Thailand’s Best Bars Revealed In The Bangkok Bar Show Awards 2025

Started in 2019, the Bangkok Bar Show has become one of Southeast Asia’s most anticipated annual celebrations of cocktail culture. And the 2025 awards have just been announced following an intense four days of festivities, masterclasses, and tastings, that brought together the region’s most talented bartenders, brand ambassadors, and drinks enthusiasts (us included).

Across its first three years, the Bangkok Bar Show has evolved, and in 2025, its bigger-and-better-than-ever iteration welcomed over 50 international bar experts, 40 bars, and something like 30 events across the city (we started to lose count there were so many). Plus, there were seven insightful panel discussions and seminars with some serious global industry insiders.

The event also served as an unofficial after-party to the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 held in Hong Kong on 8th October, with lots of attendees continuing on to the Thai capital for the Bar Show and the awards held at the W Hotel on Monday 13th October, with an afterparty at its Bar Sathorn.

Even the awards went further this year than ever, offering its choice of Best Wine Bar, as well as the usual awards such as Best New Bar and Best Bartender.

A Compass Pointing To The Best Places To Drink In Thailand

For travelers and locals alike, these awards serve as an invaluable compass pointing toward Thailand’s most exceptional drinking destinations.

Unlike global lists that can feel disconnected from local expertise, the Bangkok Bar Show Awards are curated by those deeply embedded in Thailand’s cocktail community – making them the most reliable guide to where you should actually be drinking when you next visit.

The Bangkok Bar Show Awards 2025 Celebrated More Than Just Great Drinks

The Bangkok Bar Show Awards celebrates more than just great drinks. They recognize the bars pushing creative boundaries, the teams delivering remarkable hospitality, the emerging talent shaping the future, and the venues that have mastered everything from wine curation (we’re looking at you Mod Kaew) to menu design. Whether you’re a serious cocktail connoisseur or simply looking for memorable nights out during your Thailand travels, this list eliminates the guesswork.

Thailand’s cocktail scene has exploded in recent years, with Bangkok establishments regularly appearing on the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists.

Thailand’s cocktail scene has exploded in recent years, with Bangkok establishments regularly appearing on the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists.

In Thailand’s best-ever showing at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, seven Bangkok venues made the Top 50 – including Bar Us at No.4 (named Best Bar in Thailand) and Dry Wave Cocktail Studio’s stunning debut at No.5.

On the global World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 stage, Bar Us surged 26 places to No.15 while BKK Social Club claimed No.49. Additionally, Dry Wave (No.88) and Opium (No.92) made their first appearances on the extended 51-100 list, giving Thailand four total placements on the world rankings. But beyond the capital, cities like Chiang Mai and island destinations like Phuket have cultivated their own thriving bar cultures – all reflected in these comprehensive awards.

The Bangkok Bar Show 2025 Winners And Awards

The Champion

No.1 | Dry Wave Cocktail Studio — Best Bar in Bangkok & Best Bar in Thailand

Taking the top spot again, Dry Wave Cocktail Studio proves that the classics and innovation can coexist beautifully. Founded in January 2024 by renowned bartender Supawit ‘Palm’ Muttarattana alongside his wife Niwarin ‘Ae’ Phlainoi, the bar has experienced a meteoric rise.

Palm’s credentials speak for themselves: winner of Diageo World Class Thailand 2012 (finishing 11th globally), Campari Bartender Competition Asia 2019, and a veteran of acclaimed venues like Vesper and Backstage Cocktail Bar. After working with leading F&B groups and realizing he was 37 post-pandemic, Palm decided it was time to create something entirely his own.

The result is Dry Wave’s signature Super Classics menu, which reimagines cocktail history by fusing beloved drinks from different eras into seamless modern creations. Take ‘Sea Sand & Sun,’ which subverts beach–y cocktail expectations entirely – this umami-driven blend combines tomato, seaweed, and cranberry to merge the savory punch of a Bloody Maria with the fruity nostalgia of Sex on the Beach. Meanwhile, ‘1806-1988’ pays homage to the very origins of the word ‘cocktail’ (first recorded in 1806) by marrying the stripped-back elegance of an Old Fashioned with the flashy spirit of the 1988 film Cocktail, evoking modern classics like the Cosmopolitan in the process.

This approach – honoring tradition while fearlessly innovating – has earned them unprecedented recognition. Within its first year, Dry Wave won the Campari One To Watch Award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. By 2025, it had surged to No. 5 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars (earning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award) and claimed No. 88 on the World’s 50 Best Bars extended list.

The bar’s success isn’t just about the drinks – it’s reflected in their multiple Bangkok Bar Show 2025 wins for Menu Design of the Year and Bar Team of the Year, proving that creating a conceptually brilliant menu is one achievement, but having a team skilled enough to execute it flawlessly night after night is what separates good bars from great ones.

Set in Thonglor’s Sodality Project, the bar’s design draws from nature with wave-patterned walls and a gently undulating marble bar in warm earthy tones. Palm, who draws inspiration from artists like David Hockney and Mark Rothko, believes energy waves exist in everything – and his venue acts as a foundation where people, drinks, and music mix and create something unique with each visit.

The Top 5 Winners’ Podium

No.2 | Bar Us

This design-forward destination has mastered the art of creating cocktails inspired by culinary techniques and ingredients. The interiors are as carefully composed as the drinks themselves, with every element working together to create an immersive experience. Each visit feels like stepping into a different chapter of a beautifully illustrated book, where flavors, textures, and visuals combine into memorable narratives.

No.3 | G.O.D. Bar Bangkok

Unapologetically bold, G.O.D. operates on the philosophy that restraint is very overrated (as founder Niks Anuman told us in March). And so there are uni martinis and odd piano solos in its church as a concrete bunker. Their spirit-forward cocktails pack some punch, while inventive bar snacks create surprising and delightful taste contrasts. This is a bar for those who want their drinks and food to challenge expectations and spark conversation backed by a deranged piano soundtrack (or opera in the bathroom).

No.4 | Opium Bar

The bar above Potong Restaurant was always going to face a challenge keeping up with Chef Pam’s meteoric rise (she was Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Best Female Chef in 2024, and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Best Female Chef this year). Perched above the atmospheric streets of Yaowarat, Bangkok’s legendary Chinatown, Opium Bar captures the energy of one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods while offering a sophisticated elevated escape. The cocktail menu balances playfulness with technique, featuring unexpected flavor profiles that surprise and delight, and lots of spirit forward cocktails, as you’d expect from Head Bar Manager Matteo Cadeddu.

No.5 | Tropic City

Calling Tropic City a tiki-bar is underselling it somewhat. The tropically-inspired bar with a party spirit since opening has always taken pride in elevating its cocktail offering, becoming, understandably, an industry favorite. The 2AM closing time on Fridays and Saturdays probably helped that too. Founded by Philip Stefanescu and Sebastian De la Cruz, helping kick start the Charoen Krung Road renaissance, Tropic City really is a confluence of the best kinds of venues: a neighborhood cocktail lounge, with refined tiki-style drinks, and DJs playing till late. Among a slew of awards, it ascended to No.6 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023. Opened in 2017, an age for a cocktail bar, its No.5 ranking at Bangkok Bar Show 2025’s Awards shows its remained relevant eight years on. 

The Rest Of The Top 20 Bars At Bangkok Bar Show 2025’s Awards

No.6 | Last Call Bar BKK
No.7 | Vesper
No.8 | Bar Sathorn
No.9 | Firefly
No.10 | Bar.San — Best Bar in Chiang Mai
No.11 | Messengerservice Bar
No.12 | Bar Not Found
No.13 | Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar
No.14 | Wasteland — Best New Bar
No.15 | TEP BAR – Cultural Bar of Thailand
No.16 | Black Cabin
No.17 | F*nkytown — Restaurant Bar of the Year
No.18 | 1970 Bar Bangkok
No.19 | AQUA Bar
No.20 | The Fool Speakeasy Phuket — Best Bar in Phuket/Samui

Special Category Awards

The Bangkok Bar Show didn’t just rank bars. It also celebrated excellence across multiple dimensions of the industry.

Wine Bar Of The Year — Mod Kaew Wine Bar

In a city dominated by cocktail culture, Mod Kaew Wine Bar brings genuine expertise and passion to wine appreciation, with a heavy learn towards natural and biodynamic wines. Their carefully curated selection spans the globe, and the team’s ability to share knowledge with warmth rather than pretension makes wine accessible to enthusiasts and newcomers alike. This is where Bangkok goes when it wants to explore the world of wine with genuine guidance.

Hotel Bar Of The Year | Art Of Hospitality Award — BKK Social Club (Four Seasons Bangkok)

Winning dual honors, BKK Social Club demonstrates that hotel bars can transcend their category to become destinations in their own right. The space embodies social drinking at its finest—craft spirits and bespoke cocktails served in an environment that radiates elegance without stuffiness. The Art of Hospitality Award particularly recognizes their team’s ability to make every guest feel genuinely welcomed and cared for.

Menu Design Of The Year | Bar Team Of The Year — Dry Wave Cocktail Studio

Earning recognition beyond the top ranking, Dry Wave’s back-to-back awards for their Super Classics menu design and outstanding team underscore the holistic excellence that defines the venue. Creating a conceptually brilliant menu is one achievement; having a team skilled and passionate enough to execute it flawlessly night after night is what separates good bars from great ones.

Bartender Of The Year — Palm Supawit (Dry Wave Cocktail Studio)

Palm Supawit’s influence on Thailand’s cocktail landscape cannot be overstated. As a true legend in the community, his leadership has propelled Dry Wave onto the global stage while inspiring countless bartenders throughout the region. This award celebrates not just technical skill but vision, mentorship, and the lasting impact one person can have on an entire industry.

Emerging Bartender Of The Year — James Kosil Kamja

James Kosil Kamja’s trajectory through Bangkok’s cocktail scene tells the story of quiet excellence building toward recognition. His formative years at Firefly Bar – the jazz-soaked lobby bar at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel – saw him working alongside renowned bar manager Dicky Hartono, honing the precision and hospitality that would define his approach. There, he helped craft cocktails for one of Bangkok’s most elegant drinking destinations, where live jazz plays nightly and the mood skews sophisticated without being stuffy.

In 2022, his skills earned him a spot as a finalist in the inaugural Bartender Talent Academy Thailand, competing against some of Bangkok’s finest bartenders from venues like Vesper, Opium, and BKK Social Club –establishments that would later appear on Asia’s 50 Best Bars. The experience positioned him among Thailand’s rising talents.

Now, as Bar Manager at Lennon’s – the speakeasy tucked behind a 6,000-vinyl record shop on the 30th floor of Rosewood Bangkok – James is crafting his own chapter. The venue’s cocktail menu, inspired by iconic songs from the ’80s and ’90s, requires both technical skill and the ability to translate musical nostalgia into liquid form. It’s a role that demands creativity, leadership, and an understanding that great hospitality is about making guests feel something beyond the quality of what’s in their glass.

Best New Bar — Wasteland

At No.14 on the main list, Wasteland also claimed the Best New Bar award, proving that fresh venues can immediately make waves in Thailand’s competitive cocktail scene. New bars bring experimental energy and fresh perspectives, pushing established venues to continue evolving.

Restaurant Bar Of The Year — F*nkytown

Recognizing that exceptional cocktails aren’t exclusive to dedicated bars, this award celebrates venues that integrate world-class drinks into their dining experiences. F*nkytown shows how cocktails can complement and elevate food, creating a complete hospitality experience.

Shout-Outs To Regional Excellence

These regional awards highlight Thailand’s cocktail culture extending far beyond Bangkok. Whether you’re exploring the cultural richness of Northern Thailand or soaking up island vibes in the South, exceptional cocktails await.

Best Bar in Chiang Mai — Bar.San (No.10)

A minimalist masterpiece near Nawarat Bridge, Bar.San brings Japanese-Nordic design sensibility to Northern Thailand. The intimate space is celebrated for its Japanese-inspired cocktail program, featuring inventive drinks with names like Suika, Shiozakua Collins, and Sakura Manhattan. With its discreet entrance and sophisticated aesthetic, Bar.San has quickly become Chiang Mai’s most refined cocktail destination.

Best Bar in Phuket/Samui — The Fool Speakeasy Phuket (No.20)

Hidden within a renovated three-story building in Phuket Old Town, The Fool Speakeasy weaves mysticism into mixology with its tarot-inspired concept. Each of the 22 Major Arcana cocktails tells a story through carefully balanced flavors, while the sleek, candlelit interior creates an atmosphere of mystery and intimacy. Guests can choose their drink based on preference or draw a card and let fate decide. Either way, they’re in for creative concoctions paired with surprisingly excellent pan-Asian small plates. The bar’s commitment to craft has made it a beacon for Phuket’s evolving cocktail culture.

A Curated Road Map To Thailand’s Most Exciting Drinking Establishments

The Bangkok Bar Show Awards 2025 offer more than bragging rights for winners – they provide travelers with a curated roadmap to Thailand’s most exciting drinking destinations. From innovative cocktail studios and elegant hotel bars to regional gems and emerging hotspots, this list captures the full spectrum of Thailand’s dynamic bar scene.

Whether you’re seeking perfectly executed classics, boundary-pushing experimental serves, or simply a beautifully crafted drink in a welcoming atmosphere, these award-winning venues deliver experiences that will elevate any Thailand visit from memorable to unforgettable.

The next time someone asks where to drink in Thailand, you have your answer: start here.