It’s developed into a relatively new habit, at least a few times a week.  Even when traveling, I’ve started investigating where the bars are so that I might stay nearby.

It all started in Bangkok a couple of years ago when, in the course of going out, I took a side street and discovered a bar area worth hanging out in.

Bars can set you free, no club to join, and like most bars, a congregation area for meeting others with the same goals.

For those sharing the same hankering, the following are a few images of bar areas I’ve run across in recent travels.  If you care to share your favorite bars, your input would be most welcome.

The bars that started the obsession — Lumpini Park, Bangkok

East River near the East Village, NYC

When I must stay in Shanghai, I try to stay around Jing’an Park, which has a semi-hidden bar area (partial view)

On the ocean in Danang, Vietnam

Manhattan Beach, California, a bar area hard to beat

Partial View of a bar area on the Colorado River, Austin, TX

Zhangjiagang go-to bar area as long as the locals are not using them for drying clothes

This morning’s alternate bar area in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, China