Reminiscent of 1930’s Shanghai, subterranean bar features live music, shophouse noodles & cocktails
September 3rd, 2015
At underground Bangkok bar Maggie Choo’s, British colonial-era furnishings blend seamlessly with retro-Chinese influences to create a whimsical space that evokes a 1930’s Shanghai cabaret establishment. Meticulously decorated in the style of the period – the basement level space has been transformed into an intriguing venue that melds a Victorian-era gentlemen’s club vibe with a sophisticated live music experience. Nightly the entertainment mix features live jazz and blues musicians, DJ performances, and together with classic and imaginative signature cocktails, plus an adjoining vintage noodle shop for late night eats, Maggie Choo’s exudes a unique atmosphere among Bangkok’s plethora of bars. Open since 2013 Maggie Choo’s continues to enjoy impressive popularity, attracting a discerning, upscale clientele. Located in a basement space underneath the Novotel Fenix Silom hotel, the bar is a few minutes drive from the heart of the popular Silom nightlife district.
Decor Entering through a street level doorway, guests descend down a vintage timber staircase into the elaborately reconstructed Shanghai-style noodle shop. Passing through a further dark curtained passageway reveals the main bar space with its raw brick walls, plush leather Chesterfield sofas, and Victorian-era decorative embellishments. Arched vault spaces set into the side walls accommodate intimate private groups, and while bar staff at the central bar serve drinks across the metal grill protected counter, models evocatively dressed in traditional cheongsam-style dresses recline on suspended swings.
Food At the compact front restaurant, recently taken over by local Cantonese restaurant Hong Bao, a concise selection of traditional Cantonese barbecued meat, dim sum, rice and stir-fried dishes are cooked in the open kitchen. Typical of the dishes are the Fried Crispy Pork Spare Ribs with Spicy Salt ; and Sauteed Tiger Prawn Spicy Chili Hong Kong.
Drinks An appropriately eclectic drinks list features premium quality champagnes, wines and spirits, while signature cocktails are sophisticated creations imbued with the colonial-era theme of Maggi Choo’s. Victorian era-themed signature cocktails combine premium spirits with local Asian ingredients to create unique taste profiles – examples include the Coconut on The Bund – made with Tanqueray, homemade coconut cream, fresh lime juice, mulberry & mace cordial; and Empress Of India – Smirnoff, dragon fruit, marjoram, lime, and orgeat. Renditions of classic cocktails feature well-balanced drinks crafted from gin, rum or brown spirits.
Maggie Choo’s opens nightly from 6 pm to 3 am. A regularly updated roster of live musicians, cabaret acts and DJs perform nightly. Refer to the Maggie Choo’s Facebook Page for upcoming entertainment schedules.
