Where To Watch the AFL In Bangkok Thailand [Updated]

If you’re an Aussie or a keen supporter of footy game and wondering where to watch the AFL in Bangkok then keep reading! We understand some of you die-hard fans can get grumpy if you can’t watch a match, especially when you’re on holidays.

Plus, what can make things more challenging… is when you’re in a country where no-one gives a damn about AFL!

Yep, it can get tiresome when you go from bar to pub to restaurant… asking, or even pleading if they can show the AFL. And, asking to watch it live can be a big deal too… especially when you’re having to compete with other more popular sports.

It seems that no-one understands how awesome this game is… except for the Aussies, and a handful of others who aren’t Australian!

Now, thank goodness that for when you are in Bangkok Thailand… there are some places that’ll show live AFL matches. A handful will even show past games!

So, for you Aussie Rules fanatics, here’s where to watch the AFL in Bangkok Thailand.

The Down Under Bar & Grill

This long-time sports bar is down an infamous alley where it seems somewhat out of place. When you wander down this alleyway, you’ll understand what I mean! Yet, if footy is the only thing on your mind then this is a top place to see the AFL in Bangkok.

As you can imagine, with a place calling itself, “The Down Under Bar & Grill” you can go watch the AFL and NRL… if that’s your thing.

To give you some background, on one of our trips to Bangkok … we were staying outside of the touristy area, so that we could explore a different environment. And, that area was in Huai Khwang. So, we were hoping that there’d be somewhere close by. Yet, from what we found, NOPE, no AFL.

So, plan B was to take the public transport into the bustling tourist area of Sukhumvit.

See AFL in Bangkok Down an Alleyway Lined with Ladies & Lady Boys…

One of the main reasons why some people may avoid going to The Down Under Bar… is that it’s towards the back end of an alley with “ladies and lady boys.” If you’re a lone male or in a group of males, watch out as you walk down the street!

Even so, when you wander down Sukhumvit 7/1 Alley… you can’t miss The Down Under Bar. And, that’s because as you approach it… there are Aussie flags, lots of paraphernalia and a big blow up kangaroo!

Then, of course, once you step inside you need to have the mandatory beer, which is often served cold! And, if beer isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of other drinks. Be aware that at the time of writing this, even though it’s an Aussie bar, NO Australian beer is served.

Now, many bars and pubs in the area have happy hours that last usually until 7pm. Yet, at The Down Under Bar & Grill, no happy hours here. In saying that, once happy hour at other places has finished, this sports bar has one of the cheapest prices.

So, a small local beer in a 330ml bottle of 330ml is 100 baht (about AUD $4.80). Now, that’s cheap, and an outstanding price for the tourist area of Sukhumvit. You’d be paying WAY MORE in Australia!

Plus, they even have stubby holders with the AFL teams. Yet, sadly for us… we were unable to get our stubby holders of choice, with our teams. So, you can imagine how tragic it was, drinking our beers from stubby holders of opposing teams!

Now, more than likely there will be other Aussies there too, finally discovering where to watch the AFL in Bangkok. So, prepare yourself for some friendly rivalry, which is all part of the fun!

And, in case you’re wondering… The Down Under Bar does show other live sports apart from AFL. Be sure to ask the staff… as they are very helpful and accommodating where they can be.

Oh, on another note, they do have resident kitty cats!

Options for Getting to The Down Under Bar & Grill

Now, The Down Under Bar & Grill is on Sukhumvit 7/1 Alley. And for us to get there from where we were… we took the MRT from Huai Khwang to Sukhumvit.

Then, we made the decision to walk from the Sukhumvit MRT station to the bar. So, that’s about 1.2km, and it took us around 10 minutes to get there.

Yet, if you want to reduce the walking time, you could get a Grab or Bolt or tuk tuk, for example. Otherwise, the Sukhumvit MRT stop is an interchange station.

So, in this instance it means that you could transfer to the BTS lines. And, in particular the BTS station you would walk to is Asok. Then, from there it’s only 1 stop to Nana BTS… and then a stroll of around 200 metres.

So, there is a key reason why we would walk from the Sukhumvit MRT. And, that’s because we would have to walk to Asok BTS, then normally wait in a line to buy the train ticket. After that, we’d have to get up to the train platform… then wait for the train, go one stop to Nana, and walk to the bar.

Thus, after all that we could’ve been at The Down Under Bar & Grill by then… and enjoying ice cold beers!

Alternatives for Where to Watch the AFL in Bangkok

Now, if you want to watch the footy in the heart of the major tourist area of Sukhumvit… make your way to Nana Soi 4. And here, there are some bars that will show the AFL live.

Even so, here’s something strange that we found. There may be bars promoting that they have live screening of AFL matches. Yet, after going inside the bar… we couldn’t see any screens broadcasting the footy. And instead, it might have soccer or even snooker showing… but no AFL.

Then, when we would ask the staff where the AFL is… they would shrug their shoulders and say, “Sorry.” Or, they would look at you with a blank face. Why promote the matches if you aren’t going to show them? ARGH, very tragic!

Now, be aware that with some places, even though they may show the game… you may have to watch the match with loud music, blaring in the background.

So, if you want to be able to hear the commentary, as well as be on vibrant Soi 4… then we recommend you go to Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub.

Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub – A Great Alternative for Where to Watch the AFL in Bangkok

Now, who would’ve thought that an Irish Pub would be our saviour… in looking for a place to watch the AFL live, on Sukhumvit Soi 4. Yes, it is an Irish Pub, yet it has a great variety of live sports that they televise.

And, these live sports include… cricket, snooker, UFC, boxing, English Premier League and more. Thus, if you’re a sports fanatic, you’ll be in heaven at Fitzgerald’s.

So, unlike The Down Under Bar, the awesome thing is it has air-conditioning. Thus, if you’ve been out and about in the steaming hot Bangkok weather… it’s a top place to cool down, while chilling out watching the footy.

And, at Fitzgerald’s, they also have happy hour! Who doesn’t love happy hours? Plus, if you want a hearty meal or snacks, they can whip those up for you too.

Now, the staff here are very accommodating and want to ensure that you have a good time. For example, they’ll turn off the music and turn up the volume for the TVs… so that you can hear the commentary.

So, we have to tell you a funny story… with a time when we went to Fitzgerald’s, to watch an AFL match. And, it was funny at one stage, because before the final quarter was about to start… a George Michael song came booming over the speakers!

And, we weren’t sure what was going on…

Then one of staff saw that the fourth quarter was already in play. And, the look on her face was priceless!

So, she was scurrying to hastily turn the music off. Then, she then came over to us apologising… and soon enough the volume for TVs was blaring. So, without even prompting any of the staff, they would provide great service – thumbs up!

Here’s a Quiet Place to Watch the AFL in Bangkok

When we were looking for others places to watch the AFL, we found online a place called, The Lost Aussie. And, when we were trying to find it, we were almost literally lost Aussies… as this place is not as easy to find as other bars. You’ll need to make a few “twists and turns,” before you find it on Soi 6.

To our surprise it was quiet. The atmosphere of the place didn’t feel like a bar, more like a brightly lit restaurant with big screens and pool table.

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Now, if you’re wondering if they have happy hours then yes, they do until 7pm! They offer beer buckets with 5 small bottles of beer for 400 baht… that’s about AUD $19, so around $3.80 per beer. Yep, dirt cheap! The beers we had weren’t the coldest we had but they did the job, while we were watching the AFL.

So, if you’re the type who likes to scream and yell when catching the action… you may feel out of place! Yet, maybe it depends on who’s there and what game is on. If you’re in the area, check out The Lost Aussie

Now You Know Where to Watch the AFL in Bangkok Thailand

There you have it, three different places for where to watch the AFL in Bangkok – The Down Under Bar & Grill, Fitzgerald’s and The Lost Aussie.

If you’re after happy hour drinks then The Down Under Bar is not the place to go. In saying that, the beers are one of the cheapest after the happy hours in other places are over. And, if you want to be surrounded by Aussie paraphernalia and be guaranteed to see the AFL… then this is the place to go, on Sukhumvit 7/1 Alley.

Another alternative, also guaranteed to show AFL matches is the Lost Aussie Bar. Tucked away on Soi 6, it’s a bit challenging to find. When we went it was quiet so it may not be the place for a bustling atmosphere. There are happy hours though until 7pm.

Now, an alternative to the Aussie bars is Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub. And, yes, while it’s an Irish Pub, it not only shows live AFL matches… but a great variety of other sports too including cricket, boxing, and English Premier League.

Yet, regardless of which of these venues you choose… you can rest assured that you can watch your team live, in action in Bangkok.

Now, dare we say which teams we support? Maybe that can be for another time!

Enjoy your time watching the AFL in Bangkok!