The best rooftop bars Sukhumvit offers for a pre-game before Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy are Above Eleven on Soi 11, Sky on 20 near Asok, RedSquare on Soi 4, Vanilla Sky on Soi 24, and Octave and Tichuca around Thong Lo. Cocktails run roughly ฿350 to ฿700 plus 17.7% in service and VAT, and each is a BTS hop or short walk from the neon.
A rooftop first and a go-go bar second is the classic Bangkok evening. You get the skyline, a proper drink and a clear head, then you drop into the noise with a better story than "I had four beers on Soi 4". Pre-game like a gentleman, then head to ground level where being a gentleman is optional. For the category, see the rooftop bars page.
Which Sukhumvit Rooftops Are Closest to Nana and Soi Cowboy?
Above Eleven and RedSquare are closest for Nana, and Sky on 20 for Soi Cowboy. Walking times are approximate and depend on your pace and the traffic.
Rooftops open, close and rebrand often, so check hours and menus before you go.
What Is Each Sukhumvit Rooftop Like?
Each has its own personality, so match the rooftop to the mood.
- Above Eleven. At Fraser Suites on Soi 11, a Peruvian-Japanese rooftop that suits sunset and a proper dinner before Nana, a short taxi or walk away. Check the menu for prices before you book.
- Sky on 20. A relaxed hotel rooftop at Novotel Sukhumvit 20. It is the most easygoing of the six and the best match for a pre-Soi Cowboy beer, since the lane lies between Soi 21 and Soi 23.
- RedSquare. On Soi 4, beside Nana Plaza and the Soi Nana beer bars: the shortest hop between a view and a go-go bar.
- Vanilla Sky. On Sukhumvit Soi 24 in the Phrom Phong area, for a drink before Soi Cowboy if you would rather start further out. Check the current details.
- Octave. A 360 degree, three-level rooftop at Marriott Sukhumvit 57 that the site's map calls easier on the wallet than Sky Bar at Lebua. It is a BTS ride from the neon, not a stroll.
- Tichuca. The jungle-themed rooftop on Sukhumvit 40 with the glowing jellyfish tree. Playful and photogenic, and a short BTS or taxi hop from Thong Lo.
What Do Sukhumvit Rooftops Cost?
Expect rooftop prices on top of Sukhumvit's already high ones. A cocktail typically costs ฿350 to ฿700 at the time of writing, with "++" meaning 10% service and 7% VAT added, about 17.7%. These are typical ranges, not quotes, so check menus.
What Should You Wear to a Rooftop Bar Before a Go-Go Bar?
Dress for the rooftop and the go-go bar will forgive you. Many rooftops enforce a smart-casual code: typically no flip-flops, no vests and sometimes no shorts, with closed shoes and long trousers the safe choice. Go-go bars at Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are far more relaxed.
Light long trousers and a collared shirt get you through the whole night. Check each venue's dress code, because rules differ.
How Do You Build a Rooftop and Neon Route?
A simple route runs sunset, dinner, Soi Cowboy, Nana:
- 5:15pm: a rooftop cocktail with the skyline. Sky on 20 or Above Eleven suit this best.
- 7pm: dinner near the BTS. The late-night food guide covers cheap eats near Nana and Soi Cowboy.
- 9pm: Soi Cowboy, a single neon lane between Soi 21 and Soi 23.
- 11pm: Nana Plaza, three floors of go-go bars around a courtyard, or the beer bars on Soi Nana.
The Nana vs Soi Cowboy comparison helps you decide which comes first. For a date-night version of the rooftop part, see the romantic rooftop bars guide.
How Do You Stay Safe on the Way Down?
Pace your drinking, because rooftop cocktails are strong and lady drinks add up. Check the bill, keep your phone and wallet close and agree prices before you leave a bar with anyone. Always use a condom.
All bar workers must be 18 or older and free to leave. If anyone looks underage or not free to go, walk away and report it via the anti-trafficking page. In trouble, call the Tourist Police on 1155. The red-light districts page and the Bangkok guide cover the wider picture.
