The buzz: You might have already spotted this new addition to Ekkamai’s nightlife scene thanks to its flashy colors and décor featuring all sorts of geometric shapes. Set on the second floor of the Horizon Building, near the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 63, the venue is just a stone’s throw from the BTS (parking is also provided). It’s the brainchild of Berkeley graduate John Nattapong, who wanted to establish a new place for alternative music. Dubbing itself a gastro bar with a nightclub kind of atmosphere (its tagline is “Eat Out Loud”), here it’s all about boisterous and none-too-sophisticated friends’ gatherings. A beer garden is soon to open in the front of the building, too.

The décor: Adding to the décor of lines and triangles are spectacular lighting patterns on the ceiling that change color and give the place a very disco/raver-like feel. Tables and seats range from glass and steel ones to more space-age-like sets that look like something out of TRON. Mixing things up further, the black walls are adorned in lyrics from songs like Oasis’ ode to hedonism “Cigarettes and Alcohol” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” while naked light bulbs hang down from the ceilings. 

The crowd: A mostly Thai music-loving crowd, who come either for dinner or chit-chat to a backdrop of alternative music. 

The music: Don’t be tricked by the rave-like décor, the soundtrack features alternative rock anthems of the 80s and 90s going back-to-back with more laid-back tunes. As of this soft opening period, DJs take to the decks every day while live bands appear on weekends. 

The Price: On tap you’ll find Hoegaarden (B250) and Heineken (B200), while Singha, Asahi, Carlsberg (small, B130) and Corona (B210) come in bottles. In all, it’s a pretty standard drinks selection, with Johnnie Walker Black at B2,000 a bottle (Blue at B9,500) and standard cocktails from B265. Signature cocktails take their names from classic alt-rock tunes like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Creep” and Moderndog’s dek naew anthem “Busaba” and will set you back B300. Living up to its gastro bar label, the kitchen serves up dishes that call for more drinking like the beef miso sour skewers (served on meek rob, B190) and pla gung (spicy shrimp salad, B230). For those with a bigger appetite, the grilled salmon risotto (B350) should do the trick. Come Wednesday night, ladies can enjoy the buy-one-get-one-free promotion on Heineken.

Why you’ll come back: While the décor probably isn’t to all tastes, Stereo Bar makes for a nice, convenient meeting spot for drinks and banter with friends.