Jessie KohLooking for hangout spots off the beaten path? Seeking an alternative, ‘hipster’ experience while overseas? If that’s what you’re searching for, Bangkok is one of the best cities in Asia that will be sure to appeal to your hipster sensibilities. So be sure to hit up these spots while you’re there!
1. JJ (Jatuchak) Green Night Market
Image credit: Pakkawat Tanghom
Talat Rod Fai Night Market is a spot that many people had sold to me as being unique and “hipster”, earning it a place on my Bangkok itinerary. Sure, it looked a tad inaccessible, but it was going to be worth it, right?
Unfortunately, I never got to find out. While it was planned for us to head over to Talat Rod Fai after spending the day at Chatuchak Market, a local friend quickly recommended the (much) nearer Jatuchak Green Night Market, saying that it was similar (but smaller) to Talat Rod Fai, with a vintage goods section, a flea market and also plenty of food and drinks available.
JJ Green turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip (reminder, kids: it’s usually in your best interests to follow the recommendations of a local). Its smaller scale gave us a much needed respite, especially after spending the day at the unfathomably huge Chatuchak Market, and the lack of foreign tourists was also a welcome change.
Image credit: Pakkawat Tanghom
As with most flea markets in Bangkok, a large variety of goods, from old-school film cameras to vintage posters and fashionable apparel can be found, and hours can easily be spent here scouring through everything on display. From our perspective, it appeared to be one of the most authentic local markets that we visited, and for that alone, it’s a place worth visiting for anyone wanting to get away from overrun tourist traps.
Address: 1 Kamphaeng Phet 3, Chatuchak
2. Scala Cinema
Image credit: Kampongpiratevee
Those with a penchant for the retro and vintage will love Scala Cinema, located centrally in the Siam Square area opposite Siam Paragon. This classic, old-school single-screen cinema is the last of its kind in Bangkok, and would be worth a visit for its architecture alone — just look at that intricate, opulent ceiling!
Image credit: Claire Mykura
To add to its appeal, the price of the tickets and popcorn at Scala Cinema are also a relic of the past, being much cheaper than what you’ll be able to get at other regular cinema chains. A unique experience is definitely on the cards when you visit Scala Cinema, and given that its existence is under threat from redevelopment plans, it might be a great idea to visit it soon before it’s too late!
Address: Siam Square Soi 1, Rama I Rd
3. Dasa Book Cafe
Bookstores and book cafes have always been fantastic spots for a chilled-out afternoon while on holiday, especially in bustling cities like Bangkok. With its substantial selection of English books, Dasa Book Cafe in Sukhumvit is one of those spots for both expatriates and foreign visitors (but not so many that it gets overcrowded) in Bangkok. Either spend a couple of hours here reading quietly while resting your feet, or browse through their collection for a book to buy and read on your plane ride home!
Address: 714/4 Sukhumvit Road
4. 8 Musique
Vinyls and vinyl stores are probably near the top of the list when one thinks of hipsters and the places they congregate at, and 8 Musique will be one of the places in Bangkok where you can rub elbows with Thai hipsters and music lovers. Located in Ei8ht Thonglor, both imported CDs and vinyl records can be purchased here, and even if you’re not intending to bring any of the records home, looking through the collection of music in 8 Musique can be enjoyable.
Address: LG/F Ei8ht Thonglor Bldg., 88/36 Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor) Klongton Nua, Wattana
5. Zudrangma Records
Zudrangma Records is another records store where you can find vinyl records. They specialise “in rare and collectible vinyl records in the vintage sounds of Luk Thung and Molam, alongside music from Jamaica, West Africa and the world”. This is a place not to be missed by vinyl collectors and music enthusiasts!
Address: 7/1 Sukhumvit soi 51, Wattana
6. Roast
If we’re talking about hipster spots, there’s no way we can miss out on hipster cafes. However, to talk about hipster cafes in Bangkok would be an arduous task in itself, meriting a good lengthy article focusing solely on the countless cafes the city has to offer.
Also read: 8 Amazing Cafes in Bangkok Worth Getting Fat For
Thonglor will be one of the prime areas you’ll likely be hitting up if you’re in the mood for trendy restaurants and cafes, and it’s a safe bet to pick Roast if you’re in the area. Roast has a surprisingly laid-back atmosphere for its popularity, with high ceilings and huge windows that wash the cafe in swathes of natural light. Note that if you’re visiting on a weekend, you might want to arrive before peak hours to ensure you get seats!
Both its food menu and selection of coffee are substantial, and it’ll definitely be an afternoon well-spent (and well-nourished) here before/after embarking on your shopping spree back in Bangkok’s many malls and markets.
Address: Seenspace, Thong Lor Soi 13 (Note that the Thonglor branch of Roast will be relocating to The COMMONS at Thong Lor Soi 17, with the soft launch on 30th December 2015); 1/F, The Helix Quartier, EmQuartier
All photos are taken from the spots’ website/Facebook page, unless otherwise stated.
