First Look: So What Stereo Has a New After-Dark Alter Ego, Kasem Sook Social

Since opening in June, So What Stereo has hit the ground running. Its colourful, retro fit-out, spinning vinyl and authentic Thai cooking have made it one of 2025’s hottest new openings.

Late last month, the Fortitude Valley cafe began operating after dark. When the clock strikes five every Thursday to Saturday evening, co-owners Kawid “Meek” Brikshavana and Ratinan “Ploy” Rattanathai transform the space into Kasem Sook Social, a venue that sits somewhere between a bar and music club.

While So What Stereo’s name references the famous Miles Davis track, Kasem Sook Social is more personal.

“Kasem Sook means ‘super happy’ – it’s also my father’s name,” says Brikshavana, whose dad lives in Thailand. “I wanted to open a bar my father would like.”

Instead of entering through So What Stereo’s front door, guests head in via the back entrance, next to Pattie Crepe. This enables Brikshavana to turn his music station in the cafe’s front corner into a dedicated listening space. “I want people to be able to stand or sit in the corner and listen to the music,” he says. “It could be vinyl or digital, depending on the night.”

For the evening menu, Kasem Sook Social leans into contemporary takes on Thai flavours. There are tacos built on corn tortillas with a whole betel leaf and larb (choose from beef, duck or barramundi), alongside bread rolls stuffed with massaman pulled beef or hung lay pulled pork.

Other dishes include So What Stereo favourites like beef boat noodles and chicken khao soi, alongside rad na (crispy egg noodles with gravy), crying tiger (charcoal-grilled beef with nahm jim jaew) and goong pao (charcoal-grilled prawns). Down the line, specials such as dry tom yum noodles may also make an appearance.  

For drinks, Brikshavana has assembled a list of personal favourites. By-the-glass pours include a chardonnay from Two Tonne, a rosé  by Sven Joschke, and a Tillie J pinot noir. A separate “cellar list” offers premium bottles, including champagne, Joshua Cooper’s Dash Farms chardonnay and John Duval’s Entity shiraz.

While the fit-out remains unchanged, small additions – including neon lighting – will be unveiled in coming weeks.

It’s been a busy start for Brikshavana and Rattanathai, particularly after months of seven-day trading. With the introduction of evening service, they’ve decided to close on Wednesdays to use the day to rest and, as Brikshavana puts it, “take time to play music”.

Kasem Sook Social

4/15 Little Street, Fortitude Valley (entry via back door)

No phone

Hours:

Thu to Sat 5pm–9pm

@kasem.sook.social