Bangkok Rooftop Bars

Bangkok is a city of sights, sounds and smells. Its roads are a racetrack of cars, trucks, motorbikes and tuk tuks jostling for position, all somehow squeezing past each other with horns tooting but seldom causing even a scrape. The shops are some of the best in the world – from markets to high-end malls, you can shop until you drop. And it’s hard to forget the city is steeped in culture with plenty of majestic temples and humble riverside neighbourhoods to visit.

But late of an afternoon, when the sightseeing is done, head up, to one of Bangkok’s many chic and stylish rooftop bars, and see the city from a different angle.

Up here mixologists are shaking signature cocktails and chefs are plating up pieces of art as the sun slides over the horizon and the city lights begin to twinkle. You can expect to feel it in your wallet, but hey, who can put a price on memories?

Here are my four picks of Bangkok rooftop bars:

1. Vertigo and Moon at the Banyan Tree

On the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Bangkok, this long, narrow bar is one of the city’s favourites. Vertigo restaurant is at one end and Moon Bar is at the other, with nothing between you and the night sky. Try the signature Vertigo Sunset cocktail: a delicious concoction of Malibu, pineapple, cranberry and lime juice.

2. Three Sixty Lounge at Millennium Hotel

Probably one of the least talked about, yet most highly rated, this bar in the Millennium Hilton makes up for a lack of height (only 32 floors up) with location. It’s not outdoors, but the floor to ceiling glass windows have 360 degree views of the Chao Phraya River. The view is spectacular and the bar isn’t as crowded as the other bars. Just one floor below is a small open-air bar if you’re up for an al fresco cocktail.

3. Sky Bar at lebua State Tower

You may know it from the movie Hangover II. This bar is not for the faint-hearted, jutting out over the street from the 63rd floor of The Dome in lebua at State Tower. Come here for killer sunset views over the Chao Phraya River. This is the place to be seen by celebrities and wannabes. You’ll also hear some of the best live jazz in the city and if you have a bit of cash to throw around, book in for dinner at Sirocco.

4. Red Sky Rooftop at Centara Grand

On the 55th floor of the Centara Grand at CentralWorld hotel is where you’ll find the newest rooftop bar in town. Under a giant neon arch with views over Chinatown, the Grand Palace and temples of Rattanakosin Island, the bar constantly changes colour – seven colours in fact. Try a signature foam-capped martini or the fresh pomegranate martini and nibble from the French-inspired bistro menu. Happily the ground floor is attached to the massive shopping mall Central World so you can combine two passions.

Now you’re thirsty, whet your appetite with Bangkok’s Five Essential Street Eats and once you’re done, rest your head at one of the many hotels around town. Some of the Expedia travellers’ favourites are the Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, President Solitaire Hotel and Spa and the Furama Silom, with peak periods towards the end of the year.

Check out the Expedia Bangkok Travel Guide for more ideas.