Two times the fun

Published on January 18, 2008

Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11 has long been one of Bangkok's most lively and fun hangouts for nightlife aficionados. Much loved and widely enjoyed by Thai and foreign clubbers alike, the club has been operating for eight years - a long time in this industry. Now in addition to dancing to the music on the main level, you can also chill out and have audible conversations (which is hard to do on the crowded dance floor) at Q Bar's new lounge area on the second floor.

Once a swanky Japanese restaurant called Wasabi, and the upper floor of the club has now morphed into a spacious, colourful lounge and seating area. Take the spiral stairs next to the DJ booth and you will pop out on a room with wide, spherical seats with a big  screen on the wall showing graphic (and silent) presentations. From here you can still hear the music from below, but its not quite as loud. Q Bar has always had glam-black decor, but the upstairs lounge is dressed in a sweeter, playful look. Unlike many ultra sleek, super minimalist night-clubs in town, Q Bar packs its upper joint with bold, eclectic decor; printed floor in white and red, silver semi-circle bar, low-rise black stools and round tables. Q Bar's unique black padded wall is panelled up on one side, turning the long wall into a pleasant backrest.

"Downstairs is for clubbers who want to party, upstairs is for people who want conversations," explains David Jacobson, owner and founder of Q Bars in Bangkok and Koh Samui. "The original Q Bar crowd from eight years ago is getting older, most of them got married and have kids. And these people go out clubbing sometimes. This is a place where they can hang out with their friends, girlfriends or wives. They can still hang out in the same place that they like."

 Open-air seating is available outside on the deck. You can choose to sit in one of those chairs or lounge on a sofa. After February 17, this area will become Q Bar's designated zone to smoke as per the Thai law banning smoking in air-conditioned rooms.

On special nights with special DJs, the big screen upstairs will show the party from down below, so you don't have to worry that you would miss out the whole party while idling up here.

Q Bar is well known for its strong drinks. The lounge offers the same drinks as bar downstairs, but that will change soon when the lounge will begin offering its own special drinks. In the meantime, try this darker version of mojito; the minty, refreshing Mojito Negro with dark rum, brown sugar, soda, lime juice, mint leaves and crushed ice. Or get spiced up with Sex on the Beach (vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, lime and sour mix) to get your kick.

But if the aforementioned two are too tangy, try the mellow and smooth Qtini - a simple yet elegant combination of vodka, lime and Chambord. If you're a bit of a sweet-tooth, don't miss Q Bar's signature Whatever (Absolut vanilla, apple juice, cranberry juice) or Bangkok Ice Tea (vodka, gin, light rum, Triple Sec, sour mix and Red Bull). Cocktail prices range from Bt250 to Bt350.

Q Bar

34 Sukhumvit 11

BTS: Nana

Daily, 7pm to 1am

(02) 252 3274

qbarbangkok.com

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