Best Bars on Khao San Road: Where to Drink in Bangkok's Backpacker District

Khao San Road has been Bangkok's backpacker nightlife epicenter for decades. The 400-metre stretch and its surrounding sois pack in more bars per square metre than almost anywhere else in the city — from sweaty live music joints to rooftop cocktail spots with Old Town views. Here's where to drink.

🏆 The Legends

Brick Bar

If you only go to one bar on Khao San Road, make it Brick Bar. Hidden inside the Buddy Lodge complex at 265 Khao San Road, this dark, cavernous venue with signature red brick walls has been packing in crowds for years. The live bands are genuinely excellent — expect Thai ska, jazz, blues, and reggae that gets the whole room moving. The crowd skews more local than most KSR spots, which is part of the appeal. Gets busy by 9pm, so arrive early if you want a seat.

Hippie de Bar

Hippie de Bar is the closest Khao San gets to chill. It's been around forever and still feels like a proper backpacker bar — live music, cheap drinks, and a hidden upstairs lounge for when the ground floor gets too rowdy. The relaxed courtyard setting makes it a great first stop before diving into the chaos further down the road.

Mulligans Irish Bar

Every backpacker strip needs an Irish pub, and Mulligans is a solid one. Draft beer, live sport on the screens, and reliable pub grub (burgers, fish and chips, steak). Good for when you need a break from pad thai and want something familiar. The live music nights are worth catching too.

🍸 Rooftop & Cocktail Bars

Sanay Rooftop Bar

For a complete change of pace, Sanay Rooftop Bar at The Gravitique Hotel on nearby Thanon Tani is a world away from the bucket-drink mayhem below. Handcrafted cocktails, a sophisticated vibe, and stunning sunset views over Bangkok's Old Town. This is where you go when you want to feel like an adult again. Prices are higher, but you're paying for the view and the peace.

Rocco Rooftop Bar

Rocco Rooftop Bar sits right at the corner of Khao San Road (2 Khao San Road) and offers the best bird's-eye view of the street action below. More relaxed than the street-level chaos, with decent cocktails and a good playlist. Perfect for people-watching as the road comes alive after dark.

🎶 Live Music & Late Night

Rere Khaosan

Rere Khaosan at 190 Khao San Road starts as a restaurant but transforms into one of the liveliest nightlife spots after dark. DJs, a packed dance floor, and the kind of energy that keeps you out way later than planned.

Khok Wua

Khok Wua at 212 Khao San Road brings something different — Afrobeats, live DJs, and a diverse international crowd. If you're tired of the same classic rock covers, this is your spot.

Reggae Bar

Just around the corner on Rambuttri Road, Reggae Bar does exactly what the name suggests. Cold beers, live reggae music, and a more laid-back vibe than the main drag. Pull up a stool on the street and watch the world go by.

🎷 For Something Different

Buddha & Pals Jazz Bar & Café

A short walk from the Khao San strip, Buddha & Pals is one of Bangkok's coolest jazz venues. Quality live musicians, a relaxed crowd, and proper drinks. A completely different experience from the neon-and-buckets scene, and proof that the Banglamphu neighbourhood has more depth than most tourists realise.

Hide Cafe Bar

Hide Cafe Bar focuses on design, atmosphere, and well-made cocktails. It's the kind of place you'd find in Thonglor, but tucked away in the backpacker district. Great for a date or a quieter evening with friends.

🎉 The Party Bars

The One

The One is stylish, draws big crowds, and stays open late. Party vibes, DJs, and the kind of energy that's hard to resist after a few drinks.

Buttri

Down Rambuttri Alley, Buttri offers cocktails, live performances, and a cosy atmosphere that's a nice counterpoint to the bigger venues. Good for bar-hopping between Rambuttri and Khao San.

📍 Practical Tips

• Best time to go: Bars start filling up 7-8pm. Live bands play earlier; DJs take over after 10pm. Weekends are busiest.
• Closing time: Most bars close around 2am (midnight on Sundays). Some push later during peak season.
• Budget: Beers from 80-120 baht, cocktails 150-250 baht, buckets from 200 baht. Happy hour deals are common early evening.
• Safety: Khao San is generally safe but crowded. Watch your belongings and your drinks. There's a police station on the corner if you need help.
• Bar hopping: Everything is walkable. Start at one end and work your way down — you'll find your spot.

🏨 Where to Stay

If you're planning a night out on Khao San, staying within stumbling distance makes life easier. Buddy Lodge puts you right above Brick Bar. Dang Derm Khaosan and Sleep Withinn are mid-range options steps from the action. Budget travellers should check Mad Monkey Hostel on Rambuttri or Rambuttri House for a quieter night's sleep just around the corner.

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