Bangkok's Sky Bars—a myth
Until 2004, I had never heard of a sky bar. One evening, some friends invited me out for a drink. We were to meet at the Lebua Hotel in the State Tower, not far from the Chao Phraya. They only asked me to wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be allowed in. When we took the elevator up to the 64th floor shortly after sunset and walked down the stairs to Sky Bar, I was overwhelmed. In the far corner was a bar with glass sides, and in the middle, a round bar lit with LEDs. And all of it was open-air. Up here, you forget the stifling air in the streets of Bangkok, and the view of the city below is breathtaking! A short time later, I visited Bangkok’s other sky bar, the Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel. It has a character all its own, too. What both have in common, and what has become part of the concept at the city’s more than 40 rooftop sky bars, is first-class food, excellent cocktails and a wonderful open-air view!
Sky Bar at Lebua – The Legend
The Sky Bar at Scirocco set the standard. When I first went there for an evening drink, I usually met expats and only the occasional tourist. The Hollywood blockbuster "Hangover2)", much of which was filmed in a suite at the Lebua Hotel and up in the bar, changed everything. Since 2008, tourists have been flocking to the Sky Bar. The food at Scirooco Restaurant is OK but wildly overpriced. The same goes for the drinks. And yet it’s worth going up to enjoy the fresh air and the view at the start of the evening, perhaps with a beer in hand! But you should get there at 6 p.m. when the bar opens, or it gets too crowded!
Address: 1055 Silom Road, BangrakBangkok 10500
Reservations: 02 624 9999
dome@lebua.com
Opening hours: 16:00–1:00
Dress code: smart casual, so no flip-flops or sandals, shorts or sleeveless shirts!!
Moon Bar and Vertigo Restaurant at Banyan Tree
The Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel was originally an alternative to the Sky Bar at Lebua. There was nowhere else. These days, Bangkok has more than 40 rooftop bars. But the Moon Bar and its adjoining Vertigo restaurant are still the place for a truly special evening. It’s also pricey, though you can just drop by for a drink. The view is legendary. And every now and then, you can also enjoy Thailand’s best jazz band, “JAZZIAM”, featuring the wonderful Athalie de Koning.
Address: 21/100 South Sathorn Road
Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Bookings: 02 679 1200
bangkok@banyantree.com
Opening hours: 18:00 - 22:30
Dress code: “smart casual”—no flip-flops or sandals, no shorts and no sleeveless shirts!!
https://www.bangkokredsky.com/
Red Sky Bar at Central World Mall
The Top Restaurant, with its wonderful rooftop bar, could be the culinary highlight of your stay in Bangkok. What I particularly love there is the foie gras prepared by French chef Christian Ham.
But simply enjoying a drink with a wonderful view of Bangkok in the evening is an experience in itself!
Address:55th Floor Centara Grand at Central World, 999 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan
Bookings: 02 100 6255
Email: diningcgcw@chr.co.th.
Opening hours: 17:00–00:30
Dress code: smart casual, so no flip-flops or sandals, shorts or sleeveless shirts!!
Click here for the menu!
Scarlett – different, but worth a visit!
For me, Scarlett is one of Bangkok’s best rooftop bars, even though it isn’t completely open-air. Unlike, for example, Scirocco at Lebua Tower, it’s never overcrowded. The menu focuses mainly on French cuisine. There’s currently a special offer featuring French oysters, as well as a fantastic selection of wines!
The side facing the Chao Phraya is open, so you can enjoy a wonderful view over Bangkok in the evening.
Address:
Level 37, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, Silom Road, Bangkok
Bookings: Tel.: 02 968607990scarlettbkk@randblab.com
Opening hours:
5:00 pm - midnight
Dress code: “smart casual”—no flip-flops or sandals, shorts or sleeveless shirts!!
Opening hours:
King Power Mahanakhon
Bangkok’s most spectacular view!
This 314-meter building, the city’s second tallest, opened in 2016. The Skywalk on the 77th floor is 310 meters above ground. Unlike regular sky bars, you have to pay an admission fee here: 500 baht, or about €14. But if you want to enjoy the 360-degree view at sunset, it’s worth it! Then step out onto the glass Skywalk. An indescribable feeling (not for anyone afraid of heights!).
