logo
One of the best bars in Bangkok is popping up in Chicago for one night only

One of the best bars in Bangkok is popping up in Chicago for one night only

Time Out22-04-2025
Chicago is already home to some of the best bars in North America, but we'll never turn down the opportunity for an international cocktail stunner to come grace the Windy City. And one of the world's best drinking dens—literally— will do just that next month: on Monday, May 5, Vesper will head to Chicago by way of Bangkok for an epic takeover and collaboration at Hawksmoor Chicago inside the historic LaSalle Powerhouse building in River North.
The globally acclaimed Thai bar was recognized as one of the World's 50 Best Bars in 2024 and was featured on Asia's 50 Best Bars list nine years consecutively, coming in at number 13 just last year.
"This is pretty much the ideal date bar: it's chic but not austere, the drinks are strong and if conversation runs dry the menu will provide the perfect talking point," the World's 50 Best write-up praised the Bangkok bar, which opened in the city's Silom area back in 2014.
Vesper's current cocktail lead Tom Hearn (formerly at the American Bar at the Savoy and KOL Mezcaleria in London) will join forces with Hawksmoor Chicago's Zach Ballard to showcase a specially curated menu of Vesper's wildly inventive cocktails that helped them earn the reputation as one of the most exciting bars on the globe. The open-to-the-public event will run from 6pm to 9pm on May 5.
On the menu will be the Beehave (made with gin, lychee liqueur, lychee honey, soda and jasmine); A Samurai Walks into the Sunset (with tequila, Talker 10, Campari, dry vermouth, crème de cacao blanc and shio koji); and the Greenball, a strong spirit-forward drink that makes use of tequila, absinthe, mezcal and sour apple liqueur; as well as the bar's namesake Vesper (Tanqueray gin, Ketel One vodka, Cocchi Americano and orange bitters). Cocktails will be available a la carte, with prices ranging from $12 to $14 per drink.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bangkok named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025
Bangkok named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025

Time Out

time9 hours ago

  • Time Out

Bangkok named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025

The Thai capital has topped Time Out's first-ever global ranking of the best cities for the next generation, thanks to its unbeatable combination of happiness, affordability and community. Forget everything you thought you knew about the world's greatest cities. For the first time ever, Time Out has handed the mic to the under-30s, creating a definitive global ranking of the Best Cities for Gen Z, by Gen Z. Using the same extensive data from our annual Best Cities survey but filtering for the generation that's rewriting the rules, we've uncovered the urban hubs where young people aren't just surviving – they're thriving. And taking the coveted top spot for 2025? The vibrant, chaotic, and utterly captivating city of Bangkok, Thailand. This win signals a significant shift in what a generation values in a city. While previous generations may have prioritised career-centric stability or a quiet life in the suburbs, Gen Z – a cohort raised in a digital-first world of economic flux and side hustles – craves something different. They seek dynamic experiences, genuine community, work-life balance, and, crucially, the financial freedom to enjoy it all. This is precisely where Bangkok shines. The city didn't just win; it dominated in the categories that matter most to this generation. A staggering 84 percent of Gen Z respondents in Bangkok reported being happy with their life in the city, a clear reflection of the capital's infectious energy and positive atmosphere. But happiness is only half the story. In an era of global inflation and student debt, affordability is paramount. Bangkok delivers in spades, with 71 percent of its young residents rating it as a budget-friendly place to live. This isn't just about cheap eats (though the world-class street food certainly helps); it's about the financial breathing room to pursue creative projects, travel and build a life that isn't defined by a soul-crushing rent-to-income ratio. Perhaps most tellingly, Bangkok also proved to be the ultimate social hub. Gen Z urbanites here were the most likely of any city surveyed to say it's easy to make new friends. In a world that can often feel isolating, the city's welcoming vibe, bustling co-working spaces, and endless opportunities for social connection create a powerful sense of community. With an overall 'City Score' of 66% percent among its Gen Z inhabitants, the Thai capital's appeal is undeniable. Bangkok beat out some serious global heavyweights for the title, with Melbourne (Australia) coming in second, followed by Cape Town (South Africa), New York City (USA), and Copenhagen (Denmark) rounding out the top five. While cities like New York and London (which ranked ninth) offer immense opportunity, they couldn't compete with Bangkok's winning formula of low cost and high satisfaction. The secret is out. For a generation that values experiences over possessions and community over cubicles, Bangkok offers the ultimate urban playground. It's a city that proves you don't have to choose between your wallet and your well-being. You really can have it all. The Top 10 best cities for Gen Z 2025 are:

The Asian capital named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025
The Asian capital named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025

Time Out

time11 hours ago

  • Time Out

The Asian capital named the world's best city for Gen Z in 2025

At Time Out, we take great pride in our annual ranking of the world's best cities, which is based on survey data from 18,500 local participants (and the help of a panel of experts), but what makes a city great means something different to each generation, and that's why we dug a little deeper to find out what matters most to Gen Z. So, drawing on the same data that was used to rank our list of the world's best cities, but filtered for responses from those under the age of 30, we now have a comprehensive ranking of the best cities in the world for Gen Z, and topping that list was Bangkok. That's right – the Thai capital beat out the likes of every other city to claim the crown as the best hub in the world for those under the age of 30, so let's find out why. Well, firstly it's because a whopping 84 percent of our participants said they are happy living in Bangkok, and more so than in any other city, the locals here said they find it easy to make friends – a pretty good foundation, right? It also ranked as a very affordable place to live, with 71 percent of under-30s rating Bangkok as budget-friendly, which is obviously a massive factor in quality of life for young people. Oh, and Bangkok also claimed a spot in our roundup for the best cities in the world for nightlife – read more about that here. But the Thai capital was far from the only city to score well among under-30s. Melbourne claimed second place, with a staggering 96 percent of young locals rating the Aussie hub's art and cultural scene, and in third place it was Cape Town, which scored well for happiness, beauty, cheap nights out and being an 'exciting' place to live.

Thai Diner's little sister is all about chicken fingers
Thai Diner's little sister is all about chicken fingers

Time Out

timea day ago

  • Time Out

Thai Diner's little sister is all about chicken fingers

Just a few weeks ago, we got word from a little birdie (a.k.a. the internet) that the Thai Diner team was cooking up something special. Turns out, when they closed their beloved Uncle Boons Sister in 2020—a casual spin-off from their wildly successful restaurant, Uncle Boons, which also shuttered in the same year—they retained the keys to the space. All these years later, and the team is finally back at the 203 Mott Street. And the name of the game? Chicken fingers, baby. On Friday, August 8, the Thai Diner team debuted Mommy Pai's, a literal hop and a skip down the block from the favored Thai-American diner. Much like her other restaurants, for chef-partner Ann Redding, Mommy Pai's is a personal one. Her sister May Redding designed the branding of the restaurant (she also designed both Thai Diner and Uncle Boons), from the tropical-themed menus to the maximalist walk-up counter which mimics a traditional Thai wooden home blended with a roadside food stall. Together, the sisters pay a living tribute to their mother, Ampai, whose face you can catch plastered on the front door and smiling on menus with chicken tenders in hand. Speaking of, tenders are the name of the game. Using organic chicken as a base, you can order your gluten-free tenders fried or grilled in the style of satay, zhuzhed with your choice of Lemongrass, Muay Thai, Spicy and Coconut (which you can only get fried). There's also a vegan version, the Hat Yai Veggies, that comes with a flurry of greens—cauliflower, mushrooms, snake beans, purple sweet potato, baby bok choy and crispy shallots. You can make it a Mommy Combo ($20), which you should, as the meal comes with tenders plus a sauce and a side. Eight dipping sauces cycle through here, from the nicely spiced Phuket Island Sauce with galangal and green peppercorn to the garlic-flecked Sweet Chili Nam Jim. Sides come in the form of purple sticky rice with lettuce wraps, mommy cakes (aka silver dollar-sized coconut and scallion pancakes), rice and beans with a coconut creme to pour over and waffle fries. If you opt for the combo, you can add on a frozen drink (we liked the nicely spiced and tart Spicy Tamarind Thai Orange) for just $3 more. Order it "Thaphoon" style, and your slushie will receive a swirl of condensed milk soft serve. The menu rounds out with a few chicken and tofu sandwiches, cheekily named the Filet O'Tofu, and more sides that include Garlic Chive & Tapioca Dumplings, Curry Puff Mozzarella Sticks and chilled Green Curry Kanom Jim Noodles. But lest you leave without something a little sweet, the kitchen also has mini Taro Tapioca Donuts with pandan sangkaya custard for dipping and swirls of Thai tea and condensed milk soft serve by the cone or cup.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store