Mandarin
Mandarin is an open-air beer bar in the Nana Plaza courtyard, sitting in the ground-level area between the complex's three-story buildings. It has no walls, no stage, and no go-go dancers. Instead, it offers a simple bar counter with stools, a few tables with plastic chairs, and a view of the courtyard foot traffic. Bottled beer is the main draw, priced lower than the go-go bars upstairs. The staff are friendly and will sit with customers for conversation, though the dynamic is more relaxed than the structured lady drink system in the enclosed bars. Mandarin serves as a transition space within the complex. Visitors use it to take a break between go-go bar visits, meet friends, or simply watch the parade of people moving through the plaza. The bar has operated in the courtyard for years, surviving through multiple ownership changes in the surrounding venues. During peak hours, finding a seat can be challenging as the bar fills with customers cycling through the complex.
Where to stay near Mandarin
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
An open-air bar counter with stools in the central courtyard of Nana Plaza. The noise from surrounding bars blends into a constant hum. Workers circulate casually, and the vibe is more social than performative.
Relaxed and social, functioning as the complex's informal common area.
No dedicated music system; ambient sound from surrounding bars provides the soundtrack
Anything goes. This is a casual outdoor beer bar.
Budget-conscious visitors and anyone wanting a break from the enclosed go-go bar format
Cash only (Thai baht).
Price Range
Beer 100 THB, cocktail 180 THB, lady drink 150 THB
Beer ~$3/~2.70 EUR, cocktail ~$5.50/~5 EUR, lady drink ~$4.50/~4 EUR
Hours
18:30-02:00 daily
Insider Tip
This is the cheapest place to drink in Nana Plaza, so use it as a base between go-go bar visits. The courtyard gets crowded after 22:00, so arrive early if you want a seat. No bar fine system here; it's just a beer bar.
Full Review
Mandarin exists for practical reasons rather than entertainment ones. It's the cheapest spot in Nana Plaza to sit with a cold beer, and it gives you a front-row view of the complex's nightly spectacle without committing to a single bar.
The setup is basic: a bar counter, stools, and some tables scattered in the courtyard. No stage, no shows, no door charge. A bottle of Singha costs 100 THB, which is 40 to 80 THB less than you'll pay upstairs. Lady drinks are available at 150 THB, though the system here is more casual than in the go-go bars.
The real value of Mandarin is as a meeting point and decompression zone. It's where groups reassemble after splitting up to explore different bars. It's where solo visitors sit to figure out which venue to try next. And it's where regulars who know the complex well plant themselves for the first hour of the evening, waiting for the upstairs bars to hit their stride.
The courtyard gets packed on weekend nights, especially between 22:00 and midnight. Finding a seat during peak hours requires either arriving early or hovering until someone leaves. The staff are friendly but stretched thin when it's busy. During the week, the pace is much calmer and you can sit for hours without pressure.
The Neighborhood
Central courtyard of Nana Plaza, surrounded by the complex's three stories of go-go bars and beer bars. Food vendors operate nearby within the complex. Soi 4 is directly outside the main gate.
Getting There
BTS to Nana station, exit 2. Walk to Soi 4 and enter Nana Plaza. Mandarin is in the ground-level courtyard area.
Other Venues in Nana Plaza
Angelwitch
Long-running go-go bar known for themed stage shows and elaborate costumes. Three floors with different performance areas.
Rainbow 4
One of the larger venues in the plaza, spread across multiple floors. Popular with first-time visitors for its straightforward format.
Billboard
Mid-range go-go bar on the upper level of the plaza. Draws a steady crowd with competitive drink prices and regular rotations.
Spanky's
Smaller go-go bar with a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the flagship venues. Drink prices sit in the mid-range for the complex.
Obsessions
Well-known ladyboy go-go bar with high production value shows. One of the few transgender-focused venues inside the Nana Plaza complex.
Twister Bar
Second-floor go-go bar with a spinning stage and fast-paced rotation of dancers. Draws a younger crowd with its loud music and party vibe.