Five Spots in Bangkok

You’ve seen the Grand Palace (twice), spent one too many nights wandering up and down Sukhumvit Road, and just about squeezed your trusty guidebook dry – in other words, you’re ready to get off the tourist grid and explore the lesserknown sights, sounds and tastes of Thailand’s electrifying capital.

#1: Scala Cinema

Buried in the high-fashion shopping jungle that is Siam Square, Scala may not be the area’s most modern theatre, but makes up for it with classic ’70s era style. From the art-deco inspired open-air lobby to the snappily dressed ushers, this single-screen gem provides the city’s most idiosyncratic movie-going experience. Best part? Nobody minds if you bring your own food and drinks.

#2: City Complex Food Court

At first glance, there’s nothing remarkable about the fifth-floor food hall in this fading wholesale shopping mall. Nothing, that is, except for your fellow diners serenading you with Thai ballads from a small karaoke stage near the seating area. The best time to experience this surreal showmanship is on weekdays from 11am to 2pm.

#3: Jae On Restaurant

Just past the intersection of Petchaburi and Phayathai is this unassuming, family-run eatery packed with locals that will take your spice threshold to a whole new level. Specialising in northeastern Thai fare, the grilled squid, spicy minced pork salad and som tam with sticky rice are mouthwatering, and the bottles (or 3-litre towers) of Chang beer served ice-cold.

#4: Sofa So Good

Well off the tourist map, but firmly on the radar of Bangkok’s young and trendy set, this bar/restaurant features outdoor tiki-lit lawn seating, a buzzing indoor bar, live acoustic performances, and a reasonably priced menu that includes both international and Thai fare.

#5: Tawandang German Brewery

If you’ve heard the name in passing and not yet made the pilgrimage to this nightlife institution on the city’s outskirts, now is the time. Tawandang’s army of loyal locals swear by the house-brewed Bavarian beers and excellent Thai food, but it’s the raucous, over-the-top live entertainment that keeps them coming back and dancing in the aisles well past midnight.

Where to go:

• City Complex Food Court (Entrance on Soi 20 on Petchaburi Road; BTS Station: Chit Lom)
• Jae On Restaurant (Corner of Soi 14 on Petchaburi Road; Tel: +66 1 494 6184; BTS Station: Ratchathewi)
• Scala Cinema (Siam Square Soi 1, Rama I Road; Tel: +66 2 251 2861; BTS Station: Siam)
• Sofa So Good (50 Soi Ari 7, Phahon Yothin Road; Tel: +66 2 617 0909; BTS Station: Ari)
• Tawandang German Brewery (462/61 Rama III Road; Tel: +66 2 678 1114, website)

Originally appeared as 'Hidden Treasures: Bangkok’ in the June 2009 issue of Time Out Singapore.