Looking for cool bars in Bangkok – with a map so you can find the closest spot for a cocktail? I got you!
On a recent trip, I worked my way around 10 of the coolest and most unique cocktail bars in Bangkok – all in the name of Classy Travel Guides, of course!
This list includes a handful of the best sky bars in Bangkok – because who doesn’t love booze with a view – but also some more insider finds that you won’t see on your typical city guide.
This includes a few speakeasy-type bars that are pretty hard to find but sooo worth it when you do.
So, without further ado, here are my top picks for cool bars in Bangkok.
Cool bars in Bangkok: at a Glance
Best speakeasy-style bar: Lost in Thaislation
Best sky bar: Tichuca
Best cocktail list: Havana Social
Most unique view: Eagle’s Nest
Cheapest rooftop bar: Brewski
Where to stay: The Standard Bangkok – a super cool hotel located in the tallest building in Bangkok, with free access to the sky bar included in your stay.
How to get around: Taxis are very cheap and the easiest way to get around, especially in the evenings. Download the Grab app for the best fares.
Top 10 Cool and Unique Cocktail Bars in Bangkok, in Brief
- Lost in Thaislation – Most unique speakeasy I’ve ever seen. Scroll down for how to find it.
- Tichuca – Viral-worthy rooftop bar with the coolest DJ sets
- Above Eleven – Super slick sky bar with a Peruvian-fusion menu (best Pisco sours!)
- Eagle’s Nest – Kinda shabby bar by the river – go for the stunning views of Wat Arun
- Havana Social – Cool speakeasy with a Cuban theme and live music
- Sky Beach Bar – On top of the tallest building in Bangkok. Go at sunset!
- XIM – Creative lab-style speakeasy for impressive cocktail alchemy
- Octave – Old-school rooftop with panoramic views and sunset DJ sets
- Brewski Rooftop – Most reasonably priced rooftop bar in Bangkok, with a full craft beer menu
- Moon – Ultra-classy Bangkok rooftop bar, like the kind you see in the movies
10 Cool Bars in Bangkok: Photos and More Details
1. Lost in Thaislation
What’s the vibe: Speakeasy Thai-style
How much for a drink: Approx £12 for a cocktail
Top tip: It’s not too far from Tichuca, so you can do both in one night!
This is not just one of the coolest bars in Bangkok, but probably the coolest bar I’ve ever been to in my life. Seriously! It’s completely unique but really leans into the Thai spirit.
I almost don’t want to ruin the surprise, but essentially it’s a concept cocktail bar with a one-of-a-kind drinks menu.
The bar itself is tiny and only seats about 10 people. You sit right up at the bar so you can watch the pro mixologists at work. The decor is ultra-cool Asian minimalism, and the whole experience feels very exclusive.
To find it, go to the location marked on the Google map above. You’ll see a dodgy-looking alleyway in between two food stalls, just behind the stairs to the skytrain station (BTS Thong Lor).
Take a deep breath and head on down there, and you should see the sign for the bar right ahead.
2. Tichuca
What’s the vibe: Fun and futuristic
How much for a drink: Approx £10 for a cocktail
Top tip: Go up the stairs right to the top for the best views!
If you haven’t seen videos of Tichuca on Instagram, honestly, where have you been!? This is THE coolest rooftop in town, and brings something a little different to the party.
The Avatar-style decor is even more impressive in real life – it’s honestly kind of mesmerising to look at, especially when the DJ is doing his thing.
You can’t reserve a table in advance, so you’ll usually have to queue a bit to get in. At the bottom, they ask you if you want to stand or have a seat, and the wait is usually longer for a seat.
I recommend just opting for standing. Once you get up there and get your drink, you can usually have a wander and find a free seat anyway.
It’s free to go up, but you have to choose your first drink at the bottom, and then you’re given a coupon to redeem it.
3. Above Eleven
What’s the vibe: Stylish and sophisticated Peruvian-fusion sky bar
How much for a drink: Approx £9 for a cocktail
Top tip: They do delicious small plates if you’re looking for a pre-dinner snack to accompany your drink.
There was a particularly cool vibe about this Above Eleven. They actually have another rooftop bar in Dubai, but the Bangkok one was first.
The cocktails and cuisine are all on a Japanese-Peruvian theme, so think a full menu of Pisco sours and sushi-fusion small plates. Every day DJ sets keep the cool vibes flowing until after dark.
Most of the bar is covered, which is really handy in the tropical Bangkok climate.
Above Eleven is located in Sukhumvit, and it’s close to Havana Social (also on this list), so you can easily visit both in one night. I’d recommend booking a table, particularly if you want to go around sunset time.
4. Eagle’s Nest
What’s the vibe: Low-key bar, stand-out views
How much for a drink: Approx £8 for a cocktail
Top tip: Get there early and buy a few cocktails to get moved to the front.
This bar is all over TikTok and Instagram – purely for the view alone.
The bar itself is on the fourth floor of a kind of shabby-looking hotel, but it boasts the most incredible views of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) across the river.
I recommend getting there early if you want to catch the sunset. Try to arrive at least an hour before the sun is due to set!
The staff are pretty hot on moving people around as soon as a better seat becomes available, so don’t worry if you don’t get the best seats when you first arrive.
It’s walk-ins only, but as long as you buy a few cocktails, you’ll likely be moved to the front at some point.
If you stay until after dark, you’ll also see the sparkling temple lit up against the night sky, which is really cool too!
**You might also be interested in reading: 10 of the Best Food Tours in Bangkok for Every Traveller.**
5. Havana Social
What’s the vibe: Cuban-themed speakeasy
How much for a drink: Approx £8 for a cocktail
Top tip: Ask the mixologists to recommend a cocktail based on your tastes!
Another one that’s a little tricky to find but worth it when you do! If you head down the pedestrianised street marked on the map above, you’ll see the entrance designed to look like a phone booth.
When we visited, there was a security guy standing outside, which made it a bit easier to spot.
Once you’re inside, you’ll see it’s actually a pretty big bar with a kind of ‘underground’ vibe. The theme is vintage Cuban, so there are lots of cool posters on the walls and an incredible menu of rums to choose from.
They also have special cocktails on a separate list – some of the ingredients might sound a bit wacky but give them a go and you might be surprised! It feels like the mixologists really know what they’re doing here.
The bar is over three floors with some cosy lounge areas and a bigger ground floor where live music and dancing kick off later in the evening.
If you’re a bigger group, I’d recommend trying to reserve a table in advance, but if not, you should be able to grab a seat at the bar, particularly if you go a little earlier in the evening.
6. Sky Beach Bar & Mahanakhon Skywalk
What’s the vibe: Exclusive views
How much for a drink: Approx £12
Top tip: Stay at The Standard and get your entrance and one free drink included.
I feel like you can’t write a list of cool bars in Bangkok without including the Sky Beach Bar, purely for its postcode on top of the tallest building in the city.
Simply being that high up and seeing the views from the 78th floor is cool in itself.
I would recommend heading here at sunrise or sunset for the best views. You can also walk on the suspended glass floor and have your photo taken there, if you’re brave enough!
If getting good photos is your goal, just be aware that they make you wear shoe covers when you go on the skywalk, so girls might want to wear a long maxi dress to cover them.
If you stay at The Standard, you get access to the bar and one free drink included in your stay, otherwise, you’ll have to pay the entrance fee of around £20 per person, on top of any drinks you buy.
7. XIM
What’s the vibe: Inventive cocktail alchemy
How much for a drink: Approx £12
Top tip: Follow the X marking on the floor to find the entrance when you arrive
XIM Bangkok is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bar in happening Thonglor.
Tucked away in a moody hideaway on the third floor of The Terrace 49, you can follow ‘X marks the spot’ directions to find it when you arrive.
Like a lot of buried treasure, XIM is exciting, out-of-the-ordinary, and a well-kept secret. But intrepid city raiders are well-rewarded for digging up this place, with its elegant interiors and inventive cocktail menu.
It’s the sort of place where you sit right at the X-shaped bar to watch the mixologists playing with the elements in their ‘laboratory’, and all drinks have a unexepected twist. This is ‘mix’ spelt backwards, after all.
Think molecular chocolate cocktails (made without any chocolate) and surprising savoury combinations themed on famous Asian dishes.
8. Octave
What’s the vibe: Dramatic views and DJ sets
How much for a drink: Approx £12 for a cocktail
Top tip: Book a spot for sunset in advance
Full disclosure: Octave wasn’t our favourite of all the sky bars in Bangkok, but it’s definitely a cool spot for a rooftop drink if you’re staying in the area.
It’s also not far from Tichuca, so you can get some views of it from the neighbouring rooftop.
You’ll probably need to book a table in advance, especially if you want to go at sunset. There are a couple of different levels to choose from – the best views are found right at the top, but just be aware there’s no cover in case it starts raining!
As with most of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok, they host DJ sets nearly every night, although I’d say the vibe is definitely a little more chilled out than at other spots.
9. Brewski Rooftop Bar
What’s the vibe: Craft brews with a view
How much for a drink: Approx £8 for a cocktail
Top tip: There isn’t much cover on this rooftop, so try to choose a dry day to head up there.
Brewski is a rooftop bar in Sukhumvit with a bit of a different vibe from the others. In place of the classic cocktail bible, you’ve got over a dozen craft beers on tap to choose from.
If you or someone you’re travelling with prefers a frosty pint to a pretty martini, this is the spot for you. It’s cool, laidback, and centrally located, without compromising on those sprawling rooftop views.
They even show live sports for major matches, so you don’t have to miss the big game – even on vacay.
10. Moon Bar
What’s the vibe: Timeless rooftop elegance
How much for a cocktail: Approx £13
Top tip: Try the signature cocktails!
Vertigo is the classic Bangkok rooftop bar you see in the movies – elegant enough to let the 360° skyline views do the talking.
I first visited Moon Bar at the top of the Banyan Tree hotel on my post-university travels in 2016 and returned again this year – thrilled to find absolutely nothing has changed. It’s still the ultra classy experience it’s always been.
You’ll definitely need to book a table in advance, especially for sunset, and a smart casual dress code is enforced.
**You might also be interested in reading 1-day Bangkok Itinerary: Maximise Your Layover.**
BONUS: Red Rose Chinatown
What’s the vibe: Chinatown hangout for jazz fans
How much for a drink: Approx £7 for a cocktail
Top tip: Order the pineapple fried rice!
If it’s live music you’re after, look no further than Red Rose in Chinatown. This is the place to head if you find yourself in the area around dinnertime, perhaps after checking out the world-famous street food.
The open-plan bar is right at the end of Chinatown and offers a welcome break from the sensory overload of the street. They have the aircon blasting and live musicians playing soulful jazz in the evenings.
If you’re hungry, the pineapple fried rice here is up there among the best I’ve ever had!
And if you’re feeling brave, the bar has also been serving up CBD-infused cocktails since cannabis was decriminalised in Thailand.
Cool Bars in Bangkok: FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok?
The best area to stay in Bangkok depends on what kind of vibe you’re after. Sukhumvit is a popular choice – lots of the cool bars on this list are located there. You’ve also got big malls and great transport links to explore the rest of the city.
Si Lom is another popular choice – known as a more upmarket area, popular with professionals and stuffed with some of the best hotels. Finally, Riverside offers beautiful rooms with a view, close to some of the major temples and attractions.
In my opinion, the coolest hotel to stay at is currently The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon in Si Lom. It’s located in the tallest building in the city with to-die-for interiors and high-tech bedrooms – think hands-free curtains and Japanese toilets.
One of the biggest advantages to staying at The Standard is that you get free access to the Mahanakhon skywalk and bar included in your stay, which usually costs around £20 per person.
This means you can admire views from the tallest building in Bangkok and grab a complimentary drink at the bar. Not so standard after all.
What are the best bars in Bangkok, Sukhumvit?
Sukhumvit is crammed with some of the coolest bars in Bangkok, including Tichuca, Lost in Thaislation, Octave, Havana Social and Above Eleven. Sukhumvit is a pretty big area of the city, but if it’s nightlife you’re after, the best spot is the strip on Soi Sukhumvit 11.
Do bars in Bangkok take credit cards?
Yes, the majority of bars in Bangkok accept credit cards, but it’s worth carrying some cash on you in case you need it for taxis or public transport. Some smaller or more local bars won’t accept cards or may charge you to use one, so we found it was generally easier to pay in cash.
Be warned that all ATMs in Bangkok come with a charge for withdrawing cash, so you might want to change all the money you’ll need before you travel.
What are some other cool things to do in Bangkok?
Some cool things to do in Bangkok include taking a street food tour of Chinatown, visiting the nearby floating markets, checking out unusual temples like Wat Arun and Wat Sam Phran and watching a fight at the local Muay Thai stadium.
Read about the top 10 food tours to do in Bangkok here.
Looking for more inspo for your trip to Thailand? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to offer tips and advice for your travels.
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