Bangkok Jazz Bars: The Top Picks for Live Jazz
Bangkok has one of Southeast Asia’s best jazz scenes, blending long-running institutions with intimate neighbourhood venues and new creative spaces led by young musicians. Whether you’re after straight-ahead jazz, soulful vocals, swing, bebop, modern fusion, or a relaxed night of cocktails with a live trio, the city has something for every kind of listener.
Below is a curated guide to the best jazz venues in Bangkok, from famous mainstays to hidden gems.
Best Known Jazz Venues in Bangkok
Saxophone Pub – Victory Monument
Location: Near BTS Victory Monument.
Vibe & Music: Saxophone Pub is Bangkok’s longest-running live jazz and blues bar, well-known for professional musicians, energetic nightly sets, and a lively social atmosphere.
Why Go: A true institution. Reliable live music every night, great for first-time visitors and anyone who wants guaranteed quality.
The Bamboo Bar – Mandarin Oriental, Riverside
Location: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Riverside.
Vibe & Music: Elegant, world-class cocktail bar with polished jazz vocals and classic ensembles; The Bamboo Bar is quite possibly the city’s most sophisticated music room.
Why Go: Bangkok’s most upscale jazz venue – perfect for special nights out, luxury travellers, and fans of smooth, refined performances.
Brown Sugar – Chinatown
Location: On Soi Nana in the Chinatown area.
Vibe & Music: Brown Sugar is a long-loved café-bar with regular jazz-focused nights and a warm, artsy crowd.
Why Go: A historic name in Bangkok’s jazz history and a comfortable choice for casual evenings with good live music.
Contemporary Bangkok Jazz Bars & Creative Live Venues
Smalls – Sathorn (Soi Suan Phlu)
Location: Sathorn area – centrally located, closest to MRT Lumphini or BTS Sala Daeng.
Vibe & Music: A favourite among Bangkok jazz bars, Smalls blends a bohemian, intimate, multi-level design with regular jazz sessions and eclectic performances.
Why Go: Great cocktails, underground atmosphere, and highly regarded by musicians and long-term locals.
Foojohn Jazz Club – Charoen Krung
Location: Charoen Krung / Talad Noi.
Vibe & Music: Foojohn Jazz Club is a classic-style jazz venue with a proper stage, great acoustics, and nightly jazz performances.
Why Go: Perfect for listeners who want a “real” jazz club feel – focused, authentic, and warmly atmospheric.
Buddha & Pals – Nang Loeng / Old Town
Location: Old Town / Nang Loeng district – near Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium and Khao San Road.
Vibe & Music: Buddha & Pals has vintage Shanghai-inspired décor with soulful jazz bands playing swing, standards, and blues-infused sets.
Why Go: One of the most atmospheric jazz bars in Bangkok; charming, photogenic, and full of character.
Indie & Underground Bangkok Jazz Bars & Locals’ Picks
365 Days Jazz Bar – Ratchathewi
Location: Ratchathewi – near BTS Ratchathewi.
Vibe & Music: 365 Days Jazz Bar is an intimate, musician-run bar with nightly jazz, usually trios or quartets playing standards, swing, and improvised sets.
Why Go: A true local favourite with authentic jazz energy – great for serious listeners and anyone avoiding tourist crowds.
Alonetogether Bar – Sukhumvit
Location: On Sukhumvit Soi 31 – close to BTS Asok or BTS Phrom Phong.
Vibe & Music: Alonetogether Bar is stylish and softly lit, with consistently high-quality modern jazz and refined cocktails.
Why Go: A polished, grown-up environment ideal for couples or jazz fans who prefer a more sophisticated mood.
Groovin’ High – Silom
Location: Silom – near Sala Daeng BTS Station.
Vibe & Music: Groovin’ High Jazz Bar offers jazz with a focus on musicianship, classic repertoire, and strong local regulars.
Why Go: One of Bangkok’s more hidden jazz bars – ideal for anyone who enjoys jazz in it’s many forms.
To More Jazz Club – Samyan / Chula
Location: Near MRT Samyan.
Vibe & Music: To More Bar is a contemporary venue popular with students and young creatives, featuring modern jazz, light fusion, and emerging Thai talent.
Why Go: Great place to discover up-and-coming musicians and enjoy a lively, youthful energy.
Bluebird Jazz Bar – Sukhumvit
Location: 355/3 Soi Sukhumvit 55, about 1400 metres from BTS Thong Lo.
Vibe & Music: Bluebird Jazz Bar is a cosy, warmly lit lounge with a “living room” feel. The bar features live jazz performances, often from trios or quartets, plus a vintage vinyl ambiance and intimate jams.
Why Go: Perfect for a relaxed night with real jazz – it feels like a close-knit music community.
Jazz on Sukhumvit – Sunday Jam Session at Queen Bee
Location: Sukhumvit 26 – Queen Bee, just off the main Sukhumvit Road (easy to reach from BTS Phrom Phong; about a 10–12 minute walk).
Vibe & Music: Not a full-time venue, but a well-loved Sunday afternoon jazz jam session hosted inside Queen Bee. Expect rotating line-ups of local and international musicians, a relaxed community vibe, and an open, improvisation-friendly atmosphere.
Why Go: Perfect for a laid-back weekend vibe, especially if you enjoy seeing musicians interact, experiment, and play unrehearsed sets. Great for jazz lovers who want something informal and musician-focused.
Din Restaurant & Jazz Bar – Banglamphu
Location: 161–165 Dinso Road at the Baan Tuk Din Hotel – near the Democracy Monument and walking distance from Khao San Road.
Vibe & Music: Elegant yet warm, this jazz bar combines Thai-Italian fusion cuisine with relaxed live jazz in an open courtyard. The music is smooth, often featuring small combos or vocal-led sets, and complements the dining experience.
Why Go: Ideal for a romantic dinner or a refined night out — you get delicious food, a mellow jazz soundtrack, and a scenic, historic Bangkok neighbourhood feel.
The Commons (Jazz Nights) – Thonglor
Location: Thonglor (Sois 17 & 55) – easily reached from BTS Thong Lo.
Vibe & Music: Open-air, community-style dining and lifestyle complex that hosts polished jazz evenings featuring talented local musicians.
Why Go: A stylish, social setting where you can combine great food, craft drinks, and quality live jazz.
Jazz by Neighbourhood (Quick Guide)
Victory Monument:
• Saxophone Pub
Sathorn / Suan Phlu:
• Smalls
Silom:
• Groovin’ High
Charoen Krung / Old Town:
• Foojohn Jazz Club
• Brown Sugar
• Din Restaurant & Jazz Bar
• Buddha & Pals
Thonglor:
• Jazz Nights at The Commons
Sukhumvit:
• Jazz on Sukhumvit – (at Queen Bee)
• Bluebird Jazz Bar
Phaya Thai / Ari:
• Alone Together Bar
Samyan / Chula:
• To More Jazz Club
Ratchathewi:
• 365 Days Jazz Bar
Bangkok Jazz Bars – FAQ
What is the best jazz bar in Bangkok for first-time visitors?
Saxophone Pub is usually the most reliable and beginner-friendly option thanks to its nightly live music, approachable atmosphere, and central location. It’s a great starting point if you’re exploring Bangkok’s jazz scene for the first time.
Where can I find upscale or luxury jazz venues in Bangkok?
The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental offers the most refined experience, with world-class cocktails and polished jazz vocals. It’s ideal for celebrations, dates, or anyone who prefers a stylish, high-end setting.
Do jazz bars in Bangkok have a dress code?
Most venues are smart-casual or casual. Upscale spots like The Bamboo Bar recommend smart attire (no beachwear, sleeveless tops for men, or flip-flops). Neighbourhood jazz bars are generally relaxed.
Is there live jazz every night in Bangkok?
Not everywhere, but several venues – including Saxophone Pub, Foojohn Jazz Club, and 365 Days Jazz Bar – offer jazz most nights of the week. Bars like Smalls and To More Jazz Club feature jazz on selected nights rather than daily.
What time do jazz shows usually start?
Most venues begin live sets between 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm, depending on the bar. Late-night venues such as Smalls sometimes feature second sets or jam-style performances later in the evening.
Are reservations necessary?
For premium venues (especially The Bamboo Bar), reservations are strongly recommended. For others, it’s usually first-come, first-served, but arriving early helps secure good seats close to the stage.
What is the price range for drinks at jazz bars in Bangkok?
Local bars tend to start around 150–220 THB for beers and 250–350 THB for cocktails. Upscale venues like The Bamboo Bar typically range 400–600+ THB per cocktail.
Are there any jazz bars near public transport?
Yes: many of Bangkok’s jazz venues are close to BTS or MRT stations, including Saxophone Pub (BTS Victory Monument), Groovin’ High (BTS Victory Monument), The Commons (BTS Thong Lo), Alone Together (BTS Ari/Sanam Pao), and To More Jazz Club (MRT Samyan).