Introduction
I recently visited the hotel bar “The Lobbyist,” located just off Nimmanhaemin Road in the heart of Chiang Mai, and I’m excited to share my review.
About the stylish hotel bar “The Lobbyist” in Chiang Mai
The Lobbyist is a hotel bar situated down a small alleyway, just off the main Nimmanhaemin Road in central Chiang Mai. The alley is called “Sukkasem Road,” located between Soi Nimmanhaemin 2 and 4. The fact that it doesn’t have a soi number suggests it might be a newly developed street.
Nimmanhaemin Road is a main street approximately 1.6 km in length. Along the main road and its side streets, you’ll find a variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and hotels, making it a popular area for strolling and shopping. Sukkasem Road appears to have a high concentration of hotels and eateries.
The Lobbyist operates in the lobby of the “Nimman Mai Design Hotel Chiang Mai.” I believe this hotel is a convenient base for anyone planning to shop along Nimmanhaemin Road.
During the day, The Lobbyist functions as a standard hotel lobby. However, as evening approaches, the lights dim, creating a wonderful atmosphere as the bar opens. What’s surprising is that the hotel’s reception staff transform into professional bartenders. Their skills are far from ordinary; they are exceptional bartenders who employ a variety of techniques. When I asked the two staff members present, both confirmed they had previous bartending experience.
The Lobbyist Menu (Photos, Prices, and Reviews)
Cocktails typically cost 350 THB+, but during my visit, they had a 1-for-1 free promotion regardless of the time. I’m not entirely sure if this is a permanent or long-term offer, but it seemed to be ongoing.
I tried the “Mango Sticky Rice” cocktail. In Thai, this is “Khao Niao Mamuang,” a popular Thai dessert of sticky rice sweetened with coconut milk, served with mango. This cocktail is inspired by that dessert. It was sweet and delicious, perfectly capturing the essence of Khao Niao Mamuang.
Next, I had the “Typical Lanna” cocktail. Lanna refers to the ancient kingdom that flourished around Chiang Mai, also known as the Chiang Mai Kingdom. This cocktail seemed to incorporate ingredients reminiscent of Chiang Mai or Thailand, such as “bael fruit, lemongrass, Lanna longan, and pandan.”
I also tried the “Dragon Treasure” cocktail. It’s described as a cocktail based on Chinese herbs and traditional medicine, containing ingredients like “anise, cloves, Sichuan pepper, and Chinese red date.” It had a strong, distinct flavor but felt quite healthy, making it an interesting choice to break up the pattern of other cocktails.
I then sampled the “London Twilight” cocktail. According to the bartender, this is their signature drink. It’s a gin-based apple cocktail with various intricate preparations, resulting in a simply delicious drink. I was staying at the hotel that night, and this cocktail, in a non-alcoholic version, was served as a welcome drink.
Finally, I tried the “Dawn of Japan” cocktail. This is a cocktail mixed with sake, and it was quite strong.
In addition to cocktails, the bar also stocks beer, wine, and soft drinks in the refrigerator, and various snacks are available on the shelves.
Rating for The Lobbyist
To provide a useful reference, I’ll assign a score based on the Tabelog (Japan’s top restaurant-review site) scale. For the hotel bar “The Lobbyist” in Chiang Mai, I personally feel it would correspond to around a 3.6 on Tabelog. I’ll note this down for future reference.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the expertly crafted and delicious cocktails, which greatly contribute to its high rating. The bar’s ambiance and the service from the bartenders are also excellent. On the other hand, there aren’t many options for drinks or food beyond the cocktails. If you visit with the expectation of enjoying cocktails in a relaxed setting, you won’t be disappointed.
Conclusion
The Lobbyist, a hotel bar in Chiang Mai, offers authentic and delicious cocktails within the hotel premises. It’s recommended not only for cocktail enthusiasts but also for those looking for a relaxing break after shopping.
| Name | The Lobbyist Bar at Nimman Mai Design Hotel Chiang Mai |
| Category | Bar, Hotel |
| Budget | 350 THB+ (2 cocktails) |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Access | Sukkasem Road, Chiang Mai |
| Phone Number | 084-406-0288 |
| Address | 1st floor, Nimman Mai Design Hotel, Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai |
| Website | https://www.nimmanmaihotel.com/ |
