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Get Your Kicks at the Roadhouse
Back in 1989 I was just a wee pup—and you might have been, too. But I’ll tell you one person who wasn’t—Patrick Swayze. He was just coming off his phenomenal success in Dirty Dancing and his next big feature film was a movie that today ranks in the “so bad, it’s good” category—Road House. For those who missed that one, the American actor plays a sexy bouncer who’s hired to clean up a seedy bar in Mid-Western America. Coincidentally, if this movie, for some odd reason, were to be remade today in Bangkok, the perfect location to shoot it would undoubtedly be the Roadhouse Barbeque (942/1-4 Rama IV Rd., Suriyawongse, Bangrak, 02-236-8010. Open daily noon-1am. BTS Sala Daeng. www.roadhousebarbeque.com). Not to say the recently opened bar is seedy—far from it—but it has a woody, western, brick-and-bolero theme that makes it look exactly the type of place Swayze might hang out between roundhouse kicks. The place borrows a host of American bar traditions, including a “throw your peanut shells on the floor” rule, killer shuffleboard, foosball and pool tables on the third floor, and an authentically American soundtrack (the bar manager boasts a jukebox is on its way). The vibe of the place is pretty relaxed and welcoming to ex-pats and locals alike, though it still has a certain amount of stiffness that naturally accompanies the opening of bar that has yet to find its crowd. Though with former managerial staff from Dubliner at the helm, no doubt the place will be swinging before you can whistle Dixie.
The head chef and co-owner at the Roadhouse is the former Food and Beverage Manager for the Miami Dolphins, so authentic grub is a given. From Philly cheesesteaks (B240) to Buffalo wings (B125 for 10 wings) that would make Dan Marino proud, this place has enough comfort food to make any homesick American feel good. Another quality of the bar is the presence of micro-brewed beers on the menu. Their Roadhouse Pilsner (B185/pint) is a wheaty brew with a full head, while dark ale lovers should go strait for the Roadhouse Strong Ale (B185/pint). Their nightly special: buy four bottles of local beer (normally B95/bottle) get one free.
A to Zeta
Unless you live or are dining in Thonburi, there aren’t many good reasons for hanging out on the far side of the Chao Phraya River late into the evening. The one exception may be a visit to 360, the Millennium Hilton’s top floor, top shelf, clean cut jazz lair with the enviable riverside view. However, unless you are a real jazz lover, let’s face it—there’s only so much of it you can take. What to do next? Well, the obvious course of action is heading to Zeta Bar (3/F, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, 123 Charoennakorn Rd., Klongsan, 02-442-2063. Open daily 5pm-2am. www.bangkok.hilton.com), the Hilton’s hipper, younger-targeted watering hole with the soundtrack to match. Not to be confused with the lesbian bar in RCA, this Zeta is a sophisticated place with deep chocolate wood finishing and contemporary seating that’s not too stiff, not too squishy. Red blocky lights in clusters of 2 and 4 dot the ceiling and look vaguely like Tetris pieces falling to Earth. You might actually convince yourself you’re playing after downing a couple of their signature stiff legged Aviation cocktails (Beefeater gin, lemon, maraschino juice, B230). Beer lovers will be in heaven with rarely seen varieties like Red Stripe (B260), Sapporo (B290), New Castle (B260) and even (gulp) Budweiser (B260) lining the menu—assuming of course their pockets are deep enough. The sound system rides the fine line of being loud enough while not inhibiting casual conversation—definitely the sign of a smart bar manager. Musically, it’s a mix of hip-pop (Destiny’s Child, Sean Paul, etc.) from 5-10pm, then funky, loungey house until closing. If any flaw can be found, this is it—indistinctive music. The bar can be a bit under populated during the week, but considering the locale, that comes with the territory. All in all, it’s a stylish, well thought out place for nights when you don’t mind blowing a little cash.