Bangkok's Q Bar turns 10. That's like 200 in nightclub years

Much like “dog years,” a Bangkok bar that stays alive for 10 years might as well be alive for 200 -- a near impossible feat in this city. That’s why Bangkok’s Q Bar is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a massive party tonight.

Q Bar is co-owned by Canadian Andrew Clark and American David Jacobson. We asked Clark how the bar has managed to remain one of Bangkok's most popular nightclubs for a whole decade in a city where bars come and go like moths to a flame.

“When we first started in 1999 there weren’t any decent drink-driven clubs in town,” he says. “Just go-go bars and pubs, no proper place to bring your partner, wife, business associate, etc for a night out -- besides hotel lounges which are quite dull. And from the very beginning we poured strong drinks and trained our staff to learn all the Western bar lingo, from Australia to Ireland. We still have weekly training sessions every Friday.”

This makes sense, given Q Bar’s drink selection. One almost needs a master’s degree in alcohol consumption to keep up with the bar’s spirit menu.

“We’ve got the biggest selection of spirits in Southeast Asia, including 14 brands of tequila, dozens of single malt whiskies and 90 types of vodka. And the staff have to know which countries they come from and what makes them special.”

And then there's the music. Q Bar is famous in Bangkok for bringing in some of the world’s best DJs and has hosted the likes of Mick Jagger, Oliver Stone, Michelle Yeoh, Collin Farrell, Jackie Chan and the Black Eyed Peas in its 10 years in operation. 

The anniversary celebration opens to the general public at 11pm, following a two-hour invitation-only party. Entrance is 600 baht per person and includes two drinks.

getting there

Q Bar Bangkok
Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok, BTS: Na Na
Tel: +66 (0)2 252 3274
www.qbarbangkok.com