A Taste of Bangkok's Nightlife

After a day of riding the rails, the Skytrain rails of Bangkok that is, we were exhausted from all the shopping and site-seeing. All I wanted to do was relax and perhaps have a drink. Oh yes, and get some famous Bangkokian street food too as I was starved. Working on that first I grabbed a pad thai and made sure it didn't include any mini-octopus, squid or other seafood before scarfing it down. At the next corner were some crispy spring rolls amidst the hubbub of street-vendors with t-shirts and jewelry. Making our way up Khao San we took in the bright lights of the backpackers district and I couldn't resist the thin crepe-like fry that wrapped up a banana so perfectly before being drizzled in concentric circles with chocolate sauce, and a splash of Carnation milk. Best part of my 'meal'.

Turning my attention from food to night life we ignored those menu-holding people accosting us to come sit on their sweaty, street-side stools and drink "strong, cheap drinks". Agreeing that the whole 'fa-rang' (westerner) scene wasn't really what we were looking for we looked for an alternative which was a little difficult granted we were in the backpacker district. From an alleyway we heard the kick of a live drum and shrugging decided to check it out. Through the front window of Tempo Bar we could see a band kicking it so we entered, took up seats near the front and ordered some drinks. The 5-piece of twenty-something Thai guys were rocking out pretty well during this and with drink in hand they played a cover of Oasis' 'Don't Look Back in Anger' - one of the handful of Oasis songs I can stand. It was interesting to hear as we noted that the singer was obviously singing by tones and not by English words. Still they did a decent job of it.
There was a pause for something - banter? - I'm not sure since it was strictly Thai (as was the entire audience) and minutes later they busted into a full-fledged set. Playing at the base of an indoor rock-climbing wall they wailed for a solid half hour, now playing what seemed to be Thai cover-songs, but they were GOOD Thai cover songs. Language or not, they were catchy and upbeat, akin to Reel Big Fish (or even Goldfinger).
The singer paused to introduce a tune which elicited a scream from the group of girls sat directly behind us, and as they played the power ballad (which was also surprisingly good) the girls sang along. This was followed by a rousing, and rocking, rendition of Happy Birthday. A few songs later I tore myself away as there was so much more to explore and it looked as if they would play all night!
Wandering back up the road there was street entertainment in the form of a sensational soccer dribbler, cradling the ball with all parts of his body and never letting it drop. Around the corner we heard some recognizable acoustic chords. Cozying up curbside one young Thai guy played an amazing collection of English songs, from Queen to Eagle-Eye Cherry and much, much more. The Chang Beers kept coming until I had to get Larissa home to bed, otherwise I would have been there all night.
The only downer part of the night was that all the mango & sticky rice vendors had packed up by the time we headed home.