Standard City Guide: Bangkok - The Standard Store

Standard City Guide: Bangkok

by Tara Bennett

WHO ARE YOU?                    Tara Bennett

WHERE ARE YOU?                Erskinville, Sydney but frequent Bangkok 1-2 times a year

WHAT DO YOU DO?              Web girl @ The Standard Store

  

What do you love about the city?

Most people might not be aware but Bangkok is actually full of creative people! I love all the little shops, cafes and the food!

Most inspiring stores, spaces, galleries?

The Commons is this new-ish place in Khlong Toei. It's this super cool concrete building that is mostly outside. It was designed to create a sense of community in the city. You can get all different cuisines and then sit in different sections all over the place.

commons

Emquartier is probably the best shopping mall I have ever been to! I am not one for a shopping centre but this is a must! It has a Bape store, Beams, Pronto Denim, Comme Des Garçons, you name it! It also has a crazy foodcourt and food market downstairs.

Secret eating/ drinking spots?

Quince restaurant - I eat here almost every time I am in Bangkok. The décor, food and service is incredible. It's also super reasonably priced for more of a "fancier" restaurant. 

quince

Next door to Quince is Sing Sing Theatre. The interior of this bar is very well done, so much so, they won design awards for it. They play old film on projectors, while the staff serve your cocktails in birdcages on a stick. It's a bizarre place that will make you want to return the next night. 

sing sing

WTF - this trendy little bar is down a side street. Great for a late night tipple. 

Badmotel - grab yourself a happy hour cocktail and wait for 72 Courtyard to open across the road. In 72, it's full of different restaurants and bars.

72

Best coffee?

Casa Lapin - there are a couple around Bangkok and each one is different. My favourite is Casa Lapin x 26. The coffee is one of the best I have had in the world (huge call, I know).

Blue Dye Cafe - Owned by a lovely girl called Mint and her business partner Tum, they make a great coffee served in Mint's own ceramics. 

blue dye

Local stores (vintage, interiors, beauty, pharmacy?)

You can shop a beautiful collection of ceramics in Blue Dye Cafe and upstairs are African indigo dyed mug blankets, vintage kimonos and America/Indian jewellery.

The greatest vintage market is Chatchuchak, open on weekends. A taxi will cost you bout 200Baht ($8) to get there. Stay hydrated and pack an empty bag! You will come away with selvedge jeans, Barbour jackets.. It's insane. But hot... so hot.

Rot Fai Night Market is fun to stroll around and wish you could take home antique furniture on the plane.

Onion - this little store in Watthana has a cafe inside that makes a top notch cuppa and also sells an amazing mix of streetwear and heritage brands. 

onion

Where to stay?

Cabochon Hotel, always. 

Or any Airbnb or hotel around Khlong Toei.

hotel

pool

cabo

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