Guide to Craft Beer in Old Town and Chinatown
The Old Town and Chinatown parts of Bangkok are major destinations for tourists and backpackers. While the Sukhumvit area is about scale and rooftops, Old Town (Phra Nakhon/Yaowarat) and Chinatown is about heritage, aesthetics, and hidden gems.
🍺 Top Picks in Old Town and Chinatown
High-touristy areas are often difficult for finding good craft beer, as many tourists in Bangkok prefer to drink something very cheap and easy to get from any store. If on the look for really good choice, below are a few options.
Tai Soon Bar
- Vibe: hip and cool converted bar from a Chinese medicine shop.
- Look For: 10+ taps and BIG fridge of local and imported beer
- Also around the corner from the casual and very laid back Well Shop
Píjiu Bar
- Location: on soi Nana
- Vibe: chill laid back wooden decor bar.
- Look For: 7 taps + a fridge of local and imported beer
Haze BKK
- Vibe: Part craft beer bar, part Arsenal Football Club supporters bar.
- Look For: great locally brewed craft beer
- WARNING: do NOT visit the bar for good beer if there is a sports game on in the evening. There will be a door charge and limited seating.
- NOTE: Let the Boy Die was a craft beer bar here, but Haze took over the location.
Key Districts - Walkable areas
The Soi Nana "Craft Alley" (Chinatown)
This single alleyway is the highest density of cool bars and restaurants in Bangkok.
- Píjiu Bar – old wooden decor Chinese bar that has about 7 beers on tap + a fridge of local and imported beers. Space on the street to sit.
- Teens of Thailand – famous Thai cocktail bar.
- Ba hao: “Chinese Era” aesthetic. Good for beer-based cocktails and Chinese street-food snacks.
- Chinatown Yacht Club: The 2026 newcomer. A “New York Dive Bar” vibe in a Thai shophouse. Great for cheaper pints and a rare Soi Nana rooftop
The Pratu Phi “Legendary” Strip
Famous for its food (Pad Thai Thip Samai), but now a beer destination.
Tai Soon Bar: Essential. A former Chinese pharmacy turned into a 13-tap craft beer destination. Complete with red lanterns and multiple floors of seating.
Well Shop: What looks like a small hole-in-the-wall corner store, is a super-casual store that keeps craft beer in stock and ready for delivery.
Yaowarat
- Rabbit Hill: A Chinese inspired bar that has beers and high-balls.
Fat Cow Yaowarat: a clean and casual multi-floor burger and sandwich restaurant that also keeps some good beers on tap.
KhaoSan Road
One of the famous streets of Bangkok, a pedestrian street lined with restaurants and bars of various types. Not many places known for their beer selection, though there is:
Mulligan’s Irish Pub
- A traditional Irish bar on 2 floors; good for Guinness and live music that is also nice to sit on the patio on watch the street hawkers and the crowd of tourists.
2026 Update: SongCraft Fests
As of 2026 SongCraft Festivals have been held that highlight local independent brewers.
Lost in Songwat
- A historic Chinese-stye building just off Song Wat Road, a short walk from Wat Mangkon MRT station.
Pro-Tips for Old Town and Chinatown
Transportation:
Transit Tip: Most spots are a 10–15 minute walk from MRT Wat Mangkon or MRT Hua Lamphong.
There is no Skytrain/BTS line, but there are ferries on the river to use for transportation. Ratchawong pier is located near Song Wat road.
The hot spots like KhaoSan road, and Yaowarat road get quite busy. It is often recommended to use the Grab app and to get picked up off the main road.
💡 Pro-Tips for Drinking in Old Town and Chinatown
F.Y.I. – Let the Boy Die was a popular craft beer spot that closed years ago. The location was taken over by Haze.BKK.
The “Alcohol Ban” Hours in the afternoon are no longer in effect, and so eating and drinking together is easier than it previously was. But there are still “Booze Ban” days to look out for.
– Check out our calendar of upcoming events and holidays to keep up to date.
Chinatown tagged posts
SongCraft at Tha Maharaja Announced
May 1-3; SongCraft Festivals are happening again, but this time at Tha Maharaj on the riverside. Information from a call for applications for vendors.
SongCraft Festival #2
March 27-29; SongCraft Festival happens again at ‘Lost in Songwat’ in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Lots of local beer and alcohol producers.
SongCraft Festival
Jan 28-30; SongCraft will be hosting a Thai community craft beers and spirits, along with craft product stalls. Happening at Lost in SongWat.
Haze Bar’s 5th Anniversary
June 21st. Haze Bar in Chinatown celebrates 5 years of serving great local Thai Craft beer and having some good music to go along with the good times.
Beer Bars Top 10 by Time Out
The 10 best beer bars in the city according to Time Out Bangkok. Monday April 28, 2025. Written by Toey Sarunrat.
Beer Events March on…
Beer Events March on in Bangkok as we reach the 2nd half of the month of March. For those that just did not get enough