At Studio Lam, there’s always an international groove going on and not only because of the mixed crowd

In an old Japanese restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 51 you can find some dudes listening to some grooves. You can find some girls sipping on yadong and you can find a great tube sound system. You can find old Thai records decorating the wall, and you can find a dive bar interior. Not far from WTF you can find Studio Lam (Sukhumvit Soi 51; Tel: 02 261 6661).

There’s an international groove going on and not only because of the mixed crowd. Rare vinyls or cassette tapes are being produced behind the DJ booth, music that has its origin in Sumatra or Nigeria. Finding this place is akin to traveling on the Niger to Krakow on a Thai train: from Kingston to Ubon, from Accra to Korat, and from Asmara to Bandung. It’s the music your distant aunt was listening to when she was having that affair with a black sailor in Mombassa. If you know Studio Lam and/or Zudrangma records, then you don’t need to read any further. If you don’t, please do.

Studio Lam started as a Zudrangma radio podcast in 2008, broadcasting heavy Luk Thung and Molam across the Internet. In 2014, it became an offshoot record label of the Paradise Bangkok parties. Now you can enjoy their selection of musical gems as well as new live music with a drink. Beers are THB 150 (Beerlao/Singha) but you can also enjoy an 18-year-old Macallan (THB 680) or a 17-year-old Hibiki (THB 500).

Closer to home is their offering of yadong (infused Thai rice spirits) sitting in big jugs above the bar. The place is quite small and has seats for 10 to 15 people and during the weekends it can get packed, especially if they throw parties. They’re open from Tuesday till Sunday from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m.

If you want to get a taste of the music they’re into at that hipster dugout, you should visit www.zudrangmarecords.com/ and listen to their podcasts under the radio section. That’s not the only stuff you’ll hear at Lam, but it gives you some idea.

At some clubs, DJs are required to play certain songs. It’s good to know there’s another kind of party, too.