The buzz: Forget Gatsby vibes, this shady Saphan Khwai speakeasy is all about the Shanghai mafia era.

The decor: Fronted by a fake Chinese pawnshop, Honest Mistake goes all in on its Shanghai mafia theme. Buy your entry with a bribe before being allowed to ascend to the third floor, where an old-school mahjong table beneath dim lighting creates a secret casino feel. Inside the mysterious room, the cocktail bar is decorated in a mix of neon red Chinese signs and US ‘20s speakeasy style. The more private, half open-air top floor is furnished like a luxury lounge.

The drinks: Cocktails are a mix of Chinese and Western, and come in three styles: complex; sweet and sour; and flavored gin and tonic. The signature JuJube (B360) is a complex combination of sous-vide dried jujube, Chinese wolfberry and mushroom, mixed with bourbon. The creamy, easy-drinking ChinaTown (B360) is a vodka-based concoction that sees homemade chestnut syrup mixed with egg white and fragrant lemon Chartreuse. Your classic G&T gets an injection of sous-vide Chinese herbs and traditional Chinese brandy in the tasty Flavoured Gin & Tonic (B340).

The crowd: Bar hoppers seeking an experience beyond the typical Bangkok cocktail bar.

The music: American artists like Mandy Moore contrast with the Chinese theme.

Why we’d come back: The Chinese pawnshop gimmick is a pretty cool one, plus the Chinese-inspired cocktails are unusual and tasty.