Bar Sathorn is entering a new phase as it marks a decade of operation in Bangkok, positioning the bar as a platform for regional cultural exchange rather than a conventional cocktail destination. Located within The House on Sathorn at W Bangkok, the bar builds on the site’s 136-year history while framing its future around cross-cultural dialogue and long-term collaboration.
In 2025, Bar Sathorn marked its 10th anniversary alongside a return to the regional spotlight, earning a spot at No. 48 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars under the leadership of Bar Manager Marco Dognini. Rather than treating the milestone as a retrospective, the bar has used it as a pivot point to expand how it approaches programming, hospitality, and collaboration.
Central to this direction is Cross Culture, Bar Sathorn’s ongoing programme that moves beyond the typical guest-shift model. Instead of flying in individual bartenders for one-off appearances, each Cross Culture chapter is designed as a broader cultural exchange, bringing together cocktails, food, music, design, and visual culture to explore how creative identities are shaped by place. The programme emphasises connection over replication, with participating partners contributing to an evolving regional dialogue rather than isolated events.
In early 2026, Cross Culture unfolds across three chapters. Cross Culture: China took place on 17 January with contributions from Penicillin (Shanghai), Obsidian (Shenzhen), CMYK (Changsha), and Yao (Bangkok). This was followed by Cross Culture: Chiang Mai on 23 January, featuring White Rabbit, Noir, Bar San, Bar Not Found, and Maaterr. The series continues with Cross Culture: South Korea on 6 February, led by Seoul-based Le Chamber and SOKO, alongside Bangkok’s Liana.
Dognini’s own career reflects the programme’s global outlook, having worked across Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East before settling in Bangkok. His cocktail approach prioritises interpretation over imitation, allowing flavours to shift as they move between contexts. One example is the Bangkok Brunch, a savoury cocktail built on pad krapow–infused tequila and Thai basil, which references international brunch culture while remaining firmly rooted in local ingredients.
As Bar Sathorn moves into its second decade, the bar treats its history as a framework rather than a fixed narrative. With Cross Culture positioned as a long-term programme, the venue continues to evolve as a meeting point for Asian creative ecosystems, using drinks as a starting point for wider cultural exchange rather than an end in themselves.
Bar Sathorn
106, The House on Sathorn, 108 N Sathon Rd, Si Lom, Khet Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
