Bangkok’s Best Cocktail Bars

Bangkok night-life isn't all night markets selling knock-offs and go-go girl shows; there is an exciting array of sleek and sophisticated bars where the more discerning traveller might like to while away an evening sipping a cocktail (or three) in extraordinary surroundings.

Relax and Recline

After a hard day on the tourist trail you might want to really take the weight off your feet, in which case head to one of the bars featuring fashionable beds to recline on like a Roman while you sip your Cosmopolitan. Perhaps the most famous for its relaxed attitude to seating is Bed Supper Club (26 Sukhumvit Soi 11). This space-age elliptical pod offers divan beds as well as low level chairs in what world's best bars describes as “the retro-futuristic feel”. With many big name international DJs regularly hitting the decks, the sleek interior, attractive staff and sophisticated vibe are sure to be a winner. If all that reclining has made you lazy, the near by Nest Bar on the roof of Le Fenix Hotel 33 Sukhumvit Soi 11) also offers padded hammocks and beach style day beds to relax on while you soak up the al fresco atmosphere.

Sky High

What better way to escape the frenetic frenzy of this busy metropolis than by watching the sun go down, cocktail in hand on a rooftop bar. Bangkok has several rooftop bars and restaurants, many worth a trip for the outstanding views over the city and Chao Phraya river alone. Towering over the city's skyline, one of the most imposing skyscrapers the State Tower (in fact the second tallest building in Bangkok) has perched upon its peak on the 63rd floor the appropriately named Sky Bar at the Lebua Hotel (1155/111 Silom Road). The cocktails might be on the expensive side but the breathtaking panoramic views and elite clientèle make for an unforgettable experience.

If you have been bitten with the bug for sky-high bars, then you'll be pleased to know that the Sky Bar is just one of several in Bangkok. Soaring sixty one floors high, almost as tall as the Sky Bar is the stylish open air Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar on the roof of the impressive Banyan Tree Hotel (21/100 South Sathorn Road). Jazz fans will be impressed with the Millennium Hilton's ThreeSixty bar (123 Charoen Nakom Road) aptly named for its 360 degree views, this jazz lounge offers less expensive drinks and stunning views of the river. With several other rooftop lounge bars such as Gazebo and Red Sky in the city, you will be spoilt for sky-high choice.

Take to the Water

If all that talk of heady heights makes you too weak at the knees, why not enjoy an evening by or on the shimmering Chao Phraya river which snakes through the city? The sense of calm that washes over you as you sip a cocktail overlooking the water is an excellent antidote to the hectic buzz of Bangkok. The outdoor Boh Bar not only has an enviable riverside location near the Tha Thien Express Boat Pier but at has magnificent views of the the Wat Arun temples which are beautifully lit up at night. Unlike several of Bangkok's bars with a view, this bar is less sophisticated but subsequently less pricey.

If you are looking for more upmarket riverside cocktails then many of the prestigious hotels positioned on the banks of the river have excellent bars and fantastic views, such as the Shangri-La and the Sheraton. Not content with being by the water, you might like to spend an evening enjoying a cocktail or dinner cruise in a traditional style barge on the river. Several companies such as Loy Nava Dinner Cruises offer traditional cuisine and a chance to view the city's landmarks from the unique vantage point of the water.

Old World Opulence

No search of cocktails in sumptuous settings is complete without a trip to the majestic five star Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Soi 38, Charoen Krung Road) which was the first ever hotel in Thailand and has played host to numerous persons of note over the years such as Noel Coward and Graham Greene. This beautiful hotel remains true to it's colonial roots with a choice of the legendary Bamboo Bar, or enjoy excellent al fresco cocktails amongst the twinkly-lit trees overlooking the river in the patio bar.

Night Time Traveller Tips

When out and about in search of the city's best bars, ensure you take enough money to keep you in cocktails the night through. Travellers cheques are often seen as outmoded and unpopular these days, so consider prepaid currency cards which are a great alternative to credit cards which charge for making purchases and withdrawing money abroad. By pre-loading money onto your currency card you can use it at cashpoints or to pay directly. It is worth making sure you have some cash on you, particularly in smaller denominations for leaving tips and paying for transport. Undeniably the most quintessential mode of transport for your evening in the city is in the famous Tuk Tuks. Whizzing and weaving through the traffic in one of these three wheeled vehicles is often entertainment in itself. However, Bangkok has excellent public transport and there are also regular taxis, the sky train monorail and express boats to take you from one bar to the next. Many of the riverside hotels also offer their own water taxi to and from the main pier. Before setting off to any of the more exclusive spots intending to dine with your drinks, be sure to call ahead to avoid disappointment as many of the popular places fill up quickly.