The buzz: In a bid to stay abreast of Thong Lor’s constantly-shifting nightlife trends, Maya has become Whiskey Mist and has undergone a complete facelift from Inca-inspired club to retro-rustic live music drinking den. Although still in its soft-opening period, the place is already generating quite a buzz.

The décor: The two-storey venue has a raw and distressed cement finish, accessorized by faux vintage bric-a-brac like bronze sculptures and chandeliers. There are definite reminders of exisiting “it” joints like Hyde and Seek and Iron Fairies. We love the rustic basement vibe on the second floor and the breezy porch area.     

The music: Two house bands roll out the usual servings of Thai and international hits from Mon-Thu. Things get a little more upbeat on the weekends with resident DJs spinning house and hip hop tunes.

The crowd: Fans of the old Maya and club hoppers from the neighborhood who can’t squeeze into current hotspot Fat Gut’z next door.

The price: Cocktails B180-380, whiskey B1,200, beer B120, mixers B60. Appetizers are in the B90-220 range. We recommend the sausages served on the bed of seasoned fries (B250).

Why you’ll come back: It’s new, well-decorated and, compared to other places with a similar vibe, Whiskey Mist does at least allow you room to breathe. Chanun Poomsawai