Seven years after launching his genre-blurring bar in Fukuoka, Yoshimitsu Obara has opened Citadel’s second outpost – this time in Bangkok. Known for its signature coffee cocktails, music collaborations and fashion drops, Citadel isn’t just a bar – it’s a lifestyle label. And Yoshimitsu sees Bangkok as the perfect city for its next evolution.
“There are so many ingredients here that don’t exist in Japan – tropical fruits, Asian herbs, local spirits,” Yoshi says. “It pushes me to create cocktails that are more narrative, more fusion.” Roughly 30 percent of the Bangkok menu is new, though core drinks like the espresso spumoni (pictured above) remain. “We even serve green curry cocktails (don’t miss the Khob Khun Krab) in both cities – but they’re totally different recipes.”
For Yoshi, Bangkok’s high-energy contrasts are a creative catalyst. “It’s one of the most chaotic cities I know – some parts feel more developed than Japan, while others are ancient and untouched. That contrast excites my mind.”
The Bangkok location near Phrom Phong BTS station spans five floors, giving Yoshi space to build on Citadel’s multidisciplinary roots. Collaborations with local bartenders and musicians are already in the works, with plans for events, brand crossovers and music releases under Citadel’s in-house label. “I want to mix the people and cultures of Fukuoka and Bangkok – through cocktails, music, fashion, even staff.”
Yoshi first visited Thailand 14 years ago as a backpacker, a trip that shaped his perspective more than he realised. “The influence is probably deep and subconscious,” he says. Citadel Bangkok opened on 3 April – exactly seven years after the original. “It’s not just about expansion,” Yoshi adds. “It’s about connection.”
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Bangkok, visit singaporeair.com.
