7 of the best live music venues in Bangkok

Music lovers in Bangkok are spoilt for choice with venues around the city hosting an impressive array of talented musicians. No matter what style of music you’re into, you’ll find it at a club or pub in the Thai capital. From jazz and soul to hip-hop to soft-rock, there are countless venues to choose from.   

In popular tourist areas like Sukhumvit, several pubs have bands playing at weekends, while locations like RCA (Royal City Avenue) and venues like Tawandang are popular with Thais. No matter where you are staying in Bangkok, there’s likely to be a venue near you with live music. We’ve selected seven of our favourites for you to try on your next visit to the Big Mango.

Abandoned Mansion

With its speakeasy vibe and jazz music, Abandoned Mansion is one of the most sophisticated live music venues in the Sukhumvit area. Smooth tunes, classy cocktails and fine food all combine to make this an excellent choice for a date night. 

In the food and drink menu, there’s more than a nod to notorious gangsters with special cocktails named after infamous characters like John Dillinger, Al Capone, and Bonnie and Clyde. Located a few minutes walk from Asoke BTS station, Abandoned Mansion is a sanuk experience in the heart of Bangkok.
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Baobao

This small venue is extremely popular with the 30-something Thai crowd, especially at weekends. You won’t see many foreigners here, and the music is almost exclusively Thai. Bands tend to play a selection of well-known Thai songs that get the crowd singing and dancing along as the evening wears on. On busy nights, most tables on the downstairs level are booked out by groups of friends, but there is usually room at the bar or on the floor above.

Speaking a little Thai can help with the service, but don’t let that put you off. If you want to experience what a local night feels like in Bangkok, head to Baobao. Located adjacent to the BTS Skytrain station at Sanam Pao*, it’s also easy to get to.
*(Baobao has a second location at Sathorn)
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Brown Sugar

This long-running Bangkok favourite has been entertaining music lovers since 1985. The location has moved around a few times over the years, but is now firmly established in Chinatown on the trendy Soi Nana, a small street lined with classy cocktail bars. For a great night out with drinks and live music, you don’t need to go any further than this buzzing street in Chinatown.

The crowd is often a mix of ages and nationalities, and the music isn’t only jazz, but on any given night can include blues, soul, soft rock and pop. 
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Buddha & Pals

Located in the royal Dusit district, a short walk from Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium, Buddha & Pals is a classy cafe during the day that transforms into a bar with live jazz music in the evenings. The venue regularly features the likes of Tabitha King, Tony Aradawan, and the wonderfully named Nurse & Her Jazz Cats.
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Saxophone Pub & Restaurant

Possibly the most famous live music venue in Bangkok, the Saxophone Pub has been entertaining crowds since the mid-80s. There always seems to be an eclectic crowd here with a mix of hi-so Thais, Western tourists and expats. The music brings everyone together, and some of the most famous performers in Thailand, like Koh Mr Saxman, regularly appear here. 
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TEP BAR

The quirky TEP BAR gets full marks for creativity and draws a mostly Thai crowd. If you order food, look out for it being winched down from above. Live music comes in the form of traditional Thai music with a contemporary twist, making it a unique experience.

TEP BAR is located a stone’s throw from Brown Sugar in Chinatown’s Soi Nana. Combine both venues on a night out, and if you’re a gin lover, don’t miss the nearby Teens of Thailand.
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The Rock Pub

If you like your music a little heavier, head to the long-running The Rock Pub. Located a short walk from Sanam Pao BTS, expect to hear bands enthusiastically blasting out covers from the likes of AC/DC, Metallica, and Meat Loaf. It’s a complete contrast to the more sophisticated Thai vibe at the nearby Baobao bar, which neatly sums up the diversity on offer in Bangkok’s live music scene.
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