The buzz: While Sukhumvit 22 looks to be starting to rival Soi 11 as a nightlife hot spot, Overground is already proving a good draw for music lovers with its seemingly endless stream of alternative gigs. Situated on the second floor above vegetarian restaurant Myra, the bar is run by Australian Grahame Lynch, who is also a member of the electro band Wasabi Bytes. As such, it really is a venue made for musicians and regular gig-goers, with a raw yet cozy appeal and a real lack of pretension. 

The décor: The outdoor area makes you feel as if you’re sitting in a treehouse down a quiet sub-soi. But follow the music inside through a big train-tunnel-like arch and you’ll quickly realize Overground is all about giving a stage to underground sounds. The black-dominated room bears plenty of unfinished touches, with naked bulbs dangling from a loft-style ceiling and zinc stools, but also a hodgepodge of 50s furniture. Come gig-time, the sofas and low tables make way for some 120 revelers to take to the small dancefloor. The basic bar sits at the back of the room opposite a low stage and DJ deck, really blurring the line between bands and crowd when everything is in full-swing. 

The crowd: A lot of expats but also a fair share of Thais, and there’s a chance you might make some new friends in the media and advertising fields. While specific crowds vary from gig to gig, the place generally draws an appreciative audience. 

The music: Live acts plus DJs between sets. Resident acts include Wasabi Bytes, Panic Station and Kamp Krusty, while gigs span everything from goth and punk to hip-hop and indie-rock meaning there’s definitely something for everyone. 

The price: Signature cocktails are named after world-famous train lines like the Trans-Siberian Express (vodka, Bols Blue curaçao, pineapple, lemon and syrup) and Southern Aurora (Bundaberg rum, grenadine, egg, syrup, pineapple and orange) and will set you back B200. Standard beers come from Singha, Chang, Beerlao and Asahi (B100), which go down really well with the fusion bar snacks like larb moo nachos (B200). Other drops include cider (Three Oaks, B180) and Tullochs red and white wines (B200 a glass, B1,300 a bottle). Ladies get free select standard cocktails from 6-10pm, with a limit of four drinks.

Why you’ll come back: With its welcoming atmosphere and diverse live line-ups, music devotees with alternative leanings will no doubt have regular reason to return.