Feel the Urge to Visit a Bangkok Rooftop Bar? Here's a Quick Guide
Bangkok’s Rooftop Bars: Because Drinking on the Ground is for Peasants
So, you’ve decided to visit Bangkok, land of spicy food, chaotic traffic, and enough humidity to make you question your life choices. Naturally, you want to escape the sweaty masses and ascend to the heavens, where the air is (slightly) cooler, the drinks are overpriced, and the Instagram opportunities are endless. Welcome to Bangkok’s rooftop bars, where the views are stunning, the cocktails cost as much as your hotel room, and the dress code is "pretend you’re fancy."
Here’s your dubious guide to the best sky-high sipping spots in the city.
1. Sky Bar at Lebua (The Hangover Bar)
Where: State Tower (you know, that tall one from The Hangover 2)
Price: Selling a kidney might help. Cocktails start at ฿800 (yes, for one drink).
Drinks: The "Hangovertini" is a thing. It’s expensive, but hey, at least you can re-enact the movie scene where Bradley Cooper looks confused.
Food: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. But if you really want to push the boat out, be aware that their seafood tower costs more than your flight to Thailand.
When to go: Sunset, obviously. Or whenever you’re ready to feel poor.
Pro tip: Wear shoes. They’ll turn you away if you show up in flip-flops like the backpacker you are.
2. Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar
Where: Thonglor (Bangkok’s "I have money but pretend I’m chill" district)
Price: Less "sell your kidney", more *"maybe just a pint of blood"*. Cocktails around ฿400.
Drinks: Their signature cocktails have names like "Sunset Dreams" and "Bangkok Breeze," which is code for "we put fruit in it so you forget how much you’re paying."
Food: Decent bar snacks, but let’s be real, you’re here for the ‘gram, not the edamame.
When to go: Early evening to secure a seat, or late night if you enjoy elbowing influencers out of the way.
Pro tip: The 360-degree view is amazing, but so is the wind. Hold onto your hat (and your dignity).
3. Vertigo & Moon Bar (Banyan Tree)
Where: Sathorn (aka "I’m important and/or lost")
Price: Cocktails at ฿600+, but the view is almost worth it.
Drinks: Classic cocktails with a side of vertigo (hence the name). One wrong step and you’re part of Bangkok’s street food scene.
Food: Fancy grilled meats and seafood. Or as I like to call it, "compensation for my credit card crying."
When to go: Sunset for the view, midnight if you want to drunkenly ponder life 61 floors up.
Pro tip: Don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights. Or your bank balance.
4. Above Eleven
Where: Sukhumvit (because of course it is)
Price: Surprisingly reasonable (for a rooftop). Cocktails around ฿350.
Drinks: Peruvian-Japanese fusion, because nothing says "I’m cultured" like a Pisco Sour next to a sushi roll.
Food: Actually good! Their ceviche won’t make you regret your life choices.
When to go: Early if you want a seat, late if you want to dance awkwardly near strangers.
Pro tip: The "Garden in the Sky" vibe is cute, but the real star is the "I’m at a rooftop bar but didn’t go broke" feeling.
5. CRU Champagne Bar
Where: CentralWorld (for when you need bubbles after surviving Bangkok traffic)
Price: Champagne starts at "ouch" and goes up to "are you kidding me?"
Drinks: If you have to ask for a beer, you’re in the wrong place.
Food: Tiny, expensive, and designed to make you feel fancy.
When to go: When you want to pretend you’re in Crazy Rich Asians (budget version).
Pro tip: Splurge on one glass, then sneak out before they hand you the bill.
Final Thoughts
This post does not pretend to be a comprehensive guide to all rooftop bars, on the contrary. There are many more, and some may even be better. This blog does not endorse or benefit from any place mentioned here.
Anyway, it's always best to check out the minimum spend at each venue and if you can afford that, Bangkok’s rooftop bars are a must-do, if only to say "I did it" before retreating to a ฿60 street beer. Yes, they’re overpriced. Yes, you’ll probably get judged for your shoes. But where else can you sip a cocktail while pretending you’re above it all, literally?
So go forth, take that perfect sunset pic, and remember: the higher the bar, the harder your wallet cries. Cheers!
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