The newest venture from the founder of Q Bar, Smalls, is now open for business in Sathorn.
by Alexander Eeckhout.
A new place for Sathornites has opened up on Suan Phlu. From the founder of Q Bar comes something completely different. From loud to quiet, from big to not so big, the place is aptly named Smalls (186/3 Suan Phlu Soi 1, Bangkok; 095 585 1398). In sharp contrast to David Jacobson’s previous establishment, Smalls is a quiet and dimly lit café that’s dark and beautiful enough for whispers daylight can’t endure.
The bar has a lovely Old World interior that’s fit for a Wes Anderson movie. Quirky items here and there together with big art pieces give it character. Of course, a place like this doesn’t come without music: jazz, blues, R&B, and soul are softly played in the background, plus there will be live jazz every week.
Although it’s called Smalls, the bar has three levels with room for 80 people. The top level is a rooftop terrace sort of place, where you can catch a breeze and smoke a cigarette—although I think a Cuban cigar would suit the decor better. The second level is mostly indoors but has a balcony hugging the building, where you can sit as well. The first level is accessed from the street through lovely revolving doors. Each level has its own bar, stocked with a wide variety of fine liquors and other alcoholic beverages. They have a good selection of excellent tequilas, single malts, absinthes, and so on. And at Smalls they want you to enjoy your drink as well, so they pour 45 ml drinks instead of the usual 37.5 ml. However, if you’re not into rare absinthes or Scottish firewater, try one of their smooth and delicious cocktails, such as the Chocolatini or blueberry sidecar (THB 270++).
Smalls has quite a large food menu for a bar, and serves food until 1:30 a.m. Dishes range from simple fried rice (THB 160++) and hamburgers (THB 180–230++) to escargots (THB 340++), French cold cuts and cheeses (THB 490++) David’s French business partner, Bruno, guarantees that the French items on the menu are of high quality, but make no mistake: all the ingredients are meticulously sourced.
Apart from being closed on Tuesday, they’re open from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., but keep in mind that on curfew days, the doors stop revolving at midnight.
A good bar for a conversation can be hard to find in Bangkok—a great one like this comes along rarely indeed.
