In a city where the horizon is punctuated by skyscrapers that seem to touch the heavens, there’s no better place to drink than in a sky bar. Bangkok is renowned for its vibrant street life, bustling markets, and delectable street food. Yet, as the sun dips below the horizon, a transformation occurs. The skyline illuminates, casting a mesmerising glow that draws revellers to its rooftop sanctuaries. Get ready to sip signature cocktails and experience the pulse of the capital from the pinnacle of style and sophistication. From chic lounges perched amidst the clouds to party pads, here are the best sky bars in Bangkok.
The Loft at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Known for its opulent and vintage-inspired ambience, The Loft pays homage to the golden age of jazz, with New York-inspired decor featuring rich woods, plush leather seating and Art Deco elements. 56 floors up, it has floor-to-ceiling windows, a large arty communal table and intimate booths. There are plenty of champagnes by the glass and “forgotten” cocktails made with house-made ingredients. Visitors can also order gourmet bar bites. The bar is open from 5 pm to midnight and an hour later on the weekends.
Spectrum at the Hyatt Regency
Encompassing levels 29, 30 and 31, Spectrum at the Hyatt Regency has a live band or DJ playing every single night on each of the floors. Order pasta, bar bites, antipasti, grilled dishes (including lobster thermidor, Tajima Wagyu rib eye and Kurobuta pork chop), soup and desserts as you soak up the Sukhumvit skyline. And book the two-hour free flowing wine promotion for as much red, white and sparkling as you can drink in the time period. Celebration packages are also available and you can even arrange to have your wedding up here.
Sky Bar at Lebua
Located atop the iconic Lebua at State Tower, this alfresco bar is perched on the 63rd floor. At 820 feet, it’s one of the highest rooftop bars in the city and offers unobstructed vistas of the Chao Phraya River among other landmarks. The circular bar is surrounded by rounded glass balustrades and illuminated after dark. Sky Bar is a regular feature on Instagram accounts, not least as it’s famed for playing a role in the movie The Hangover (you can try the Hangovertini while drinking here). Children over seven are welcome to join their adults.
Red Sky at the Centara Grand
Choose between the breeze of the dramatically lit outdoor terrace and the air con of inside, when you drink and dine at Red Sky on the 55th floor. Chef Luca Russo (who brings his decade of experience gained at multiple Michelin-starred dining establishments) presents seasonal dishes like his truffle-infused Wagyu Beef Tenderloin Rossini and stunning seafood platters over ice. And you can sample signature cocktails such as the Imperial Mojito and wine from the in-house cellar. Red Sky is found within the Centara Grand at CentralWorld.
Hi-So Rooftop Bar at the So Bangkok
Take a seat on the 29th floor, as you look down over the lush green planting of Lumpini Park below. The swanky bar boasts a contemporary design with a trendy, clubby vibe after dark; chic seating, stylish decor, and ambient lighting set the stage for an evening of sophistication and relaxation. In addition to its exceptional drinks menu with cocktails based on star signs, Hi-So offers a selection of gourmet Thai tapas, larger international dishes and light bites. The venue hosts a monthly pool party.
Octave at the Marriott Sukhumvit
Occupying the 45th to the 49th floor of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, this bar is found in the uptown district of Thonglor. Drinks are served from 5 pm to 2 am, with food available from 6 pm to midnight. Share a charcuterie board laden with cheese, a portion of French fine de Claire oysters and a bucket of prawns. Or order main courses such as grilled lamb chops or Australian beef skewers, paired with tropical mocktails and cocktails packed with Thai ingredients. Each floor has a slightly different atmosphere and a blend of Thai pottery, plant-covered walls, wooden furnishings, bucket chairs and neon lighting.
marriottbonvoyasia.com/restaurants-bars/Bangkok-Marriott-Hotel-Sukhumvit-Octave-Rooftop-Lounge-Bar
Threesixty at the Millennium Bangkok Hilton
If romance is your goal, choose the rooftop bar and jazz lounge at ThreeSixty. Two seater sofas and tables face outwards, making the emphasis on the view rather than socialising with a group and you can order a picnic hamper for two. In the unlikely event, it’s raining or if you prefer to be indoors, you can take a seat in the glass cupola area and still enjoy the 360-degree views and in the lounge area, where internationally renowned jazz singers regale patrons with tunes. There’s also a helipad just above the terrace, a unique spot for a proposal.
Vertigo at the Banyan Tree
A fully alfresco split-level dining venue, Vertigo is a combined grill-and-bar rooftop experience. The menu revolves around seafood and premium steaks, with cocktails mixed up in the Moon Bar. Three and four-course set menus are available, alongside a la carte and sharing platters of delicacies like Osciètre Prestige Caviar. Vertigo’s aesthetic is akin to a cruise ship and is more of a sophisticated restaurant than a late-night party bar — opening hours are 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Be sure to arrive hungry as the beautifully presented food is something special.
Bar.Yard at the Kimpton
Named the Best Rooftop Bar in Bangkok at the BK B.A.D Awards 2023, Bar.Yard is fun and funky. It’s found on the 40th floor of the Kimpton and offers a double theme – the drinks and decor are evocative of a Tiki bar, while the menu brings an American backyard barbecue experience. Executive Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara serves up grilled classics with a twist, operating on a farm-to-plate culinary ethos. The drinks, meanwhile, celebrate all things tropical, with fruity cocktails and Thai beers featuring. Music is a big deal here, with DJs playing a selection of genres – depending when you visit, you may catch some neo-soul, electro-funk, contemporary hip-hop or disco beats.
www.kimptonmaalaibangkok.com/bangkok-restaurants/baryard-rooftop-bar/
Penthouse Bar + Grill Park at the Hyatt
This feels like a sophisticated pocket of Central Park, with lanterns on tables, trees, planters and sophisticated, designer furnishings on the top – alfresco – floor. The Grill itself is on a lower level, but with full-length windows, so you can still take in the outlook. Here the chefs cook up premium meats and seafood on an organic coconut charcoal. And you can book the chef’s table, hidden away from the rest of the diners, for an extra special experience. As this venue opens from midday, it’s a great option for a spot of lunch, or some afternoon drinking, as well as an intimate evening.
