The traffic, the markets, the street hawkers, the grime; the food carts, the temples, the madness, the crime… it’s what makes this iconic South-East Asian capital buzz. It’s what you think of when you hear the word ‘Bangkok’.
But way above the steam and noise of Bangkok’s sprawling, festering street life, serenity can be found. Hidden nests atop the great towering buildings of Krung Thep. That’s what the locals call it. The City of Angels.
And ensconced in the beauty of one of Bangkok’s rooftop bars, you really feel like you’re in heaven.
I really don’t think Thais are as worried about OH&S or building codes as we are in Australia. These bars just wouldn’t exist here. They’re just so high and the safety barriers are… well, non-existent. But the result is some of the most extraordinary watering holes we’ve ever been to.
Banyan Tree
Source: travelervip.com via Mr and Mrs on Pinterest
We reckon Banyan Tree is the most unbelievable place. Split into Vertigo Restaurant and Grill, and the Moon Bar, everything about this bar is beautiful: the design, views, the drinks… sitting having a drink and a snack here, you really feel like a star.
Source: flickr.com via Mr and Mrs on Pinterest
61st floor – Banyan Tree Hotel & Resort
21/100 South Sathon Road
Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2 679 1200
www.banyantree.com
Red Sky
With its great arch that loops around the top of the bar like a slipping halo, Red Sky is dramatic to say the least.
Its atrium wine fridge is impressive too. Staff have to abseil to the bottle you choose inside like ninjas!
Get there early enough and enjoy excellent specials on the cocktails they serve, get a good position and enjoy a Bangkok sunset.
55th floor – Centara Grand Hotel at CentralWorld
999/99 Rama 1 Road
Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2100 1234
www.centarahotelsresorts.com
Sky Bar
Famous for the scene in The Hangover 2, this rooftop bar was probably outstanding before it became famous. After all, it is the world’s highest open-air bar.
Sadly, it’s now cashing in a bit and we didn’t like it much here. The bar was very busy, we were corralled in a small balcony and made to wait before we were allowed onto the rooftop proper.
To get to the bar, you need to walk through the restaurant area, which is expensive. If we were having dinner and hoards of photo-hungry tourists kept walking through, I wouldn’t be very happy. Not well thought through, I’m afraid.
63rd floor – Lebua Hotel & Resort
1055 Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand, 10500
Tel: +66 (0) 2624-9555
www.lebua.com
But if you choose just one of these amazing places for a drink, or you go on the best bar hop in the world, you’re guaranteed to love every bar you go to!
Here is a more comprehensive list of Bangkok roof bars you might like to look at: Top 10 Rooftop Bars from Bangkok Magazine.
And here’s a post on our top dream rooftop bars around the world. Incredible places!
Jaime Chew
Omg I loved Sky bar in Lebua, I go there everytime I pass through Bangkok, best mojitos in the world. Shame you didn’t have the same enjoyable experience. x
Mr Romance
It’s a cracking city, isn’t it, Jaime?! And there are more and more roof bars popping up there all the time.
Sky Bar is good, but you should definitely check
out Vertigo at Banyan Tree on the Sathon Road. Super chic, amazing views and really great drinks and atmosphere.
Have a great trip and definitely get in touch if you want send any guest posts in.
Cheers
Jim
Rachel @ Reality Chick
What an awesome piece, thanks so much! We’re hoping to head to Bangkok soon and I’ll definitely bookmark this piece for a little bar-hopping 🙂
Mrs Romance
Thanks Rachel! You’ll love it, and make sure you have a drink for us! X
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[…] It’s a little way from Koh Yao but if you’re ever in Bangkok, you’ve got to check these bars out. […]