October 22, 2014

A Walk Down Sukhumvit Soi 11

The low-down on Sukhumvit Soi 11
Great for couples/friends who want to go out and party without breaking the bank. No overtly seedy massage parlours or pick-up joints down this lane. Lots of options for drinks and dinner. A few places carry on pretty late on weekends.

The Soi 11 vibe
Sukhumvit's Soi 11 has got something for everyone: lively restaurants, old-fashioned pubs, classy sky bars, thumping nightclubs, laidback dive bars, pokey little restaurants, pop-up street cafes... This basically makes it perfect for a long night out as you can easily hop from place to place as your mood changes!

How to get to Soi 11
The easiest way to Soi 11 is to take the BTS to Nana station. It's mere steps away from the station and you avoid all the horrid Sukhumvit traffic! Alternatively, roll the dice and take a cab.

Restaurants and bars on Soi 11

Zanzibar -- A lovely little restaurant, with tables set amidst lush foliage and great lighting. It certainly lives up to its name with a distinctly tropical vibe. The drinks are good, while the food is mediocre. For Bangkok, the prices are on the higher side. I'd recommend Zanzibar as a good spot to have your first or last drink of the evening!

Zak's Wine Bar -- A classy restaurant, with attentive service and delicious, beautifully presented cocktails. Slightly expensive, but worth it for the quality! The drinks promotions are excellent; Martini Mondays were on display when we went -- all the martinis you can have for 399 Baht or something ridiculous like that! I'd recommend Zak's as a perfect place to spend a slightly fancy evening or to go drink like a fish on a promotions night.

Cheap Charlies -- A hole-in-the-wall (literally!) bar with dirt-cheap drinks, a loyal expat following, and a come-in-your-shorts-and-slippers casual atmosphere! This is the kind of place where you can strike up conversations with perfect strangers, swap stories and get some great insider suggestions about the city. We were lucky enough to catch an energetic and enjoyable performance by a local street dance group while having a beer here. Head here if you want to meet some interesting folks or if you're running out of drinking money.


Old German Beerhouse -- If your idea of a nice place includes a laidback atmosphere, reasonable drinks, schnitzels & German sausages, and a football game, then this is the place for you on Soi 11. The crowd is mostly made up of older folks, so it's nice and quiet. Hearty portions and excellent value for money. They don't add service charge here so do remember to tip if you like the server!

The Nest (rooftop bar at Le Fenix) -- Great cocktails and a stylish vibe set this rooftop bar apart from other restaurants in Soi 11. It's got fun music and it's not unusual to see folks start dancing as the night progresses. The Nest gets pretty crowded on weekends, so try and get there early if you're picky about seating. Drinks are pricey, so if you're planning on knocking back 2-3 cocktails order the supersized version for better value. They also serve sheesha (approximately 500 baht).

Others -- The above are just a few of the places on Soi 11, which is with all manner of little bars and restaurants. There are a couple of Indian restaurants at the Sukhumvit end, a number of the ubiquitous street-food carts along the way. and tiny by-lanes that are home to hidden gems. This is a great Soi if you're looking at a night of bar-hopping and trying new places. Happy exploring!

2 comments:

  1. You're missing out Above Eleven - a definite visit in Soi 11. Also charley brown's (near Cheap Charlie) has killer margaritas.

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  2. Yes, definitely time to add Above Eleven to the list! It's my new fave place to take guests in Bangkok. Haven't been to Chalrey Brown's yet. The awesome name + promise of great margaritas has put it at the top of my list!

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