Continental
Continental is a hidden speakeasy on Nimmanhaemin Soi 5 with an unmarked entrance behind a bookshelf door, themed around the John Wick film franchise. The space is purpose-built for the speakeasy concept: dim lighting, leather banquettes, a marble-topped bar, and a strict no-photos policy at most tables. Cocktails run from 320 THB with house signatures referencing the films (the Bullet Bourbon, the Continental Old Fashioned). The bartenders work in suits and the service is formal but warm. Reservations are required on weekends and recommended weekdays; the venue caps at around 50 seats. The crowd is dressed up: Thai professionals, international visitors, and an older expat contingent. Closing is firm at midnight.
Where to stay near Continental
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A hidden speakeasy with a bookshelf-door entrance, dim leather-and-marble interior, suited bartenders, and a serious cocktail program. The room caps at 50 and runs reservation-driven on busy nights.
Hidden, themed, polished. The most committed speakeasy in Chiang Mai.
Low-volume 1940s jazz, ambient deep house, occasional film-score selections
Smart-casual minimum; smart preferred. Long trousers, closed shoes, collared shirts. No shorts, sandals, or beachwear.
Special occasions, couples on a polished date night, cocktail enthusiasts, dressed-up evenings.
Cards preferred, cash accepted
Price Range
Cocktails 320-450 THB, beer 200-260 THB, spirits by the pour 280-450 THB
Cocktails ~$9-12.50/€8-11.50, beer ~$5.50-7/€5-6.50
Hours
18:30 to midnight daily, reservation only on weekends
Insider Tip
Reserve at least two days ahead through Instagram or Facebook for weekend nights. Dress smart-casual minimum; the room enforces a clean-presentation standard at the door. Order off-menu by asking the bartender for something built around a specific spirit or flavor profile.
Full Review
Finding Continental is part of the experience. The entrance on Nimmanhaemin Soi 5 sits unmarked behind what appears to be a closed bookshop facade; a small button to one side signals the host, who opens the bookshelf door to admit reserved guests. Inside, the space opens into a dim leather-and-marble interior with banquette seating along the walls, four-tops in the center, and a marble-topped bar along one side.
The John Wick theme runs subtly throughout: a gold coin motif on the menu, references in the cocktail names, framed stills on the walls. The execution avoids being heavy-handed; the room reads as a serious speakeasy first, themed second. The bartenders work in suits and approach each table with table-side service for the more elaborate cocktail builds, including the smoked Old Fashioned and the flaming Negroni variations.
Compared to Caravan and Shelby, Continental is more committed to the immersive theme, more strict about reservations, and notably more expensive. The cocktail quality is on par; the difference is the room's ambition. Continental is the only Chiang Mai bar that runs a true speakeasy format with the bookshelf door, the dress code at entry, and the formal table service.
Reservations are essential on Friday and Saturday and recommended Wednesday and Thursday. The room caps at 50 and the host turns away unreserved walk-ins on busy nights. Bookings run through Instagram DMs or the venue Facebook page. Closing is firm at midnight; last call runs around 11:30 PM.
The Neighborhood
Continental sits on Nimmanhaemin Soi 5 with Shelby Bar two minutes north on Soi 7 and Caravan three minutes north on Soi 9. The southern Nimman cocktail cluster extends along Soi 5 toward Wat Phra Singh.
Getting There
From the Old City via Suan Dok Gate, 10 minutes by Bolt at around 90 THB. From central Nimman, walkable. From Chiang Mai University, eight minutes by Bolt at around 70 THB.
Address
Nimmanhaemin Soi 5, Tambon Su Thep, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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