5 Incredible Bangkok Rooftop Bars Worth A Visit
It’s almost April, which means the World’s Most Epic Water Fight for Grownups — er, we mean the Thai festival of Songkran, of course — is nearly upon us.
Songkran, for the uninitiated, is Thailand’s most famous festival; it marks the start of the Thai New Year on April 13. From April 13 to 15 each year, you can expect to see the entire country revel in friendly, massive water fights and street parties that can last upwards of a full week. A squirt gun in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other? Count us in!
BANGKOK ROOFTOP BARS
But what if you like being wet as much as Fido wants to jump in your bathtub? Let’s be real – you can’t completely escape getting doused by a bucket of water during Songkran, but if you want to pretend to stay dry, try escaping to one of these amazing Bangkok rooftop bars.
1. Sky Bar
Located on Silom Road, this bar is one of the most well-known Bangkok rooftop bars — perhaps because it’s the highest open-air bar in the world. Mere mortals like us who spend most of our time on the ground instead of 64 floors up in the air, however, will likely recognize this bar from the opening scenes of The Hangover Part II.
Discreetly search for Bradley Cooper while you sip on the “Hangovertini,” a blend of Martini Rosso, green tea liqueur, green apple juice, and rosemary-infused honey that was created for the film’s cast and crew. We’re more partial to the “Botanic Garden” cocktail, which features thyme-infused gin, green chartreuse, aloe vera, Sweet & Sour, and egg white. Whatever you fancy, however, the views here truly can’t be beat.
Address: 1055 Silom Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Website: http://www.lebua.com/sky-bar
2. Alfresco 64
If you’re a fan of whiskey, you’ll want to hit up Alfresco 64, AKA the world’s highest outdoor whiskey bar. (Are you sensing a theme yet? It’s go big or go home here when it comes to Bangkok rooftop bars.)
This swanky rooftop bar is a partnership with Chivas Regal, a blended Scotch whisky that traces its roots back to 1801. Drink it neat or on the rocks, but be sure to save room for some of Alfresco 64’s signature cocktails. We’ll be sipping on “What the Duck,” a ridiculously complex-sounding cocktail that apparently contains “Chivas Extra cold infused with duck fat stirred with sweet Italian red vermouth, chocolate infused absinthe, chocolate bitters and smoked with maple wood.” Just silently hand over your wallet to the bartender without shedding any tears. Oh, and the bar’s overall design evokes a luxurious yacht, because of course it does.
Address: 190 Si Lom, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Website: http://www.lebua.com/alfresco-64
3. Brewski
How high in the sky would you be willing to travel for beer? How about 30 floors up the Radisson Blu Hotel to Brewski, which is currently the highest beer bar in Bangkok? (Sure — sounds good to us.)
You can find a hundred craft brews and ciders here, with an additional 12 on tap. Choose from three glass sizes (100 mL for tasting, a half pint, or a full pint) and sling back some Thai, European, or American beers. Check out the Chalawan Pale Ale, a blend of pilsner and Munich malts with a slight flavor of fruitiness.
Address: Radisson Blu Plaza, 489 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
Website: https://www.radissonblu.com/en/plazahotel-bangkok/bars
4. Vanilla Sky
Not to be confused with the 2001 Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz movie of the same name (though we’d love to see a bar based off of that), Vanilla Sky is located on the 36th floor of the Compass SkyView Hotel in Bangkok. This Bangkok rooftop bar is known for its gin and tonics, with unusual infusions like peppermint and passion fruit or chamomile and chestnut; you’ll also find classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Negroni here. Word to the wise, though: the elevator doesn’t go directly to the roof, so you might want to pace yourself or you’ll be trekking up and down the long staircase to the restroom and getting more exercise than you bargained for!
Address: 12 Sukhumvit 24 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, กรุงเทพมหานคร 10110, Thailand
Website: https://www.compassskyviewhotel.com/dining/vanilla-sky/
5. Above Eleven
If you find yourself craving a piece of the familiar, you’ll be right at home at Above Eleven. This Bangkok rooftop bar has “New York vibe” written all over it: its design — from the green lawns to the benches and trees — was inspired by Central Park, after all. Drinks here are influenced by Peru (think lots of pisco cocktails) and Japan (sake and Japanese plum wine make appearances on the menu); cocktails start at a reasonable 320 Thai Baht ($10.23 in U.S. dollars as of today), and a small Asahi beer will run you 170 Thai Baht ($5.43 USD).
Address: Fraser Suites Sukhumvit 33rd Floor, Sukhumvit Road Soi 11, Bangkok, 10110
Website: https://aboveeleven.com/
Ready to explore Thailand’s scenery and nightlife? Check out Thirsty Swagman’s Songkran tour and Asia Annihilator tour for the wettest, wildest ride(s) of your life!
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