The buzz: The team behind Cosmic Café and Sonic Ekkamai have breathed new life into the old Y50 club, which in recent years had been used as a warehouse up on the second floor of a furniture shop in Ekkamai Soi 21. Here, the emphasis is on retro-chic décor, good music and spicy Thai dishes, best enjoyed when the beer is flowing.

The décor: Wooden retro-chic. A glass wall separates the old warehouse space into an indoor space and outdoor terrace. Both are filled with sizeable wooden dining tables, leather sofas and vintage knick-knacks sourced from the furniture shop downstairs and the owner’s personal collection, including—you guessed it—a mounted moose head which hangs from a bare brick wall. Both zones are also dotted with small trees.

The music: With the same DJs as Cosmic Cafe, don’t expect too much diversity but be prepared for fine selections of Britpop, 60s-80s rock and some electro-pop. 

The crowd: Cosmic Café and Sonic regulars striking out for pastures new and painfully hip young Thonglor-Ekkamai crowds after a good soundtrack for their night.

The price: The drinks focus is on simple-but-tasty cocktails cutely presented; try Cosmic Paradise (Sangsom, rosselle juice, lemon juice and syrup, B220) served in a sparkling wine glass, or the gin-based daiquiri Yellow Submarine which carries a pleasant aroma thanks to its blend of fresh mango and honey (B220). Another refreshing option is the Melon Cooler (vodka, triple sec, fresh watermelon and syrup, B220), while standards cocktails are B170-220. Right now only Asahi is available on tap (B110/350), but bottles include Estrella damm Innedit (B490), Beerlao (B100) and Beerlao Dark (B140), as well as standard choices like Hoegaarden(B180), Corona (B180), Leffe Brown (B180) and Singha (B100). Wines are B850-1,550 by the bottle. Whiskey ranges from Jameson (B1,450/bottle) to JW Gold Label (B2,650/bottle). Food is mostly spicy Thai dishes like lab salmon (B260) and Northern-style minced pork (B200) and appetizers (B180).     

Why you’ll come back: It’s always cause for celebration when a new place to catch quality live music pops up in the middle of town. While their daily happy hour deal of buy-one-get-one-free on house wine, Asahi draught and classic cocktails from 5-8pm is pretty enticing, it’s all about the music, here. Get a taste with a gig from Pae Arak (Feb 2) or join the grand opening with Tul Apartmentkhunpa and DJ Maft Sai’s molam band (Feb 7). Vasachol Quadri