If you know where to look, the streets of Bangkok are home to some of the world’s most exciting flavors—from spicy chilis to bright fruit confections—made to enjoy on the go. Let’s just say we knew exactly where to look, and gathered all of our favorite street food ingredients around the table at BANG. Our restaurant at The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit has made a splash with locally sourced ingredients and bold twists on the Thai dishes you already love.
Here’s a little taste of what’s waiting for you at BANG:
Instant Classics…
Grilled Chicken (Gor Lae) with Roti We pair our juicy grilled chicken (marinated in rich red curry paste) with crispy roti and cucumber chili relish. This plate’s elevated by a tangy ajad dipping sauce that ties it all together.
Deep-Fried Mussels with BANG Secret Sauce Tuck into crispy fried mussels from the coastal province of Samut Songkhram, served with BANG’s house dipping sauce. Just don’t ask us what’s in the sauce—that’s strictly confidential.
Crispy Green Papaya and Fresh Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum Chao Phraya) This elevated som tum platter features fried and classic styles of green papaya salad. It’s served alongside perfectly grilled pork neck, juicy chicken, sticky rice and rice noodles. Best of all, it’s made to share—ideally among 2-4 friends.
Nam Prik Long Ruea Tha Phra Arthit Shrimp paste from Rayong served with seasonal vegetables? Sign us up. This quintessential Thai dipping sauce is bursting with bold, rich flavors—perfectly complemented by veggies and other accompaniments to dip.
Massaman Curry with Benja Chicken Experience the OG Massaman Curry, featuring tender Benja chicken that’s been sous-vided for two hours. This homemade curry balances spicy, creamy, nutty, sweet and savory notes—creating that complexity we know you’re looking for.
Up There Athletics wants to take you places. The Melbourne-based brand blends high-performance sneakers with a community-first approach. To them, running isn’t just a way to move, it’s a movement. It’s how they’ll take you to the best of the city’s culture and design. From sneakers to marathons, they’re rewriting the playbook on what it means to lace up and hit the ground running.
In the lead-up to the Melbourne Marathon, Up There Athletics and The StandardX, Melbourne transformed The Box into a vibrant shop-in-shop event. Designed for runners gearing up for race day, the space offered essentials like fresh socks, shorts, singlets, hydration gear, energy bars, and bottles. The lead-up also featured a community shop run, wrapping up at Bang with well-deserved espressos and breakfast. Here, we sit down with the Up There Athletics team and talk shop.
How’d you go from sneakers to running?
The adjacencies have always been there from the product side. We’re interested in sneakers as much for the functional history as the culture. Seeing the progression of technological advancements in the recent time, from knitted uppers to carbon and everything in between, has been just as exciting as air being put into the midsole, and we wanted to get involved.
We also became increasingly aware of how many of our friends, who shop with us at Up There Athletics, had started running and getting involved with run clubs. In the end, we couldn’t not.
True, the running scene has become very in vogue. What’s going on?
Running has always been there. But during COVID, it became a lifeline—an accessible way to socialize and stay active. Since then, we’ve seen big brands push boundaries with innovation, alongside a wave of community-oriented brands popping up globally. Most importantly, running is accessible. It doesn’t take much time or gear, it’s a great way to meet people, and anyone can get started.
How do you build community?
We pride ourselves in being as active within the community as frequently and authentically as we can. We like to keep things light, fun, and interesting.
What have been some of the best events you’ve hosted?
Coming from the fashion side of the ball, the running scene has been refreshing. It’s been really nice getting involved in a business that promotes health and wellbeing. Interacting with our community at the events we’ve put together has been amazing.
You and your team travel a lot for work. What makes a great hotel?
We’re always drawn to hotels that have great design, and more importantly a great breakfast. No where does breakfast quite like we do in Australia
What can we expect from Up There Athletics in 2025?
More! We love what we do from start to finish, especially community-orientated activations.
What is it about running that appeals to you?
The community, the challenge, and—of course—the shoes. I wasn’t a runner growing up, but the more I do it, the more I enjoy it. It’s a continuous combination of the three things mentioned above that keeps me coming back for more.
How was the marathon this year?
This year’s Melbourne Marathon was the biggest yet. Perfect conditions.
If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Hard to go past visiting Nike’s HQ in Portland. I’d also love to get back to Scotland and Ireland and hit the roads there. A touch too much Whiskey was had on my last visit to contemplate running.
What is the X-factor that sets Up There Athletics apart?
The effort we put into the curation of brands, the knowledge and experience of our staff and our authentic connection to the community. Simple as that.
Stay tuned for what’s next from Up There Athletics. Whether you’re lacing up for your first run or adding another marathon to your list, they’ve got the shoes—and the community—to keep you going.
SORCHA MACKENZIE BRINGS A TOUCH OF FESTIVE TO THE STANDARDX
The holiday season conjures images of snow-dusted trees, cozy fireplaces, and frosty windows. But for Melbourne-born artist Sorcha Mackenzie, Christmas means the heat of summer, river visits, and the vibrant, untamed beauty of Australian flora. Collaborating with The StandardX, Mackenzie’s brought her unique take on the festive season to our window in the heart of Fitzroy—an enchanted Christmas garden that celebrates Australia’s distinctive connection to land, community, and creativity.
We sat down with Mackenzie to explore the inspiration behind the installation and so much more.
What was the inspiration behind this particular take on Christmas?
Australian Christmas has always been non-traditional in the sense of the quintessential snow-dusted symbology surrounding the festive season. Whenever I think of Christmas, I think of the heat of summer and spending time in nature with my Mum and Nana. Working with The StandardX, I had the opportunity to create an enchanted Christmas garden of native Australian flora to attempt to highlight and celebrate the distinctive character of an Australian Christmas, embracing its connection to the land and the season.
What’s your favourite memory of Christmas growing up?
Visiting the Murrindindi River with my Mum and Nana.
The installation is on display in the heart of Fitzroy. How does the local culture influence your art?
The work is both inspired by and a tribute to the rich artistic legacy of the Fitzroy community; a hub of creativity and self-expression, from iconic commissioned murals to the spontaneous drawings that enliven the walls of its bars and music venues. I wanted to create something to match Fitzroy’s buzzy and playful artistic energy.
If the installation had a soundtrack, what song would be on it?
How to Make Gravy – Paul Kelly.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?
When I’m not making art, I’m making furniture and doing fabrication work with my company Full Form Studios. But if I were to divert to anything, I’d try something equally creative and possibly more difficult: Pastry Chef.
What’s a guilty pleasure that fuels your creativity—be it music, snacks, or something totally random?
Playing video games. I love fantasy—whether it’s literature, film, or games. When I have downtime, I’m playing Dark Souls or, more recently, Baldur’s Gate 3. The escapism into these expansive worlds and environments, where you are immersed within them rather than focusing on building or designing physical aspects of a space, provides a refreshing change of pace and allows me to come back to my own creative practice feeling reinvigorated.
What message or feeling do you hope people take away when they walk past the windows?
Christmas is a period of time associated with joy and encourages people to reconvene in celebration. However, it can also be a time where people feel isolated when they don’t have a community to connect with. So for me, the enchanted Christmas garden of native plants intends to create an environment of warmth and playfulness that others can connect to and offer a celebration of the season in a way that feels true to our environment.
Any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye on?
In February, I’m exhibiting my work from my 2022 Fellowship with the State Library at Print Council Australia, including etchings from my artist book detailing the architectural history of the Princess Theatre through the lens of its resident ghost, Frederick Federici.
Everyone’s talking about X. The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit is here to stay and play right by the Chao Phraya River. Now that we’re open, here’s your guide to sweeping sights of the Rama VIII Bridge and front-row seats to Vijit Chao Phraya 2024.
From November 16 to December 15, watch as the river lights up like a fever dream, with shows illuminating the night from every riverside room, BANG, and The Roof. Pick your spot and kick back–each offers prime views of the jaw-dropping performances.
Riverside Rooms
Mornings start with the Chao Phraya stretching out before you, turning your coffee routine into a ritual. This is riverside Bangkok in its most raw, electric form. With room service on speed dial and a private balcony overlooking festival lights, consider yourself front and center.
BANG
At BANG, the night pulls you in with festival lights glinting off the river and bold Thai flavors that steal the scene. Cocktails flow, the city hums, and every table feels like a ticket to Bangkok’s after-dark pulse. Here, dining is an invitation to the show.
The Roof
Perched above the river, The Roof is where Bangkok’s night scene comes to play. With cocktails that push the edge and bites made to match, this is the city on full display—neon reflections on the Chao Phraya, festival lights flickering in the distance, and a vibe that keeps the night going strong.
Ready to book?
Your riverside experience in Bangkok is waiting. Whether you’re here for the festival or just to check us out, The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit is your go-to spot. Book your stay or dinner at BANG today.
NEUW Denim knows The Standard…and they’ve just met The StandardX, Melbourne. The brand’s “timeless designs, made for now” are the brainchild of three friends from Stockholm and Melbourne, putting cultural integrity over profit. They picked The StandardX as the backdrop to launch their new collection with the Salvador Dalí Foundation, and we caught up with the founders to take a trip down memory lane from Hollywood to Fitzroy.
The collaboration with the Salvador Dalí Foundation is bold and avant-garde—what drew you to Dalí, and how do you think his surrealism meshes with NEUW’s aesthetic?
It is less about aesthetics, and more about emotion. I was drawn to Dalí’s unique commitment to his process and to his art. The juxtaposition of deep artistic dedication and the playful, sometimes bizarre. This is an idea that resonates with me, and likely most creatives.
Fitzroy to Hollywood is quite the journey. How does the vibe of each city influence the way you design and collaborate?
I think “journey” is the right word here—whilst I find inspiration and learning in the contrast and uniqueness of each city’s individual ways, it’s how you receive the vibes that can affect change in you. In this way it’s about a personal evolution through the journey. Naturally this affects me as a person, and therefore my process in all things.
Your designs have always defied convention, just like Dalí. What’s one way this collection challenges the norms of fashion?
I felt a connection with the grey in which Dalí existed — between reality and fantasy, NEUW’s designs have always embraced a shared sense of whimsy and experimentation. As the Oscar Wilde quote circling the waistband button on every pair of NEUW jeans states, “Life is too short to be taken seriously” — this is a sentiment at the core of the brand’s approach to all matters, both creative and business, since day one.
Neuw Denim has a reputation for timeless design with a twist. How do you keep things fresh while staying true to your roots?
Balancing openness to new ideas with a connection to your roots creates a design philosophy that is able to evolve while staying true to your original vision. Keeping an open mind to new experiences is key to staying flexible and innovative. Being dynamic in your approach allows you to explore new techniques and collaborate creatively. However, it’s equally important to stay grounded in what first sparked your passion — in my case it was an appreciation for denim as part of culture and its ability to serve as a transformative blank canvas. Jeans are just a starting point – process and time turns them into an endless art project.
You’ve stayed with us at The Standard, Hollywood over 100 times—how did that experience shape your creative process for Neuw Denim’s launch in the U.S.?
The U.S. is such a formative place in the history of denim, with both the East and West Coasts offering rich inspiration rooted in vintage styles that are the foundation of denim culture. During my stays, I would spend my days working then “come home” at night to a bit of a social melting pot — it was a great way of meeting creatives, and allowed me to blend these two worlds. This mix of work and fun helps me to draw from both worlds, gaining knowledge and inspiration that directly influenced NEUW Denim’s direction in the U.S. market.
You’ve called The Standard, Hollywood your home away from home. What’s your favourite memory from your stays?
Travelling with Rich and Steve discussing ideas and making plans for the future. That concept of the intersection between a good time and making something really took hold in us and has remained a part of the way we approach everything to this day.
What’s next for Neuw Denim? Can we expect more artist collaborations, or are you cooking up something entirely different?
Definitely a bit of both. As a brand we have always felt it important to champion artistic expression. Our longstanding ‘Artist in Residence’ program is built around our dedication to celebrating pivotal artists and their enduring influence on culture and style through collaborations — a version of these collaborations will always be a part of NEUW, as is ‘cooking up something different’!
The StandardX is all about pushing boundaries, much like Neuw Denim. How does that rebellious spirit resonate with your approach to fashion and design?
Embracing individuality is easier said than done but is very much a key component to fashion and design. It’s vital we celebrate our unique traits and honour our personal values and experiences — both in life and fashion. That is true rebellion and rebellion fuels creativity.
What have you loved most about your time in Fitzroy?
I’ve lived in a few places between leaving the home of my childhood in Stockholm and moving to Melbourne, but arriving in Fitzroy was the first time it felt like coming home again. The creative and vibrant lifestyle here made it a natural fit for me and for the business.
If your collection had one X-factor, what would it be?
Melbourne just made TimeOut’s list of the top six prettiest cities in the world for summer, and The Roof at StandardX is where you want to be. Panoramic views, laid-back vibes, and the best spot to soak up everything that makes Melbourne a summer standout.
LATE AM
Kick off your day in style. As the sun climbs higher, take in the rays with a refreshing ProSexy cocktail and mouthwatering tacos to match. The X way to set the tone for a perfect day.
EARLY PM
The day is heating up, and so are things on The Roof. Sip on a zesty margarita and indulge in a selection of tempting Mexican bites. A midday moment to come up and live it up.
LATE PM
By night Melbourne’s sparkling, and so are you. Rosé in hand, skyline in view—this is how summer nights were meant to end.
Get into our hipster corner of Bangkok with everything you need to see, do, and shop.
Copyright of Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
The Box
The Box isn’t just a shop—it’s a statement. Handpicked fashion, décor, and jewelry that’s all about setting trends, not following them.
Baan Chao Phraya Art Gallery
Once a palace, now the beating heart of Bangkok’s art scene. On the Chao Phraya riverside, this place buzzes with the latest from both big names and fresh faces in the art world.
The Chao Phraya River by Boat
Why stick to the streets when you can cruise? Grab a day pass and float by boat to the city’s must-see spots—Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Chinatown—at your own pace.
Copyright of The Tourism Authority of Thailand
Bang Lamphu Museum
Step into the heart of Phra Arthit’s cultural scene. This museum shows off Bangkok’s history with dynamic displays, engaging stories, and live shows that keep the spirit of Bang Lamphu alive.
Guided Bike Day Tour
Pedal through Khaosan, then veer off into Bangkok’s hidden gems—think ancient temples, secret alleys, and serene canals. This is the real Bangkok.
The Trapeze Swingers Store
Tucked away on Soi Rambutri, this spot is a treasure trove for vintage lovers. Shop everything from retro jeans to vinyl records that’ll take you back in time.
Bang-on flavors—that’s what BANG is all about. If you’re in the neighborhood, Chef Justin’s got a list of must-eats that’ll satisfy every craving, with dishes that aren’t just memorable—they’re unforgettable.
Cracker Southern Blue Fin TunaBlue Swimmer Crab “Pa Tong Ko” DonutsRoast Pressed Duck Red Curry
Cracker Southern Blue Fin Tuna
The Cracker Tuna is a playful evolution of tempura tuna with a Thai twist. Chef Justin coats it with crushed crackers, giving you a texture that’s like savory rice crispies. It’s a snack that packs a punch in every bite.
Blue Swimmer Crab “Pa Tong Ko” Donuts
Donuts get a makeover with a savory twist—fresh crab salad tucked inside. It’s a playful take on a street classic, reimagined for the BANG menu.
Roast Pressed Duck Red Curry
We’ve taken duck curry and made it our own, confiting the duck leg for that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. It’s a classic dish, with a French touch that elevates every bite.
Beef Noodles ‘Bowl of Beef’Kurobuta Berkshire Double-Cooked Pig’s Head
Beef Noodles ‘Bowl of Beef’
The best parts of the cow, straight from the night markets. Cheek, tendon, and tongue come together in a dish that’s all about flavor, no compromises.
Kurobuta Berkshire Double-Cooked Pig’s Head
Inspired by a Bangkok street hawker stand, this Pig’s Head dish is slow-cooked and roasted, served with BBQ sauce, relishes, pickles, and roti. It’s a taste of Bangkok on your plate.
Fitzroy’s got an edge you can’t ignore. This neighborhood mixes art, culture, and hustle into one electric space—every visit, a new story. Creativity in Fitzroy takes many forms, from eclectic art to markets full of surprises, all grounded by a food scene that’s bold and delicious. Dive into edgy galleries or track down vintage finds—either way, Fitzroy keeps you guessing. Here’s your must-hit list.
On Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Pidapipó’s sleek new chocolate room is whipping up artisanal gelato with a classic touch, crafted with top-tier ingredients that is sure to make gelato fans lose their cool.
Oigall Projects
Oigåll Projects in Fitzroy has been shaking up the gallery scene since 2021. With a playful, inventive spirit, it’s a favorite for discovering experimental design, contemporary art, and unique objects in a setting that pulls you in. It’s all about the experience—unexpected, immersive, and true to its name.
Napier Quarter
Espresso & Wine Bar is where Fitzroy locals get their caffeine fix and sip on local wines. If you’re in the neighborhood, this spot is a non-negotiable stop.
Moon CrullerMarquis of Lorne
Rose Street Markets
Inspired by the street markets of London, Berlin, and New York, Rose St. Artists’ Market is where Melbourne’s top creative talent comes to play and display every weekend. With up to 120 artists bringing their best, you’re in for something seriously special—no two visits are the same.
Moon Cruller
Launched in 2020 by the Lune Croissanterie crew, Moon brings expert pastry skills together for treats you won’t forget. Only on weekends, get your hands on a crispy ring of deep-fried choux pastry, glazed or dusted with sugar.
Marquis of Lorne
Marquis of Lorne is the pub that’s ready for anything—whether it’s a casual catch-up, a birthday bash, or a quick post-work pint. Always a good call, always a good time.
