18 Best Rooftop Bars in Bangkok for 2026
(and 25+ more worth visiting)

Vertigo at Banyan Tree (Moon Bar)

Vertigo is the rooftop that started it all in Bangkok. It opened in 2003, back when drinking on the 61st floor of a hotel was still a wild idea. Twenty years later, it’s still one of the best. The bar sits completely open to the sky, no glass walls, no enclosed sections, just a long, narrow platform stretching out toward the city. When the wind picks up, you feel it. That’s part of what makes it different from the newer rooftops with their floor-to-ceiling windows.

We usually start at Moon Bar, which sits just below Vertigo on the same level. It’s a good spot for the first drink while the sun is still up. The views face west toward the river, so you get the sunset right in front of you. Once it gets dark, head up the stairs to Vertigo for dinner or more drinks. The restaurant serves grilled seafood and steaks, and the tables along the edge have unobstructed views in every direction. Booking ahead is smart, especially for weekend evenings.

The dress code here is stricter than most. No shorts, no sandals, no sleeveless shirts for men. They do enforce it, so don’t assume you’ll talk your way in. The drinks are expensive, somewhere around 400-500 Baht for cocktails, but that’s standard for this level of rooftop. Vertigo isn’t the newest or the highest anymore, but it’s the one we keep coming back to. Something about standing on an open rooftop 61 floors up, with nothing between you and the city, still feels special. Read more about Vertigo.

• Location: Sathorn
• Hotel: Banyan Tree Bangkok
• Address: 21/100 South, S Sathon Rd, Sathon, Bangkok 10120
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: MRT Lumphini: 700 m
• Open: 5 pm – 11 pm (Moon Bar), 6 pm – 1 am (Vertigo Restaurant)
• Phone: 02 679 1200
• Floor: 61st floor
• Price: very high
• Dress code: Smart casual is required; no shorts or flip-flops

Sky Bar at State Tower

Sky Bar is the one everyone knows. It appeared in The Hangover Part II, and that scene of the guys walking out onto the illuminated dome 64 floors up turned this into the most photographed rooftop in Bangkok. The crowds haven’t slowed down since. On any given night, there’s a queue to get that photo at the edge of the platform with the river curving below and the city lights behind you.

We’ve been several times, mostly with visitors who want to see it. The view is genuinely spectacular. You’re standing on a narrow platform that juts out from the building, with the Chao Phraya River directly below and Bangkok sprawling in every direction. The dome glows different colours throughout the evening, and the whole setup feels theatrical in a way that other rooftops don’t attempt. It’s designed to impress, and it does.

The drinks are expensive, probably the highest prices of any rooftop in Bangkok. A cocktail runs 600-700 Baht, and there’s a minimum spend if you want a table. The dress code is strict. No shorts, no sandals, no athletic wear. They check at the lift and will turn you away without hesitation. Go once for the experience, take your photos, and understand you’re paying for the view and the fame. For repeat visits, we’d choose somewhere quieter, but Sky Bar deserves its reputation as the most dramatic rooftop setting in the city. Read more about Sky Bar.

• Location: Silom
• Hotel: Lebua at State Tower
• Address: 61st Floor, The Dome at Lebua, Silom Road, Bangrak
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Saphan Taksin: 430 m
• Open: 6 pm – 1 am
• Tel: 02 624 9555
• Floor: 64th floor
• Price: very high!
• Dress Code: Smart Casual

Akara Sky Hanuman Bangkok

Akara Sky Hanuman opened in late 2023 and immediately became one of our favourite rooftops in Bangkok. It sits on the 61st floor of the Akara Hotel in Ploenchit, making it the second-highest rooftop bar in the city after Mahanakhon SkyWalk. But unlike Mahanakhon, which is mainly a tourist observation deck, Akara feels like a proper bar where you’d actually want to spend an evening.

The design is inspired by the Hanuman character from the Ramakien, Thailand’s national epic. There’s a massive Hanuman sculpture on the terrace, and the whole space has a Thai mythological theme without feeling like a theme park. The outdoor section wraps around the building, so you get views in multiple directions. On clear nights, you can see across to the river and down toward Silom.

We like this one because it hasn’t been discovered by the tour groups yet. The crowd is mostly Bangkok residents and hotel guests, the music isn’t too loud, and you can actually have a conversation. Cocktails are well-made and priced around 450-550 Baht, which is reasonable for this height. The dress code exists, but it isn’t as aggressive as Sky Bar or Vertigo. Smart casual works fine. If you want a high rooftop experience without the famous-bar crowds, Akara is where we’d send you right now.

• Location: Ploenchit
• Address: One City Center Building 58, Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
• Hours: 5 pm – 2 am
• Phone: 092 888 6332
• Floor: 61st
• Closest BTS: 100 m (direct access)

Octave Rooftop Lounge

Octave is the rooftop we recommend most often to people staying in Sukhumvit. It’s right above BTS Thong Lo at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, easy to reach and open until late. The bar spreads across three levels, starting on the 45th floor and climbing to a fully open rooftop on the 49th. That top level is where you want to end up. The 360-degree views cover the entire city, from the skyscrapers of Silom to the expressways snaking through the suburbs.

We usually arrive around sunset and start with drinks on level 45 or 48. Both have comfortable seating and partial views. As it gets darker, head up to 49 for the full panorama. There’s no restaurant up top, just drinks and the view, which keeps things simple. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests, expats, and tourists who’ve done their research. It gets busy on weekend nights but rarely feels as hectic as the famous Silom rooftops.

Prices are reasonable for a rooftop of this quality. Cocktails sit around 350-450 Baht, and there’s no minimum spend unless you want a reserved table. The dress code is relaxed compared to places like Vertigo. Smart casual is fine, and we’ve seen people in decent shorts without problems. Octave doesn’t have the drama of Sky Bar or the history of Vertigo, but it delivers excellent views, good drinks, and a location that’s hard to beat if you’re based in Sukhumvit. Read more about Octave.

• Location: Sukhumvit
• Hotel: Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
• Address: Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Ban Kluai Nuea Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Thonglor: 240 m
• Open: 5 pm – 2 am (Happy Hour 5 pm – 7 pm)
• Phone: 02 797 0000
• Floor: 49th floor
• Price: High
• Dress code: no shorts and no sandals

Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Mahanakhon SkyWalk isn’t really a bar. It’s an observation deck on the 78th floor of the King Power Mahanakhon building, the tallest in Bangkok. But there’s a bar up there, and the views are so far above everything else in the city that it deserves a spot on this list. Nothing else in Bangkok comes close to this height.

The main attraction is the glass tray that extends out from the building. You walk onto it and look straight down 314 metres to the street below. It’s genuinely thrilling, even if you’re not scared of heights. The indoor observation area wraps around the building with floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s an outdoor rooftop section one level up where the bar is located. On clear days, you can see the curve of the Chao Phraya River, the Gulf of Thailand in the distance, and the endless sprawl of Bangkok in every direction.

The experience is different from other rooftops. You buy a ticket to enter, around 880 Baht for adults, which includes access to all levels. Drinks at the rooftop bar are extra and priced about the same as those at other high-end rooftops. The crowd is mostly tourists and families, not the cocktail crowd you’d find at Vertigo or Sky Bar. Come here for the view and the glass tray experience. If you want a proper evening of drinks with atmosphere, the other rooftops on this list are better choices. Read more about Mahanakhon SkyWalk.

• Location: Silom
• Address: 114 Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Chong Nonsi: 130 m
• Open: 10 am – midnight (last admission at 11 pm)
• Phone: 02 677 8721
• Floor: 78th floor
• Price: 765 baht

Spire at Dusit Thani

Spire is one of the newest rooftops in Bangkok, opened in late 2024 when the rebuilt Dusit Thani hotel finally reopened after years of construction. The original Dusit Thani was a Bangkok landmark for decades, and the new version keeps that heritage while adding a proper rooftop bar with one of the most recognisable features on the city skyline: a golden spire that glows after dark.

The bar sits on the 39th floor, which isn’t as high as the 60-plus floors of Vertigo or Sky Bar. But the location makes up for it. You’re looking directly over Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s biggest green space, with Silom’s towers rising behind it. The spire itself is visible from rooftops across the city, so there’s something satisfying about finally being at the source. The design inside is sleek and modern, a mix of Thai details and contemporary hotel bar style.

We visited a few weeks after opening and found it busy but not overwhelmed. The cocktail menu focuses on Thai ingredients, and the bartenders clearly know what they’re doing. Prices are high, around 500-600 Baht for signature drinks, but that’s expected for a new luxury hotel. Dress code is smart casual with the usual no-shorts, no-sandals rules. Spire doesn’t have the history of the older rooftops yet, but it’s already one of the most striking additions to Bangkok’s skyline. Worth visiting while it’s still relatively undiscovered.

• Location: Silom – Dusit Thani Hotel
• Floor: 39th
• Address: 98 Rama IV Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
• Hours: 5 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 022 009 000
• Prices: high

Nobu Bangkok

Nobu Bangkok isn’t a typical rooftop bar. It’s a three-floor restaurant and lounge in the Emquartier complex, spanning the 57th to 60th floors with some of the best views in Sukhumvit. The Nobu name means serious Japanese food, and that’s the main reason people come. But the rooftop lounge on the 60th floor works perfectly well as a destination for drinks without dinner.

The restaurant levels serve the Nobu classics: black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño, and omakase menus that run into several thousand baht. It’s a splurge, but the quality matches the reputation. If you’re not here for a full dinner, head straight to the top-floor lounge. The outdoor terrace has views toward the Benchakitti Park and the Sukhumvit skyline, and the indoor bar has the same slick design you’d expect from the brand.

We’ve been for drinks twice without eating, and both times the atmosphere felt right. It’s quieter than the party rooftops, older crowd, good music at reasonable volume, and staff who actually know the cocktail menu. Drinks are expensive, in the 500-600 Baht range, but this is Nobu. The dress code is smart casual, leaning toward smart. No one’s checking for sandals at the door, but you’ll feel out of place in beach clothes. Come here when you want something more refined than the usual rooftop scene.

• Location: Sathorn
• Address: 57th-58th Floor, Empire Tower, No.1, S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120
• Hours: 5.30 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 024071654
• Floor: 57th, 58th and 60th floor
• Cuisine: Modern Japanese
• BTS: Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain station

Le Du Kaan

Le Du Kaan is what happens when one of Thailand’s best chefs opens a rooftop restaurant. Chef Ton’s original Le Du in Silom has held Michelin stars for years, and this newer sibling on the 56th floor of the Silom Edge building combines that cooking with panoramic city views. It’s one of the few rooftops in Bangkok where the food is as much of a draw as the location.

The menu is modern Thai, built on local ingredients but presented in ways you won’t see at street stalls. Think carefully composed plates with flavours that actually taste Thai, not the fusion experiments that lose the point. We’ve had dinner here once and drinks another time, and both worked well. The bar area serves excellent cocktails with Thai herbs and local spirits, and you can eat smaller plates without committing to the full tasting menu.

The setting is more restaurant than bar, so don’t expect the rooftop party atmosphere of Tichuca or Above Eleven. Tables are spaced properly, the music stays in the background, and conversations happen at normal volume. Prices match the quality. Dinner with drinks runs 3,000-4,000 Baht per person easily, cocktails alone around 450-550 Baht. The dress code is smart casual. Le Du Kaan is the rooftop we’d choose for a special dinner rather than casual drinks, but if you want both great food and a view in the same evening, nothing else in Bangkok does it better.

• Location: Silom
• Address: 56th Floor The Empire, 1 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120
• Hours: 11.30 am -2.30 pm, 5 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 024 071654
• Floor: 56th

Tichuca Rooftop Bar

Tichuca is the rooftop for people who want photos. The design is dramatic, with multiple levels connected by staircases, trees growing between the platforms, and enough visual interest that every corner looks good on camera. It opened a few years ago on the 46th floor of the T-One Building in Thonglor and immediately became one of the most popular bars in the city.

The layout is unusual. Instead of one flat rooftop, Tichuca spreads across several connected areas, each with different seating and slightly different views. Some sections are enclosed, others open to the sky. The crowd tends to be younger and more dressed up than the classic hotel rooftops, and the music gets louder as the night goes on. Weekend evenings are packed. Booking a table helps if you want to secure a good spot.

We’ve been a few times, usually with friends who want somewhere with energy rather than somewhere quiet. Tichuca delivers that. The drinks are decent, priced around 400-500 Baht, and the cocktail menu is long enough to keep things interesting. Food is available but not the main attraction. Dress code exists, but isn’t aggressive. Smart casual works, though most people dress up a bit. If you want a rooftop that feels like an event rather than just a bar with a view, Tichuca is one of the best options in Bangkok right now.. Read more about Tichuca.

• Location: Sukhumvit
• Address: T-One Building 8, 46th Floor, Soi Hemwong, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
• Hours: 3 pm – 9 pm
• Phone: 065 878 5562
• Floor: 46th
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Thonglor: 320 m
• Reservations: not accepted
• Dress Code: not required, but everyone dresses up for photos!

Hi-So Bar at So/Bangkok

Hi-So sits on the 26th floor of the SO/Bangkok hotel, which doesn’t sound impressive next to the 60-floor giants. But the view is special because of what’s directly below: Lumphini Park. Instead of looking out at endless concrete and traffic, you’re above the biggest green space in central Bangkok, with the park’s lakes and trees spread out beneath you and the city towers rising behind.

The bar itself matches the hotel’s design-forward style. SO/Bangkok was designed with input from Christian Lacroix, and the interiors are bold, colourful, and different from the typical luxury hotel look. Hi-So continues that approach with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a layout that feels more like a lounge than a rooftop bar. The outdoor terrace is where the view happens, and there’s enough space that it doesn’t feel cramped even when busy.

Drinks are in the 400-500 Baht range, which is standard for rooftops at this level. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests and locals who know the bar, fewer tourists than the famous Silom rooftops. We like Hi-So for early evening drinks when the sun is still lighting up the park below. It’s calmer than places like Tichuca or Above Eleven, more suited to conversation than partying. The dress code is relaxed. Smart casual is fine, and the atmosphere doesn’t demand anything more formal. Read more about Hi-So Bar.

• Location: Sathorn
• Hotel: So Bangkok
• Address: 2 North Sathorn Road, Bangrak, 10500 Bangkok
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: MRT Lumphini: 230 m
• Open: 6 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 02 624 0000
• Floor: 26th floor
• Price: High
• Dress Code: Smart Casual

ThreeSixty Millennium Hilton

ThreeSixty gets overlooked. It’s right next to ICONSIAM on the Thonburi side of the river, and somehow the crowds that pour through that mall every day don’t make it up to the 32nd floor of the Millennium Hilton next door. That’s fine with us. More space, better sunset views, and none of the queuing that happens at the famous rooftops across the river.

The bar wraps around the building, so you get views in every direction, but the riverside is where everyone sits. The Chao Phraya curves below, boats cross between the banks, and the towers of Silom and Sathorn rise on the opposite shore. At sunset, the light catches the temples and the older buildings along the water. It’s one of our favourite views in Bangkok, partly because you’re seeing the river and the city together rather than just endless skyscrapers.

Getting there is easy now that the BTS Gold Line has a station at Charoen Nakhon, about 100 metres from the hotel entrance. Drinks are priced fairly for a rooftop, 350-450 Baht for cocktails, and the food menu is decent if you want to eat. The crowd is mostly hotel guests and people who’ve discovered how good this view actually is. Dress code is smart casual. ThreeSixty doesn’t have the fame or the Instagram presence of Sky Bar, but for an actual pleasant evening watching the sun set over the river, it’s hard to beat. Read more about ThreeSixty at Millennium Hilton.

• Location: Thonburi
• Hotel: Millennium Hilton Bangkok
• Address: Millennium Hilton, 123 Charoennakorn Road, Bangkok
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Charoen Nakhon: 100 m
• Open: 5 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 02 442 2000
• Floor: 32nd floor
• Dress Code: Smart Casual

Eagle Nest at Sala Rattanakosin

Eagle Nest is only five floors up. That’s nothing compared to the skyscraper bars in Silom and Sukhumvit. But those bars don’t have Wat Arun directly across the river, lit up gold and white after sunset, close enough that you feel like you could reach out and touch it. Location beats altitude here.

The bar sits on top of Sala Rattanakosin hotel, a small boutique property in the old town. The terrace is compact, maybe a dozen tables, with the river directly below and the Temple of Dawn filling the view in front of you. Behind the hotel is Wat Pho, home to the giant reclining Buddha. You’re surrounded by Bangkok’s most important temples, drinking a cocktail while the sun goes down. It’s a different experience from the modern rooftops downtown.

We come here specifically for the sunset. The timing matters. Arrive too late, and you’ll miss the best light on Wat Arun. Arrive too early, and you’re sitting in the heat waiting. Aim for 30 minutes before sunset to get a table and settle in. Drinks are reasonably priced, around 300-400 Baht, and the menu is simple. The dress code barely exists. This is the old town, not Silom. Eagle Nest is the rooftop we recommend when people want something memorable rather than something high or famous.

• Location: Old Town Riverside
• Hotel: Sala Rattanakosin
• Address: 39 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: MRT Sanam Chai: 400 m
• Phone: 02 622 1388
• Floor: 5th

CRU at Centara Grand

CRU sits on the 58th floor of the Centara Grand at CentralWorld, which makes it one of the most convenient rooftops in Bangkok. You’ve probably walked past the building a dozen times if you’ve spent any time shopping in the Siam area. The lift takes you straight up from the hotel lobby, and suddenly you’re 58 floors above the chaos of Ratchaprasong intersection.

The focus here is on champagne, as the name suggests. The list is extensive, from affordable glasses to bottles that cost more than a flight home. But you don’t have to drink champagne. The cocktail menu is solid, and the prices are slightly lower than the champagne-focused offerings. We’ve been to both and found the regular drinks perfectly fine.

The view faces north and east, looking out toward Victory Monument, the expressways, and the sprawl of Bangkok beyond the tourist centre. It’s not the river view of the Silom rooftops, but it’s impressive in a different way, an endless city in every direction. The indoor area is air-conditioned and feels like a proper lounge. The outdoor terrace is where the view opens up. CRU attracts an older crowd than the Sukhumvit party rooftops, more couples and business travellers than backpackers. Dress code is smart casual. We come here when we’ve been shopping all afternoon and want somewhere nearby for a drink without travelling across the city. Read more about CRU Rooftop.

• Location: Siam
• Hotel: Centara Grand at CentralWorld
• Address: 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Siam: 300 m
• Open: 5 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 02 100 1234
• Floor: 58th floor
• Price: very high
• Dress Code: Bubbly Smooth (whatever that is)

Red Sky at Central World

Red Sky is one floor above CRU in the same building, and the two bars couldn’t be more different. While CRU focuses on champagne and a lounge atmosphere, Red Sky is a proper outdoor rooftop with 360-degree views and a cocktail menu designed to impress. The 55th-floor terrace wraps around the building, giving you sightlines toward Siam, Silom, and the northern suburbs.

The bar has been around since 2009, which makes it one of the older rooftops in Bangkok. It’s held up well. The views are still excellent, the cocktails are well-made, and the setting feels more substantial than some of the newer bars that prioritise style over substance. There’s a restaurant section if you want to eat, serving steaks and seafood at prices that match the location.

We’ve used Red Sky as a default option several times when staying near CentralWorld. It’s not the most exciting rooftop in Bangkok, but it’s reliable, easy to reach, and the quality stays consistent. Drinks run 400-500 Baht, the dress code is smart casual with no shorts or sandals, and the crowd is mixed. Tourists, hotel guests, locals celebrating something. Red Sky doesn’t generate the buzz that newer rooftops do, but it’s been quietly delivering good evenings for fifteen years. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Read more about Red Sky.

• Location: Siam
• Hotel: Centara Grand at CentralWorld
• Address: 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Siam: 300 m
• Open: 5 pm – 1 am
• Phone: 02 100 1234
• Floor: 55th floor
• Price: High
• Dress code: Smart casual

Char Rooftop Bar

Char sits on the 26th floor of Hotel Indigo in Wireless Road, and it’s one of the rooftops we recommend when people want somewhere quieter. The famous bars in Silom and Sukhumvit are impressive, but they can also be loud, crowded, and exhausting. Char is the opposite. Intimate setting, conversation-friendly volume, and views that face the greenery of the embassies and Lumphini Park rather than endless towers.

The focus is on grilled meats and cocktails. The restaurant side serves excellent steaks, and the bar area works perfectly well on its own if you just want drinks. The outdoor terrace isn’t huge, which keeps numbers down and adds to the relaxed feeling. We’ve had some of our best rooftop conversations here, partly because you can actually hear each other.

Prices are reasonable for the quality. Cocktails around 400-450 Baht, steaks in the 1,500-2,500 Baht range. The crowd tends to be hotel guests, embassy workers from the neighbourhood, and couples looking for somewhere date-appropriate. Dress code is smart casual. The location works well if you’re staying in Ploenchit or Wireless Road, but it’s worth the taxi ride even if you’re not. Char doesn’t have the drama of Sky Bar or the height of Mahanakhon, but for an actual enjoyable evening rather than a photo opportunity, it’s one of the best choices in the city. Read more about CHAR Rooftop Bar.

• Location: Ploenchit
• Hotel: Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road
• Address: 81 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Pleonchit: 380 m
• Open: 6 pm – 11 pm
• Phone: 02 207 4999
• Floor: 26th floor

ABAR at Marriott Marquis

ABar is the rooftop for people who care about what they’re drinking. The bar sits on the 38th floor of the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, and while the view is good, the real draw is the gin collection. Over 50 varieties at last count, plus a cocktail menu that takes the drinks seriously rather than treating them as an afterthought to the view.

The setting is more intimate than the big rooftops. The outdoor terrace is modest in size, with comfortable seating and enough space between tables that you don’t feel crowded. The indoor section is air-conditioned and works well when the weather isn’t cooperating. The atmosphere is grown-up in a way that places like Tichuca and Above Eleven aren’t trying to be. Lower music, older crowd, conversations that don’t require shouting.

We come here when we want a proper drink made well, not just a cocktail that looks good in photos. The bartenders know the menu and can make recommendations based on what you like. Prices are in the 400-500 Baht range, which is standard for Sukhumvit rooftops. The dress code is smart casual, and the location directly above BTS Phrom Phong makes it easy to reach. ABar doesn’t have the fame of the Silom rooftops, but if you care more about the drink in your hand than the Instagram post, it’s one of the best bars in Bangkok. Read more about ABAR.

• Location: Sukhumvit
• Hotel: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
• Address: 199 Soi Sukhumvit 22, Klongton, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Phrom Phong: 450 m
• Open: 5 pm – 12 am (Monday and Tuesday closed)
• Phone: 02 059 5926
• Floor: 38th

Bar.Yard Rooftop at Kimpton Hotel

Bar.Yard is different. While most Bangkok rooftops aim for sleek and sophisticated, this one goes for playful. The name gives it away. The 40th-floor terrace at Kimpton Maa-Lai has an urban garden theme, with plants, relaxed seating, and a vibe that feels more neighbourhood bar than luxury hotel. It’s a welcome change from the serious atmosphere of places like Vertigo and Spire.

The Kimpton brand has always leaned toward personality over formality, and Bar.Yard continues that approach. The cocktails are creative without being pretentious, the music is good without being overwhelming, and the crowd is genuinely mixed. Hotel guests, young professionals from the Langsuan area, people who’ve discovered the bar through word of mouth. It doesn’t feel like a tourist destination, even though the view is impressive enough to justify one.

Speaking of the view, you’re looking south toward Lumphini Park and the Silom towers. The 40th floor gives you enough height to see across the city without the vertigo-inducing drama of the 60-floor bars. Drinks are priced around 400-500 Baht, and the food menu is more interesting than most rooftops. Dress code is the most relaxed of any bar on this list. Kimpton doesn’t do stuffy. Bar.Yard is the rooftop we choose when we want good drinks and a good time without dressing up or taking things too seriously. Read more about Bar.Yard.

• Location: Ploenchit
• Hotel: Kimpton Maa-Lai
• Address: 78 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Ratchadamri: 470 m
• Open: 4 pm – 12 am, Monday closed
• Phone: 02 056 9999
• Floor: 40th

Above Eleven

Above Eleven has been on the Bangkok rooftop scene for over a decade, and it’s still going strong. The bar sits on the 33rd floor of the Fraser Suites in Sukhumvit Soi 11, one of the busiest nightlife streets in the city. If you want a rooftop with energy, music, and a party atmosphere, this is one of the originals.

The concept is Peruvian-Japanese fusion, which sounds odd but works in practice. The food menu includes ceviche, tiraditos, and Japanese-influenced dishes that pair well with cocktails. Most people come for drinks rather than dinner, but the food is better than typical bar snacks. The outdoor terrace offers views toward the Sukhumvit skyline, and the indoor area has a more lounge-like feel with comfortable seating and lower light.

Above Eleven attracts a younger crowd than the hotel rooftops. The music is louder, the dress code is looser, and the vibe is more about having fun than impressing anyone. Drinks are reasonably priced at 350-450 Baht, and happy hour deals make it even more accessible. The location on Soi 11 means you’re close to dozens of other bars if you want to continue the evening at street level. We come here when we’re in the mood for something lively rather than sophisticated. It’s not the place for a quiet conversation, but that’s not what Above Eleven is trying to be. Read more about Above Eleven.

• Location: Sukhumvit
• Hotel: Fraser Suites Sukhumvit Bangkok
• Address: 38/8 Fraser Suites Soi Sukhumvit 11, Khlong Toei Nuea, Bangkok 10110
• Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Nana: 580 m
• Hours: 6 pm – 2 am
• Phone: 02 038 5111
• Floor: 33rd and 34th floors
• Dress Code: no open shoes and no sleeveless shirts