The Bamboo Bar
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Sun-Thu 17:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00
The Bamboo Bar is the live jazz bar of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok at 48 Oriental Avenue on the Chao Phraya River. It began modestly in 1947, established by the hotel's then manager Germaine Krull, and is described by the hotel as Bangkok's first jazz venue; it keeps a 1950s feel. The hotel's bartenders serve the Evolution menu, inspired by the growth of bamboo and built on local ingredients, alongside a long list of classics; signatures include the Guava Lemongrass Highball (650 baht), Som Saa Thaijito (540 baht) and the Bamboo Daiquiri (610 baht). A live band with a jazz vocalist plays Monday-Thursday 20:00-23:45 and Friday-Saturday 20:00-00:45, with a pianist on Sunday 21:00-23:45; the bar placed No. 46 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2022. BTS Saphan Taksin is about 10 minutes on foot. Open Sunday-Thursday 17:00-01:00 and Friday-Saturday 17:00-02:00, no reservations; after 18:30 elegant attire is required, with long trousers and closed shoes for men and no sleeveless shirts, and under-20s are admitted only before 19:30.
Rating from public reviews
Each part combines public reviews from several sites (4,500 reviews). Not our own visit.
Reviewers value the polished live jazz, the impeccable hotel service and the classic, colonial-era atmosphere on the river.
Prices are high even by Bangkok standards, Saturday nights can be crowded with limited seating, and the food does not always match the drinks.
Signature dish (as named by sources)
Guava Lemongrass Highball
per person
$19
Getting there
BTS Saphan Taksin - about 10 min walk
At a glance
- Bangkok's first jazz venue, started 1947 at the Oriental
- Live jazz nightly; Evolution menu with local ingredients
- No reservations; elegant attire required after 18:30
Dishes
Som Saa Thaijito, The Bamboo Daiquiri, Mango sticky rice cocktail, Satay
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