Bangkok is the world capital of rooftop bars. Having a drink 200 meters up, facing the city’s ocean of lights, is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Cocktails run from 450 to 900 baht, sometimes more: think of it as the price of the view.
The most famous rooftops
- Sky Bar (Lebua hotel, State Tower, Silom): the most famous of them all, made legendary by the movie The Hangover Part II. A golden dome and a plunging view over the river. Very busy.
- Vertigo (Banyan Tree, Sathorn): an open-air restaurant and bar on the 61st floor, with no big glass panel between you and the void. Thrills guaranteed.
- Octave (Marriott Sukhumvit, Thonglor): a 360-degree view over the east of the city, a relaxed atmosphere and more reasonable prices.
- Tichuca, near Ekkamai: a jungle setting and a big glowing “jellyfish.”
- The Mahanakhon SkyWalk bar: the highest of them all, with access to the glass floor.
Old town rooftops
More modest, the little riverside rooftops in Tha Tien and Chinatown offer outstanding views of Wat Arun and the old town. At sunset, when the temple lights up across the water, it may well be the most beautiful view in Bangkok, and far cheaper than the big hotels.
Before you go up: the rules
- Dress code: most rooftops turn away flip-flops, tank tops and, for men, shorts. “Smart casual” is required.
- Weather: rooftops close when there’s a storm. In the rainy season, have a plan B.
- Age: entry may be refused to anyone under 20.
- Timing: arrive before sunset to get a spot and watch the city go from day to night.
What next? Bangkok after dark
- Cocktail bars: several regularly rank among the best in Asia, in Charoen Krung, Chinatown, Thonglor and Sukhumvit.
- Live music: jazz at Saxophone Pub (Victory Monument), rock and Thai pop in the student bars of Phra Arthit and Khao San.
- Clubs: around Thonglor, Ekkamai, Sukhumvit Soi 11 and RCA (Royal City Avenue).
- The LGBT+ scene: Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4. Bangkok is one of the most open cities in Asia, and Bangkok Pride, in June, has become a major event.
Nightlife venues generally close at 2 a.m., sometimes 4 a.m. in certain zones. Bring ID: age checks are frequent, and some clubs require your original passport.
A night of muay thai
For a different kind of evening, catch a Thai boxing match at Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok’s oldest stadium (1945), near the Democracy Monument. The ritual ceremony before each fight, accompanied by a live orchestra, is worth the trip on its own. Expect to pay 1,500 to 3,000 THB as a foreigner depending on the seat; the cheap stands are less expensive and livelier.
Good to know: a rooftop evening pairs perfectly with a street food dinner in Chinatown just before, then a taxi or a Grab over to Silom or Sathorn.
Want to dig deeper?
Mr Schaka’s guide, Bangkok – The Practical Guide (“Bangkok: The Practical Guide”), covers rooftops, nightlife, muay thai stadiums, shows and massages, with prices for every budget. The English edition is out now as a PDF ebook: buy it here →
