The Top Ten Rooftop Bars in Bangkok

The Top Ten Rooftop Bars in Bangkok

Image by George Lascar sourced from wiki media commons

Bangkok is not all traffic congestion, shopping malls, and street-level chaos and cacophony. Somewhere up in the higher realms, way above the busy roads and swarms of people who seemingly don’t know right from left is a world of roof-top bars…

Any self-respecting capital city with anything close to a decent view is likely to have some degree of roof-top terraces and bars from which to get a different perspective. But there is just something about being on the 30th or even the 50th floor, high above the swirling SE Asian city of Bangkok, that has about it a special kind of ambience.

Maybe it is the sense and feel of the humid, tropical evening drawing in high above the city that never sleeps, or the sublime contrast in setting due to the drastically lower levels of noise that can be experienced from up on high. And there is something distinctly exotic and mesmerising about a bright red, Asian sunset disappearing behind an urban jungle.

Most people would be surprised at the sheer volume of rooftop terrace bars and restaurants that there actually are in Bangkok – from the budget options to the down-right luxurious and indulgent, they are found anywhere from the lower echelons of the fifth-floor restaurant of a condominium roof off the beaten track, on a virtually unheard of backstreet, to a 60th-floor cocktail lounge and restaurant terrace bar at the pinnacle of a 5-star hotel in the heart of the city – the choice can be endless.

For many people, it would seem that the higher the bars are the better, which may be a reasonable observation – but some of the lower-level and even lesser-known venues are definitely still worthy of some consideration, even for some of the most seasoned ‘high-flyers’ who like to escape the thrall of a city via as many stories as is possible.

Most of the venues featured in this report, however, veer towards the cocktail-themed, luxurious, city-centre type of establishment that Bangkok seemingly does so well.

While by no means being exhaustive, this article does aim to provide a few insights into some of the differences and varieties of this particular brand of rooftop bar in Bangkok. Some of them are most suited to an early-evening escape route from the thralls of commuters via a ‘lounge’ backdrop, while others may be more to the taste of late-night party people who aren’t likely to be heading home any time before the next day has begun…

So check out some of the best rooftop bars that Bangkok has to offer, organised in no particular order, according to what might be considered the top ten.

1. The Rooftop Bar — Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Image by Paolobon 140 sourced from wiki media commons

In the Pratunam district, on the 83rd Floor of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, is possibly the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok (although that may have become disputable in recent years).

Needless to say, magnificent and dizzying views are to be found here.
The bar has a cocktail theme typical of most of the venues featured in this article, but one of the attractions of The Rooftop Bar is that one level up from the cocktail bar is an observation deck that revolves.

Worth checking out just for the experience of being up so high in the city of Bangkok, and also by comparison to other rooftop bars on offer in Bangkok that are likely to be anywhere between the 20th to the 60th.

where: 83rd Floor, Baiyoke Sky Hotel, 222 Ratchaprarop Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 (BTS PHAYATHAI)
when: Daily from 5.30pm to 11pm

Image by David Mcelvey sourced from wiki media commons

2. Vertigo Bar – The Banyan Tree Hotel

On the 61st floor of this 5-star hotel in the Bangkok business district of Sathorn, can be found the Vertigo Bar. Boasting one of the meanest sunset views in the city, this bar and restaurant are chic, cosmopolitan drinking and dining at its height – in fact, there is indeed a distinct sense of vertigo to be had in this bar due to the tables and glasses that are slanted to give an impression of ‘sliding’ towards the views of the stunning backdrops.

Image by Mighty Travels sourced from wiki media commons

Like most of the more ‘hi-so’ establishments featured here, there is something of a dress code in place. And while no-one is expecting black ties and tuxedos, jeans and flip-flops are likely to get you refused entry. The prices of drinks and entrees will, of course, be reflected by the status and location of the hotel, least of all the fact that the bar has some of the best views of the city at night

WHERE: SATHORN ROAD, KHWAENG THUNG MAHA MEK, SATHORN, BANGKOK, 10120 (BTS SALADAENG/MRT LUMPINI, SILOM))
WHEN: 5PM-1AM

3. CRU Rooftop Champagne Bar

CentralWorld Mall is one of the focal points for many a Bangkokian during the daytime, and the CRU Rooftop Bar seemingly comes in handy of an evening for many of them.

This bar is located atop CentralWorld’s Centara Grand Hotel and is considered by many locals as one of the trendiest in the city. Situated on the 59th floor in the Siam region of the city, the name gives some indication of the style and clientele of the bar, which serves exclusive brands of champagne amidst entire 360-degree views of the city.

With its chic designs and elegant views, the bar serves as both a stop-off point for partygoers and a late drink for early-returners and its circular bar with colour-changing lights around it to provide a real backdrop of ambience for trendy photo opportunities and Instagram posts.

WHERE: CENTARA GRAND, CENTRALWORLD, RAMA 1 ROAD, PATUMWAN, BANGKOK 10330 (BTS SIAM)
WHEN: 5PM-2AM

4. Red Sky

Just a few floors lower down on the 56th floor, in the same venue as the CRU, is the Red Sky Bar. If champagne bars are not necessarily your thing then the Sky Bar offers a slightly more toned-down experience with more 360-degree panoramic views that may be just the ticket after a hectic day’s shopping in the centre of the city that is Siam Central.

The Sky Bar offers the usual rooftop experience with views, menus and drinks to suit a variety of palettes, veering towards a bistro theme.

WHERE: CENTARA GRAND, CENTRALWORLD, RAMA 1 ROAD, PATUMWAN, BANGKOK 10330 (BTS SIAM)
WHEN: 5PM-2AM

5. Sky Bar

Another venue above the 60th level (actually on the 63rd), located in a building known as the State Tower, the Sky Bar has become something of a ‘must-see’ for many first-time visitors to Bangkok over recent years.

Image by Ninara sourced from wiki media commons

With more 360-degree views to boot and state-of-the-art design, the Sky Bar presents as stunning a view as to be found anywhere in the city, in its own inimitable style. The round bar itself actually overhangs the edge of the building, providing impressive sunset scenarios as the deep-red sun reflects off the Chao Praya River.

WHERE: LEBUA STATE TOWER, 1055 SI LOM, BANG RAK, BANGKOK 10500 (BTS SALA DAENG/MRT SILOM)
WHEN: 6PM-1AM

6. Distil

If you find yourself wanting to hop between different rooftop bars in Bangkok it won’t be too difficult. Many of the venues listed here are just one of many bars often in the same building or even on the same floor, or sometimes on higher or lower floors of the same buildings.

This makes rooftop bars a ‘scene’ among scenes – i.e. Bangkok bars, eateries and nightlife — and to be fair if you are going to venture up past the 50th story of a city sky rise then why limit yourself to one venue?

Image by Ninara sourced from wiki media commons

Distil is another rooftop bar in the State Tower, actually one level up from the Sky Bar (64th). This place has slightly more of a cocktail lounge feel to it, with a range of well-thought-out cocktails on the menu, a cigar terrace, large, comfortable-looking sofas and a jazzy soundscape as a backdrop.
Oh, and of course, the obligatory stunning views.

WHERE: 64th Floor, lebua State Tower Bangkok, 1055 Si Lom, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
WHEN: Daily from 5pm to 1am

7. The Octave Bar

This time in the Sukhumvit area of the city, another popular hangout district rivalling Silom and Thonglor for nightlife is the Octave Rooftop Bar. Many of the rooftop bars listed here claim to be the highest vantage point or the best view of the city – and the Octave stake similar claims.

Sunsets and romantic lounge scenarios both work perfectly in this venue, which sits atop The Marriot Hotel in the Nana region of Sukhumvit. Another 360-degree panoramic view is available here, as are 3 levels of space situated on the 45th floor of this 5-star establishment right in the heart of Bangkok.

Image by Wishva de Silva sourced from wiki media commons

WHERE: THE MARRIOT HOTEL, 2 BAN KLUAI NUAE, KHLONG TAN NUEA, WATTHANA, BANGKOK 10110 (BTS NANA)
WHEN: 5PM-2AM

8. Blue Sky Rooftop Bar

If you wanted to get a bit further away from the intense city areas such as Silom and Sukhumvit then you might consider a jaunt up to the Blue Sky Bar.

Located on the 24th floor of the Centara Grand Hotel in the Ladprao area in the Chatuchak district, this venue is actually just a stone’s throw away from one of Bangkok’s major park attractions, and the difference in ambience is notable compared to the other more inner-city venues covered thus far.

The Centara Grand is another 5-star Bangkok hotel which certainly has a different perspective in terms of location and hence views. Although you can cast your eye across what might be considered as downtown Bangkok from this 24th floor viewpoint, there is a distinct feeling of being able to breathe a bit more easily than in the built-up city areas.

The restaurant here actually has a French theme, while the bar is more of a cocktail affair with the Blue Sky’s own signature creations featuring heavily.

WHERE: 95 Phahon Yothin Rd, Centara Grand at Central plaza Ladprao, Bangkok 10900 (BTS LADPRAO/MRT PHAHONYOTHIN)
WHEN: Daily from 6pm to midnight

9. The Speakeasy

In the form of an interesting theme bar comes The Speakeasy Bar at The Hotel Muse, on the somewhat lower-level of the 25th floor in the downtown Chit Lom area of Bangkok.

As the name suggests, the theme here is focused around a throwback to the Prohibition-era 1920s of America. This was a time that led to a gamut of hidden or disguised underground clubs run by mobsters running the illegal alcohol trade, which is the main influence in the backdrop and ambience of this particular establishment.

However, hopefully, you won’t find too many mobsters here, but rather a unique signature cocktail theme featuring jam jars, along with more classic and vintage offerings, with a jazzy soundscape featuring as part of the background vibe. No stunning 360-degree, 60th-floor views to adhere, but the venue still offers a nice perspective across Sukhumvit and towards Sathorn.

Image by Kallerna sourced from wiki media commons

WHERE: HOTEL MUSE, 25TH FLOOR, 55 555 Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum, Wan District, Bangkok 10330

10. 342 Bar – Baan Wanglang Hotel

Entirely in a different setting and location across the Chao Praya River on the Thonburi side, is a rooftop bar on a much lower level. In fact, the 342 bar is set on a modest 5th floor atop the Baan Wanglang Hotel.

If you fancy heading across to this much more peaceful, old-town side of Bangkok you’ll need to incorporate a ferry trip, but the view and ambience are worth it.
This is a much lesser-known bar than any of the others featured here, and so is included here by way of variation and contrast. It is not actually that easy to find (although not impossible) being kind of semi-hidden, but this only adds to the allure of discovery and adventure that comes from finding one of the less-obvious venues in Bangkok that turns out to be amazing.

Obviously one of the benefits of this place as well is that it won’t tend to be over-packed, unlike many of the downtown establishments where booking may indeed be necessary if intending to dine. The views here are totally Bangkok in classic style, with the Grand Palace and Wat Arun both being near enough to see across the water, with especially fetching outlines of an evening when all is lit.

WHERE: 342 TROK WATRAKHANG ALLEY, SIRIRAJ, BANGKOK NOI, BANGKOK 10700
WHEN: 5PM – 1AM