Look skywards from almost anywhere in Thailand’s capital and you’ll see them – Bangkok’s legendary rooftop bars, promising countless good times amid the clouds.
With progressive mixology and many of the world’s greatest bartenders, the city’s become one of the best places to drink in Asia, and nowhere is it clearer than at extreme elevation. It’s the perfect way to beat the city’s infamous heat: step into a lightning-quick elevator and be whisked away to a neon-lit kingdom of cool people, cool cocktails and cool breezes, surrounded in every direction by unbelievable views over the sprawling cityscape.
The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar
Spanning the 24th and 25th floors of Hotel Muse Bangkok, this sleek bar promises panoramic views, impeccable mixology and a photogenic perch to while away balmy afternoons and evenings. While there is no secret knock or hidden door to gain entry, The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar embraces Prohibition-era America through its cocktail list – including a collection dedicated to Mary Pickford, an icon of Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. And to add to its allure, the small bites offering is just as tempting, with international and local Thai flavours aplenty.
Sky Beach
Sky Beach occupies the 78th floor of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, giving it a dramatic setting above the Silom skyline. The open-air bar serves American-style bites and creative cocktails, with 360-degree views that take in the city’s towers, streets and evening lights. Live DJs add to the atmosphere after dark, while the venue’s all-day opening makes it suitable for an afternoon drink as well as a late-night visit.
Penthouse Bar + Grill
At the very top of Park Hyatt Bangkok – an architectural marvel in the heart of the city’s historic Wireless Road – is Penthouse Bar + Grill, a collection of six high-concept venues linked by a dazzling creative vision. Begin at the breezy Rooftop Bar for one of the city’s most dramatic views – but don’t let its serene gardens and laidback jazz fool you. The cocktail menu’s here to impress, with showstopping elixirs like Catalonia Calling (gin, sherry, rosemary, sloe, lime and olive oil) offering dynamite bursts of flavour with every sip. Afterwards, the evening’s yours: take dinner at The Grill (the caviar service, served with all the traditional fixings, shouldn’t be missed), sip the night away at the vintage automobile-themed Cocktail Bar or head to the Johnny Walker Depth of Blue Room for seductively good Scotch cocktails, presented with a uniquely Thai twist.
Above Eleven
Above Eleven brings a different energy to Bangkok’s rooftop scene, pairing skyline views with a Peruvian-Japanese menu. The restaurant-bar sits above Sukhumvit, where ceviche, sushi and creative cocktails give the evening a more substantial shape than a quick drink before dinner. Arrive around sunset to watch the city light up, then stay for the music, cocktails and late-night atmosphere.
Alfresco 64
Alfresco 64, the highest open-air fine whisky bar in the world, is designed to resemble a ship’s prow jutting into the Bangkok night, like a vessel adrift below a sea of stars. There’s a staggering amount of whiskies on offer, including high-profile picks from Japan and a coveted, single malt 25-year-old Macallan, aged in sherry oak, triumphant on the tongue in notes of cinnamon and dried fruit. If you’re after something lighter, the cocktail menu doesn’t disappoint – try ‘Stay in Love,’ a seductive blend of Scotch, apricot brandy, raspberry and fresh pineapple.
CRU Champagne Bar
With unmatched views over the Chao Phraya River (‘river of kings’), the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the sparkling city, CRU Champagne Bar reaches new heights of sophistication. Serving exclusively G.H.Mumm – one of the world’s most coveted drops – and a selection of bespoke cocktails, it’s a Bangkok hideaway that’s perfectly suited for nights spent celebrating. There’s also a menu of light bites, masterfully designed to complement the bubbles – highly recommended are the oysters, inspired by the flavours of Hua Hin, Bangkok, Paris and Osaka to offer something more special than the regular Kilpatrick.
Belga Rooftop Bar & Brasserie
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s 32nd floor hides a tantalising secret: Bangkok’s best Belgian restaurant and rooftop beer hall. Belga Rooftop Bar & Brasserie doesn’t just deliver spectacular views over one of the city’s action-packed broadways – there’s also an authentic copper tap (pouring 10 draughts) and more than 50 imported beers, all sourced from Europe’s Low Countries. The brasserie menu’s also a labour of love, showcasing laidback Belgian favourites like beer-infused cheese fondue, moules-frites and the must-try gaufres de Bruxelles (waffles topped with chocolate and strawberries).
Spire Rooftop Bar
At Dusit Thani Bangkok, Spire Rooftop Bar brings a new perspective to one of the city’s best-known hotel addresses. The golden spire rises above the Sky level, where cocktails created by the team behind Tropic City accompany 360-degree views across Bangkok. It’s a polished setting for drinks and small bites, with music and an easy evening atmosphere rather than a formal fine-dining feel.
Bar.Yard
Perched on the 40th floor of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Bar.Yard feels more like a rooftop garden party than a traditional hotel bar. The menu draws on Thai, Southeast Asian and Pan-Latin flavours, with dishes from Peruvian chef Julio César Concha Muñoz and cocktails inspired by the heat of Bangkok. As night falls, DJs bring Afro House and remixes to the terrace, while Lumpini Park and the city skyline stretch out below.
Sky Bar
Forever immortalised in film with the release of The Hangover Part II, Sky Bar at lebua at State Tower is easily one of the most recognisable venues in Bangkok. Sharing a space with Alfresco 64 to create one of the most impressive rooftop spaces in the world, Sky Bar’s mixology also rises to the hype, with a menu themed on fresh herbs – try the Cilantro, a bright and delicious mix of chilli-infused tequila, kaffir lime, coriander and lime, or dare to order the bar’s signature drink, the scotch-and-honey-based Hangovertini.
Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar
Soaring above Bangkok’s art-filled ‘bohemian district’ of Thonglor at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar offers unrestricted 360-degree views across the city from three increasingly impressive levels. Sunset’s the best (and busiest) time to go as the sky ignites into red, orange and purple. The cocktails, named after famous Thailand locations and showcasing local ingredients, are a must-sip – try the Baan Dam, blending rum, Campari, local coffee and elderflower for a flavour profile that lingers on the tongue like the sunset in your memory.
Yào Rooftop Bar
On the 32nd floor of Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, Yào Rooftop Bar combines Chinese-inspired interiors with views across the city. The menu includes dim sum and refreshing mocktails, making it a useful option for visitors who want something lighter than a cocktail-led night out. With its open-air setting and daily evening hours, Yào works well for an early drink before dinner or a relaxed night overlooking Surawong.
CHAR Rooftop Bar
Set across the 25th and 26th floors of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road, CHAR Rooftop Bar offers a more intimate take on Bangkok’s high-rise drinking scene. The bar focuses on classic and vintage cocktails, served in an open-air setting with views towards the city’s towers. Its location near Wireless Road gives it a slightly more polished, after-work feel than the larger party rooftops, making it well suited to a slower start to the evening.
Discover Bangkok
Feature image: Moon Bar Bangkok, Banyan Tree Bangkok.
