7 Alternative Rooftop Bars in Bangkok to Meet Cool Bangkokians

7 Alternative Rooftop Bars to Meet Cool Bangkokians_poster

Any big-name hotel rooftop bars in Bangkok offer similar experience – lovely views, photogenic cocktails, and pampering service. Good – if you want to take a romantic date out and have a cozy private time. But if you feel like socializing with hipster Thais, chancing up flowing conversations with expat strangers, or simply want a more easy-going bar, check out our selected alternative rooftop bars in Bangkok. Time to throw this dress code away (except for Above 11), keep that expensive cologne in the closet… and yes, you may go to these bars in your flip flops!

Bangkok offers us endless nightlife possibilities. Apart from this review you’re about to read, we have also written a blog about 5 Best Exotic Bars in Bangkok. So, check that out as well. But if you don’t want to plan a night out, simply come with us on the Bangkok Exotic Bar Crawl by Tuk TukWe’ll hop the city’s most famous 4 themed bars in one night on the back of a Tuk Tuk. All you need to do is to prepare yourself to have a blast, bottom up delicious drinks, and let the night’s rhythms take you on a Bangkok nightlife adventure.

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #1

Wanderlust Rooftop

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #1 - Wanderlust Rooftop

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #1 - Wanderlust Rooftop
Set up to be a home‘s backyard, Wanderlust creates an atmosphere to feel friendly and comfortable. Thong Lo‘s trendy crowd, Sukhumvit expats, and guests of the hotel downstairs come to relax and chill together. The alfresco bar‘s seating area offers wooden sofas, rattan chairs, and high stools. Green fake grass covers the floor (and even some tables). Pots and plants dot the place. Bright street art on walls and dangling light bulbs complete the hipster vibe. Music is selected from pop-rock, to today’s hits, and electro pop tunes.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: Local and imported beer. Girl-friendly and pretty looking cocktails like strawberry mojito, Ocean 10 (long island ice tea, blue caracao), Irish Cream (Baileys, Milo, slices of strawberry)

WHEN & WHERE: 6pm – 2am, daily | Above Nagiya Japanese Restaurant, Thong Lo Rd., Soi 13 | Thong Lo BTS Skytrain Station | Tel. 088 696 9445 | FB: Wanderlust.Rooftop 

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #2

Jham Jun Bar & Bistro

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #2 - Jham Jun

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #2 - Jham Jun
One of several bar options in the Bangkok’s backpacker haven Khao San Road and Phra Athit area, Jham Jun sits on the rooftop of a low-rise building and offers a view of the illuminated Phra Sumen Fortress (until 9pm) not too far away. The bar of raw concrete floor, dark-hued wood, and steel furniture, technically has 2 levels. The 2nd level is a raised platform with low tables and cushions for sitting. The light in this area is only provided by kerosene lamps on the tables so it’s quite dark but you do feel closer to the stars here. A duo band plays acoustic covers indie and pop songs.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: Local and imported beer. Cute cocktails like Phra Jan Tem Jai (orange liqueur, lime juice, and syrup), Honeybee (orange liqueur, lime juice, white rum, honey)

WHEN & WHERE: 6pm – 1am, daily | 5Th floor, Fortville Guesthouse, Phrasumeru Rd. | To enter the bar, take an old-fashion elevator from the ground floor | Tel. 02 282 3932 | FB: Jhamjun 

 

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #3

Eagle Nest

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #3 - Eagle Nest

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #3 - Eagle Nest
Eagle Nest is one of the Chao Phraya riverside dining & evening hot spots. The views and atmosphere alone already make this bar a winner. The bar offers stunning views of Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn and Wat Pho in the same time, depending on which side of the bar you sit. To get a sunset over Wat Arun, get there between 5.30 and 6.30, and stay long after to see the temple being illuminated. At the other side of the bar, under the roof, you overlook Wat Pho, which is also lit up at night. This is a great place to take a romantic date and yet there is no need to dress up.

WHEN & WHERE: 6pm – 1am | Rooftop of Sala Arun Hotel, Ta Tien St. | Tel. 02 622 2932 | FB: Sala Arun Bangkok 

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #4

Skytrain Jazz Club

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #4 - Skytrain Jazz Club

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #4 - Skytrain Jazz Club
We’ve voted it the hipster-est rooftop bar on our list, in Bangkok even. First, you climb a narrow stair flight of 6 floors through a building, heavily graffiti-ed and dimly-lit. Then, you emerge onto the partially roofed terrace that looks like somebody’s living room. Empty bottles sit on window-less window sills. Mismatched retro furniture take over the space, backed by an antique bookshelf. If you take a table at the outdoor’s corner, you can gaze down to the bustling streets of Victory Monument neighborhood below. And every 5 minutes or so, the BTS Skytrain rattle past. The service was friendly and casual. The bar plays jazz and pop music, sometimes live.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: local beers, spirits and classic cocktails.

WHEN & WHERE: 5pm – 2am, daily | The rooftop (6th floor) of Jo Home Gallery Building at the beginning of Rang Nam St. | Victory Monument BTS Skytrain Station

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #5

Above Eleven

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #5 - Above Eleven

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #5 - Above Eleven
Above Eleven is a hotel rooftop bar but we are making an exception for it to be listed here because it’s still much more affordable than other rooftop bars in the city. Tugged in the Bangkok nightlife district of Sukhumvit soi 11, Above Eleven is a bar and restaurant that offers delicious Peruvian Japanese fusion dishes, party music, and value for money signature cocktails. Inspired by New York’s Central Park, the bar features a modern design with natural touches – fake grass on walls and floors, vines, and a maze. Tree-shaped lamps provide purple lighting to the outdoor area. Chairs and high stools are made of wood and there is a long open bar in the center. While gazing into Bangkok’s skyline, you can listen a DJ spinning house and latin music. Salsa social dance happens Wednesday nights with great discount on drinks. This is the only bar on the list where dress code is applied.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: Standard cocktails, wine. Try their signatures like Pisco Sour (pisco, lime juice, topped with foaming egg white), Togatta Stiletto (sake, prosecco, lychee syrup, passion fruit puree, fresh lychee), and Green Cloud (yoghurt, Bacardi, Japanese cucumber, lemon, lemon juice, fresh mint)

WHEN & WHERE: 6pm – 2am, daily | 33rd floor, Fraser Suites Sukhumvit Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd., Soi 11 | Nana BTS Skytrain Station | 02 038 5111 | FB: Above Eleven

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #6

Sky Moon Bar & Bistro

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #6 - Sky Moon Bar & Bistro

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #6 - Sky Moon Bar & Bistro
Thanks to the location of the bar, off Bangkok’s business and tourist neighborhoods, Sky Moon is a Thai crowd’s best kept secret. The bar & nightclub technically offers 3 zones – the bar, the dining area, and the party/dance area. Star and moon paintings and furniture in fluorescence lights perpetuate the bar, emphasizing its name. Food is served in the Moon Zone with comfortable high chairs and stools. The Sky Zone is for drinks. Panoramic views can be enjoyed here whilst a waiter bring your drinks from the open bar behind you. Once you feel like getting up to dance, you can move to the Zodiac Zone where live Thai bands provide music for the dance floor. If you want to experience how a Thai crowd chill out and party, this is a place to be.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: Thai and import beer, standard cocktails, and super photogenic and colourful signature cocktails like the sweet and sour Sky Moon Tower (Gin, Cream de Banana, blue curaçao, orange, grenadine; Skylab (vodka, blue curaçao, lychee, apple)

WHEN & WHERE: 5.30pm – 1am, daily | 10th floor, Vanilla Community Mall, Chan Rd. | 096-792-2869 | FB: Sky Moon Bar & Bistro 

 

Bangkok’s Alternative Rooftop Bar #7

Roof 409 Bar & Bistro

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #7 - Roof 409 Bar & Bistro

Bangkok's Alternative Rooftop Bar #7 - Roof 409 Bar & Bistro
Easily accessed and located in the heart of the city, Room 409 rises on a moderate height on top of Mercury Ville Shopping Mall. The bar offers a clean black and white industrial décor. It has a Parisian brasserie-feel with white tiles and plush chrome installations. Like Skytrain Jazz Club, you can see the BTS running past here. The indoor area serves as a restaurant – simple decoration of white tile walls, wooden floor, and dangling light bulbs. The menu is described as French modern bistro offering French favorite flavors like Coq Au Vin, Chicken Nuggets, and Chorizo and Red Pepper Risotto. You’ll find yourself mixing with a crowd of Childless office workers here.

TO DRINK @ THIS ROOFTOP BAR: Imported beer from England and Belgium, French wine, standard cocktails, and signature cocktails created newly every week. Go on Thursday and get glasses of 150/200 THB Mojito.

WHEN & WHERE: 11am – midnight from Monday to Saturday; 1pm – midnight on Sundays| 4th floor, Mercury Ville Mall | Chidlom BTS Skytrain Station, Exit 4 | 02 658 5655 | FB: Roof 409 Bar & Bistro 

 

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