Drinking wine in Bangkok is no longer a passing trend—it’s established. Check out these places to have a glass, a bottle, or a free-flow evening centered on this grape elixir.
by Nadia Willan
There’s no doubt about it, with an ever-increasing flow of wine into Bangkok, the city’s bars and restaurants are awash with blackberry bouquets, rich reds, and whimsical whites, not to mention fruity fizz. Not only has wine become a sensation seemingly overnight, but drinking wine in Bangkok has become a “must-do,” a veritable art form of impressive imbibing. And Bangkok, being the vibrant city that it is, has turned this practice into a wonderful vintage-themed phenomenon: a free-flowing wine buffet.
While luxury hotels have been topping up wine glasses with free-flow Sunday brunches for years, a growing number of venues are pushing the food to one side and simply serving up some great wines.
Vie Lounge @ Vie Hotel
(117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road, Ratchathewi; 02 309 3939; www.viehotelbangkok.com)
In the lobby of this MGallery Collection boutique hotel, the space is relaxed and comfortable, with the first Friday of the month offering a three-hour Wine Society event between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for THB 750++, with four quality reds and four whites. There is also a fantastic Mediterranean tapas table in the center, with a cheese board and some Thai snacks, too. Plus, there’s a wine buffet with canapés served every day for THB 550++ between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
W Terrace @W Bangkok
(106 North Sathorn Road, Silom; 02 344 4000, www.whotelbangkok.com)
Chic and sleek, this second-floor bar in the trendy Sathorn neighborhood has a cool vibe, with mid-range to high-end wine buffet choices, starting at THB 550++ for two hours of free-flowing wine, or THB 700++ for three hours. Unlimited sparkling wines and wine cocktails are on offer for THB 700++ and THB 1000++ for two and three hours, respectively, and there is also a premium wine buffet at THB 1,050–1,300++. If you really want to push the boat out, unlimited premium sparkling wines and wine cocktails are available for THB 1,500–1,800++. Each wine buffet comes with a plate of imported cold cuts and cheese for every two guests. The wine free-flows every day between 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Rendezvous @ The Landmark
(138 Sukhumvit Road; 02 254 0404; www.landmarkbangkok.com)
A good Sukhumvit location, enjoy a lobby-level wine buffet on Fridays and Saturdays between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., and a wide selection of New and Old World reds and whites to savor for THB 650++. Tapas are also included with cheese and snacks to nibble between sips and glasses.
And the wine keeps flowing in more wonderful venues across the city …
Sambal Bar & Grill @ Royal Orchid Sheraton
(2 Charoen Krung 30, Riverside; 02 266 9214; www.royalorchidsheraton.com)
Gourmet cheese and free-flowing wine for THB 599++ from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. monthly on Friday, with this month’s event held September 19.
Indulge @ Sukhumvit Suites
(403–403/1, 407/1 Sukhumvit Road (between Sukhumvit 21 and 23); 02 661 7262; www.ssukhumvitsuites.com)
Sip wine on Wednesdays with THB 100 glasses of wine, THB 500 bottles, and tapas from 5 p.m. to 10 pm.
The Nest @ LeFenix Hotel
(33 Sukhumvit 11; 02 305 4000; www.thenestbangkok.com)
Tuesday night al fresco rooftop wine celebration with resident DJs, 20 percent off bottles, and THB 200 for wine by the glass.
The Living Room @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
(250 Sukhumvit Road; 02 649 8000; www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com)
Every evening between 8 p.m. and midnight, enjoy live jazz and free-flowing selected wines for THB 1,200++.
The Bangkok wine buffet is definitely an event to raise a glass to!
