Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [134]
HOBS (HOUSE OF BEERS)
Map Bar/Restaurant
0 2392 3513; 522/3 Soi 16, Soi 55 (Thong Lor), Th Sukhumvit; 10am-1am; Thong Lo exit 3 & taxi
Arguably the word’s best brews, Belgian beers have been fleetingly available around Bangkok for a while now, but have found a permanent home at this new pub. Be sure to accompany your beer with a bowl of crispy frites, served here Belgian-style with mayonnaise.
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top picks
LITTLE-KNOWN BANGKOK BARS YOU CAN CLAIM TO HAVE ‘DISCOVERED’
Lollipop A rockin’ shack in an old Bangkok neighbourhood.
Nest Sukhumvit Soi 11’s most well-concealed nightlife spot.
Parking Toys Although certainly not a secret any longer, its distant location lends it an undiscovered aura.
Bangkok Bar Located just far enough off one of Bangkok's main party strips to maintain your street cred.
Sky Train Jazz Club The hidden rooftop location will surprise even the locals.
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DRINKING WITH THE STARS
In recent years we’ve seen Bangkok become New York’s main competitor to the title of rooftop-bar capital of the world. And we mean rooftop in the most literal sense – often it’s only a waist-high barrier that separates you from a surreal Bangkok sunset or Chao Phraya River, dozens of floors below. Throw in a stiff drink and a stiff breeze, and you have an experience few other cities can match.
Although many of the places below also offer food, the price tags are typically as lofty as the addresses so we recommend a sunset cocktail or two before heading elsewhere for dinner. Also, keep in mind that most hotel-bound bars vigorously enforce the ubiquitous ‘no shorts, no flip-flops’ dress code.
Long Table (Map; 0 2302 2557; 25th fl, 48 Column Bldg, Soi 16, Th Sukhumvit; 5pm-2am; Sukhumvit exit 3; Asok exit 4) Not exactly a rooftopper, but the open-air section of this 25th-floor upmarket Thai restaurant-bar provides great views of one of Bangkok’s busiest central districts. Most easily accessed via Th Ratchadaphisek.
Moon Bar (Map; 0 2679 1200; www.banyantree.com; 61st fl, Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 Th Sathon Tai; 5pm-1am; Lumphini exit 2) The Banyan Tree’s Moon Bar kick-started the rooftop trend and as Bangkok continues to grow at a mad pace, the view from 61 floors up only gets better. Arrive well before sunset and grab a coveted seat to the right of the bar for the most impressive views.
Nest (Map; 0 2255 0638; www.nestbangkok.com; 8th fl, Le Fenix Hotel, 33/33 Soi 11, Th Sukhumvit; 5pm-2am; Nana exit 3) Perched eight floors above ground on the roof of Le Fenix Hotel, Nest is a chic maze of cleverly concealed sofas and inviting day-beds. A DJ soundtrack and one of the most interesting pub grub menus in town keep things down to earth.
RedSky (Map; 0 2100 1234; 55th fl, Centara Grand, Central World Plaza, Siam Sq; 5pm-1am; Chit Lom exit 9 to Sky Walk, Siam exit 6 to Sky Walk) Perched on the 55th floor of a striking new skyscraper, Bangkok’s most recent rooftop dining venture is probably the most formal of the lot and boasts an extensive martini menu.
Roof (Map; 0 2217 3070; Siam@Siam Design Hotel; 25th fl, 865 Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; 5.30pm-12.30am; National Stadium exit 1) In addition to views of central Bangkok from 25 floors up, the Roof offers a dedicated personal martini sommelier and an extensive wine and champagne list.
Sky Bar (Map; 0 2624 9555; 63rd fl, The Dome at State Tower, 1055 Th Silom; 6pm-1am; Saphan Taksin exit 3) Allegedly one of the highest alfresco bars in the world, Sky Bar, located on the 63rd floor of this upmarket restaurant compound, provides heart-stopping views over Chao Phraya River.
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JOOL’S BAR & RESTAURANT
Map Bar/Restaurant
0 2252 6413; Soi 4 (Soi Nana Tai), Th Sukhumvit; 11am-midnight; Nana exit 2
With the walls virtually covered with pictures of the bar’s regulars, you’ll feel like part of the crowd even if you’re drinking alone. When things are buzzing, lots of Nana Plaza girly-bar vets take a breather here for a good-natured