Thailand’s best rooftop bars

On our 12-night Discover Thailand itinerary, you’ll have plenty of time to explore. By day, visit the temples and cultural attractions and by night, imbibe the spirit of Thailand’s famously fun night-life scene. Here are seven excellent spots for cocktails with a view.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of contrasts – where modernity brashly shoulders aside the ancient. Temples sit cheek by jowl with brand new shopping malls, long-tail boats glide downriver while honking traffic sits at a standstill, and street food carts serve bite-sized, eight-legged delicacies within nodding distance of Michelin star-worthy restaurants in glitzy glass skyscrapers. By day the city’s loud and energetic but it’s the transformation that happens after dark that keeps people coming back for more. Step up and away from the bustling streets and discover tranquil, uber-cool rooftop bars and restaurants overlooking a cityscape that is one of the world’s most magical. There are few finer places to enjoy a well-deserved sundowner.

Vertigo & Moon Bar

Hosting the Vertigo Restaurant at one end and the Moon Bar at the other, this rooftop is cleverly designed to ensure absolutely nothing gets in the way of your view. Located on top of the Banyon Tree hotel on Sathon Road, it’s one of the older rooftop bars in Bangkok. It boasts a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy views of the sunset lighting up the Chao Phraya River.

CRU Champagne Bar 

Four levels higher than the famous Red Sky bar, located in the Centara Grand, CRU Champagne Bar offers jaw-dropping views of the city skyline. The central bar is topped by a vast illuminated arch that changes colour throughout the night. Set against the space’s pure white design and the night sky, the colours really pop. Run in partnership with G.H. Mumm, fizz and champagne cocktails are the order of the night here. Whether it’s a Bangkok Bellini or a No.1 Pink Champagne, there’s no need for hashtags when your Instagram feed looks this good. 

Alfresco 64

Claiming to be the world’s highest whisky bar, Alfresco 64 is perched 244 metres above Bangkok on the 64th floor of the Tower Club at Lebua. The whisky is provided courtesy of Chivas Regal, and a taste of the Chivas Exclusive Lebua blend is a must. If a second drink is on the cards, pop downstairs to the Sky Bar on the 63rd floor, made famous by comedy film The Hangover, and enjoy views over the river.

Brewski

Not immune from the current fashion for bespoke ales, the Thai capital’s highest craft beer bar, Brewski, offers 12 international craft beers plus 100 bottled beers and ciders. 
This may not seem like an enormous selection when compared with some British pubs, but it comes with a side of gourmet bar bites and spectacular panoramic views. This laid-back, urbanite rooftop bar, at the top of the Radisson Blu, combines a warm and friendly ambience with live music and DJs makes it a fun place to take in the views at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.

Three Sixty 

A popular hangout for Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and Bangkok’s jetset, the Three Sixty bar at The Millennium Hilton Bangkok may not be as high as some of the other hotspots on our list, but with its enviable views over the river, soft jazz playing in the background and substantial drinks list, it offers a sophisticated yet mellow vibe that’s incredibly relaxing. Don’t ignore the cupola – balanced one floor above the riverside open air bar, you can spend hours here watching life on the river pass by below you.

Further afield

While nowhere in Thailand can match Bangkok for the sheer volume, extravagance and cool factor of its rooftop bars, there are a couple of places that more than warrant a mention.

Baba Nest, Phuket

Despite being somewhat inconveniently located, situated as it is more than slightly out of the way in the south of Phuket island, and open only for a parsimonious four hours each day, Baba Nest at Panwa Beach is nonetheless well worth a visit. Design simplicity – in essence an open deck surrounded by an infinity pool – combined with limited availability make for one of the most exclusive rooftop bars in Thailand. With an extensive drinks menu, stunning views overlooking the Andaman Sea and Mexican tapas snacks on tap, there are few better places to while away the early evening hours. 

The Roof, Chiang Mai

A relatively new addition to Chiang Mai, the Sala Lanna hotel is located on the banks of the Ping River and its rooftop bar offers panoramic views across both the town and the river. Relax by the pool or socialise at the long communal tables and bench seating. The friendly staff and warm Thai welcome you receive on arrival keep this rooftop bar from sinking into the too cool for school territory and keep it safely within the best place to be category at sundowner time. It’s worth a trip into the mountains just for this.