If You Can't Stand The Peat....

If you can't stand the peat, avoid Rex Attitude (RA), a peat-smoked golden ale produced by the Yeastie Boys, a couple of clever, innovative and (it seems) hard case Kiwi brewers.

Shock was the immediate response after my first slug - I thought someone had poured three shots of Laphroaig into a glass of lager and stirred.

Here's the product description from the RA beer label....
... Rex Attitude is inspired by French techno and the whiskey of Scotland's west coast. Like the 'Auld Alliance' it combines a little Scottish rogue with a dose of French 'je ne sais quoi.' It is as far we know the world's first beer made from 100% heavy peated distilling malt.... 

But once you get over RA's unusual flavour combination, it's like the best albums in your music collection, a slow burner that delivers a rich, rewarding and refreshing drinking experience.

It also packs a Manny Pacquiao-like punch. No surprise, given its scotch whiskey roots, and at 7%, RA is best supped and savoured rather than slam dunked. 

Nest Bar

Click here for more photos & more information.

Friday night and the lights are low at Nest Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11. But not too low ... which is a good thing ... because Nest is one of the best people watching bars in Bangkok.

This funky and chic 'resort in the sky' themed watering hole is an "in-between"bar - in-between in that it's neither a pub, nor a club, but a hybrid venue attracting punters of all varieties.

Last Friday we shared the bar with tourists from all corners of the world, nervous first-time bar goers, a couple of guys who looked like members of Fleet Foxes, over and under dressed fashionistas, hansum men with their pretty playthings and more.

Our fave patrons included a wild young lady - sporting a wilder haircut - who quaffed red wine from the bottle. To quote Rick James, she was "a very kinky girl, the kind you don't take home to mama." We were also impressed by the man who was accompanied by three stunning women - he wore a permanent grin, and in footballer parlance, was over the moon, sick as a parrot and happy as Larry.

For a window to "Friday night Bangkok" rock up to Nest at 10 pm, find an empty nest like day bed, order a drink, recline and enjoy the view.

Nest Bar
Le Fenix Hotel (opposite Q Bar)
33/33 Sukhumvit Soi 11

Best Sports Bars in Bangkok

Soi 8 Pub - a top spot, but would be even better without the cigarette smokers.

My name is Stephen and I am a rugby tragic.. I blame my father and uncles. Given this addiction or affliction I try to catch the big All Black tests on TV, which means visits to a few of Bangkok's sports bars, and here are some of my regulars.

Phom Phrong Station area

Robin Hood - English themed pub

Goals For: Located next to the skytrain station, roomy, clean, lots of TVs, good selection of food and drinks, good service and attracts a mix of expats, locals and visitors -  last year, I sat a table away from former All Black, Byron Kelleher, who wolfed down three meals (very healthy ones) for lunch.

Goals Against: Get's very crowded for big, big games.

Tenderloins - Upmarket sports bar

Goals For: Modern, clean, spacious, lots of TVs, good sight-lines, good nosh and a good atmosphere. Last year we enjoyed a great night out with German friends watching Germany destroy England in the football world cup. Some times it's good to be a neutral in the crowd.

Goals Against: As the kitchen is always busy and close to the bar area, I've often left the bar smelling like a well-done ribeye steak or double-fried french fry.

Ex-All Black Byron Kelleher enjoyed his food at the Robin Hood Pub

Wall Street Bar and Grill - Offers the "authentic rugby club room" experience

Goals For: Shows every rugby match being played anywhere around the world, friendly bar staff and pretty reasonable drink prices. I also once saw All Black legend, Wayne 'Buck' Shelford in the bar.

Goals Against: Attracts a pretty crusty crowd and the bar overall is a bit "frayed around the edges."

The Office - A Hard Rock Cafe sort of inspired sports bar

Goals For: Big, lots of screens, serves the best chicken pie that I've ever eaten in Bangkok, and clean and tidy.

Goals Against: Smoking (the cigarette kind) is tolerated here - a major turn off for me. Also a bit pricy.

George Best - the Pickled Liver's patron saint

Londoner - Massive English themed Pub

Goals For: A favourite with my brother-in-law, spacious, lots of screens, great food (Tuesday is two meals for the price of one night), a good atmosphere and excellent pilsner and dark ale brewed in-house.

Goals Against: Can get mighty crowded.


Asoke Station Area

Bradmans - As the name suggests, an Aussie-themed bar

Goals For: All-round top bar for sport watching and beer drinking. Big range of well cooked food, including an interesting and tasty falafel spaghetti and host/owner Thomas is a bloody good bloke.

Goals Against: Nothing really.


Nana Station Area

Spotted at Wall Street - Wayne 'Buck' Shelford.

Soi 8 - A Kiwi-themed pub 

Goals For: Soi 8, in its own unpretentious, hassle-free way, is a good all-rounder and a personal favourite of mine. Also stays open for the 3am rugby test matches played in France.

Goals Against: Smoking is also tolerated here.

The Australian

Goals For: Swanky (compared to the others anyway), big, brash and well-designed pub. Attracts a pretty diverse group of punters and has a good party atmosphere.

Goals Against: Food and drink a little on the pricy side - but then again, this is Soi 11.

Manchester United Pub

Absolutely no redeeming features or qualities. With thousands of bars in the capital, it puzzles me why anyone would want to drink here?

The Pickled Liver

Goals For: A cosy and colourful little boozer that is a good spot to watch football. Their George Best t-shirts are also worth buying.

Goals Against: Not easy to find - it's located in the sub-soi on Soi 11.

Blues Sunday

Even though it's one of the pillars of rock'n'roll, blues music and me have never been good mates, the recorded stuff anyways. To me, it has always made more sense in a live environment and that was the case on Sunday night.

My pals, Chu and Phil and I visited Fat Gut'z, a stylish juke joint in Thonglor, to enjoy a quiet ale and some quality music. The upbeat three-piece band playing did not disappoint - in fact, they were terrific especially when they sang in Thai.

I think the blues and the Thai language were made for each other. If you don't believe me, make a visit to Fat Gut'z which, with its under-the-stairwell stage, provides an intimate "live in the living room" listening experience.

Loosely themed around a chip shop (a very posh chip shop it must be said), Fat Gut'z is renowned - surprise, surprise - for its fish and chips, salt and pepper squid and rock oysters. We didn't eat but the food ordered by others looked pretty tasty. Special mention to the bar staff as well who were attentive and friendly and nearly as happy as the bass player in the band.

More information: Fat Gutz

WTF

From hi-so to go-go bars across Bangkok, the music mix is invariably "same same" - soulless R&B blended with bubblegum hip hop. If a 'rebellious jukebox' is more your thing - where dub and dub step, the Stone Roses and Sly and the Family Stone feature on the playlist - make WTF your watering hole of choice.

This hip tavern offers a great selection of cocktails, beers and wine. Adding to its art school vibe is an upstairs gallery and art pieces displayed throughout the 3-leveled shophouse. While the food list could be super-sized that's a small quibble. If music is your food of life, you'll be well satisfied and sated - this is a top shelf bar.

Visit WTF Bangkok for more information ... and don't be put off by its dark alley location