Iron Fairies is a magical bar that is designed like an ironsmith’s workshop: dark and broody, with wrought iron staircases, exposed pipes and dilapidated timber and brick. Bottles fairy dust are stacked in rows, and everywhere you look you could chance upon little iron figurines of the winged creatures that give the bar its name. Open since 2010, Iron Fairies moved in 2013 (but only three doors down the street) and expanded its operation so now it is a maze of staircases, secret doors and dark alcoves.
The former premises were so diminutive that it was a constant battle to get in or out, and while it is still a tight squeeze the added dimensions give some much needed breathing space in which to enjoy the enchanted decor. Open from 18:00 to 02:00, it can be quite a mission to find Iron Fairies so just remember to walk past Thong Lor Soi 10 and keep looking on your right hand side. The closest BTS Station is Thong Lor but you will need a quick taxi from there. A live jazz band starts from 21:00.
The cocktail menu here features some excellent signature creations starting from 280 baht, and their beers list has the standard collection of Thai labels (120 baht) with some Japanese, Mexican and Dutch offerings that are fairly commonplace in Bangkok nowadays. The very limited food menu is famed across the city for one thing: Burgers. The kind of giant, hulking creations that are served on a wooden chopping board and have to be held in place with a steak knife. Choose between premium Aussie beef, fish or even the tropical with pineapple and egg. All burgers are served with thick wedges and will keep you satisfied all night.
Owing to the enduring popularity of Iron Fairies, tables are hard to come by – even the lone table on the third floor that is only reachable via a ‘secret’ door – but if you are lucky enough to grab yourself a seat, open up the wooden boxes on each table to discover small iron fairies sitting in a pile of peanuts (the peanuts are free; the fairies are available to buy at the bar). Crack open the shells and drop them on the floor; it’s that kind of place.
The inspiration for Iron Fairies actually started as a fairytale book that the owner, Ashley Sutton, wrote himself and later opened a bar of the same name. Since then he has achieved local fame with several other madcap establishments such as Maggie Choos, Mr Jones’ Orphanage and The Bookshop. With a capacity of just 55 people and no advance bookings this place operates on a first come, first serve basis and on weekends it is fairly rammed all night long.
From 21:00, a live band plays jazz and soul standards with a crooner hitting the high notes of tracks that most will recognise. Come here as a couple – it’s a great place for a date – or part of a small group and enjoy stepping into another world.
Opening Hours: 18:00 – 02:00
BTS: Thong Lor
Address: 402 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55
Tel: +66 (0)99 918 1600, +66 (0)63 901 1106