Yangon's bar scene has grown considerably since the country opened up after 2011. The downtown area around 19th Street and the streets near Bogyoke Market has the highest concentration of bars. Myanmar Beer and Dagon Beer are the local staples — cheap and drinkable. Indian tea shops (known as chai shops) are everywhere downtown and serve sweet milky tea with Indian-style snacks from early morning.
The rooftop bars that opened on several downtown colonial buildings during the 2010s offer the best combination of cold beer and views over the colonial streetscape. The Strand Bar at the Strand Hotel is the most atmospheric option for a drink in a colonial setting, though prices are significantly higher than elsewhere.