The Finer Things
Rooftop bars 63 floors above the Chao Phraya, Thai whiskey that tastes like nothing back home, Full Moon Party neon at 3 AM, and craft cocktails in hidden speakeasies — this is Thailand after dark.
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My first night in Bangkok, someone told me to skip Khao San Road and go straight to a rooftop bar. I ended up at Vertigo on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree, walked that narrow open-air walkway with the city sprawling in every direction, and ordered a Mekhong Soda because the bartender said that's what locals drink. He was right. That sweet, herbal spirit over ice with a squeeze of lime became my default order for the rest of the trip. Thailand's bar scene spans everything from world-class cocktail lounges to beach buckets full of SangSom and Red Bull — and both ends of that spectrum are worth experiencing.
— Scott & Jenice
We've organized Thailand's best bars, spirits, and nightlife into five categories — Rooftop Bars for the views, Thai Whiskey & Spirits for the locals' picks, Full Moon & Island Parties for the bucket list, Craft Beer for the hop heads, and Cocktail Bars & Nightlife Districts for everything in between. Sixteen venues across five cities, with prices current as of early 2026.
Rooftop Bars
4 venuesSky Bar at Lebua State Tower
Bangkok
The most famous rooftop bar in Asia — made iconic by The Hangover Part II. 63rd floor, open-air, panoramic river views. Dress code enforced (no shorts, no sandals). Go at sunset. Expensive, worth it once.
Vertigo & Moon Bar
Bangkok
61st floor of Banyan Tree hotel. The narrow walkway to the bar with open sky on both sides is genuinely thrilling. Less crowded than Sky Bar, equally stunning views. Live jazz nightly.
Octave Rooftop Bar
Bangkok
Three levels of rooftop at the Marriott Sukhumvit. 360-degree views, excellent cocktails, and a more relaxed vibe than the ultra-premium bars. Great value for a rooftop experience. Happy hour 5–7 PM.
Above Eleven
Bangkok
Peruvian-Japanese fusion food meets rooftop cocktails. 33rd floor, Sukhumvit views. More of a dining destination than a pure bar — the ceviche is excellent. Reservations recommended weekends.
Thai Whiskey & Spirits
4 venuesMekhong
Nationwide
Thailand's original "whiskey" (technically a rum-based spirit). Sweet, herbal, smooth. Mix with soda and lime (Mekhong Soda) or drink neat. Available at every bar and 7-Eleven. The taste of Thai nightlife.
SangSom
Nationwide
Thai rum that locals drink. Stronger and sweeter than Mekhong. Best mixed with soda, lime, and ice in a bucket (literal beach buckets on the islands). The Full Moon Party fuel.
Regency Brandy
Nationwide
The underrated Thai spirit. Smoother than SangSom, more refined than Mekhong. Often found in upscale Thai restaurants. Try it neat or in a Thai-style Old Fashioned.
Iron Balls Gin
Bangkok
Bangkok-distilled craft gin using Thai botanicals — lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime. The breakout star of Thailand's small but growing craft spirits scene. Find it at craft cocktail bars in Sukhumvit and Charoenkrung.
Full Moon & Island Parties
4 venuesFull Moon Party
Koh Phangan
The legendary monthly beach rave at Haad Rin. 10,000–30,000 people, neon body paint, fire shows, thumping bass until sunrise. Love it or hate it — it's a bucket list experience. Wear shoes (broken glass), carry minimal cash, secure your valuables.
Half Moon Party
Koh Phangan
In the jungle, not on the beach. More curated than Full Moon — better sound systems, art installations, smaller crowds. Two weeks after every Full Moon. The locals' preferred party.
Ark Bar Beach Club
Koh Samui
Daily pool party on Chaweng Beach. DJs, fire shows, cheap drinks. The gateway drug to Thai island nightlife. Gets going around 10 PM, peaks at midnight.
Reggae Bar
Koh Phi Phi
Muay Thai ring in the middle of the bar where tourists fight for free drinks. Bizarre, entertaining, quintessentially backpacker Thailand. On Phi Phi's party strip.
Craft Beer & Brewpubs
3 venuesBeervana
Bangkok
Bangkok's best craft beer bar. 20+ rotating taps featuring Thai and international craft brews. Knowledgeable staff, cozy atmosphere. The place that proved Bangkok could do craft beer.
Devanom Craft Beer
Bangkok
Pioneering Thai craft brewery with a taproom in Ari neighborhood. Their IPA and wheat beer are locally famous. Great for a pre-dinner drink in one of Bangkok's coolest neighborhoods.
Hair of the Dog
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's craft beer scene in one bar. Rotating taps, bottle shop, and a garden patio. Popular with digital nomads and expats. Live music on weekends.
Cocktail Bars & Nightlife Districts
4 venuesBamboo Bar
Bangkok
Inside the Mandarin Oriental. Live jazz since 1953. The most sophisticated bar in Bangkok. Dress code: smart casual minimum. Order a classic — their Negroni is perfection.
Khao San Road
Bangkok
Backpacker ground zero. Cheap drinks, street food, pad thai on every corner, and a cacophony that's either thrilling or overwhelming. Go once, form your opinion. Most fun if you embrace the chaos.
Bangla Road
Phuket
Patong's neon-lit party strip. Go-go bars, nightclubs, street performers, ladyboy shows. Seedy but fascinating. A very specific type of nightlife that Phuket is known for. Not for everyone.
Sukhumvit Soi 11
Bangkok
Bangkok's most diverse nightlife strip. Rooftop bars, speakeasies, nightclubs, and late-night street food all on one soi. Levels for every mood — start classy, end at the street food cart.
Our Pro Tips
- Rooftop bar dress code: Long pants, closed shoes — every premium rooftop bar in Bangkok enforces this. No exceptions. Carry a pair in your day bag if you're sightseeing and want to catch sunset from a rooftop.
- Full Moon Party survival: Wear shoes (not sandals — broken glass is everywhere), put your phone in a waterproof pouch, carry only the cash you need, and book accommodation on Haad Rin months ahead. It sells out every month.
- Thai whiskey protocol: Mekhong Soda with lime is the local order — asking for it shows you know Thailand. It's sweet, herbal, refreshing, and costs a fraction of imported spirits.
- Craft beer pricing: Thai craft beer is expensive relative to local beer — ฿200–400 vs ฿60–80 for Chang/Leo. Worth it for variety, but budget accordingly if you're on a craft beer crawl.
- Alcohol sales hours: Legal sales 11 AM–2 PM and 5 PM–midnight. 7-Eleven registers literally lock out alcohol purchases outside these windows. Tourist bars largely ignore this, but stock up during legal hours for your hotel room.
- Bangkok nightlife districts by vibe: Khao San = backpackers, Sukhumvit = expats and professionals, Silom = LGBTQ+ friendly, Charoenkrung = hipster and creative. Pick the district that matches your mood.
- Bringing alcohol home: 1 liter per person duty-free back to the US/UK. The duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport have excellent Thai rum and whiskey selections — Mekhong and SangSom make great souvenirs at airport prices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thailand Nightlife
Is the Full Moon Party safe?
Reasonably safe if you use common sense. Wear shoes (broken glass on the beach is real), carry only the cash you need in a waterproof pouch, leave your passport at the hotel, and stay with your group. Petty theft happens — don't bring anything you can't afford to lose. Drink from sealed bottles and buckets you watch being poured. The biggest risk is honestly sunburn the next day and a hangover.
What should I wear to Bangkok rooftop bars?
Long pants (chinos or dress pants), closed-toe shoes, and a collared shirt for men. Women have more flexibility but no flip-flops or beachwear. Every premium rooftop bar in Bangkok enforces a dress code at the elevator — they will turn you away in shorts and sandals. Carry a pair of long pants and closed shoes in your day bag if you're planning a sunset rooftop visit after sightseeing.
What does Thai whiskey taste like?
Mekhong is sweet and herbal with notes of honey, spice, and a slight vanilla finish — it's technically a rum-based spirit, not a true whiskey. SangSom is sweeter and stronger, more like a dark rum. Neither tastes like Scotch or bourbon. The best introduction is a Mekhong Soda — Mekhong, soda water, and a squeeze of lime over ice. It's refreshing, approachable, and what locals actually drink.
What is the best nightlife city in Thailand?
Bangkok, without question. The sheer variety is unmatched — rooftop bars, jazz clubs, speakeasies, street-level dive bars, mega-clubs, and late-night street food all within taxi distance. For island parties, Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party) and Koh Phi Phi are the top picks. Chiang Mai has a growing bar scene but it's more chill — craft beer gardens and live music rather than clubs. Phuket's Bangla Road is its own category entirely.
Can I buy alcohol at 7-Eleven at night?
Thailand has legal alcohol sales hours: 11 AM–2 PM and 5 PM–midnight. Outside these windows, 7-Eleven and other convenience stores will not sell alcohol — the registers literally lock out alcohol purchases. Tourist areas like Khao San Road and island bars largely ignore this, but don't count on it. Stock up during legal hours if you want drinks for your hotel room.
What is the best bar for a first night in Bangkok?
Octave Rooftop Bar at the Marriott Sukhumvit. It's got the rooftop views without the Sky Bar price tag, the cocktails are excellent, happy hour runs 5–7 PM, and the 360-degree panorama gives you your first real sense of how massive Bangkok is. After that, head down to Sukhumvit Soi 11 for dinner and more drinks at street level.
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