Opium

About

Occupying the fourth and fifth floors of the five-storey POTONG building above Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown, Opium takes its name from the room's earlier use for opium smoking during the period when the trade was still legal. The bar, opened by restaurateur Arnon Hoontrakul, organises its drinks list around a stated concept of "Liquid Surreality," pairing it with a food menu and a private room, Black Jade. Bar manager Matteo, who worked in Australia, Singapore and Mumbai before Bangkok, oversees the programme; bartender Julie Nguyen took the Thailand title at the 2023 Cointreau Margarita Competition and a national Flor de Caña selection.