Dining/Drinking

It is with great anticipation that Happy Hour Asia pays a first visit to Bkk Social Club, the high-ranking discerning bar at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, Chao Phraya River.

Since the launch of the luxury hotel, its bar has already won some very prestigious awards; most recently #3 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars List 2023, #13 on World’s 50 Best Bars List 2023, and Asia’s Best Bar on World’s 50 Best Bars List 2023! Asia’s Best Bar, with such competition is truly impressive, and such accolades are testament to that Bkk Social Club must be something quite special…

The Chao Phraya riverside location also gives this hotel a resort feel, in the signature Four Seasons’ luxurious style, and especially with its al fresco dining options and pool areas.

To reach Bkk Social Club one must first access the hotel, either via the river ferry or via Bangkok’s historic Charoen Krung road. Once arriving on the premises you pass by the lobby’s The Lounge and head down the hotel’s left wing. There, a garden reveals itself on the right, faced by the bar entrance.

In these sophisticated surrounds the entrance to Bkk Social Club feels almost like entering on of those luxury goods stores, with a very distinct logo outside on the terrazo promenade, though also with some alfresco seating (seats in brown wood and discerning tropical-colonial rattan style, and black-tinted glass tables) to indicate this is after all an F&B outlet.

Inside, the high-ceilinged bar comes with super sophisticated interiors, mainly in leather and marble. Aside segments with ”mosaic” tropical wood flooring, a particular inlaid marble has an incredible look – in hues of beige and yellow to black with oval circle formations as part of its intertwined intricate pattern.

A wide and bespoke bar takes centrestage, directly facing arriving guests, and with a variety of seating options to choose from. The opportunity to be close to the action is of course there, with bar counter chairs designed in vintage chrome. To enhance the timeless vibe of the dimly-lit Bkk Social Club, there are also vintage style table lamps both at the bar counter and all guest tables (black- veined marble tops with brass edge) throughout the venue. Part of the interiors is also stained wall mirrors.

Exclusive spirits are displayed on arched wall shelves: mainly reddish colour bottles higher up and white spirits on the wider bottom counter shelves. Those higher up can only be reached via ladder.

There are intriguing details throughout; such as the vintage chromed brass wall lamps or the bust of an animal dressed in clothing and smoking a pipe, on a wall of moss and various grass.

More on the vintage front, a timeless green hue has been chosen – visible on the plates and colour of choice for the ceiling, the latter also with a brass-hued web-like framework, connecting with very unique ceiling lamp arrangements – their forms actually replicated as part of the Bkk Social Club logo. And the logo is a retro masterpiece oozing 1930’s.

At the centre, in front of the bar, there are two larger semi-circle wine-red sofas on opposite sides, with black-tinted glass tables and light brown leather armchairs. On the far sides there is semi-circle leather seats in a dark chocolate hue, decorated with light brown leather- and velvet pillows. Behind, the wall covered by a dark brown leather padding, is illuminated and seemingly stretching infinitely upwards into the darkness.

Six big ceiling speakers also keeps the soundtrack evenly audible throughout the venue and with sound capacity to create quite a club vibe later in the evening. Oh, and there is a cigar room for such enthusiasts.

The bartending team are dressed in lab coat style bartender uniforms, and with white shirts and dark ties.

This overall bespoke level of course also raises the “bar” to high expectations for the cocktail menu – to offer something discerning, intriguing, while also celebrating traditions from the ever growing world of cocktails and spirits, as well as bartending history.

And, the impressive interiores aside Bkk Social is also a stand-out for its up-to-now (theme may change) daring focus on Buenos Aires and Argentina for its bar menu theme, under the leadership of seasoned mixologist/bar manager Philip Bischoff.

The signature cocktail selection will also remind guests of distinct Argentinian culture, names and historic personalitites such as the ’Evita’ musical, tango, carnival traditions, football legend Diego Maradona and more.

How this is introduced, Bkk Social describes as follows: “Separated by half a world yet united by a passion for life, good times and great drinks, our destination bar raises a toast to the legendary glamour of Buenos Aires with bespoke cocktails, craft spirits and the finest cigars in a stylish, social ambience!”

While the menu is presented in a green leather cover, a welcome shot is served, consisting in blended vermouth coconut milk and lychee. A great tropical refresher!

Happy Hour Asia curiously studies the menu in detail, which is separated into three themes – picking one drink from each: party, people and places.

A certain group of people – ‘Criollo’ – are presented with this as the very name of the cocktail. The are the first generation Latin American born from two Spanish parents creating a unique fusion of culture and gastronomy, the menu informs. Bkk social serves a take on the fruity Sangria. Its ingredients are Argentinian Torrontes, Hendrick’s Gin, apricot, peach, citrus, apple and strawberry soda. Served in a wine glass, chunks of these fruits are clearly visible in the transparent drink that is zesty and indeed aromatic.

’Hand of God’ is another people’s drink that hardly deserves further explanation. But to be on the safe side – after all it is quite a while ago – this cocktails gives ”Bittersweet memories of Argentina’s legendary fooballer Diego Maradona an his decisive goal, scored by hand, during the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico. A bold drink with a finish to think about”. It’s made with Olmeca Altos Reposado tequila, Campari, and cacao malbec wine cordial.

Places offers a ”taste of the myths and the magic of the grand metropolis captured and swirled into your cocktail glass”. The cocktail ’Casa Rosada’ is named after the office of President of Argentina, the iconic ’Pink Palace’ of Buenos Aires. The ingredients are naked malt (Naked Grouse), vermouth, bland amaretto, raspberry-honey shrub, pickle juice, citrus, soda – served in a long glass with 4 large ice cubes. It has hints of orange (also its hue – not pink) and comes out as a very unique whisky-based cocktail!

As a Party pick, ’Milongas’ is a gin & tonic, in celebration of Buenos Aires’ many Milongas, where the spirit of tango comes to life. Ingredients: Monkey 47 Gin, Monkey 47 Sloe Gin, rosella nancino bianco vermouth and Indian tonic water. It comes out transparent but tinted with that rosella colour, garnished with some edible flowers in a classic, large gin & tonic glass. It’s a party drink for sure, that lasts quite a while and then prompts to order a second one…

On the party front Argentina apparently also have have carnivals – hence a ’Carnival’ cocktail on the menu, made with Chamomile Abelha Cachaça, raspberry, elderflower, lime, and egg white. The menu explains: ”The country’s carnival tradition grew at the end of the 18th century, with immigrants taking dance and songs to the streets to express their disenchantment. What’s a carnival without a fancy caipirinha?”

Guests can also opt for more classic drinks, including The Manhattan, Martini, Champagne cocktail, Kiss on the shore, Pistachio margarita or a Negroni flight.

Delicious bar food is also on the menu, including Lobster tacos placed in a row on a custom marble plate. Other bar food Happy Hour Asia tries: BBQ pork, Chicken wings, and for dessert:
Passion fruit mango cheesecake, which reveals itself as something rather unusual: egg-shaped mango-hued small balls.

Dulce De Leche Truffle (ashew nut crusted) and Thai chocolate Khanom Bueang (Praline biscuit – mango) are the other desserts. Other dishes include: Thai pomelo salad (a true winner!), Chicken satay (and Asian classic), Wagyu beef sliders, Chimichurri beef spring roll, Scallop & yellow tail ceviche, and more.

And we want more! Bkk Social Club is a bar adventure of sorts, and it feels like this is just the beginning of many more exciting cocktail themes to come!