by Robin Westley Martin
Photography by Brian Angus
Photography by Brian Angus
I never learnt how to play a musical instrument, and although I think I produce fairly acceptable vocals when I burst into song, not everyone is of the same opinion. Yet music has been an important part of my life, as it has for so many others like myself, who are devoid of the skills to make a musical instrument sing.
I come from Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, and when I was 15 or 16 years old I started to head out with my friends to see live music performed by some of the biggest bands in Britain, or even from around the world. We had small, to medium, to stadium-sized venues, and a whole host of smaller pubs and nightclubs, which we flocked to, to enjoy an exciting night out. It was fantastic to see a band playing live – actually there in front of us – the rock stars that we had only previously seen on our small TV screens, There was always a palpable feeling of excitement and a buzz of electricity within the concert halls, as we waited for our heroes to hit the stage. I was hooked from the very first rock concert I went to (Irish blues / rock legend Rory Gallagher, as I recall).
When I moved to Thailand in the late 1980s I was amazed by the strangeness of the exotic new country I found myself in, and for the first year or so there was a wealth of stuff to see, do, and learn. Of course, as I travelled around I made new friends, and some of them were into music, too. We set about looking for somewhere to go to to satisfy our longing for live sounds. Bangkok was very different then to the Bangkok of today, although it was still a huge metropolis. It wasn’t, though, on the tour list of the megastars like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, or Pink Floyd, for example. But there were several places to go to for your live music fix, although on a smaller scale.
Places that stand out in the memory from my early days in Bangkok were Brown Sugar, The Saxophone, Tokyo Joe’s, Imageries, or The Rock Pub, and these little haunts slaked our thirst for live music, with some accomplished musicians that we were able to see strutting their stuff for only the price of a pint of beer … or a Mekong coke, which was even cheaper. It was at this time that I discovered Thai rock and pop music, and I soon became a fan of Asanee Wasant, Carabao, and Caravan, and I had also started to understand Thai traditional music, such as Luk Thung (a little).
Then the 90s and 2000s came along and bigger bands started to hit Thailand on their tours, although they were still few and far between. I did manage to catch Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Genesis, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, and Britpop stars Suede, though, amongst several other notable bands that are a bit hazy to recall due to rather too many glasses of Singha. The noughties marched on, and although the biggest bands still hit the shores of Thailand infrequently, the quality of the bands we could see in our local music venues, nightclubs, hotels and pubs continued to grow. Whether you were a rocker, a jazz or blues fan, or a folkie, there was something to look forward to on your night out,
Prior to the lockdowns there were two places in particular that stood out, Apotheka, and Live Lounge, that showcased an eclectic mix of musical styles. Both of these are sadly no longer with us. But Bangkok is nothing if not dynamic, and two new places have recently opened up, with more on the way.
As we continue to see more freedoms for travelers, and after Thailand fully opened up its doors again on July 1st , the two new places tourists can head to in town to join the local crowds of music lovers are The Green Room on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, and 29 Music Bar and Grill, Mermaid Hotel, on Sukhumvit Soi 29. These two great new venues join the excellent, and already well-established Queen Bee, which is owned and run by the ever-affable John Branton, Speakerbox, and Smalls, run by the legendary nightlife entrepreneur David Jacobson. If you are from the US, or are a fan of dive bars, you shouldn’t miss Fatty’s Bar and Diner, in Dindaeng. Matthew is a muso himself, and along with his own band, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, there is a regular music program at Fatty’s where you can catch some of the best bands or soloists in town … up close and nasty!
Let’s take a quick look at newcomer Green Room. Some of my friends had been telling me about this place for about a month or so before I went along with them to check it out… and I was glad I did, because on the night I went the talented local legends Soi Dog Blues Band were on the bill, playing their first gig in many months, You would never have thought that they had been away for so long and they really were right back into their swing. The Green Room is a pretty small venue, and much of the area at the front is taken up by the stage area, to give the bands a bit of room to move, and engage with the audience. It’s located right next to Nana BTS station and offers some of the best live bands in Bangkok, playing everything from rock and blues, to rhythm and blues. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or get together with friends for night of live music Green Room Bangkok is the place to be. The Midnight Ramblers recently played there, and they brought the house down, with their set of rocking ‘Stones covers.
There are many excellent already established venues around town. Let’s start with the Otto Bar. The highlight of Otto Bar at the junction of Sukhumvit and Soi 22 is definitely the phenomenal rock bands and other visiting guests who play there. The house band can play just about anything – rock, punk, indie or blues, and play it note perfect. There are visiting rock bands and special guests, too. If the full rock experience, including ear thumping volume, full-on light show, thundering drums, rock god vocals and epic guitar solos is your thing then Otto's is definitely highly recommended. No cover charge, beers are fairly priced and you can order in excellent burgers or chilli
If you like rock and heavy metal, another good place to head to after dark is the Rock Pub on Rachathewi. 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.
Parking Toys is well worth a visit. Although it’s not in the popular central areas of Bangkok, it’s really not that difficult to get to by taxi. Parking Toys is on Prasert Manukit Rd, near to Navamin, in Ladphrao district. Parking Toys is a hip bar and eatery known for its great selection of live bands. Parking Toys is decorated in a vintage retro style, with a 60’s vibe thrown in, with a nightly lineup of great live music, featuring everything from jazz, rock, pop, ska, and rockabilly. At Parking Toys, you’ll find yourself dancing all night, with a crowd that is mostly Thai. But the word has started to spread amongst the expat community, and also to the tourists who keep their ear to the ground. And as a bonus, the prices of food and drink are reasonable, and the serving staff are cool.
Smalls is set in a three story shophouse on Suan Plu , off Sathorn Road. Smalls is the brainchild of David Jacobson, the nightclub whiz who started the famed Q Bar in Bangkok several decades ago. The decor is decidedly Parisienne, and the on-point signature cocktail list is enhanced by a large selection of absinthe drinks, with a traditional absinthe spigot sitting on top of the bar counter. It's also well a visit on Wednesday nights for the music, as there is some great live jazz, featuring the picking prowess of Dan Phillips and his quartet, who play every week, and the bar also has plenty of special nights, when some of Bangkok’s top stars can be seen performing.
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 going for the first time, prepare to be amazed by 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 your pretty amazing surroundings, though, you will also be amazed by the quality of the music that you will hear … jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights of the week.
As a finale to this little look at live music in Bangkok, I was lucky to talk to one of the stalwarts of the Bangkok music scene, the personable and erudite Irishman, Keith Nolan. He has been very busy recently setting up a brand-new live music venue, on Sukhumvit 29, on the ground floor of the Mermaid Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the busy Sukhumvit entertainment area. Let’s listen to what Keith has to say:
I first got to Thailand in 2000, and started playing the piano around town, jamming in some of the old music bars in Bangkok like Imageries and others that are now long gone. I met some famous and well-known Thai musicians and was invited to jam and record with some of them over the next few years. That was a great experience for me and I am honored to say that I have become firm friends with some of these talented musicians. There are many many Thai musicians I respect who are decidedly world class performers, such as Kitti Guitar Gun, Carabao, Sek Loso, Eddie Autobahn , Asanee Wasant, FLY, Silly Fools, Simon Henderson, Bruno Brugano, all the local blues and rock musicians, and such a lot more.
There were so many great live music venues, but unfortunately a lot have gone under because of Covid, and only a few have reopened. However, the light is coming back, there are new places opening again, many in China Town area, plus a few in Sukhumvit. Recently I was asked to help open a new live Jazz and Blues music venue at The Mermaid Hotel called ‘29 Music Bar and Grill’. Feel good music with a great snack menu to complement the drinks, in a small and groovy place, and we have already started live music nights with some of the best local bands, such as the Y Not band, and my own band, the Cotton Mouth Kings …we play R & B and Blues, my first love. I am lucky to have become friends with some famous international stars during my musical career, and in the future you can expect to see some of them dropping in at ‘29’. As well as the best of what we have already here in Thailand.
It’s a great place to meet after work and a great place for musicians, artists and writers to mingle and meet, so it’s an exciting venture, and an exciting time for me and all the music lovers and other creative people in town. There are wine and cocktail specials all week. Jazz jam on Sunday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. Salsa dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.
Wednesday night is Ladies night with wine and cocktails. And this is just the beginning, more is on the way!
Hopefully 29 will continue to grow as Covid fears lift around the world. Bangkok is such a vibrant city, Thailand is such a great country to visit, and the buzz surrounding this new venue is something I didn’t expect. I hope those who read this piece will come along and give us a go. When I’m on a break from playing, come and say hello, I look forward to meeting you.
I have been down to 29 several times myself already, and I will definitely be going again. Top new venue in town! Now that the Covid Devil has been somewhat tamed, we can all start to enjoy our lives again. I hope that this article has given you some idea of where to head on out to … ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ …’Music makes the world go round’… ‘Music is the soundtrack of your life’ … see ya around town!
All of the venues mentioned here are on social media, check out their Facebook pages to see what is up for grabs on the night you are planning to go out.
I come from Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, and when I was 15 or 16 years old I started to head out with my friends to see live music performed by some of the biggest bands in Britain, or even from around the world. We had small, to medium, to stadium-sized venues, and a whole host of smaller pubs and nightclubs, which we flocked to, to enjoy an exciting night out. It was fantastic to see a band playing live – actually there in front of us – the rock stars that we had only previously seen on our small TV screens, There was always a palpable feeling of excitement and a buzz of electricity within the concert halls, as we waited for our heroes to hit the stage. I was hooked from the very first rock concert I went to (Irish blues / rock legend Rory Gallagher, as I recall).
When I moved to Thailand in the late 1980s I was amazed by the strangeness of the exotic new country I found myself in, and for the first year or so there was a wealth of stuff to see, do, and learn. Of course, as I travelled around I made new friends, and some of them were into music, too. We set about looking for somewhere to go to to satisfy our longing for live sounds. Bangkok was very different then to the Bangkok of today, although it was still a huge metropolis. It wasn’t, though, on the tour list of the megastars like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, or Pink Floyd, for example. But there were several places to go to for your live music fix, although on a smaller scale.
Places that stand out in the memory from my early days in Bangkok were Brown Sugar, The Saxophone, Tokyo Joe’s, Imageries, or The Rock Pub, and these little haunts slaked our thirst for live music, with some accomplished musicians that we were able to see strutting their stuff for only the price of a pint of beer … or a Mekong coke, which was even cheaper. It was at this time that I discovered Thai rock and pop music, and I soon became a fan of Asanee Wasant, Carabao, and Caravan, and I had also started to understand Thai traditional music, such as Luk Thung (a little).
Then the 90s and 2000s came along and bigger bands started to hit Thailand on their tours, although they were still few and far between. I did manage to catch Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Genesis, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, and Britpop stars Suede, though, amongst several other notable bands that are a bit hazy to recall due to rather too many glasses of Singha. The noughties marched on, and although the biggest bands still hit the shores of Thailand infrequently, the quality of the bands we could see in our local music venues, nightclubs, hotels and pubs continued to grow. Whether you were a rocker, a jazz or blues fan, or a folkie, there was something to look forward to on your night out,
Prior to the lockdowns there were two places in particular that stood out, Apotheka, and Live Lounge, that showcased an eclectic mix of musical styles. Both of these are sadly no longer with us. But Bangkok is nothing if not dynamic, and two new places have recently opened up, with more on the way.
As we continue to see more freedoms for travelers, and after Thailand fully opened up its doors again on July 1st , the two new places tourists can head to in town to join the local crowds of music lovers are The Green Room on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, and 29 Music Bar and Grill, Mermaid Hotel, on Sukhumvit Soi 29. These two great new venues join the excellent, and already well-established Queen Bee, which is owned and run by the ever-affable John Branton, Speakerbox, and Smalls, run by the legendary nightlife entrepreneur David Jacobson. If you are from the US, or are a fan of dive bars, you shouldn’t miss Fatty’s Bar and Diner, in Dindaeng. Matthew is a muso himself, and along with his own band, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, there is a regular music program at Fatty’s where you can catch some of the best bands or soloists in town … up close and nasty!
Let’s take a quick look at newcomer Green Room. Some of my friends had been telling me about this place for about a month or so before I went along with them to check it out… and I was glad I did, because on the night I went the talented local legends Soi Dog Blues Band were on the bill, playing their first gig in many months, You would never have thought that they had been away for so long and they really were right back into their swing. The Green Room is a pretty small venue, and much of the area at the front is taken up by the stage area, to give the bands a bit of room to move, and engage with the audience. It’s located right next to Nana BTS station and offers some of the best live bands in Bangkok, playing everything from rock and blues, to rhythm and blues. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or get together with friends for night of live music Green Room Bangkok is the place to be. The Midnight Ramblers recently played there, and they brought the house down, with their set of rocking ‘Stones covers.
There are many excellent already established venues around town. Let’s start with the Otto Bar. The highlight of Otto Bar at the junction of Sukhumvit and Soi 22 is definitely the phenomenal rock bands and other visiting guests who play there. The house band can play just about anything – rock, punk, indie or blues, and play it note perfect. There are visiting rock bands and special guests, too. If the full rock experience, including ear thumping volume, full-on light show, thundering drums, rock god vocals and epic guitar solos is your thing then Otto's is definitely highly recommended. No cover charge, beers are fairly priced and you can order in excellent burgers or chilli
If you like rock and heavy metal, another good place to head to after dark is the Rock Pub on Rachathewi. 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.
Parking Toys is well worth a visit. Although it’s not in the popular central areas of Bangkok, it’s really not that difficult to get to by taxi. Parking Toys is on Prasert Manukit Rd, near to Navamin, in Ladphrao district. Parking Toys is a hip bar and eatery known for its great selection of live bands. Parking Toys is decorated in a vintage retro style, with a 60’s vibe thrown in, with a nightly lineup of great live music, featuring everything from jazz, rock, pop, ska, and rockabilly. At Parking Toys, you’ll find yourself dancing all night, with a crowd that is mostly Thai. But the word has started to spread amongst the expat community, and also to the tourists who keep their ear to the ground. And as a bonus, the prices of food and drink are reasonable, and the serving staff are cool.
Smalls is set in a three story shophouse on Suan Plu , off Sathorn Road. Smalls is the brainchild of David Jacobson, the nightclub whiz who started the famed Q Bar in Bangkok several decades ago. The decor is decidedly Parisienne, and the on-point signature cocktail list is enhanced by a large selection of absinthe drinks, with a traditional absinthe spigot sitting on top of the bar counter. It's also well a visit on Wednesday nights for the music, as there is some great live jazz, featuring the picking prowess of Dan Phillips and his quartet, who play every week, and the bar also has plenty of special nights, when some of Bangkok’s top stars can be seen performing.
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 going for the first time, prepare to be amazed by 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 your pretty amazing surroundings, though, you will also be amazed by the quality of the music that you will hear … jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights of the week.
As a finale to this little look at live music in Bangkok, I was lucky to talk to one of the stalwarts of the Bangkok music scene, the personable and erudite Irishman, Keith Nolan. He has been very busy recently setting up a brand-new live music venue, on Sukhumvit 29, on the ground floor of the Mermaid Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the busy Sukhumvit entertainment area. Let’s listen to what Keith has to say:
I first got to Thailand in 2000, and started playing the piano around town, jamming in some of the old music bars in Bangkok like Imageries and others that are now long gone. I met some famous and well-known Thai musicians and was invited to jam and record with some of them over the next few years. That was a great experience for me and I am honored to say that I have become firm friends with some of these talented musicians. There are many many Thai musicians I respect who are decidedly world class performers, such as Kitti Guitar Gun, Carabao, Sek Loso, Eddie Autobahn , Asanee Wasant, FLY, Silly Fools, Simon Henderson, Bruno Brugano, all the local blues and rock musicians, and such a lot more.
There were so many great live music venues, but unfortunately a lot have gone under because of Covid, and only a few have reopened. However, the light is coming back, there are new places opening again, many in China Town area, plus a few in Sukhumvit. Recently I was asked to help open a new live Jazz and Blues music venue at The Mermaid Hotel called ‘29 Music Bar and Grill’. Feel good music with a great snack menu to complement the drinks, in a small and groovy place, and we have already started live music nights with some of the best local bands, such as the Y Not band, and my own band, the Cotton Mouth Kings …we play R & B and Blues, my first love. I am lucky to have become friends with some famous international stars during my musical career, and in the future you can expect to see some of them dropping in at ‘29’. As well as the best of what we have already here in Thailand.
It’s a great place to meet after work and a great place for musicians, artists and writers to mingle and meet, so it’s an exciting venture, and an exciting time for me and all the music lovers and other creative people in town. There are wine and cocktail specials all week. Jazz jam on Sunday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. Salsa dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.
Wednesday night is Ladies night with wine and cocktails. And this is just the beginning, more is on the way!
Hopefully 29 will continue to grow as Covid fears lift around the world. Bangkok is such a vibrant city, Thailand is such a great country to visit, and the buzz surrounding this new venue is something I didn’t expect. I hope those who read this piece will come along and give us a go. When I’m on a break from playing, come and say hello, I look forward to meeting you.
I have been down to 29 several times myself already, and I will definitely be going again. Top new venue in town! Now that the Covid Devil has been somewhat tamed, we can all start to enjoy our lives again. I hope that this article has given you some idea of where to head on out to … ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ …’Music makes the world go round’… ‘Music is the soundtrack of your life’ … see ya around town!
All of the venues mentioned here are on social media, check out their Facebook pages to see what is up for grabs on the night you are planning to go out.
As we continue to see more freedoms for travelers, and after Thailand fully opened up its doors again on July 1st , the two new places tourists can head to in town to join the local crowds of music lovers are The Green Room on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, and 29 Music Bar and Grill, Mermaid Hotel, on Sukhumvit Soi 29. These two great new venues join the excellent, and already well-established Queen Bee, which is owned and run by the ever-affable John Branton, Speakerbox, and Smalls, run by the legendary nightlife entrepreneur David Jacobson. If you are from the US, or are a fan of dive bars, you shouldn’t miss Fatty’s Bar and Diner, in Dindaeng. Matthew is a muso himself, and along with his own band, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, there is a regular music program at Fatty’s where you can catch some of the best bands or soloists in town … up close and nasty!
Let’s take a quick look at newcomer Green Room. Some of my friends had been telling me about this place for about a month or so before I went along with them to check it out… and I was glad I did, because on the night I went the talented local legends Soi Dog Blues Band were on the bill, playing their first gig in many months, You would never have thought that they had been away for so long and they really were right back into their swing. The Green Room is a pretty small venue, and much of the area at the front is taken up by the stage area, to give the bands a bit of room to move, and engage with the audience. It’s located right next to Nana BTS station and offers some of the best live bands in Bangkok, playing everything from rock and blues, to rhythm and blues. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or get together with friends for night of live music Green Room Bangkok is the place to be. The Midnight Ramblers recently played there, and they brought the house down, with their set of rocking ‘Stones covers.
There are many excellent already established venues around town. Let’s start with the Otto Bar. The highlight of Otto Bar at the junction of Sukhumvit and Soi 22 is definitely the phenomenal rock bands and other visiting guests who play there. The house band can play just about anything – rock, punk, indie or blues, and play it note perfect. There are visiting rock bands and special guests, too. If the full rock experience, including ear thumping volume, full-on light show, thundering drums, rock god vocals and epic guitar solos is your thing then Otto's is definitely highly recommended. No cover charge, beers are fairly priced and you can order in excellent burgers or chilli
If you like rock and heavy metal, another good place to head to after dark is the Rock Pub on Rachathewi. 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.
Parking Toys is well worth a visit. Although it’s not in the popular central areas of Bangkok, it’s really not that difficult to get to by taxi. Parking Toys is on Prasert Manukit Rd, near to Navamin, in Ladphrao district. Parking Toys is a hip bar and eatery known for its great selection of live bands. Parking Toys is decorated in a vintage retro style, with a 60’s vibe thrown in, with a nightly lineup of great live music, featuring everything from jazz, rock, pop, ska, and rockabilly. At Parking Toys, you’ll find yourself dancing all night, with a crowd that is mostly Thai. But the word has started to spread amongst the expat community, and also to the tourists who keep their ear to the ground. And as a bonus, the prices of food and drink are reasonable, and the serving staff are cool.
Smalls is set in a three story shophouse on Suan Plu , off Sathorn Road. Smalls is the brainchild of David Jacobson, the nightclub whiz who started the famed Q Bar in Bangkok several decades ago. The decor is decidedly Parisienne, and the on-point signature cocktail list is enhanced by a large selection of absinthe drinks, with a traditional absinthe spigot sitting on top of the bar counter. It's also well a visit on Wednesday nights for the music, as there is some great live jazz, featuring the picking prowess of Dan Phillips and his quartet, who play every week, and the bar also has plenty of special nights, when some of Bangkok’s top stars can be seen performing.
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 going for the first time, prepare to be amazed by 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 your pretty amazing surroundings, though, you will also be amazed by the quality of the music that you will hear … jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights of the week.
As a finale to this little look at live music in Bangkok, I was lucky to talk to one of the stalwarts of the Bangkok music scene, the personable and erudite Irishman, Keith Nolan. He has been very busy recently setting up a brand-new live music venue, on Sukhumvit 29, on the ground floor of the Mermaid Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the busy Sukhumvit entertainment area. Let’s listen to what Keith has to say:
I first got to Thailand in 2000, and started playing the piano around town, jamming in some of the old music bars in Bangkok like Imageries and others that are now long gone. I met some famous and well-known Thai musicians and was invited to jam and record with some of them over the next few years. That was a great experience for me and I am honored to say that I have become firm friends with some of these talented musicians. There are many many Thai musicians I respect who are decidedly world class performers, such as Kitti Guitar Gun, Carabao, Sek Loso, Eddie Autobahn , Asanee Wasant, FLY, Silly Fools, Simon Henderson, Bruno Brugano, all the local blues and rock musicians, and such a lot more.
There were so many great live music venues, but unfortunately a lot have gone under because of Covid, and only a few have reopened. However, the light is coming back, there are new places opening again, many in China Town area, plus a few in Sukhumvit. Recently I was asked to help open a new live Jazz and Blues music venue at The Mermaid Hotel called ‘29 Music Bar and Grill’. Feel good music with a great snack menu to complement the drinks, in a small and groovy place, and we have already started live music nights with some of the best local bands, such as the Y Not band, and my own band, the Cotton Mouth Kings …we play R & B and Blues, my first love. I am lucky to have become friends with some famous international stars during my musical career, and in the future you can expect to see some of them dropping in at ‘29’. As well as the best of what we have already here in Thailand.
It’s a great place to meet after work and a great place for musicians, artists and writers to mingle and meet, so it’s an exciting venture, and an exciting time for me and all the music lovers and other creative people in town. There are wine and cocktail specials all week. Jazz jam on Sunday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. Salsa dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.
Wednesday night is Ladies night with wine and cocktails. And this is just the beginning, more is on the way!
Hopefully 29 will continue to grow as Covid fears lift around the world. Bangkok is such a vibrant city, Thailand is such a great country to visit, and the buzz surrounding this new venue is something I didn’t expect. I hope those who read this piece will come along and give us a go. When I’m on a break from playing, come and say hello, I look forward to meeting you.
I have been down to 29 several times myself already, and I will definitely be going again. Top new venue in town! Now that the Covid Devil has been somewhat tamed, we can all start to enjoy our lives again. I hope that this article has given you some idea of where to head on out to … ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ …’Music makes the world go round’… ‘Music is the soundtrack of your life’ … see ya around town!
All of the venues mentioned here are on social media, check out their Facebook pages to see what is up for grabs on the night you are planning to go out.
Let’s take a quick look at newcomer Green Room. Some of my friends had been telling me about this place for about a month or so before I went along with them to check it out… and I was glad I did, because on the night I went the talented local legends Soi Dog Blues Band were on the bill, playing their first gig in many months, You would never have thought that they had been away for so long and they really were right back into their swing. The Green Room is a pretty small venue, and much of the area at the front is taken up by the stage area, to give the bands a bit of room to move, and engage with the audience. It’s located right next to Nana BTS station and offers some of the best live bands in Bangkok, playing everything from rock and blues, to rhythm and blues. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or get together with friends for night of live music Green Room Bangkok is the place to be. The Midnight Ramblers recently played there, and they brought the house down, with their set of rocking ‘Stones covers.
There are many excellent already established venues around town. Let’s start with the Otto Bar. The highlight of Otto Bar at the junction of Sukhumvit and Soi 22 is definitely the phenomenal rock bands and other visiting guests who play there. The house band can play just about anything – rock, punk, indie or blues, and play it note perfect. There are visiting rock bands and special guests, too. If the full rock experience, including ear thumping volume, full-on light show, thundering drums, rock god vocals and epic guitar solos is your thing then Otto's is definitely highly recommended. No cover charge, beers are fairly priced and you can order in excellent burgers or chilli
If you like rock and heavy metal, another good place to head to after dark is the Rock Pub on Rachathewi. 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.
Parking Toys is well worth a visit. Although it’s not in the popular central areas of Bangkok, it’s really not that difficult to get to by taxi. Parking Toys is on Prasert Manukit Rd, near to Navamin, in Ladphrao district. Parking Toys is a hip bar and eatery known for its great selection of live bands. Parking Toys is decorated in a vintage retro style, with a 60’s vibe thrown in, with a nightly lineup of great live music, featuring everything from jazz, rock, pop, ska, and rockabilly. At Parking Toys, you’ll find yourself dancing all night, with a crowd that is mostly Thai. But the word has started to spread amongst the expat community, and also to the tourists who keep their ear to the ground. And as a bonus, the prices of food and drink are reasonable, and the serving staff are cool.
Smalls is set in a three story shophouse on Suan Plu , off Sathorn Road. Smalls is the brainchild of David Jacobson, the nightclub whiz who started the famed Q Bar in Bangkok several decades ago. The decor is decidedly Parisienne, and the on-point signature cocktail list is enhanced by a large selection of absinthe drinks, with a traditional absinthe spigot sitting on top of the bar counter. It's also well a visit on Wednesday nights for the music, as there is some great live jazz, featuring the picking prowess of Dan Phillips and his quartet, who play every week, and the bar also has plenty of special nights, when some of Bangkok’s top stars can be seen performing.
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 going for the first time, prepare to be amazed by 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 your pretty amazing surroundings, though, you will also be amazed by the quality of the music that you will hear … jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights of the week.
As a finale to this little look at live music in Bangkok, I was lucky to talk to one of the stalwarts of the Bangkok music scene, the personable and erudite Irishman, Keith Nolan. He has been very busy recently setting up a brand-new live music venue, on Sukhumvit 29, on the ground floor of the Mermaid Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the busy Sukhumvit entertainment area. Let’s listen to what Keith has to say:
I first got to Thailand in 2000, and started playing the piano around town, jamming in some of the old music bars in Bangkok like Imageries and others that are now long gone. I met some famous and well-known Thai musicians and was invited to jam and record with some of them over the next few years. That was a great experience for me and I am honored to say that I have become firm friends with some of these talented musicians. There are many many Thai musicians I respect who are decidedly world class performers, such as Kitti Guitar Gun, Carabao, Sek Loso, Eddie Autobahn , Asanee Wasant, FLY, Silly Fools, Simon Henderson, Bruno Brugano, all the local blues and rock musicians, and such a lot more.
There were so many great live music venues, but unfortunately a lot have gone under because of Covid, and only a few have reopened. However, the light is coming back, there are new places opening again, many in China Town area, plus a few in Sukhumvit. Recently I was asked to help open a new live Jazz and Blues music venue at The Mermaid Hotel called ‘29 Music Bar and Grill’. Feel good music with a great snack menu to complement the drinks, in a small and groovy place, and we have already started live music nights with some of the best local bands, such as the Y Not band, and my own band, the Cotton Mouth Kings …we play R & B and Blues, my first love. I am lucky to have become friends with some famous international stars during my musical career, and in the future you can expect to see some of them dropping in at ‘29’. As well as the best of what we have already here in Thailand.
It’s a great place to meet after work and a great place for musicians, artists and writers to mingle and meet, so it’s an exciting venture, and an exciting time for me and all the music lovers and other creative people in town. There are wine and cocktail specials all week. Jazz jam on Sunday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. Salsa dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.
Wednesday night is Ladies night with wine and cocktails. And this is just the beginning, more is on the way!
Hopefully 29 will continue to grow as Covid fears lift around the world. Bangkok is such a vibrant city, Thailand is such a great country to visit, and the buzz surrounding this new venue is something I didn’t expect. I hope those who read this piece will come along and give us a go. When I’m on a break from playing, come and say hello, I look forward to meeting you.
I have been down to 29 several times myself already, and I will definitely be going again. Top new venue in town! Now that the Covid Devil has been somewhat tamed, we can all start to enjoy our lives again. I hope that this article has given you some idea of where to head on out to … ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ …’Music makes the world go round’… ‘Music is the soundtrack of your life’ … see ya around town!
All of the venues mentioned here are on social media, check out their Facebook pages to see what is up for grabs on the night you are planning to go out.
RSS Feed
