Sky Bars of Silom & Sathorn

Bangkok invented modern hotel-tower rooftop drinking, or at least perfected it. The blueprint was Sirocco at the Lebua State Tower, which opened its open-air Sky Bar on the 63rd floor in 2003 and — with a sunset view straight down the Chao Phraya and a lit gold dome overhead — has been packed every night since. The formula spread across the Silom-Sathorn CBD: Vertigo at the Banyan Tree, Above Eleven, Octave at Marriott Sukhumvit, ChArm at Kimpton, Cielo Sky Bar in Ekkamai. All have views, all have cocktails from $14, all have a dress code (no shorts, no sandals).

For a first-time visitor, the choice comes down to three: Sky Bar at Lebua (the Hangover II bar, most iconic, most crowded), Vertigo at Banyan Tree (a horseshoe-shaped bar around a completely open 61st-floor terrace, arguably better views because it faces both river and CBD), and Octave at Marriott Sukhumvit (younger crowd, spinning 360-degree bar, easier atmosphere for a first drink). All three take walk-ups but expect a wait at sunset. The best time is arriving at 17:30 for the last of the daylight, and staying through the switch to the illuminated skyline around 18:45.

Prices are not cheap — a signature cocktail averages $18-20 — but they are less than half the London or New York equivalent, and the view is genuinely 60 floors up rather than the 15 you often get at Western rooftops. Dress code is enforced hard, especially at Lebua: men need long trousers, closed shoes and a shirt with a collar; women get more leeway but no shorts. Combine with dinner at a Silom-neighbourhood restaurant like Le Du or Nahm afterwards; both are half an hour walk or a five-minute taxi.

Hours & entry

No cover charge, but drinks $12-25

Daily 17:00-01:00 typical

What to see

• Sky Bar at Lebua — 63rd floor, Lebua at State Tower, 1055 Silom Road
• Vertigo & Moon Bar — 61st floor, Banyan Tree Bangkok, South Sathorn Road
• Octave rooftop — 45-48th floor, Marriott Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 57

Tips from the ground

• Arrive at 17:30 for sunset — the seating fills 18:00 sharp on weekends.
• Long trousers and closed shoes are non-negotiable at Lebua; the elevator staff turn people away.
• Cielo Sky Bar in Ekkamai is a cheaper alternative with equally good sunset views.