Best Bars and Nightlife on Sukhumvit Soi 5, 7, and 19: Where to Go for Craft Beer, Cocktails, and Late-Night Hangouts
Our guide to Sukhumvit Soi 5, 7, and 19 bars—vibes, prices, tips, and a crawl plan near BTS Nana and Asok. From cheap beers to solid cocktails, pick your night.
The neon hum of Sukhumvit hits us before we even exit Nana BTS—grills hissing, tuk-tuks inching, a chorus of “massaaaage?” rolling like waves. If you’re hunting for sukhumvit soi 5 7 19 bars, we’re in the right pocket of Bangkok: close enough to Nana’s thunder to feel the bass, far enough to pick our vibe—casual beer stools, sports screens, or a smarter cocktail before midnight slides into morning.
Sukhumvit Soi 5, 7, and 19 Bars: The Lay of the Land
Let’s anchor ourselves. Soi 5 and Soi 7 both spill off Sukhumvit Road near BTS Nana, where the air tastes like grilled chicken skin and diesel. Soi 19 leans toward BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit, across from the shopping glare of Terminal 21. Different sois, same mission: cold drinks, easy fun, and plenty of sanuk (good times).
- Soi 5: Think easygoing Thai-style drink spots, a few Middle Eastern shisha cafes drifting over from nearby Soi 3/1, and unpretentious bars where a big bottle of local beer still doesn’t cost the earth. We come here when we want a seat, not a scene.
- Soi 7: Classic Nana energy—open-front beer bars, sports screens, pool tables, and a steady flow of farang mixing with locals on a cheap-and-cheerful night. It can be rowdy in a friendly way; the sizzle from skewers at the soi mouth is our unofficial soundtrack.
- Soi 19: Close to Asok’s transit knot, the vibe skews more mixed—after-work Thai crowds, travelers from nearby hotels, and bars that care about a good pour without being precious. Great for kicking off a bigger Sukhumvit night or winding down somewhere you can actually hear your date.
Want a broader sweep of the neighborhood? We keep a running pulse check on Sukhumvit, from Nana’s chaos to calm corners you stumble upon by accident.
What You’ll Find on Each Soi
We’re not chasing only one type of bar along these streets. Between Nana and Asok, it’s a grab bag that suits a crew with different thirsts.
Soi 5: Thai-Style Bars, Easygoing Lounges, and Shisha Corners
- Thai pubs with ice buckets and whiskey sets: order a local bottle, a bucket of ice, and sodas—share with the table like you’ve been doing it for years.
- Open-air bars with unplugged sets or chill playlists—more Leo than lager lout.
- Middle Eastern-leaning cafes and shisha spots wafting grape-mint into the soi’s humid breeze.
- Casual lounges with sports on mute; staff will switch to a Premier League game if you ask nicely.
Prices: big local beers 120–180 baht; whiskey sets 700–1,200 baht depending on the label and mixers; shisha 300–600 baht. Many places open by late afternoon and run to midnight or later; the vibe stays mellow even when it’s late.
Want even more specifics for this street? We’ve put together a deeper look at Best Bars and Nightlife on Sukhumvit Soi 5: Thai-Style Drink Spots, Sports Bars, and Easygoing Nights.
Soi 7: Sports Bars, Beer Bars, and Lively Street Energy
- Sports bars with multiple screens, commentary loud enough to cheer with strangers, and happy hours that stretch longer than you planned. Expect pool tables and a lot of high-fives.
- Open-front beer bars: basic stools, neon beer signs, and that perfect breeze that tastes like chili, exhaust, and freedom.
- Late-night snack carts at the mouth of the soi—skewers, moo ping, and emergency pad krapao that saves you from yourself.
Prices: happy-hour local beers 90–120 baht, imports 180–280 baht, basic mixed drinks 150–220 baht. Most action starts after 6 pm and rolls deep into the night. The crowd: backpackers, Bangkok regulars, and office crews blowing off steam.
Soi 19: Cocktails Without the Attitude, Calm(er) Pubs, and Date-Night Corners
- Cocktail bars with classic builds (Old Fashioned, Negroni) and a few Thai twists—think lemongrass or makrut lime leaf that says sawadee without a gimmick.
- Pubs and wine bars doing decent pours, gentle playlists, and actual conversation-level noise.
- Late-night cafes and dessert spots when you need a sugar landing before bed.
Prices: classic cocktails 250–400 baht, local beers 120–160 baht, wine by the glass 200–350 baht. Most places wind up by 1–2 am; the street feels safer for a quiet walk back than Nana-side at the same hour.
Soi vs. Soi: Vibe, Crowd, and What You’ll Spend
We love a good compare-and-contrast when you’re plotting a crawl or picking your home base.
Mood
- Soi 5: Chill and chatty. You can nurse a whiskey set and talk nonsense for hours.
- Soi 7: Up-tempo, the Bangkok you imagined—sports, bar games, quick laughs, repeat rounds.
- Soi 19: Polished without being posh. Good date street; good first night in town to ease in.
Crowd
- Soi 5: Mixed—Thai groups, Middle Eastern families earlier in the evening, long-stay farang who know staff by name.
- Soi 7: Tourists, solo travelers, expats in jerseys, and anyone chasing match night.
- Soi 19: Office crews, couples, and travelers who like the BTS/MRT convenience of Asok.
Price Range (typical night, per person)
- Soi 5: 250–700 baht, depending on whether you slip into a whiskey set or just sip beers.
- Soi 7: 300–900 baht; happy hours can be kind, but easy to keep the rounds flowing.
- Soi 19: 400–1,000 baht; cocktails cost more but are well-made, and you won’t regret it.
If you’re deciding where to start: hit Soi 19 for a proper drink build, swing to Soi 7 for momentum, and land on Soi 5 when your voice is hoarse and you just want ice, soda, and a laugh with the staff.
Practical Tips for Bar-Hopping (So You Don’t Melt or Get Fleeced)
Transport
- BTS Nana puts you a short stumble from Soi 5 and Soi 7. BTS Asok/MRT Sukhumvit is ideal for Soi 19.
- Late-night taxis are plentiful. Meter on, always; if the driver refuses, try the next one. Motorbike taxis are fastest for short hops when traffic snarls.
Opening Hours
- Most bars open by late afternoon and go to midnight–2 am. Sports nights or holiday weekends can stretch later, but don’t bank on it.
Dress Code
- Casual flies on all three sois. Save the closed shoes and long trousers for fancier rooftops elsewhere.
Money
- Many places take cash only. ATMs dot Sukhumvit but watch the foreign withdrawal fees. Keep small notes for quick rounds and tuk-tuks.
Lady Drinks and Bills
- On Nana-side sois, some bars will encourage staff “lady drinks.” They’re pricier than your beer and can rack up quickly; buy only if you want to. Always check your bill line-by-line before paying—mistakes happen, and a polite “mai pen rai, but this is wrong” plus a smile fixes most things.
Heat and Hydration
- We love an ice-cold Chang, but Bangkok heat hits different. Alternate with water; your tomorrow-self will thank you. 7-Eleven’s blast of AC is a sacred temple—duck in for bottled water between bars.
Tuk-Tuks After Midnight
- They’re fun and loud and sometimes more expensive than taxis. Agree on the fare up front. If it feels silly high, it probably is—walk 50 meters and try another.
Safety
- Keep phones and wallets zipped; use the front pocket trick. Bangkok is friendly, but petty theft likes drunk people.
What Makes These Sois Popular (And How to Slot Them Into a Crawl)
Soi 5, Soi 7, and Soi 19 are the connective tissue of central Sukhumvit nightlife. They’re the streets that turn a “quick drink” into storytelling lightning: the pool shot you’ll swear you almost made, the grilled pork skewer that tasted like victory, the bartender who twirled a Thai basil leaf and made you a believer.
- Convenience: All three sois hug BTS stations. Nana gets you into the thick of it; Asok lets you pivot anywhere fast.
- Variety: From cheap beers to decent cocktails, from noisy to nearly-nice, there’s a bar for your mood two blocks away.
- Food Everywhere: Skewers, pad thai, late-night krapao—Bangkok knows you’ll be hungry at 1 am and has your back.
- Nearby Detours: Nana Plaza on Soi 4 is right there if you’re curious about go-go intensity; Sukhumvit Soi 11 is a short ride if you want bigger clubs. Or keep it simple on these three sois and call it a perfect night.
A Simple, Tried-and-True Crawl
Early evening on Soi 19: Start with a proper cocktail or a crisp beer in air-con. Shake off the city heat and get your bearings.
Walk or ride to Soi 7: Grab a bar stool facing the street. Pick a game to follow. Order another round when the goal goes in or the ninth inning ties.
Cool-down on Soi 5: Whiskey set or big-bottle beer with ice, feet planted, the night exhaling around us.
Pro move: Keep a couple of 10-baht coins for street-side restrooms and tip the attendant. Bangkok etiquette points unlocked.
Where to Sleep to Maximize Sanuk
Staying near Nana puts Soi 5 and 7 at your doorstep; Asok is best if you want Soi 19 and easy BTS/MRT transfers. We usually pick a mid-range spot with a pool somewhere between Nana and Asok—cheap taxis, shorter walks, and an easy stumble home. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a higher-floor room away from Sukhumvit Road; bass lines travel in this neighborhood.
If you’re building a bigger night that swings down the line into Thonglor or Ekkamai, we’ve rounded up ideas in Best Bars on Sukhumvit by Sub-Area: Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thonglor, and Ekkamai. And for when you want to go all-in on a proper dance-til-late plan, start bookmarking from Best Sukhumvit Bars for a Proper Night Out: From Craft Cocktails to Late-Night Dancing.
Budgeting Your Night: Real-World Numbers
- Local beer (small bottle): 90–140 baht during happy hour; 120–180 baht standard
- Imported beer: 180–280 baht
- Cocktails on Soi 19: 250–400 baht
- Whiskey bottle set (Thai brand): 700–1,200 baht, includes mixers and ice
- Bar snacks/late-night eats: 40–100 baht for skewers, 70–120 baht for pad krapao or pad thai from carts
- Tuk-tuk short hop: 80–200 baht depending on your haggling and the hour
These ranges hold steady across most sukhumvit soi 5 7 19 bars, with Soi 19 nudging a bit higher when you step into proper cocktail territory.
Know Before You Go
- Traffic is savage around 6–8 pm—take BTS to Nana or Asok and walk the last few hundred meters.
- Rainy season hits hard and fast. A pocket poncho from 7-Eleven (about 30–40 baht) will save your night.
- Some venues add a small service charge; others don’t. Tipping isn’t mandatory, but 20–50 baht or the coins from your change is a nice touch for friendly staff.
- Smoking is common at open-front bars; step outside or to the curb if signs say no.
- If a tout’s offer sounds too wild to be true, it is. Smile, wai lightly, and keep walking.
When We Go (And Why)
- Weeknights: Less crowded, better seats, staff have time to chat. Great for Soi 19 drinks that deserve attention.
- Fridays: Soi 7 is peak energy; we pencil in two hours just to people-watch.
- Late-late: Soi 5 tends to keep its cool into the small hours without getting feral. Perfect final round.
If this is your first time plotting a night around sukhumvit soi 5 7 19 bars, start with our simple crawl and follow your ears: the thump from a corner TV when a goal hits, the clack of pool balls, the sizzle of moo ping calling you from the curb. Bangkok will point you where you need to go.
Getting There
- BTS Nana (E3): Exit 2 or 3 for Soi 5 and Soi 7. You’ll smell grilling chicken before you see the sois.
- BTS Asok (E4) / MRT Sukhumvit: Best for Soi 19. Follow the air-con trail through the skywalks if you need a breather.
- On Foot: Sukhumvit is walkable in bursts. Duck into 7-Eleven for a five-minute cool down. Your shirt will thank you.
- Taxi/Tuk-Tuk: Late nights, they’re everywhere. Metered taxis are usually cheaper; tuk-tuks win for stories.
For more neighborhood-by-neighborhood ideas beyond these three streets, we’ve mapped out the scene in Best Bars on Sukhumvit by Area: Thonglor, Ekkamai, Nana, Asok, and Phrom Phong.
Walk slow, drink cold, and let the soi decide what kind of night we’re having. When the wok sizzles and the bass thumps, we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
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More Khao San Road Guides
- Best Bars and Nightlife on Sukhumvit Soi 5: Thai-Style Drink Spots, Sports Bars, and Easygoing Nights
- Best Late-Night Bars on Sukhumvit for Beer, Cocktails, and Easy Going-Out Nights
- Best Sukhumvit Bars for a Proper Night Out: From Craft Cocktails to Late-Night Dancing
- Best Bars and Nightlife on Sukhumvit Sois 4, 8, 22, and 33: Where to Go for Different Night Out Styles