way. Located in Bangkok’s Chinatown, this hip venue offers traditional live music and no shortage of cocktails. Tep Bar is located on Soi Nana off of Maitrijit Road, a 5-minute walk from the Hua Lamphong MRT Subway Station.