Live Music in Bangkok – Best Venues, Areas & Where to Go
Bangkok’s live music scene is one of the most vibrant in Asia, with everything from intimate jazz bars and indie venues to rock pubs, rooftop bands, and high-energy late-night spots. The city doesn’t specialise in one genre – most venues blend multiple styles throughout the week – which makes an area-based guide the most practical and user-friendly approach.
Below you’ll find the best neighbourhoods for live music, what each area is known for, and the top venues worth checking out. Each listing includes the nearest BTS/MRT station (or major landmark) to help you navigate the city easily.
Jazz lovers: please check out the dedicated Jazz Bars in Bangkok section, where you’ll find expanded profiles of the city’s best jazz venues.
Best Areas for Live Music in Bangkok – Overview
Sukhumvit – Trendy, international, busy nightlife, rooftop venues, indie music, and stylish lounges.
Silom & Sathorn – Eclectic mix: jazz, blues, soul, and late-night bars with live bands.
Victory Monument – Legendary music institutions, especially jazz & blues.
Khao San & Old Town – A unique backpacker vibe, casual bands, reggae, acoustic sets.
Chinatown – Small creative venues, alt-music, experimental, intimate vibes.
Riverside – Hotels and upscale venues with live bands and scenic views.
Live Music by Area
Sukhumvit – Trendy, Diverse, Reliable Every Night
Sukhumvit is the beating heart of Bangkok nightlife and one of the easiest districts for venue-hopping. Expect a broad mix: pop, acoustic, indie, rock covers, jazz nights, and occasional DJ/live hybrid sets.
Top Picks in Sukhumvit
The Living Room (Jazz & Lounge) – Sukhumvit (BTS: Asok / MRT: Sukhumvit)
Located inside the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, The Living Room is one of the city’s best hotel jazz venues with rotating international performers. Expect polished musicianship in an upscale setting. Great for early-evening live sets and classic cocktails.
Above Eleven (Rooftop with Live Bands) – Sukhumvit 11 (BTS: Nana)
A rooftop bar known for Peruvian-Japanese cuisine and city views. Many nights feature live Latin bands, percussionists, or acoustic sets, creating a festive atmosphere. Above Eleven is ideal if you want music + skyline without the full nightclub energy.
Iron Fairies (Live Bands & Atmosphere) – Thonglor (BTS: Thong Lo)
Once famous for its mystical “fairy workshop” décor, Iron Fairies still offers excellent live bands most nights – usually soul, funk, or blues. Dark, atmospheric, and consistently popular with locals and expats.
What to Expect in Sukhumvit
- Great for variety – different styles within walking distance
- Venues often draw international crowds
- Many places pivot between DJs and live bands depending on the night
- Easy to combine with dinner and bar-hopping
Silom & Sathorn – Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Late-Night Bars
Silom & Sathorn is one of Bangkok’s most reliable live music zones, especially for jazz, blues, and soul, with several long-running favourites.
Top Picks in Silom & Sathorn
Smalls – Sathorn (MRT: Lumphini)
A cosy three-storey bar with an artsy crowd and nightly jazz, soul, or acoustic sets. Smalls is a long-standing favourite thanks to its intimate setting and late-night hours. Great atmosphere, local musicians, and rotating international guests.
Bamboo Bar (at Mandarin Oriental) – Riverside Adjacent (BTS: Saphan Taksin + boat)
Technically riverside, but close enough to be considered part of the Silom/Sathorn live music circuit. Bamboo Bar is one of Asia’s top hotel bars with impeccable jazz, world-class cocktails, and a refined vibe. Excellent musicians.
Maggie Choo’s – Silom (BTS: Chong Nonsi)
Known for its Shanghai-inspired décor and strong live-music programming, Maggie Choo’s hosts everything from jazz and blues to themed nights with full bands and vocalists. The venue blends performance with ambience for a memorable night out.
What to Expect in Silom & Sathorn
- Quality musicianship – great for serious live music fans
- More intimate and less chaotic than the big nightlife zones
- Good mix of locals, jazz enthusiasts, and seasoned travellers
Victory Monument – Legendary Jazz & Blues (Must-Visit Zone)
Victory Monument is home to two of the city’s most iconic live music venues. If you’re only in Bangkok for a few nights and want authentic, energetic, musician-led performances, put this area at the top of your list.
Top Picks around Victory Monument
Saxophone Pub – Victory Monument (BTS: Victory Monument)
The most famous live jazz & blues bar in Bangkok. Nightly performances by excellent Thai and international musicians, lively atmosphere, and great food. A must-visit for jazz or blues fans and an essential entry on our Jazz Bars page.
Adhere the 13th Blues Bar – Near Samsen (Landmark: Phra Sumen / Old Town)
A tiny, character-filled blues venue with raw, intimate performances. Not technically Victory Monument, but the same “serious music” demographic often visits both. Perfect for travellers who enjoy authentic, low-key music bars.
What to Expect in the Victory Monument Area
- High-energy jazz, blues & soul
- Great musicianship consistently
- Unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere
Khao San Road & Old Town – Acoustic, Reggae, Rock & Backpacker Energy
Bangkok’s backpacker hub is packed with bars offering nightly live music, mostly covers, acoustic sets, reggae, and classic rock. Khao San Road is great for casual drinking, sing-along nights, and bar-hopping.
Top Picks in Khao San / Old Town
Brick Bar – Khao San (Landmark: Buddy Lodge Hotel)
A legendary spot for ska, reggae, and Thai indie bands. Very lively, very local, and very fun. Expect a young crowd and packed dancefloor energy on weekends.
Susie Q Bar – Khao San (Landmark: Susie Walking Street)
Regular live bands playing rock, pop, and party hits. Casual, busy, and great for anyone wanting a fun night without overthinking the plan.
Brown Sugar – Old Town (near Sanam Luang)
One of Bangkok’s long-established jazz venues with a warm atmosphere and regular performances. A great bridge between the backpacker zone and the more refined jazz bars.
What to Expect in the Khao San Road Area
- Laid-back, fun, generally younger crowds
- Mostly cover bands and upbeat sets
- Affordable prices and lots of energy
- Venues within minutes of each other
Chinatown (Yaowarat & Nana) – Creative, Indie & Alternative
Chinatown has reinvented itself as a hub for smaller, atmospheric bars with indie, experimental, or alternative music programming.
Top Picks in Chinatown
FooJohn Jazz Club – Charoen Krung (Landmark: Creative District)
A stylish but relaxed venue offering excellent jazz nights across multiple floors. Strong cocktails, friendly crowd, and a classic loft-style ambience. This will also link well to your dedicated Jazz Bars page.
Teens of Thailand (Guest Musicians & Pop-ups) – Soi Nana (near MRT Wat Mangkon)
Primarily a gin bar, but occasionally hosts intimate live sessions. If not for the music, the alley itself is a nightlife experience.
23 Bar & Gallery – Soi Nana (MRT: Wat Mangkon)
Creative, artsy, small – a favourite for indie nights and underground events.
What to Expect in Chinatown
- Smaller, more creative venues
- Alternative genres, experimental nights
- A walkable neighbourhood full of character
Riverside – Scenic Venues with Live Bands
Many of the city’s top riverside hotels feature nightly live performances – jazz, acoustic sets, and lounge-style bands.
Top Picks in the Riverside Area
The Deck / Arun Residence (Acoustic Sets) – Wat Arun Area
Romantic riverside dining with occasional acoustic performers, excellent sunset views, and iconic scenery.
SEEN Restaurant & Bar (Avani Riverside) – (Shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin)
A modern rooftop-lounge hybrid with DJs and occasional live musicians. More of a curated atmosphere than a “music bar,” but great for travellers wanting skyline + live elements.
ICONSIAM River Park (Occasional Live Performances) – BTS: Charoen Nakhon
Seasonal live shows, cultural performances, and special event nights by the river. Not nightly, but worth mentioning.
The Big Picture: Which Area Should You Choose?
- Sukhumvit: Trendy, varied, always something happening
- Silom/Sathorn: Best for jazz, soul, funk, and late-night bars
- Victory Monument: The most iconic live music venues in the city
- Khao San/Old Town: Casual, lively, fun, budget-friendly
- Chinatown: Creative, alternative, atmospheric
- Riverside: Scenic venues with softer lounge-style music
Planning to Explore Jazz?
You’ll soon find a dedicated guide at:
👉 essentialbangkok.com/entertainment/jazz-bars/