As Bob Dylan once asked, how many roads must a man walk down? For homesick Irishmen in Bangkok, the answer is: however many it takes to find a decent pint of Guinness. And thankfully with the number of great Irish pubs in Bangkok you won’t need to walk too far to find it.
As someone who travels long term every couple of months I feel that old familiar pang of homesickness. The next best thing to hopping on a flight is to take yourself to an Irish bar, order a pint of Guinness and a comforting meal, preferably the Sunday roast.
I had the tough task of finding the best pubs in Bangkok for expats and travellers who need a slice of home (or shepherd’s pie). I visit Bangkok on a yearly basis, and spend months there at a time. I have visited each pub on this list myself, all for research purposes of course, but hold my liver in your thoughts. So whether you’re looking for Bangkok’s best Sunday roast, a creamy pint of Guinness, Kilkenny or Magners, this list of Bangkok’s best bars will sort you out when you’re searching for where to drink or where to watch sports in Bangkok.
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How Much Is A Pint In Bangkok?
Expect to pay about THB300 for a pint of Guinness and THB90 for a pint of Chang. The prices vary but Irish pubs in Bangkok tend to be more expensive than other bars. However, you do get the addition of AC which helps soothe any wounds the steep prices might cause.
Did you know Thailand has NO alcohol days? These days are Buddhist holidays such as Makha Bucha, Viskha Bucha, Asahna Bucha, Wan Khao Bucha, Awk Phansa. The exact dates vary each year, but you can keep up to date here. Pubs will generally be open for food but are prohibited from selling alcohol. This also includes all shops. Your hotel bar may be allowed to serve you though.
Best Pubs In Bangkok
Silom Pubs
1. Paddy Reilly’s
Hidden away in an upscale neighbourhood down a peaceful side street, Paddy Reilly’s proves that good things can actually come in small packages (someone tell my girlfriend that!). This compact Irish pub in Bangkok manages to pack more genuine Irish pub atmosphere into its limited space than many places twice its size. The surrounding area offers plenty of other bars and restaurants, making it a safe bet for bar-hopping.
The Sunday roast deserves special mention, while the meat selection was alright, the optional two-hour unlimited Guinness add-on is a great deal. The service during this bottomless session was impressive, a fresh pint appeared the moment my pint was empty, no flagging down staff required.
Additionally, there is extra seating outside for those who want to embrace Bangkok’s humidity.
2. Shenanigans
Location is everything at Shenanigans, which straddles two different worlds. By day, it’s a reliable refuge from Bangkok’s heat with a proper Irish pub interior that’s both welcoming and refreshingly cool. By night, its corner position at Patpong Night Market, Si lom’s red light district, creates a wild atmosphere.
Don’t let the street-facing outdoor seating fool you into thinking this is just another pavement bar. Inside has a traditional pub interior complete with dark wood furnishings, traditional bar stools, and that essential blast of air conditioning.
The food menu has all the regular things you would expect but with some added fusion offerings like Pad Kaprow Thai Pie sitting alongside traditional shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and proper Irish breakfast. The Thai-Irish fusion items are surprisingly well-executed, not just gimmicky additions. During night market hours, vendors set up literally outside the door, while the proximity to the red light district ensures the people-watching never gets dull.
3. O’Malleys
Basement, United Center Building, 323 Si Lom Rd
Going down into O’Malley’s basement location feels like entering a Dublin pub that happens to be 5,000 miles from home. The underground setting creates a cave-like atmosphere, dark, cool, and completely removed from the bustling Bangkok streets above.
The space is surprisingly generous for a basement venue, and they somehow manage to squeeze in a pool table alongside the tons of seating. Regular live music sessions add to the energy.
There is also an excellent food menu with usual pub grub like burgers and pizza, along with a Sunday roast which can be ordered as a set menu with soup and a pint.
4. The Drunken Cat
39 Suanplu Corner Building, 13-16 Soi Suan Plu
Modern and bright with a glass frontage, The Drunken Cat is up there with the top relaxing sports bars in Bangkok. Although it looks more like a contemporary sports bar, there are some Irish memorabilia and the essentials including Kilkenny and Guinness on tap.
The bright, open design suits watching matches with mates but lacks the cozy corners and dim lighting that make traditional Irish pubs so appealing. The modern furniture and layout lean heavily toward function over atmosphere.
During my Friday night visit, the vibe was relaxed and the service friendly, with the fresh beers properly poured and reasonably priced. It serves its purpose as a place to watch sports with a pint, just don’t expect much traditional Irish character beyond the drinks menu.
The food here is top notch, the steak and Guinness pies are delicious while burgers are large and juicy. This may not be the cheapest bar in Bangkok but it’s one of the best.
Sukhumvit Pubs
5. Scruffy Murphys
Located near the notorious Soi Cowboy with its red neon light and rowdy clientele is an unexpected slice of calmness that ended up being my go-to bar in Bangkok when I needed a refresher. Scruffy Murphy’s traditional facade looks like it was plucked straight from a small Irish town, it certainly stands out on this street.
Inside, the authentic Irish atmosphere continues, spread across 2 storeys, the cosy interior features a mix of stools and cosy booths for seating, plus there’s an outdoor terrace overlooking the street action. Walk through the doors and you’re greeted by familiar Irish sports commentary blaring from TV screens and a welcome blast of air conditioning. There’s even a pool table upstairs.
The food menu is excellent with a nice mix of Irish comfort meals such as Guinness Stew with soda bread, Cottage Pie, and a Fry Up. You can also order Thai classics like Green Curry and Pad Thai. I recommend checking out the Sunday Roast, this is served every Sunday and is absolutely delicious with all the trimmings including the nicest gravy.
6. Robin Hood
P.B Building 597/1-3 Sukhumvit Rd
Don’t let the weathered exterior fool you, this turned out to be one of my favourite British pubs in Bangkok. While the outside might look a bit rough around the edges, behind its doors is a proper pub that immediately made me feel at home with its casual, relaxed atmosphere.
The spacious interior offers plenty of seating options across high stools at the bar, comfortable booths for groups, and regular tables scattered throughout. The dark wood furnishings and dim lighting create that authentic pub ambiance, while the blast of cold air conditioning provides instant relief from Bangkok’s relentless heat.
The food menu is impressive with large filled Yorkshire puddings, chicken tikka masala and Sunday roasts. Although prices are high, the portions are generous.
7. O’Shea’s
Tucked down an alley alongside a few other bars and restaurants, O’Shea’s offers a livelier alternative to its quieter neighbours. The bright, energetic atmosphere here is immediately apparent. This isn’t your dark, contemplative pint kind of place, but rather somewhere designed for groups looking for a good time.
There is a good mix of outdoor seating for those who prefer the colourful Bangkok streets, indoor high stools at the bar, and comfortable booths for larger groups. Multiple TV screens ensure you won’t miss any sporting action, making it a solid choice for match days. The rooftop area adds another dimension, offering a different perspective and additional space when the main floor gets busy.
Being slightly removed from the main street strikes a nice balance, you get the energy without the chaos, while the alley location means less traffic noise while still maintaining that urban pub feel. The bright lighting and open layout encourage mingling and conversation rather than quiet contemplation.
The food here also does not disappoint, succulent burgers, Guinness stew, fish pie and bangers and mash are all on the menu. It’s also another place to go if you’re in need of a fry up in Bangkok.
8. The Royal Oak
Continuing down the end of the alley past O’Shea’s and Robin Hood, you’ll find The Royal Oak, an open-air establishment that embraces Bangkok’s tropical climate rather than fighting it. This is a nice way of saying you will be sweating! While fans do their best to keep the air moving, don’t expect the blast of full air conditioning (though there is AC in the back area for those who really need it).
This British pub in Bangkok has carved out a niche as an expat community hub, attracting a regular crowd of long-term residents who appreciate its laid-back atmosphere. Sunday roasts draw a decent crowd, offering traditional British comfort food in the heart of Bangkok. The real difference between here and other pubs is upstairs, where a comedy club operates on scheduled nights, and is also a games room with board games when the comedians aren’t performing.
The location at the alley’s end means it’s removed from the main road noise, creating a more village pub feel despite being in the middle of Bangkok. During afternoon visits, the clientele tends toward the mature side, giving it something of a local’s local atmosphere.
If you’re hungry you can find some of Bangkok’s best pub food here with bangers and mash, sunday roasts, burgers and pizza.
Don’t forget your travel insurance before you travel to Bangkok. I recommend True Traveller for EU/UK citizens and World Nomads for anyone outside of here.
9. The Black Swan
The Black Swan has a cozy, authentic British pub atmosphere that gives a nice escape from the nearby madness. There is a dimly lit interior with traditional English décor. It has a no-frills vibe and two-floor layout attractsting a loyal crowd of expats and locals seeking a peaceful spot to unwind over a proper pint, away from the typical tourist crowds and noise of the city. It seems small on the outside but there is plenty of room upstairs. There is a mixture of booths and high chairs.
Everything you would expect on tap. As this place is a bit away from all the other bars and restaurants it’s a bit quiet earlier in the day, but well worth a visit whether for food or a quiet pint.
The food at this Bangkok pub is excellent. The menu even features an all day “greasy spoon” English breakfast category, the fry up was the best I’ve had in Bangkok, it included everything along with deep fried potato cake. Additionally the food is all homemade on the premises. If you’re craving a homemade chilli, pie, casserole and toad in the hole, then get yourself down to the Black Swan.
Pints are also a reasonable THB130.
10. O’Leary’s
O’Leary’s Irish Pub has a relaxed, laid back atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding with friends over cold beer. The pub offers both indoor and outdoor seating areas, multiple TVs for watching sports, and regular live music that adds energy to the experience, making it an authentic Irish pub atmosphere right in the heart of Bangkok where both locals and expats can comfortably hang out.
What O’Leary’s does offer is tranquility. On my visit, it was noticeably quieter than neighboring establishments, making it a potential escape route when nearby venues get too hectic. When I visited the atmosphere was a bit quiet but judging by some other online photos it tends to get busy at other times.
11. The Red Lion
Serving as a hideout from the chaos of the entertainment district outside, with cosy booths and a hearty food menu. The Red Lion leans more towards a sports bar with many mounted TVs ready to show whatever game you’re after, including AFL which is not easy to find bars that cater to this.
The Red Lion has one of the best happy hours helping it cement itself as one of the cheapest bars in Bangkok, with small beers starting at THB90, pints THB99, and Guinness THB269. They also do a buy 1 get 1 free spirit for 150. Happy hour is daily 8 AM – 7 PM and all day on Monday.
In terms of food, The Red Lion has a mix of Thai and English classics. I was surprised to see the East End favourite of pie, mash and liquor on their menu. They also have an excellent breakfast menu with a choice of an American breakfast, or 3 different sized English fry up including the Bangkok Bahtbuster for just THB139
Sukhumvit Soi 4 – Pub Trio
Note: These three pubs sit within stumbling distance of each other on Sukhumvit Soi 4. During daylight it’s a busy street full of bars and restaurants. After dark, the area transforms into a bit of a seedy district – definitely not family-friendly territory. There are also a ton of bars in this area, I will just focus on the “pubs” here.
12. Fitzgeralds
Fitzgeralds has the classic Irish pub aesthetic, its large space spreads over two storeys. Kitted out with dark wood paneling, vintage Irish advertisements, and dim lighting, it’s a place to relax. Doubling as a sports bar it’s a good place to watch a game in Bangkok.
The seating across two floors means you’ll usually find a spot, even on busy nights. It’s great for meeting friends, especially with the pool table upstairs and beer towers on offer. Alternatively, there is also an outdoor terrace overlooking the busy soi 4.
Fitzgerald’s is one of few Irish pubs in Bangkok offering an all day breakfast. There is also a good mix of Thai and Irish food.
13. The Blarney Stone
Small but mighty, this horseshoe-shaped bar invites you to interact with fellow patrons, especially when watching sports on the TVs which are positioned above the opposite side of the bar behind customers. The Blarney is easily one of the best pubs in Bangkok.
This feels like an old-style Irish bar with wooden decor, photos of GAA players and the scenic places that give you sense of local pride.
Staff are exceptionally friendly and live music adds to the welcoming and good craic atmosphere. The Guinness on tap is poured like a Blarney local would, and the whiskey selection is fantastic.
Like all good Irish bars, the food menu is full of classics like homemade pies, Chinese-style curry, sausage rolls and stew.
With draught Chang at THB99 and 5 bottle for THB500, it’s one of Bangkok’s cheapest bars.
14. Chequers British Pub
Chequers Bar is a friendly British pub that feels like a calm escape from the busy Bangkok street outside. The small bar has a welcoming, relaxed vibe where the staff are helpful but don’t bother you, and it’s a great spot to meet people or just watch the world go by.
The happy hour deals make it one of the more budget-friendly bars in an area that can quickly drain your wallet. Food is unashamedly greasy spoon, if you want a proper fry-up with all the artery-clogging glory, this is your spot. Just don’t expect gastropub pretensions, here it’s cheap and cheerful.
Expect sausage and beans, fish and chips, Cornish pasties and jacket potatoes – basically the good stuff your mum would make you. Not stopping there, you can also find a sizeable Thai section and some Indian curries.
During daytime visits, the atmosphere is relaxed, attracting a regular crowd who treat it more like their local café than a night spot.
15. The Old English
Being located beside Thong Lo BTS station makes The Old English very accessible. More importantly, they’ve got the most important thing right! Guinness at THB225, difficult to find in other gastropubs in Bangkok.
The chicken wings deserve special mention. I nearly always get wings in a pub, and these stand out as properly sized with generous portions in a perfect spiced buffalo sauce. It’s clear the kitchen is very good as there is also a steady stream of takeaway orders and delivery drivers coming to collect orders, something you don’t really see in any other pub.
The layout works well with outdoor seating for those who don’t mind the main road traffic, a properly air-conditioned interior with bar seating for solo drinkers, high tables near the pool table for casual groups, and proper tables for dining. Even during typically quiet afternoon hours, the place maintained a good energy with a lively mix of patrons.
Aside from the wings, this is another place to find a fry up in Bangkok, and succulent pies, roasts, and chip shop style curries. The food is gourmet, it’s what you’d find in a good gastro-pub in the UK and Ireland.
16. P.J O’Briens
Standing outside you can’t see in to P.J O’Briens, you don’t know if it’s a packed bar, or if you will be the only person in there. You just hope when you walk in the music won’t stop with heads turning to see who opened the door. Fear not, this Bangkok Irish pub greets you with friendly bar staff and a charming cosy atmosphere.
The relaxed atmosphere during daytime hours makes it ideal for those who want to refresh or read with a pint at hand. Multiple screens cater to sports fans, and there is a mix of Thai and Western meals.
The all-week roast option shows admirable commitment to Sunday dinner traditions. The Monday bingo nights add a community feel that makes it one of the best pubs in Bangkok.
Khaosan Road
17. Mulligans
Attempting to run an authentic Irish pub on Khaosan Road is no easy feat, but Mulligan’s makes a decent effort. Hosting live music each night, traditional pub grub and comfortable seating, it’s a good spot for those staying in Khaosan who have left the days of cocktail buckets behind them. Mulligans does not open until 5pm unlike many others which are usually 11am or earlier.
If you can snag a seat inside, Mulligan’s gives an escape from the sensory overload of Khaosan. The interior maintains some Irish pub dignity with proper furnishings and a decent drinks menu. However, the location means it’s constantly fighting against the tide of Chang-fueled chaos outside.
The late opening hours make sense but limit its appeal as an all-day refuge. The crowd inevitably skews younger and rowdier than other Irish pubs in Bangkok, though it’s positively sophisticated compared to the bucket bars outside.
And that’s it! There were a few other places I didn’t write about as they don’t really fit the criteria of a pub, but they are worth mentioning
- Bullys – Calls itself an American restaurant but checks a lot of boxes of a pub.
- The Game – Another restaurant / sports bar with a pub vibe.
- Joe Whispers – Guinness, Thai food, Live music. Hard to classify this place.
- Hair of the Dog – 2 locations. Regular bar but really cool with tons of craft beer options
Thank you for reading the 17 best pubs in Bangkok. Let me know below which are your favourites!
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