Rooftop bars are a common sight across the world, yet few cities do them quite as well as beautiful Bangkok. These sanctuaries of calm high above the busy streets below allow you to experience the magic of the city from an entirely different perspective… not to mention enjoy some deliciously inventive cocktails too. Travel writer and Repeat Traveller Chris Ashton shares his pick of the best.
From the dizzying heights of Sky Bar by Lebua to the glamour of a bygone era at The Speakeasy, these are the rooftops hideaways worth adding to your Bangkok wish list.
Sky Bar by Lebua
If you’ve scrolled through #bangkok Instagram results anytime in the last few years, there’s a good chance you’ve seen this showstopper in Bangrak. Sky Bar is iconic – the crowning jewel atop the 63rd floor of Lebua State Tower. A by-product of its Insta-fame means it tends to get pretty busy in the evenings, but it’s worth the wait once that view reveals itself.
Vertigo and Moon Bar
Banyan Tree is a name synonymous with elegance and refinement, and the dazzling Vertigo restaurant and Moon bar atop the Banyan Tree Bangkok are no exception. Find yourself a candlelit table, order a signature cocktail like the Vertigo Sunset, feast on sumptuous seafood and steaks, and watch the city come alive as the sun fades into the horizon.
Red Sky Bar
Fifty-six floors above the city atop Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Red Sky Bar is a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Though impressive by day, it comes alive with the setting sun. A spectacular 360-degree view across the skyline, a sea of twinkling lights stretching out before you, it’s a perfect place to relax and indulge after a busy day of sightseeing.
HI-SO Rooftop
Gazing out across the emerald expanse of Lumphini Park, HI-SO Rooftop Bar at Sofitel So is so hot right now. The 29th floor terrace is a place to see and be seen, to rub shoulders with the Bangkok glitterati, and then dance like no one’s watching to electrifying live DJ sets.
Above 11
A whimsical retreat like one Alice might encountered in Wonderland, Above 11 overlooks the vibrant nightlife mecca of Soi 11 and beyond from its vantage high atop Fraser Suites Sukhumvit. The quirky décor, with giant steel trees and armchairs that could double for barrows, is like nowhere else in the city – and the Peruvian Japanese menu is to die for.
The Speakeasy
Last but by no means least, The Speakeasy is a swinging presence on the 24th and 25th of Hotel Muse Bangkok, an M Gallery Hotel Collection property. A throwback to the 1920s prohibition era, it beckons you in with the sounds of smooth jazz and clinking martini glasses. It’s fun, it’s funky, and destined to become your new favourite drinking den. Ready to raise a glass or two at one of these ultra-glam hideaways? Be sure to dress to impress, and also call or check websites in advance for details on opening hours.