Be Like Vic: Discover Everyday Bangkok Through Real Life and Local Moments

Welcome to Bangkok. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already here—or still figuring out how this city fits into your life. Bangkok can feel overwhelming at first, but it has a way of revealing itself through small, everyday moments. For me, one of the easiest ways to connect with the city has been through live music in relaxed, welcoming spaces. If that sounds like your kind of rhythm, read on—this one’s for you.

So, what’s up? My name is Vic—also known as Teacher Vic, or Vicky Brosé. I’ve been living in Thailand for three years, with the past two spent in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. I’m originally from the United States, specifically Philadelphia—the City of Brotherly Love and a place deeply rooted in music. Growing up surrounded by diverse sounds and scenes shaped how I experience new cities, and Bangkok has been no exception.

Finding Your Place in Bangkok, One Moment at a Time

Philadelphia, or Philly, is a music hub, with many music venues catering to all types of music: from indie rock to hip-hop to jazz to classical to musical theater. I, myself, am an amateur aspiring hip-hop artist. Over the past 20 years, I have been creating freestyles and a few written songs. If you haven’t already figured it out yet, I love music. I love creating and listening to others create as well.

My love for music has been a trustworthy compass in my life in Bangkok. It has led me to meet people and discover local gems that are off the beaten path. For teachers living and working in Thailand, these everyday discoveries often become the moments that make the city feel like home.

Music as a Compass for Life Beyond the Classroom

Living in Bangkok can feel overwhelming at first. The pace, the traffic, the size of the city—it all takes time to adjust to. For me, music became the way I grounded myself and connected with real life beyond teaching hours.

Instead of chasing big clubs or tourist-heavy areas, I found myself drawn toward smaller venues where the atmosphere feels personal and unfiltered. These spaces allowed me to unwind after school, meet locals and expats alike, and experience Bangkok in a way that felt authentic.

Teaching in Thailand isn’t just about what happens inside the classroom. It’s also about finding routines, interests, and places that help you feel balanced and connected.

Buddha and Pals: Café by Day, A Jazz Bar by Night

A location that stands out to me is none other than Buddha and Pals! Buddha and Pals is located in Khet Dusit, at 716 Krungkasem Road, Wat Sommanat, Pompprap Sattruphai, Bangkok, right along the canal. It is quite close to our BFITS partner schools, and about two kilometers from Khao San Road.

The space is reminiscent of an old Cuban-style jazz bar. It’s rustic yet refined, with musicians and singers performing in front of the bar in this intimate interior. There are seats and tables around the perimeter of the performance area that create that intimacy between performers and patrons. No one is ever too far away from the music.

The rotation of performers provides a variety of sounds. You can hear all styles of jazz, crooning, blues, and lounge singing here every day of the week except Monday and special holidays. What is also enjoyable about this venue is the food. It offers a mix of Thai and Western dishes (great pizza) and does both well, all at a good price. The vibe is not fancy, but it is sophisticated.

My suggestion is to make a reservation a day or two in advance, dress in relaxed business casual, and don’t be afraid to sit up front with the band and become an ad hoc member as they play throughout the night. It may even get you a greeting and a one-on-one with the charming, warm owner, Mac.

Adhere 13th Blues Bar: No-Frills Jazz with Soul

Not so far away from Buddha and Pals is the well-known Adhere 13th Blues Bar. Very close to the Royal Palace area on 13 Samsen Road, Wat Sam Phraya, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, this jazz bar reminds me of the no-frills jazz clubs back in Philly.

The highlight here is the music. There is a small bar to the back of this narrow jazz den, with the seating clustered inside and lightly overflowing onto the sidewalk. Depending on the night, you will smell a variety of grilled meats that may tempt you to place an order at the vendor towards the entrance, just to help you soak up your no-frills drinks as you feel the music vibrate through you.

The crowd is chill and unpretentious, just like the blues and jazz music coming from this nook. This place is full of soul, and it sneaks into you as you are listening. One moment, a keyboardist is doing a deep dive into their solo, and you somehow find yourself calling and responding with them with your air bass-violin.

Make a reservation, as space is very limited, and when you come, make sure you chat it up with your table neighbors during the music breaks. Here, everyone is interesting and quite unique.

Speaker Box: Indie Rock, Movement, and Letting Loose

As I mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of indie rock. I tend towards bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, The Vaccines, The Strokes, and The Kaiser Chiefs. I would also slip in some grunge and some metal (new interest).

Where in Bangkok would I get my dose of this? Speaker Box Livehouse at Liberty Plaza Building, Thong Lor, Wattana, Bangkok.

Speaker Box hosts special nights for a vast selection of rock, jazz, hip-hop, and experimental music. There are Brit Rock nights, Indie Rock nights, Grunge nights, Metal nights, and more. Each special night will have several bands, either playing their own music or covers of well-known bands.

My first experience was catching the tail end of a System of a Down cover band and jumping and stomping along to the rhythm of “Chop Suey” and “Aerials.” What a great memory to associate with Speaker Box.

Dress as casually as you want. Here, people just want to dance and move around. Don’t be shy—nobody cares. Let yourself move and sing along with the bands and others who are just showing their inner rockers.

Goja: Underground Hip-Hop and Real Conversations

My hip-hop heads! I didn’t forget you at all. Let’s go a few kilometers east of Speaker Box to Goja, near BTS Phra Kanong on Sukhumvit 71 Road. To all the cool foreign Bangkok oldheads, Goja is an OG spot.

I discovered the place in 2022 after meeting a few underground hip-hop producers from the BKK Beat Cipher collective. They suggested I check out Goja for its weekly Saturday Night Phase Hip-Hop party and its once-monthly BKK Beat Cipher Fridays.

There are underground producers and artists from Thailand, Japan, the US, Europe, and other parts of the world showcasing their music. The space is small, but energy spills into the alley outside.

Go there, and you may find yourself having a conversation with up-and-coming artists. If you really let the hip-hop in, you may even end up having a memorable freestyle cipher with some of the performers.

Choosing Your Vibe in a City Full of Options

These four venues provide such a unique experience. Going to any of these depends on what you are in the mood for.

• If you want jazzy sophistication, Buddha and Pals.
• If you want straight jazz and blues in a casual setting, Adhere 13th Blues Bar.
• If you want to rock out, Speaker Box.
• And for all you hip-hoppers, Goja.

Living and teaching in Bangkok isn’t about doing everything. It’s about finding the places that feel right to you and letting them become part of your routine.

Everyday Life in Thailand is the Real Experience

If you read this, I hope I will catch you at these places. You may even see me perform!

For teachers living in Thailand, it’s often the everyday moments—music, conversations, small venues, shared energy—that shape how a city truly feels. Bangkok has a rhythm of its own, and once you find it, everything else starts to make sense.