See also: BK B.A.D. Awards 2017 announces Bangkok's absolute best bars

 


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Cloud9

32.52.542
 
Silom’s Cloud 47 has been reborn in this down-to-earth (now ninth story) poolside bar. Drinks are fruity and easy to down, and perfect for post-work thawing of the brain cells. The food, too, will pleasantly lull you into near-hibernation. Pair comfort classics like the barbecue pork ribs (B680) with the Red Velvet cocktail, a mix of tequila, triple sec, pomegranate syrup and some sour mix in a glass rimmed with salt and rosemary and finished off with fresh pomegranate. All signature cocktails are B320. Has this become our after-hours staff lounge? Absolutely. Would we suggest it for Saturday-night shenanigans? Probably not.
Total score: 14/25
9/F, Haven’t Met Hotel, 188/1 Narathiwas Rd., 02-233-4442. Open daily 5pm-midnight
 
 
 
 

Aire Bar 

43.5353.5
 
All signature cocktails are B280, which in the world of rooftop bars is a steal. We can thank booze experts Bootleggers for the cocktails here, whose creations are two twists beyond typical hotel libations. The bar’s also inaugurated a new drinking tradition: Sunday Sessions, 3pm until close every Sunday B1,100 gets you a pitcher of booze big enough to satisfy a five-a-side team (but we won't tell if you share between three—just watch your step on the way out). Too cultured for bucket cocktails? Pop open a bottle of prosecco Follador, Extra Dry, Veneto, Italy, NV for B1,000.
Total score: 19/25
28/F, Hyatt Place, 22/5 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-055-1234. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 5pm-1am; Sun 3-11pm
 
 
 
 
 

Penthouse Bar + Grill Rooftop

4.53.53.544
 
The much-anticipated, garden rooftop of the Park Hyatt is finally open. Above the grill and the secret whiskey bar with intimate live piano is an elegant space that’s necessarily exclusive, only able to accommodate 80 guests. The rooftop also has its own signature menu of four sophisticated cocktails (all B360), but you’re free to order from the grill and bar below, too. The same goes with the wine list—127 labels of it (from B340/glass)—meaning there’s no reason not to pass the sunset at this open-air spot. Our favorite mix is the Le Pierriot cocktail, made of Cointreau, lemon, a red wine reduction, Thomas Henry tonic and Pernod, which adds a satisfying finish to a very smooth drink. 
Total score: 19.5/25
34-36/F, Park Hyatt, 88 Wireless Rd., 02-012-1234. Open daily noon-2pm, 6-10:30pm 
 
 
 

A Bar (BK Pick!)

4.54544
 
We hate to play favorites, but yes, we’re guilty of loving A Bar the most. We love its split floor, split liquor drinking experience, where you can mull over the dark-spirit cocktails downstairs or ascend to the carefree alfresco of the top bar, where the specialty is gin. Don’t miss the Botanist Fashioned (B365), which mixes house coffee and vanilla syrup with an oak-barrel and “secret ingredient” aged Beefeater gin. The result of the aging is a spirit with notes of smoky caramel—a gin cousin of whiskey.
Total score: 21.5/25
37-38/F, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-059-5555. Open daily 5pm-1am (A Bar Rooftop), 7pm-1am (A Bar)