Bangkok owns the night. This is the city that made rooftop drinking famous, where you can sip a cocktail 60 floors above the river, dial a secret code into a phone booth to reach a hidden Cuban bar, catch live jazz in a colonial lounge, or dance until 4am in Thong Lo. These 10 venues cover the full range — glamorous sky bars, theatrical speakeasies, live-music institutions and serious clubs — with the dress codes, prices and neighborhoods you need to plan a great night.
Rooftop barSky Bar at Lebua
Area
Bang Rak (riverside)
Type
Rooftop bar
“Come for sunset, dress smart (no shorts or flip-flops), and expect premium prices for that vertigo-inducing gold dome view.”
Rooftop barVertigo & Moon Bar
Area
Sathorn
Type
Rooftop bar
“The open-air Moon Bar wraps 360 degrees around the tower's summit — arrive for sunset and grab an edge seat.”
Rooftop barOctave Rooftop Lounge
Area
Sukhumvit (Thong Lo)
Type
Rooftop bar
“More relaxed and better value than the fine-dining rooftops; the top-level circular bar has knockout Sukhumvit views.”
Rooftop barAbove Eleven
Area
Sukhumvit (Nana)
Type
Rooftop bar
“A Peruvian-Japanese rooftop with a quirky 'urban garden' design — good for pisco cocktails and Nikkei bites with a view.”
Jazz barThe Bamboo Bar
Area
Bang Rak (riverside)
Type
Jazz bar
“One of Asia's oldest jazz bars — settle in for a live set and a classic cocktail in gorgeous colonial surroundings.”
SpeakeasyMaggie Choo's
Area
Bang Rak (Silom)
Type
Speakeasy
“Enter through the noodle-shop-style doorway into an opium-den fantasy; go for the weekend cabaret and swing nights.”
SpeakeasyThe Iron Fairies
Area
Sukhumvit (Thong Lo)
Type
Speakeasy
“Come for the fairy-dust industrial fantasy and nightly live jazz; the burgers are a surprise hit for a late bite.”
SpeakeasyHavana Social
Area
Sukhumvit (Nana)
Type
Speakeasy
“Find the hidden phone booth down the alley and dial the secret code to get in; Latin nights bring salsa dancing.”
Live music pubSaxophone Pub
Area
Victory Monument
Type
Live music pub
“A Bangkok institution for live jazz, blues and reggae — grab a mezzanine table, order a beer and stay for the band.”
NightclubBeam
Area
Sukhumvit (Thong Lo)
Type
Nightclub
“Thong Lo's serious dance club — check who's spinning, go after midnight, and prepare for a big sound system.”
Bangkok nightlife in detail
1.Sky Bar at Lebua
Sky Bar at lebua is the rooftop that made Bangkok's sky-high drinking scene world-famous, immortalised in 'The Hangover Part II' and still one of the most jaw-dropping vantage points in the city. Set on the 63rd floor of the lebua State Tower near the river, it centres on a glowing golden dome and a bar that juts out over the edge of the building, with nothing between you and a vertiginous, uninterrupted panorama of the Chao Phraya snaking through the glittering metropolis far below. It's an unforgettable spot for a sunset drink, when the sky turns and the city lights flicker on. That spectacle comes at a price: cocktails are expensive, the smart-casual dress code (no shorts, vests or open shoes) is strictly enforced, and it can get busy and touristy. But for a once-in-a-trip 'wow' moment, few places compete. Arrive a little before sunset to claim a good position, and consider dinner at the tower's sister venues if you want a table. Book or check current entry policies ahead, and hold onto your phone at the railing — it's a very long way down.
Hours
Evenings, typically from ~17:00 until late
Price
Cocktails premium (฿฿฿฿); smart dress code enforced
Getting there
BTS to Saphan Taksin (Exit 3), a short walk to lebua State Tower
Insider tip: Come for sunset, dress smart (no shorts or flip-flops), and expect premium prices for that vertigo-inducing gold dome view.
2.Vertigo & Moon Bar
Perched on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel in Sathorn, Vertigo and its adjoining Moon Bar deliver one of Bangkok's most spectacular rooftop experiences. The narrow, open-air deck runs right along the summit of the slender tower, so a full 360-degree sweep of the skyline surrounds you, with the Moon Bar's cocktail lounge occupying one breezy end. It's a place built for sunset: arrive as the light softens, order a signature cocktail, and watch the sprawling city fade from gold to a carpet of lights beneath your feet. Vertigo itself is a fine-dining grill for those who want dinner with the view, while Moon Bar caters to drinkers happy to soak up the panorama over a glass. As with all the city's top rooftops, prices are high, a smart dress code applies, and everything depends on the weather — it closes in rain and high wind, so have a backup plan in the wet season. There's no glass barrier crowding the sightlines, which makes the experience feel all the more exhilarating. For a romantic, glamorous night above the city, Vertigo and Moon Bar are hard to top.
Hours
Evenings, typically from ~17:00 (weather permitting)
Price
Cocktails premium (฿฿฿฿); smart dress code
Getting there
MRT to Lumphini or BTS to Sala Daeng, short walk/Grab to the Banyan Tree
Insider tip: The open-air Moon Bar wraps 360 degrees around the tower's summit — arrive for sunset and grab an edge seat.
3.Octave Rooftop Lounge
Octave, on top of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit in trendy Thong Lo, is one of the city's most popular rooftop bars — and, crucially, a slightly more relaxed and affordable alternative to the ultra-premium riverside rooftops. It rises across three levels, culminating in a 360-degree circular bar and terrace on the 45th floor that offers sweeping views over the low-rise Sukhumvit district and the towers beyond. The vibe is more party than hushed fine dining, with a DJ, a younger, more mixed crowd of locals and visitors, and a lively energy that builds as the night goes on, making it a great spot to start or spend an evening rather than just a quick sunset photo. Cocktails are pricey by Bangkok standards but gentler than at the marquee rooftops, and the dress code is usually more forgiving, though it's still wise to look neat. Its Thong Lo location plants you in the middle of Bangkok's best bar-and-restaurant neighbourhood, so you can easily kick on to the sois below afterwards. For a fun, view-rich rooftop night with a sociable buzz, Octave hits the sweet spot.
Hours
Evenings, typically from ~17:00 until late
Price
Cocktails ฿฿฿; often relaxed smart-casual dress
Getting there
BTS to Thong Lo (Exit 3), a short walk to the Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvit
Insider tip: More relaxed and better value than the fine-dining rooftops; the top-level circular bar has knockout Sukhumvit views.
4.Above Eleven
Above Eleven, atop the Fraser Suites tower near Nana, carved out its niche as one of the first rooftop bars to pair the sky-high views with a proper culinary identity — in this case a Peruvian-Japanese, or Nikkei, kitchen turning out ceviche, tiraditos, anticuchos and sushi to go with its cocktails. The design leans playful, with an 'urban garden' theme of greenery and quirky New York-inspired touches wrapped around an open-air terrace that looks out over the buzzing lower-Sukhumvit skyline. It's a lively, see-and-be-seen spot that works equally well for an inventive dinner, a round of pisco sours at sunset, or a late-night drink with a DJ soundtrack as the evening heats up. Prices are high but not in the stratospheric riverside-rooftop bracket, and the dress code is smart-casual rather than formal. The Nana location is handy for the central Sukhumvit hotel cluster and the BTS. With its food-and-view combination, distinctive look and energetic atmosphere, Above Eleven is a great choice for anyone who wants their rooftop night to include a memorable meal as well as the panorama. Booking a table is recommended at busy times.
Hours
Evenings until late
Price
Cocktails ฿฿฿; smart-casual
Getting there
BTS to Nana (Exit 3), a short walk to the Fraser Suites tower
Insider tip: A Peruvian-Japanese rooftop with a quirky 'urban garden' design — good for pisco cocktails and Nikkei bites with a view.
5.The Bamboo Bar
The Bamboo Bar inside the Mandarin Oriental is one of the oldest and most storied jazz bars in Asia, a glamorous throwback that has been drawing music-lovers and sophisticates since 1953. Dressed in colonial-tropical style — dark rattan, leopard-print banquettes, palms and low golden light — it feels like stepping into a more elegant era, and the atmosphere is pure old-world Bangkok romance. Nightly (or near-nightly) live sets feature accomplished resident and visiting jazz musicians and vocalists, often flown in from around the world, playing to a refined, appreciative crowd. The cocktail list is a serious affair, blending classics with Thai-influenced creations, mixed with the precision you'd expect of the hotel. It's an intimate, grown-up night out rather than a raucous one, ideal for couples or anyone who wants live music, great drinks and genuine glamour by the river. Prices match the setting and a smart dress code applies, but for the ambience and the calibre of music it's worth it. Reach it via the hotel's shuttle boat from the Saphan Taksin Skytrain. Check the performance schedule and consider reserving, as the best jazz nights fill up.
Hours
Evenings, with live jazz sets later; check the schedule
Price
Cocktails premium (฿฿฿฿); smart dress
Getting there
BTS to Saphan Taksin, then the Mandarin Oriental's shuttle boat
Insider tip: One of Asia's oldest jazz bars — settle in for a live set and a classic cocktail in gorgeous colonial surroundings.
6.Maggie Choo's
Maggie Choo's is one of Bangkok's most atmospheric and theatrical bars — a subterranean speakeasy hidden beneath a Silom Road hotel and entered, cinematically, through what looks like a humble noodle shop. Inside unfolds a fantastical, dimly lit world evoking a 1930s Shanghai opium den or old Chinatown teahouse: vaulted brick, chesterfield sofas, hanging lanterns, ornate screens and, famously, performers in cheongsams draped on swings. It's as much a show as a bar, with a rotating programme of live music — swing, jazz, soul and lounge — plus cabaret and burlesque-tinged performances, especially at weekends when the place really comes alive. The cocktails are creative and the setting endlessly Instagrammable, making it a favourite for a fun, dressed-up night that feels a world away from the rooftop scene. Prices are reasonable for the spectacle on offer, and the dress code is relaxed smart-casual. It's central and easy to reach from the Skytrain in the Silom/Bang Rak district. Arrive earlier for a seat or later for the fullest party atmosphere. For something more characterful and playful than a standard bar, Maggie Choo's is a Bangkok must.
Hours
Evenings until late; liveliest at weekends
Price
Cocktails ฿฿฿; smart-casual
Getting there
BTS to Surasak or Saphan Taksin, beneath the Novotel on Silom Road
Insider tip: Enter through the noodle-shop-style doorway into an opium-den fantasy; go for the weekend cabaret and swing nights.
7.The Iron Fairies
The Iron Fairies is one of Bangkok's most enchanting bars, a design-led fantasy in the heart of trendy Thong Lo that looks like the workshop of a Victorian fairy blacksmith. Every surface is crammed with intricate detail — thousands of tiny handmade iron fairies for sale, apothecary jars, glowing bottles, wrought-iron staircases, mezzanines and low candlelight — creating an immersive, dreamlike world spread over multiple cluttered levels. The theatre isn't only visual: a resident band plays live jazz and blues most nights, filling the smoky, romantic space with music and pulling a stylish local and expat crowd. The cocktails are well made, and, unexpectedly, the bar is also known for one of the better burgers in the city, perfect for soaking up the evening. It gets busy and space is tight, so arriving earlier improves your chances of a good perch. Prices are mid-to-upper without straying into rooftop territory, and the dress is smart-casual. Sitting among Thong Lo's cluster of bars and restaurants, it's easy to fold into a bigger night out. For atmosphere, imagination and live music, The Iron Fairies is unforgettable.
Hours
Evenings until late, with live music nightly
Price
Cocktails ฿฿฿; smart-casual
Getting there
BTS to Thong Lo (Exit 3), a short walk into the Thong Lo sois
Insider tip: Come for the fairy-dust industrial fantasy and nightly live jazz; the burgers are a surprise hit for a late bite.
9.Saxophone Pub
Saxophone Pub is a Bangkok institution — a warm, brick-walled, two-level live-music haunt near Victory Monument that has been the beating heart of the city's jazz and blues scene since 1987. Unlike the polished hotel bars, it's an unpretentious, gloriously atmospheric spot beloved by locals, musicians and in-the-know travellers, where you can nurse a cold beer at a mezzanine table looking down on a stage that hosts a rotating line-up of accomplished house and guest bands. The music ranges across jazz, blues, reggae, funk and rock, played with real skill and passion late into the night, and the crowd is friendly, mixed and there for the sound rather than to be seen. There's decent Thai and Western pub food, affordable drinks and none of the dress-code fuss of the rooftops. It's a little away from the main tourist bar districts, but easily reached from the Victory Monument Skytrain station. For anyone who values genuine live music and an authentic, unglossy Bangkok night out over sky-high views and premium cocktails, Saxophone is essential — arrive mid-evening for a good seat and settle in for the long haul.
Hours
Nightly, with live bands from mid-evening until late
Price
Beers and food ฿฿; no strict dress code
Getting there
BTS to Victory Monument (Exit 4), a short walk around the circle
Insider tip: A Bangkok institution for live jazz, blues and reggae — grab a mezzanine table, order a beer and stay for the band.
10.Beam
Beam is one of Bangkok's leading dedicated nightclubs, a Thong Lo mainstay for those who want a proper night on the dance floor rather than cocktails with a view. Built around a serious, custom sound system and a big LED-lit main room, it programmes a strong calendar of electronic music — house, techno, disco, hip-hop and bass — pulling in respected local selectors and a steady stream of international touring DJs, so the line-up rewards checking before you go. The crowd is young, up-for-it and a mix of locals, expats and visitors, and the energy peaks in the small hours, Bangkok-style, running until around 4am on the main club nights of Thursday to Saturday. There's usually a cover charge or table minimum depending on the event, and bottle service for groups. Its location in the fashionable Thong Lo district, near The Commons food hall and a cluster of bars, makes it easy to build a full evening around — warm up in the sois, then head to Beam when the dancing calls. For clubbers chasing quality electronic music and a genuine late-night scene, it's one of the city's best bets. Check event listings for the night's DJ and door policy.
Hours
Club nights typically Thu–Sat, late until ~04:00
Price
Entry/table varies by event (฿฿฿)
Getting there
BTS to Thong Lo (Exit 3), into Thong Lo Soi 10 (near The Commons)
Insider tip: Thong Lo's serious dance club — check who's spinning, go after midnight, and prepare for a big sound system.